For grandparents raising grandchildren, being a primary caregiver later in life is no walk in the park — except during the last weekend of May. That’s when the County of San Diego’s Child and Family Well Being Department hosts its annual “gramping” campout, one of the department’s most popular events of the year.
Gramping is an overnight camping adventure at Dos Picos County Park in Ramona for grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and family friends raising children who are not living with their biological parents.
This year, 68 kinship caregivers participated in the free campout. Families enjoyed a full schedule of outdoor activities, including campsite setup, games, arts and crafts, a nature walk, supper and a fire safety presentation. The evening ended with s’mores around the campfire. Participants also completed a service project by planting trees throughout the park.
“It is easy for Grandparents raising their grandchildren to feel alone since most of their friends live different lives,” said Alfredo Guardado, director of the County Child and Family Well Being Department. “Gramping is an opportunity for those grandparents to connect with families facing similar challenges and build a community of support and friendship.”
In San Diego County, approximately 18,000 grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Many face financial strain due to fixed incomes, physical limitations, housing instability, and the need for legal or health coverage support.
The Child and Family Well Being Department offers programs, services and connections to community partners to help ease the hardships that come with kinship care and support families in building long-term stability and success.
