This year the Residential house got to experience something new this summer. We got to participate in “Camp Grandma”. As Yvonne Duff was researching activities for the summer, she came across this blog about these grandmas that would get their grandchildren one week for the summer. So they decided to all come together and do exciting and fun things the whole week.
So guess what? We decided to have our own Camp Grandma for the residents. For the most part, it was a mystery for them. One resident even thought that we were going down to southern Indiana to the actual Camp Grandma campgrounds. This caused a little hesitation, but as bits and pieces were told the excitement began to rise.
On Tuesday the day started off with a breakfast to get everyone moving. Then came the camp crafts, such as the birdhouses that each one built and custom painted. After we had lunch and loaded the vehicles, we were off to the great outdoors. Once we made it to our destination the team work and fun began. Everything was unloaded, with the residents joining in to set up the tents. They did an amazing job and got them set up quite quickly. Then it was time for what the excitement was building for: FISHING! From that moment up until it down-poured, everyone was having the time of their life. Yes, from 5:00 pm to 12:30 am the residents had a ball fishing! It was even said by one that it was the best time they’d had since being with us. At 5:00 am they were up and back at it again. It was so nice to see how they would cheer each other on when a fish, or turtle was caught. And how they didn’t hesitate to help each other take the fish off or if one had an issue with their pole, how they would jump in to help. Even though there were lots of activities planned for that evening, fishing trumped them all. We did set under the awning for a couple hours after the rain started and ate snacks, played a mystery game and just talked. They did get a couple hours sleep.
After fishing Wednesday morning we packed up and ate brunch at the house. Then it was off to get ice cream at Wilshire, and then to the pool. Camp ended Thursday afternoon with visiting a goat farm. Over 40 goats. They got to feed and even hold the little ones. Also, learning how to gather chicken eggs and even tried to catch a chicken. Well, let’s say they tried. And then once again, ice cream.
Even though we only had camp for 3 days, it was a full and eventful 3 days. The residents were so tired by the end. It takes everyone to make something like this happen. And we have a great team of staff that pulled this off. Thank you to each and every one of you! It truly was worth the work, can’t wait for Camp next year!
