GrandCamp Reunion 2021: We will not hide, we will tell!
What a fabulous week for all the grandparents and their precious treasures, our grandchildren!” wrote Darla Wier, after attending the 2021 session of GrandCamp at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center with her two grandchildren. “I am so grateful and thankful for the outpouring of love for all of us, and the reassurance that we are not in this alone, but surrounded by God’s love and His blessings. I look forward to using all I have learned when talking with and spending time with my grandchildren and blessing each one of them. Please know that all you do makes a difference in all our lives, and will be passed on to the next generation.”
This was just one of the many comments that came flowing back to those of us who organized the week away, in which a small group of 23 grandparents and their precious grandchildren gathered at St. Christopher, on the banks of the north Edisto River on June 21, for a true GrandCamp Reunion. It had been two years since we were able to get together in person and this week certainly did not disappoint! We were blessed with great weather, a fantastic group, and an awesome message!
Kudos to Peter Rothermel for writing a wonderful curriculum based on Psalm 78:4, “We will not hide them from their children, but tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
We were reminded of how we can find the Lord in creation, in Scripture and in one another. Grandparents, together with their grandchildren, sang praises led by the incredible Rich Giersch. They played on the beach, prayed, and learned bible verses together, enjoyed s’mores by the firepit and had a Hawaiian Night talent show!
Charlie and Karen Young wrote to tell about some of the fruit from GrandCamp: “Our grandson, FaceTimed us this evening to tell us that he had accepted Christ this afternoon, while attending a WindShape camp at his church. I wanted to share this wonderful news with the team because all of you worked so diligently to share the gospel with all the children (and adults) last week. We praise God for his mercy and thank you for your commitment! We are so grateful!”
Helen Clarkson wrote, “It was an incredible experience for my clan. I learned new things about my grandchildren’s faith, and they learned about mine.”
After the week together Candace Brace put together a photo memory book including the Bible verses everyone memorized, songs they learned and reminiscences from the “Blessing,” which is one of the highlights of the week.
There was hilarity in the gathering, as well. During the talent show some of the children surprised their grandparents with their impromptu performances.
“I’ve never laughed so hard!” said Barbara Bailey, whose young grandson switched his plan from rollerblading to humming just before he went on. She recorded it and has enjoyed it, along with the loud clapping he received afterward, over and over again.
Her granddaughter experienced a special blessing when Peter and Jackie Rothermel, who were enjoying a restful break on the beach, invited her to sing
the song she hadn’t been able to sing at the talent show and she just belted it out for their enjoyment. “The Lord used that precious couple so mightily, said Barbara. “It just blessed our socks off!”
Perhaps Wanda DeLorge summed it up best with, “We both agreed, this was an amazing GrandCamp week, the best one yet!”
Needless to say, we are all looking forward to GrandCamp 2022, June 19-24, 2022! Watch for registration to open after Thanksgiving.
By Cheryl Cargill, St. Paul’s, Summerville
