With only a couple of blackened toe nails and a few healing blisters as reminders of our Tanzanian adventure which ended one week earlier, our attention quickly turned to hosting the second annual “Papa & Gigi Camp,” June 21–27. Lisa, our star “camp counselor,” flew out with the Garcia children, and upon landing, the party started.
This week is a win-win-win. The parents love having a week “alone.” The grandparents and auntie love having a week with the kids. And the kids love having a week with each other (and the grandparents and auntie). Our only regret is that we didn’t start this tradition sooner.
The theme for this year’s camp was “Dare to Stand,” based on the life of Daniel. Paul developed the curriculum and Barbara Steele put it together in a creative and attractive booklet, which each person received soon after arriving Saturday night.
Since the pool was beckoning on that very hot June night (the entire week had record setting temps!), the booklets weren’t explored until the next day, but all week they served as the basis for devotions, prayer, and affirmations, which were led by a different child each night.
Opening night, we went from the airport pick-up to Nathan’s basketball game to our home . . . and then to the pool. Excitement was high!
The booklet was written by Paul and published by Barbara Steele.
Everyone could recite our memory verse by week’s end.
The assigned leader for devotions, prayer, and affirmation was determined by the role of a die.
The “welcome swag bags” were a hit and included their booklet, their matching shirts, and a few fun things.
Nate quickly and enthusiastically donned his “Papa & Gigi Camp” shirt while Brandon peruses the booklet.
The cousins were so happy to support Nathan’s tournament basketball games the first weekend.
Each child led devotions one night (which were the highlights for me). Some great discussions ensued and thoughtful questions were raised.
Though we had planned to spend a day at the National Zoo and another day touring downtown D.C., the heat wave made those plans unwise. Fortunately, we have 5 grandchildren who LOVE the water and having a pool provided us with just what we needed to have lots of cool, creative fun.
The children spent about 6 hours a day in the pool. At least.
Volleyball was one of many games that took place in the pool.
The other “cool” destination was “Skyzone”—the local trampoline park. Besides swimming, everyone also loves jumping and we managed three visits to this great indoor bounce house.
We spent quite a few hours bouncing at “Skyzone.”
One afternoon we escaped the heat by going to the movies. The girls opted to see “Lilo and Stitch” while the boys watched “How to Train a Dragon.” Everyone was pleased with the choices.
Tuesday afternoon matinee was another fun way to escape the heat.
Back by popular demand, we had “make your own pizza" night. Each child’s unique personality showed up in their finished product.
"Make your own pizza” night was a huge hit again this year.
Outdoor movie night was also a hit, though technical difficulties interfered with the sound so we gave up on it about halfway through the movie.
The hot tub was the perfect place from which to watch the outdoor movie.
The grand finale came on Thursday when Rob and Gabby Warren took all of us out on the Chesapeake Bay in their beautiful boat. The kids were over the moon thrilled with every aspect of this adventure—from the air-conditioned, enclosed queen size bedroom to riding on the bow and jumping off the bow of the boat. They all agreed this was “the best day ever.” Rob and Gabby served us all so well and created for us a most memorable excursion.
The kids thought the queen size bed in the air-conditioned cabin was very cool.
This was the day we wore our matching shirts…on a boat named “Better Together.” How appropriate!!
They loved jumping off the bow of the boat and hanging out on this float. The Warrens have this wired!
Skipper Rob and first mate Gabby were the quintessential hosts for our day on the water.
After a long day at sea, we managed to snap a photo in our shirts with our welcome sign on the last full day of “Papa & Gigi Camp.”
All too quickly the week ended and our final breakfast together featured cinnamon rolls (by popular demand.)
Cinnamon rolls, eggs, smokies, fresh cherries… a great send-off breakfast
At National Airport, we put the Garcias on a plane back to CA.
The week was full of laughter, energy, activity, and organized chaos. As the week progressed, there were increasing amounts of fingerprints on glass doors, crumbs on the floor, clothes strewn about, and candy wrappers and empty seltzer cans that missed trashcans, etc. But within hours of the end of “camp,” everything was cleaned up and put back in place and a quietness settled over our home.
Truth be told, as much as I like neat and ordered spaces, I’d take the chaos of happy laughter and displaced items any day.
The memories made, the bonds deepened, the increased knowledge of one another, and the strength of solidarity are advanced in times like these and we are so grateful that we are afforded this privilege. Plans are already underway for “Papa & Gigi Camp—2026 Edition” by the children, who all agree this is their favorite week of the year.
The dust had literally barely settled on this great week, when 24 hours after taking the Garcias to the airport, we picked up our dear friend, Helen Belden Challener at the airport for a five-day visit. Helen worked at camp with us in 1978 and 1980 and has been a “chosen family” friend ever since.
Helen and Lisa spent many hours working on Lisa’s PhD dissertation, with Lisa writing it and Helen editing it, so Lisa extended her stay to overlap with Helen. Happy reunion!
Our days with Helen were more of the same. Skyzone with Nate and Rachel, the pool, and a thrift store visit. It’s always good to have Helen in the house. She brings laughter and delight.
Helen observed a competitive dodge ball game at Skyzone, in which Nate took on the three ladies—and won.
One of our favorite thrift stores was a hit.
But the pool was the place to be.
Summertime: pools, travels, slower pace, and fresh tomatoes from the garden. Paul is having great success with his tomato plants and was thrilled to harvest the first two this past week.
We celebrated our first 4th of July in Fairfax, taking in the local parade in the morning and watching local fireworks at night. It was especially fun to enjoy this day with the Johnsons.
On the parade route in downtown Fairfax on the 4th.
We’re flying to California today to speak at Forest Home’s family camp this next week, July 6–12. We’re so thankful for the privilege of being a part of this ongoing tradition of speaking for this vital ministry. Our love for family camps continues to deepen as the need for such encouragement and training escalates. Pray that the Lord will use us in powerful ways this week.
Finally, thank you for all of your encouragement and prayers for us and for Jennie Mutaka, especially this past month. We’d encourage you to keep up to date on Jennie by logging on to her CaringBridge site. Her body is responding well to the treatment she’s receiving, which is a huge praise, and she and Denis are seeking the Lord’s direction for the next steps. Their heart to return to Uganda do family ministry is deep, but right now there are more questions than answers. But God . . .
And I will forever be grateful for so many of you who sent texts or emails, or made comments on social media posts, and most of all prayed for me and Lisa during our Tanzanian adventure. I’ve felt the love and affirmation in deep ways. Thank you, thank you. Though I fell short of the goal of summiting, our hike up Kilimanjaro will be on the short list of both the greatest challenges and most amazing experience of my life. All praise is His!!
