The following post was initially uploaded to Facebook. It read as follows:
Please read below for information on the 2019 Vasquez Family Reunion!
Hey Familia!
As you all know, the family reunion was scheduled for this summer. Though no formal vote was taken at the end of last reunion, a group of us attempted to give planing a go and find a venue in Texas. Unfortunately, we got stuck on the venue step, and then life got in the way of everything else. So needless to say, we realized things were at a standstill and we would need to rethink the reunion in order to keep it going forward.
It just so happened that January 1st, my brother, Lou, told us he was super excited to take Jasmine to the the Family Reunion in California this year. I explained that it wasn’t scheduled for California, but Texas, and it wasn’t looking good right then. But then a light bulb went off!
After considering the situation and the possibilities – and the real reason for starting the reunion to begin with – I called Diandra, and because of the shortness of time, proposed the following:
What if we stripped the reunion back and did it unplugged? What if we went back to the original blueprint where we spent more time with each other, instead of walking through a maze at high end venues? What if we kept the price as low as possible, so that as many of us that really wanted to go could come?
Remember when we used to get together at someone’s house for a welcome dinner on Thursday before the reunion? What if we really pulled back all the bells and whistles and just spent time with each other, getting to know each other again?
When the Family Reunion began in the 80’s, it was meant to be a resource to keep the family together. And for a while it worked fabulously. My dad and his siblings stayed in touch with, and continued to be involved in the lives of, their cousins. And my generation got to know and love this great part of our family that we wouldn’t have come to know, had there been no reunion.
I know that the uncles and aunts have been saying for years that my generation had to pick up the reins of the reunion in order to keep it going forward. But interestingly enough, it feels like this is this same generation that has drifted apart the most during this time.
When we were growing up, my cousins were my best friends. We were constantly at each other’s houses, or mobbing Gramma’s house, or jumping over Grampa’s newly planted trees. We knew each other. We accepted each other.
Because we were family.
And because we are family, we still need each other. Regardless of what our independent lives may tell us, we still need each other, and need to know what’s going on in each other’s lives. To be there for each other. And we must to do everything we can to keep connected to each other’s lives. And to reconnect with each other’s lives.
Thus the Family Reunion.
So with no further ado, Familia, the date and venue for Vasquez Family Reunion 2019 is:
July 11-14
Camp Campbell
Boulder Creek, California
We settled on Camp Campbell after more than a month’s long search of reasonably priced venues, and though it was the last venue we researched, it was newly available for this one weekend in July.
As many of you may know, we held a reunion at Camp Campbell about 20 years ago. Though some took issue with the group cabin accommodations and lobbied for higher-end venues going forward, Camp Campbell continues to be the venue most talked about, and most fondly remembered. And this year we hope to make even more memorable memories there!!
Also, you’ll be happy to hear, that though the accommodations are still group style (Who out there wasn’t brought up going camping? Come on!), the cabins have been totally rebuilt and are beautiful! Photos will be forthcoming. And the church in the redwoods is still there!
The prices are as follows for the TWO nights, and INCLUDE 5 meals at the camp:
Adult: $219
Child: $173 (3-12)
We recommend bringing your own pillow and bedding, but if needed, the camp will provide them for an additional $25 fee.
We’re also looking into RV parking and nearby accommodations, for those of you who would like to join us, but for various reasons aren’t able to do the group cabin thing.
We’ve held our date with the camp, but before we can sign with them, we need to know the number of cabins to reserve, as we will be responsible for the number we reserve even if the spots go empty.
Because this information is late in coming, we don’t have a solid number to expect. So we’re asking that you fill out the questionnaire below to let us know if you will plan to attend. And if so, the number in your family attending. We can always add more, but would be responsible for the reserved places that end up not taken.
More information on the venue, activities, and reunion plans will be forthcoming. So until then, please fill out the questionnaire, adding a reply with the number of children, if you select children attending, to the post.
Also please add an answer for each spouse, or add that information to a reply, so that we have a proper count. And feel free to ask us any questions you may have!