The Ukrainian Adoption Reunion/Heritage Season has begun. Most of these events happen in the Summer months.

There are typically 3 goals with these types of events.

1. Normalize adoption for your child.



2. Parents socialize and relax. They are good places to trade parenting tips or attachment stories. Many families will share their adoption photos and stories.



3. Let preadoptive families mingle and hear adoption stories face-to-face.

They are organized by adoption agencies like Dillon Adoption Agency, adoptive parents or the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington DC.

I highly recommend attending the events. They can be a few hours or an entire weekend. If you are active on Ukrainian Adoption Email Lists your odds of meeting someone you know (indirectly via the internet) are high.

Don't hesitate to ask if you can attend an event. Many of them are open to whoever asks.

I would recommend bookmarking Summer Culture Camps and Adoption Camps for Kids & Families. It is kept updated. And it is my starting point for searching for camp/reunion/heritage events. And many times smaller local events are publicized via The States Email Lists.

Georgia Ukrainian Reunion

What: Reunion for families who adopted from Ukraine or are adopting from Ukraine or are thinking about adopting from Ukraine. Bring a camera and snack. The kids can play together and the adults talk. Group photo will be attempted. :)

This is event is organized by Ukrainian adoptive parents in Georgia.

This group isn't directly affiliated with HisKidsToo charity. But they will be collecting donations of crocs (shoes). HisKidsToo charity is trying to collect 100 pairs of shoes to send to Ukrainian orphans and caregivers.

Date: Sunday, April 15th 2007

Time: Starts at 2:00 PM

Where: Stone Mountain Park at the playground under the pavilion. Directions - (2nd square from upper right hand corner #21)

Cost: $8.00 (cash only) for the parking permit

Questions: Email Julie Nolte at jebnolte@aol.com

Eastern Europe Heritage Weekend

What: Families who adopted from Eastern Europe are welcome to join the various events. There will be workshops for parents, picnic and cultural events for children 4 to 12 years of age.

They are open to anyone who adopted from Eastern Europe. You could have adopted independently or with another adoption agency. And I believe that preadoptive parents sometimes attend.

Date: May 18 & 19, 2007

Where: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Cost: None that I can see

Question: Email dillonintl@dillonadopt.com

To be continued....