Family reunions are in the air, and you’re wondering how to organize one that will prove fun and match the budget. Well, good news: planning a family reunion doesn’t have to be stressful.
Here’s our breakdown of how to do it without losing your hair or taking out a second mortgage! Read on for our best tips and tricks.
One of the most important aspects of a reunion is, of course, the people involved. For that reason, it’s a good idea to plan well in advance. People need to block out vacation time, make sure flights are reasonably priced and match up the time off with school events, etc.
Plus, it’s usually not possible to block out large accommodation packages without enough notice. It’s a good idea to schedule your reunion 6-12 months in advance.
If you’re in charge of planning the reunion, you will want to do it right. Here are some of our favorite approaches to ensuring you always remember this event.
Technological advances, including websites like Ancestry.com, have made researching family history easier than ever before. But the things database sites really can’t provide are the personal stories and the truly human side of our families.
It’s one thing to know that your grandmother lived through the Great Depression. But it’s an entirely different thing to hear your grandmother tell you herself about the trials and joys that she experienced growing up. Being together to hear those stories directly from the source makes them that much more special.
Consider bringing a recording device with more capacity than a phone to record the stories of those most venerable. If all you have is a phone, simply make sure you’ve got enough video storage and bring a small tripod to make the interview easier.
Spending time together as an extended family can forge bonds and build relationships across generations. Here at Skytop Lodge, we offer a wide array of onsite resort activities that are enjoyable for all ages and ideal for creating close family ties.
For example, our Grand March on Saturday evenings is loved by guests, both young and old. After all, the joy of dancing and community knows no age limit. Activities such as snow tubing, skiing, axe throwing, archery, swimming or the treetop adventure course are great for bonding as well.
Our family reunion guests also enjoy sharing meals together, of course, and exploring the beauty that surrounds our timeless resort. Whatever your family likes to do, there is something for you here at Skytop.
When it comes to family, traditions are the touchstones that remind us of our past, secure us in our present and propel us into our future. A family reunion is a tradition based on connection, love, and a shared history. The memories made at your family reunions will last a lifetime.
This year, take time for what really matters with a family reunion at Skytop Lodge. Here at Skytop, we offer all-inclusive packages, complimentary t-shirts, cake and family portraits to make planning your family reunion as easy as the fun you will all have together.
While these might seem like little things at the time, later they will become the mementos that remind you of this treasured, and perhaps once-in-a-lifetime, event.
All right, you get it. It’s gonna be totally sweet. But money matters still matter, right?
Talk to your family members ahead of time and agree on a budget. The person who blocks out rooms should make sure the other guests have consented to the price point. That way, everyone has enough funds for dining and activities.
You want the social calendar to be full, but not too full. Attendees should have time to take an adventure on their own or with their nuclear families, or just get some downtime in their accommodations.
Feeding a large group of people is no problem at Skytop Lodge. For more information about Skytop’s catering, check out our Family Reunion web page or contact Marlene Chamblee, our Director of Catering, at [email protected] or 570-595-8985.
One of the best pieces of advice you could get about planning a memorable family reunion is to make sure you have enough space. Otherwise, well, the reunion might be memorable … but not for the right reasons. (As in, thanks Mom and Dad, but I legit never plan to reunite again.)
If you want to avoid that, no matter what your age, it’s best to have plenty of elbow room. That helps everyone to stay on an even keel and keeps them from reverting to unhealthy childhood interactions.
Instead of letting family dynamics get the best of you, block out plenty of accommodations and let people pick what works best for them. Some will want private cabins set away from the crowd, while others will benefit from the busy hubbub of the main lodge. Giving enough options ensures that interactions start fun and stay fun for the duration of the event.
With umpteen different lodging choices as well as seven different dining options, we’ve got you covered here at Skytop Lodge.
Families have been gathering here at Skytop since our beginning in 1928. As a resort that is rich in tradition, we are honored to have shared in the creation of family memories with so many of our guests, including those who come together for family reunions.
At Skytop, we know that family reunions mean more than just a gathering of relatives on vacation. It’s about your family’s heritage and its lasting legacy. It’s about knowing where you come from and where you’re going, generation after generation. And that is why we love hosting family reunions here in our beautiful Pocono Mountains location.
If you’d like to learn more about our lodging options, check out our site or give us a call at (855) 345-7759. Don’t have any more questions? Great, go ahead and reserve your stay now, and ensure you and your family members a wonderful future memory! We can’t wait to see you.