GrandCamp is a fun-filled, five-day overnight program designed for grandparents and their grandchildren to have fun, meet new friends, and develop a closer bond together with God. Come and learn how to be intentional about showing the light of Christ to your grandchild; come and praise the Lord with your grandchild; come and watch your relationship with your grandchild blossom and grow!
Join us for GrandCamp 2026
Grandchildren, who have completed 1st through 5th grades, will be delighted to enjoy this time with their grandparents. The next GrandCamp will take place June 15-19, 2026 amidst the oaks of Epworth By the Sea Conference Center, on beautiful St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Registration will open November/December 2025.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Wanda DeLorge, Director, at wanda.delorge@gmail.com
What did Grandparents who attended in 2025 have to say about GrandCamp?
–Mike “Poppy” & Rena “Yaya” Lankford: Are you looking for ways to spend quality time with your grandchild? Do you want to share Jesus with them in a loving and non-confrontational manner? Attend GrandCamp!
–Jeff “Babi” Lamberson: GrandCamp was everything we thought it would be and more. We loved meeting and socializing with new people that became immediate friends in Christ.
–Becky “Mimi” Osmond: This is such a wonderful place to build on the spiritual foundation of our grandchildren and spend quality time with them while doing that!
–Bob “Grandpa” & Ann “Grandma” Allen: GrandCamp is a fun time with grandchildren. But more than that, it is a great resource and encouragement for discipling our grandchildren in Christ and communicating to them how much we value and love them.
–Karl “Papa” Burns: I will treasure my time with my grandson; not just through the year but through eternity. I know fundamental memories were made as we both grew closer to each other as we drew closer to Jesus.
–Libby “Gigi” Davis: Wonderful week with my granddaughter and other loving grandparents and grandchildren. Sharing my faith with Meredith and speaking blessings over her.
–Joe “Grandpa” Charlton: It was an encouraging and inspirational experience for everyone; grandparents and grandkids alike!
–Amy “Grammy” Charlton: Everything was so well thought-out/planned. Terrific “staffing” with the music “quartet” and with the lovely teen junior staff. Heather was a wonderful addition to the staff, so warm and patient. Thank you for being patient with our grands! We so needed/wanted to be here! Everything exceeded our expectations!
–Mary Frances “Nana” Ahl: GrandCamp is truly amazing! Sharing God’s love with my granddaughter Sadie and all the love He has for her is a priceless gift. Being able to share God’s love with other believing grandparents and grandchildren is an added bonus!
–Charlotte “Lala” Seignious: I believe GrandCamp gives an intimate atmosphere without the distractions of daily life and schedules at home. It’s a focused time between you and your grandchild; one on one. In a large family gathering there is not the quality time that you receive when it’s just you and your grandchild. We have created memories that have drawn Charlotte and me even closer. Our grandson Holden wants to come next year!
–Lelia “Mimi” LaPlante: From the prayer calendar to the final blessing, the whole GrandCamp experience was legit!
What was the best thing you did this summer?
By the Very Rev. Karl Burns, Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island
I’ve got my answer locked in: GrandCamp with my nine-year-old grandson, Lewis!
Over the years, I’ve spent many summers at camps and retreats, but this one? This one topped them all. We laughed, played, prayed, and made memories that will last far beyond our time at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island, Georgia. It wasn’t just the highlight of my summer—it was a heart-filling adventure that brought Lewis and me closer to each other and to God.
In so many ways, GrandCamp is a sacred space. For four days, Lewis set aside Legos, video games, and Taekwondo, while I stepped away from preaching, pastoral care, and yard work. Together, we turned our hearts toward Jesus. We studied Bible stories, memorized scripture, built a simple circuit to light a bulb, and prayed using a bag of Skittles—and yes, we ate them too!
GrandCamp is sacred because it fosters meaningful connections with other grandparents. I loved getting to know fellow grandparents from across the country, hearing their hopes for their children and grandchildren, and praying with them throughout the week. Lewis, too, bonded with the other kids. It was such a blessing to watch them encourage each other in faith and grow in their love for the Lord.
But GrandCamp isn’t only sacred—it’s also a wonderfully silly place! Water balloons, relay races, and square dancing, helped us all experience faith with childlike joy. My personal favorite? Shaving cream wiffle ball. Turns out, a handful of shaving cream and a high-five are great ways to make foamy friends!
While there were many planned activities, Lewis and I especially enjoyed the unstructured afternoons—swimming in the pool, exploring the beach, and walking the pier on St. Simons Island. Squirt gun battles, boogie board surfing, and seaside strolls were all memory-making moments. But my favorite time? Our evening devotionals. Though we were tired and ready for bed, our devotional guide helped us open up about our faith and our lives.
On our third night, Lewis asked me, “Papa, when did you give your life to Jesus?” He was amazed to hear that I was not much older than he was. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t have asked that question before GrandCamp.
And Lewis’s favorite moment? I asked him. The Sunday after we returned, he stood in front of the congregation at Our Saviour and shared that his favorite moment was the last night—when his Papa gave him a blessing.
We had spent about thirty minutes sitting on a bench overlooking the intercoastal waterway. I told him how much I love him, how much he means to me, how deeply God loves him, and how God will guide and strengthen him.
His response? “I love you, Papa.”
That was it—I was undone. My heart was full, and my soul rejoiced. Lewis reaffirmed his faith and commitment, and we walked hand in hand back to the chapel. Along the way, we somehow ended up talking about shaving cream going up our noses during wiffle ball.
I told you—GrandCamp is a sacred space, but it’s also a silly space!
We’re already looking forward to next summer’s GrandCamp (June 15–19, 2026). Lewis and I have even convinced his little sister and Mimi to join us! He wanted me to tell you something too:
“Tell them it’ll be the best thing they will do all summer.”
Amen, Lewis. Amen.
See photos from GrandCamp 2025 by Rileigh Barber
Grandfathers, enjoy a video just for you:
“GrandCamp Through the Eyes of a Grandfather.”
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