A Venue with Value

Do you like?

Thank you!

When choosing a location for your reunion, consider the ages, interests, and limitations of your family members. Is there a playground for the little tots? Is there a wheelchair ramp? Are there tables for games and crafts? Is there a pool for the teens? When you send out invitations or announcements about the upcoming reunion, mention the features of your venue that would be of value to different family members and you are more likely to get participation from across the board.

Arrange for a "gathering room" to be available throughout reunion

Do you like?

Thank you!

If reunion plans involve a hotel with a block of rooms reserved at a special price, try to get people to chip in to pay for an extra room, preferably a small "suite" to serve as a comfortable place that is always available throughout the day and evening. Nobody's using it as their own bedroom, so people feel free to drop in, stay for a minute or three hours, talk, share photo albums, put up individual photos on a display on a table, etc.

Be sure about the basics

Do you like?

Thank you!

The basics are things that might be overlooked in the enthusiasm of planning all the fun things. To understand what the basics are, think of your event as though you were a city official assigned the job of crowd management of a public event.. Are there going to be enough restrooms available, will they be in working order, will there be access to water, if there is any incident, such as parents getting panicky because their teen has disappeared, how would you contact the local authorities and who will be responsible for doing so, etc.

Provide equipment for scanning and copying

Do you like?

Thank you!

Bring along, or rent, computer, scanner and copier, and put in "gathering room" or wherever else attendees go to share photos, etc. The copier, of course, is essential for providing info on the inevitable last-minute changes to the program that was handed out when everybody arrived. .

Park Party

Do you like?

Thank you!

A city, state, or national park can be an excellent choice for a family reunion. While they are usually equipped with picnic tables, public restrooms, and playgrounds, you'll probably want to bring extra chairs, blankets, grills, coolers, and recreational equipment. Also make sure you have a first aid kit, insect repellant, sunscreen, hand sanitizing gel, wet wipes, paper towels, and trash bags.

Come to My House

Do you like?

Thank you!

Hosting the family reunion at your own home? Here are some things to consider. Secure extra seating like lawn chairs or folding chairs. Empty out your refrigerator of all unnecessary items before the big day. Have a few ice chests on hand for cold drinks and extra ice. Think about parking arrangements well in advance. You may need to ask neighbors about parking in front of their homes or even using their driveways. And look into renting or borrowing tent awnings and other special equipment.

Display Family Members' Works of Art

Do you like?

Thank you!

Who wouldn't want to show off their stuff? This is about displaying all kinds of achievements by family members; however, a cautionary note: it can really only be done inside, and, if it is in a hotel or other similar facility, it has to be done inside a room which can be locked when not in use (or, just have the display for a few hours and then take it down). If you have planned for a "gathering room" that would be a good place.. Talented family members who have created paintings, books, crafts, etc. might think it out of place to bring along their stuff to show at a reunion. But this is an open invitation, a friendly way for family members to get to know another side.. Make it clear it's not a sale (although if a private conversation between two people leads to a sale, that's fine)..

Create a time out area

Do you like?

Thank you!

Sometimes family members get into quarrels and that brings everything and everyone down. If people start to fight send them to a designated time out area where they have to cool down those hot heads and agree to be decent and peaceful to one another or completely avoid the other person if they can't be decent.

National Parks

Do you like?

Thank you!

National parks often offer picnic facilities, campsites, wide open spaces and beautiful scenery. To make a reservation for camping in a national park, go to www.recreation.gov.

Let's Go Somewhere

Do you like?

Thank you!

If your family reunion is more about getting together and enjoying each other than looking at old movies and having talent shows, consider taking a family vacation together. With a little advance notice and planning, you could convince your entire family to take a cruise, go to a resort, or visit a dude ranch. The entertainments and activities are built in and you don't have to plan as much. The cost will be higher, so make sure you give everyone the opportunity to vote on the excursion and plenty of time to budget for it.

Off Season

Do you like?

Thank you!

Consider booking your reunion at a great venue, but during the off season. If your family can go against the tide a little and be creative with activities, you can get a great deal at some seasonal resorts and amusement parks. For instance, consider a Phoenix, Arizona, resort during the hot months of summer. Yes the temperatures may soar near 110 degrees, but the rooms will be cheaper and you’re likely to have the pool pretty much to yourself. Also some snow skiing resorts offer great deals during the summer months for those who are willing to forego the snow and enjoy hiking instead.

Family Camp Out

Do you like?

Thank you!

If most members of your family enjoy the outdoors and don't have any special needs, camping out may be the route to go. Families can bring their own or rented RVs, trailers, or tents. You can also let individual family units be responsible for some of their own meals instead of everyone eating every meal together. Recreation possibilities are practically built in, but you can bring equipment for horseshoes, biking, hiking, swimming, and campfires.

Blue Ridge Assembly

Do you like?

Thank you!

Consider having your reunion at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. The facility is a full-service conference center located on 1,200 acres of woodland. They offer both hotel-style accommodations and cottages with kitchens, living rooms, outside porches, bedrooms, and bath facilities. Delicious meals are served buffet-style in the center's dining rooms. One family lodge even sleeps 62 with 9 bathrooms. For more details, visit their web site at www.blueridgeassembly.org