There are many different gatherings during the year for families who adopted from Ukraine or Eastern Europe.


Sometimes these gatherings are called reunions. The weekends can be arranged by adoptive parents or adoption agencies.


Many of these weekends focus on exploring the Ukrainian culture or Eastern European. There are 2 primary goals for these events.


1. Normalize adoption for your child. Let your child met and play with other children who are also adopted. These weekends greatly helped my daughter Natasha's self esteem. She wasn't alone in being adopted. Children playing and doing craft activities together tends to be a major focus for many of these gatherings.


At one reunion Natasha (around 6 years old at the time) met Luda a girl around 10 years old. Luda had been home from Ukraine for 4 months. Luda was just amazed that anyone could ever forget how to speak Russian. Her mother told her this and she was trying to verify this fact at the gathering. Natasha told Luda that her mom was right.


2. Parents socialize and relax. They share pictures, stories with other adoptive families. This is an chance to discuss common issues in a non threatening environment. I picked up some good parenting tips from different families. Parents watch the kids play and take pictures.


I haven't been to The Dells reunion yet. But just listening other families who went... It sounds like fun.



Wisconsin Dells Reunion


Location: Central Wisconsin


Date: Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18 2006


Organizer: Catherine and Brent Hendrickson and other adoptive families. The Hendrickson's are the main contact point. This gathering pulls in mainly families who adopted independently (without an adoption agency). But everyone is welcome to join. Please email Catherine and Brent and let them know if you are coming.


Email address: BrentHendrickson@comcast.net


Hotel: The Polynesian Isle ... This is a water park hotel.

We have over 38,000sq ft of Indoor Waterpark, and


Over Four acres of Outdoor Waterpark play areas!

For reservations call 1-800-272-5642 or 1-608-254-2883 or email info@dellspolynesian.com


Ask for the Ukrainian Adoption Reunion rate.


Activities:


This is the second year for this event. I believe they had about 50 people last year. Here is an outline of last year's events.


The party room was reserved for the weekend. Everyone chipped in to help pay for it.


Friday, Saturday and Sunday day - hung out at the pool, watched
the kids swim and visited. Some people saw some of the sights of the
Dells, others just stayed by the pool. It was a relaxing and informal time.


Friday night - pizza party in party room


Saturday night - eat together at Paul Bunyan's Restaurant