Tips for Planning the Perfect Family Reunion

Successful family reunions can occur any time of the year, including the winter season, according to the planning experts at Ohio State Park Resorts. Here, meeting planners from Ohio State Park Resorts operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts offer the following tips for ensuring a reunion will please every participant:

Select a location that is convenient for all participants
Try to be fair when choosing a destination so participants face similar travel times. Ohio State Park Resorts are located throughout the state, and at least one lodge is within an easy driving distance of all major Ohio cities as well as Indianapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh and other locations near the Midwest region.

Be flexible with your dates
A sure way to appeal to the bargain-hunters on your participant list is to find ways to save money. When a lodge is not full, salespeople offer larger discounts to groups. Ask your planner to suggest a few time slots that feature the best rates.

Ask about special discounts and packages
From now through April, the Family Renuion Package offered by Xanterra includes a private movie night with popcorn, as well as benefits for the reunion planner including a discounted room rate, resort T-shirt and disposable camera. From May through September, the movie night is replaced by a private family bonfire with s'mores from May through September.

Ask your planner about lodge activities
Lodge staff can suggest and arrange activities such as supervised arts and crafts for young children, family games, ice cream socials, movie nights, outdoor cookouts and bonfires.

Contact local tourist offices
Ask your planner how to get in touch with local tourist offices and information about activities and recreational offerings.

Allow plenty of free time
Provide a list of resort, state park and destination activities and allow reunion participants to explore on their own. Every Ohio State Park features many public areas for guests to simply chat and get reacquainted with family members in a comfortable setting.

Order T-shirts for all participants
Resort staff can order T-shirts with the family name and reunion dates for all family members.

Plan ahead if you can but don't ditch last-minute reunions
By planning ahead, reunion participants are most likely to secure their first choice of rooms, but even last-minute planners find they can sometimes book the perfect reunion.

Research reunion destinations online
The offerings of Ohio State Park Resorts are featured in detail at www.atapark.com and on their own individual resort websites. (You can look up local state parks on your own state's website.)

"State parks are a natural choice for family reunions," said Reservations Director Lee Miller, of Ohio State Park Resorts. "Even during the winter, there are plenty of activities for every member of the family. Plus there are always quiet places for chatting and relaxing.

Located throughout Ohio, the resorts offer a variety of activities suchn as indoor pools, game rooms and fitness centers as well as hiking, cross-country skiing and bird-watching.

(Source: Xanterra)