"Grandparents are the new summer camp," Witkin said.
Ashlyn's dad, Jason, said he and his wife, Roseann, could not afford to send their daughter to camp or day care. He's an experienced land surveyor in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., but the sour economy has cost him job after job. He and his wife now work at a fast-food restaurant.
Ashlyn is spending the entire summer with her grandparents, Anita and Neal Preston of Kennesaw, Ga. A full slate of "camp" activities is underway: swimming, campouts, museums, movies, parks, libraries, reviewing school workbooks, cooking with Grandma, helping Grandpa in the yard.
"The best part? Just getting to be with her!" said Anita Preston, 52.
Tamara Bolerjack of Midwest City, Okla., is having a similar experience this summer. She recently opened what she calls Camp Granny for grandson Marlee, 4, and granddaughter Maleah, 5.
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