Have Your Reunion into the Beautiful Outdoors of Maine

20 Jul Have Your Reunion into the Beautiful Outdoors of Maine

FOR MANY MAINE FAMILIES, THE IDEA OF HOSTING A REUNION IN A HOTEL OR ON A CRUISESHIP IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO. MAINE IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FILLED WITH WONDERFUL OUTDOOR VENUES FOR A WEEKEND VACATION OR PERHAPS A WEEK LONG EXCURSION. THESE USEFUL TIPS WILL HELP YOU PLAN THE PERFECT OUTDOOR REUNION!

The Great-Outdoors Reunion Best for: Camping fanatics, cash-strapped folks, and those looking for less luxury and more adventure.

Pros: It’s a low-cost option, and everyone can choose lodging that fits their own budget.

Cons: National parks tend to book six months ahead of time, so that requires early planning. Weather will always be a question mark and can literally rain on your parade. Parks and outdoor attractions are often a long way from major airports.

Church-retreat grounds are another alternative and have abundant outdoor activities (think cave tours, hiking trails, and parasailing) and the facilities to feed groups, some even offering lodging and established recreation. Look also at state and county parks as these can be hidden gems that don’t get the same draw that national parks have. If travel to and from the site is required, look into using full sized charter bus Maine to help get the family there and back.

Dealing with downtime: Be sure to bring plenty of board books, games, and puzzles to carry you through if there are any unforeseen weather issues. Try to capture video or audio recordings of wisdom from the older generation to share with future generations. These can be wonderful additions to future reunions.

Preparing meals: For meals not provided by the facility, designate each family to be the provider of a different meal for the whole group– whether it’s cooked over the campfire or trucked in from the nearest takeout joint. There is nothing better than a weenie roast around a campfire, but after a few days this can get really boring. Remember that if the event lasts multiple days, you may need to think about a more diverse menu. Make sure to discuss the need for special diet meals with your family so you don’t leave anyone scavenging for edible plants!