CRESWELL — From impassioned karaoke to basking near the jewel-colored waters of Dorena Lake, Creswell resident Nancy Osborne’s “Cousin Camp” has combined Pacific Northwest beauty and family ties since 2015.
Looking to create lasting memories and unite cousins in the face of large distances, Osborne and her sister, Amy Petti, proposed a yearly reunion. The events have taken place in Sunriver, Cannon Beach, and this year, Creswell.
Osborne’s son, Peter Osborne, hosted “Cousin Camp” at The Hangar. Since 2019, Osborne and his wife, Mariah Osborne, have been working to convert the airport hangar into an event venue. The space has since been utilized for weddings, concerts, and, most fittingly, in this instance, reunions.
Scenes from Cousin Camp in and around Creswell. NANCY OSBORNE/PHOTOS PROVIDED
Twelve grand-cousins from Scotland, California, and Oregon participated in the festivities, including lively skits, crafts, and a visit to the Cascade Raptor Center, led by Nancy, Petti, and their brother, Bob Daggett. Twenty-six total family members were in attendance this August.
Nancy’s favorite memory from this year’s “Cousin Camp” was Daggett’s contribution of birdhouses that the cousins customized. “I got great pictures of them building, painting, and decorating their birdhouses with their names on them,” she said.
The embracing of Oregon beauty, lively renditions of fan-favorite songs, and time spent with loved ones from both near and far provided what Nancy affectionately refers to as the nostalgia of “old-time camp with a little modern flair.”