"Reunions provide a sense of identity," says Ione D. Vargus, Ph.D., chair of the Family Reunion Institute at Temple University in Philadelphia. "There's a sense of belonging and caring when you're with your family. You hear words like love, unity, and support when African-American families get together. We are seeing that people are much more conscious about including activities that demonstrate and reinforce the values a family shares."

Families may devote a reunion to the seniors, for example, to emphasize the importance of respect toward elders. Others make use of the talents of family members to lead workshops on social issues, parenting skills or investing. Many families plan side trips and heritage tours around a reunion, blending entertainment with informal education.

The Family Reunion Institute's Web site provides a wealth of advice about organizing a successful reunion. Suggested activities for multigenerational groups include talent shows, choir singing, recognition ceremonies, sharing family history, arts and crafts exhibits, fashion shows, music, poetry, and sports. Many families are videotaping their events as a way to preserve family stories for future generations.

Special traditions are important. "Every year at our reunion we give each child a leaf to put on a big picture of a tree," says Nicole Johnson McGill, a Jacksonville, Florida, newspaper columnist. "Each branch of the tree has the name of each of my grandparents' children so the kids get to see how they're all related. When we're done the tree is full of leaves. If there are guests at the reunion, we let them start little bushes around the tree so no one is left out of the fun." Reunions can be done in any setting - city, resort, state park, theme park, campground, picnic grounds or family homestead. The key is finding a location that's accessible and suited to activities for all ages. Scout out locations two years in advance, if possible. Decide whether family members will want to cook or have the event catered. Learn about the recreational opportunities, local attractions, festivals and heritage sites close by: then allow the location's unique characteristics to inspire the reunion's theme and activities.

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