Oma and Opa Camp – 2nd year
Theme: Animals
Field Trips: We had two trips planned for this camp. One was to the local zoo and the second was a morning spent at the Isanti County Fair. Both places had lots of animals which fit with our theme. We like the County Fairs because they are smaller and the kids can see the animals closer up without the big crowds. The Isanti County Fair has a kids morning with lots of games and prizes and other attractions – all free! Check with your County Fair to see if they have a special day for kids.
The monkey house was a favorite.
Everything at the fair was fun for the little kids to do. They collected their prizes in bags that I had given them. Their Oma and Opa shirts were easily spotted and caught many people’s attention – even Ronald McDonald who wanted a picture.
They posted the picture on the bulletin board at the local McDonalds in town.
Hint: Whenever you take trips, pack lunches and treats. It saves time and money!
Bible Story: Daniel in the Lions Den. We talked about how Daniel chose to serve God even when it was difficult. God saved him from harm in the lion’s den by closing the lion’s mouths so no harm came to Daniel. We also need to choose to serve God and obey Him even when others make bad choices. Following the Bible story, we sing a blessing to the grandkids. It is the chorus from a Signature Sound Quartet song that says, “God give this child a good heart. God give this child a good heart – one that cares for the weak, hears when you speak, one that will make you smile. God give this child a good heart.”
Crafts: Besides the crafts at the County Fair, the kids made lion puppets to go along with the Bible story. They were paper bag puppets and they embellished the faces of the lions with yarn for the manes along with large google eyes.
Food: For lunch, the kids made “lion” sandwiches. We took lightly toasted English muffins and covered them with mozzarella cheese. Around the edges of the muffin, they put cheddar cheese.(the lion’s mane) They added sliced olive eyes with nose and mouth made from a carrot slice and curly carrot strip. We then put them in the toaster oven and baked them until the cheese melted.
Making omelets:
Another meal that the kids made themselves was omelets.Take 1 egg, 1 T water and put into a freezer ziplock bag. Add bacon, sausage, cheese, or any other ingredients that you like in your omelet. Be sure to close the ziploc bag and then mix the ingredients by kneading the bag. (FUN PART). Mark each bag with a permanent marker and place in boiling water for 13 minutes. Use a large pot of boiling water and place only about 5 bags in at a time. Remove from water, open and slide the omelet out on a plate. YUM!
They couldn’t believe that they made it themselves!
Activities: At the age that they all are, it seems that bubbles are still a big hit. The recipe for homemade bubbles is this-
Bubble Recipe
2 cups Dawn (or Joy if you can find it)
6 cups warm water (Distilled is even better)
3/4 cup white Karo syrup
Mix gently in large container and keep lid on for 24 hours. I use a large flat plastic storage box. When the kids use it, they can dip in it, but it never spills. Replace lid and store for the next time.
These bubble wands come from the Dollar Tree store. Throw away the pans that come with them and use the tub.
Other activities included using the water squirters from Dollar Tree, backyard tag, and Duck, Duck, Grey Duck. On hot days, use a paper cup with water for Duck, Duck. The person that is “it” carries the water and sprinkles each person and says “drip, drip” and then “dump” the water on the one that is supposed to chase them.
After a big day, the kids get to take “glow-stick” baths. Darken the room somewhat and put glow sticks in the tub water. It looks great!
All in all, it was another great year of Oma and Opa Camp!
