Closing Ceremonies at Camp Richiak

Our week had to be cut short due to other circumstances, but we were elated to have three days of Camp Richiak! Today we met twice, once in the morning where we painted frames for our camp photo then the Richardson’s returned in the evening as well for our closing ceremonies. We had to show off to the two dads what we had been up to all week, teaching them the handshake, oath, and our favorite camp songs. Then it was dinner time with Walking Tacos on the menu! Afterwards we swam, made S’mores, then went on a memorable hunt locally. Jon took the amateur cousins on the golf course once it hit dark, (as many of us adults know, snipe are nocturnal). With a flashlight in hand, the “call” Jon taught the kids and a brown bag…they were off to catch that fast critter. Even our neighbors joined us as we tiptoed through the open area keeping an eye out for a beady eyed hairy tiny beast. Score! We actually caught one but somehow that hasty thing made a hole in the bag and sped off before we made it home to show him off to the eagerly curious kids. Ugh! Maybe next year we can outsmart that thing!
Although Cousin Camp has come to a close, we plan to reunite in October for a family campout then begin making plans for Camp Richiak 2010!

We're Still at It, Camp Richiak Day Two

It wasn’t hard to get the kids out of bed today. They knew what was ahead of them, Camp Richiak day two! To launch off the day’s activities, after our camp song and secret handshake, Dylan inspired us to write an oath. We listed things each thought was important and began the writing process setting it aside after awhile for us to ponder overnight and complete tomorrow.

We made rockets and set them off today with Alka Seltzer, made plates as a ‘forever memory’, went on a scavenger hunt, and let’s not forget making our ice cream in individual baggies which everyone gave as a BIG thumbs up!

During lunch today we had some thought provoking questions to get to know one another. We asked:
- What are your three best qualities (honest, loving, etc.)?
-If you were in a movie, what kind would it be and who would you want to be acting with you?
-What do you want to be when you grow up (job)?

The favorite songs of the day we sang were; Bananas, Toot-e-tah, and Boom Chica Boom.

Tomorrow we have planned another grand slam! I can’t wait!

Camp Richiak, Day One

Let the festivities begin! Oh how excited we all were for this day to finally get here!

Our opening ceremonies included each child’s initiation into our elite group, creating then learning the Cousin Camp secret handshake then singing our Camp Song created by one of our very own family members, Jon! We mean business!

With our own hands and hearts, each camp participant worked together to make our camp flag to hang each day outside. Laura and I loved seeing the cousins all plan and conquer their work of art using paint, gems, hot glue, feathers, and glitter. It turned out sweet.

Moving right along, we laughed our heads off with the next item of business, “Laughing Hands!” Since not all would want to do it, we took volunteers on who was willing to get messy and silly (all of Laura’s kids and none of mine…go figure ☺). Then, we assigned a person to either be the ‘face’ or ‘hands’ of the act. Pretty much what happed was, the ‘hand’ acted for the ‘face’ with the pulling of a card then following the task. For example, one card pulled was brushing teeth. As you can imagine, the laughs didn’t end as the ‘hands’ (who couldn’t see at all) spread the toothpaste onto a brush then brushed the teeth of the ‘face’ person’s teeth, without getting up from behind their back (thus not being able to see at all!)
(Here's Blake being a good sport with sister Carlie being his hands! She's shaving his face with whipped cream!)

(Dylan's letting me brush his teeth even!)

(Kaydon's loving joining in on the "manly" act!)

(And Carlie...Baylee's her hands as she 'dolls her up' with lipstick. Check out the before and after photos!)

We also sang silly camp songs, danced the Cha-cha slide, Macarana, and YMCA. We made personal pizzas for lunch, Oobleck, and set off Mentos and soda!

The kids were not ready for our day to end together at Camp Richiak. The good news is this… we all get to do this again tomorrow!

Camp Richiak 2009

Inspired by our beloved friend April who has done this for years, my cousin Laura and I were finally able to kick off our first-ever “Cousin Camp,” otherwise known as Camp Richiak. This year it was just our two Arizona families but hopefully with much excitement, we can talk our other cousins from California into joining us for 2010.

Our name is Camp Richiak because we took our two last names and combined them… Richardson (Rich) and Kempiak (iak). We laugh at how interesting and what a mouth full it could be if we do indeed add the Clement and Flanagan side of the family! (Richiakmentagan maybe) ☺

Let me explain our idea! Each day this week we are having a day ‘camp’ with “just us cousins.” In attendance will be Dylan, Carlie, Baylee, Blake, Nathan, Kaydon, and Owen. We’ve planned activities that we’ll all participate in with the best part of the whole thing…being together. The icing on the cake, we even have an original logo (I made last year when we thought we’d get this thing off and rollin’ but weren’t able to) that we've placed on tshirts and other important documents.

Stay tuned at what the week has for Camp Richiak and the directors, Laura and Kymberly! We can’t wait!