DEAR FAMILY,
Here are some items of information and reminders about the Family Reunion.
THEME
The theme is “The Adventures of Lewis and Clark”, so some of our activities will reflect a touch of nostalgia about the “Voyage of Discovery.” Just come with the goal of having a great time with your family and it will happen.
THINGS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW…
The Reunion begins the afternoon of Thursday, August 23. It will end Sunday morning, August, 26. We are meeting at the Kiwanis Campground near Walla Walla, WA. It is a beautiful campground, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, with many amenities.
Lodge and Kitchen facilities
Cabins with bunk beds
Bathroom and shower facilities
Swimming pool
DIRECTIONS (How to find us)
1. Take Highway 12, going East. It skirts around the North edge of Walla Walla.
2. When you think you have gone too far, you will pass an exit that goes to Walla Walla Community College. Take the next exit. There is a small sign there that says Rooks Park..
3. Stop at the bottom of the off ramp. Turn left on Mill Creek Road. From this point it is 11.4 miles to Camp Kiwanis.
4. Stay on Mill Creek Road. There are a couple of Ys in the road that may be a little confusing. Mill Creek road stays in the bottom of the valley.
5. When you reach the spot where the pavement ends and gravel begins, you will be across Mill Creek from the camp. Look to your right.
6. Continue past the camp for a few hundred feet. Take the little road across the bridge.
7. Turn right and come into the campground from the upper end.
8. Park by the lodge.
ARRIVAL
There will be another group leaving by noon on the day we arrive. I plan to meet the caretaker at the campground at 2:00 PM. If anyone plans to arrive sooner than that, please contact me (Wayne 509-545-1930).
CABIN ASSIGNMENTS
Cabin Number, Beds, Assigned to
1, 12 ,Wayne’s Family
2, 12 ,Wayne’s Family
3, 8, Stuart and Ed’s Families
4, 12, Karla’s Family
5, 11, Karla and Wayne’s Families
6, 8, Scott’s Family
7 ,4, Mom, Luetta, Alaine
There are lots of extra mattresses that can be put on the floor for children to sleep on.
Please be patient. There are plenty of beds, but we may need to do a little shifting around to help everyone feel comfortable.
ITEMS TO BRING (or not)
1. Do not bring a Crock Pot. We no longer need them.
2. Do bring the following:
Sleeping bags, bedding and pillows.
Towels and washcloths.
Sun Block and Insect Repellant.
Life Jackets, Swimming Suits, Water toys.
Sturdy boots or shoes for hiking.
80 or more charms. (see below)
Board or card games to share for free time and “night caps.”
3. Bring the following if you have them and have space.
Camp Chairs.
Hymn Books.
ALLERGIES
Many of you know that there are some severe food allergies that we are working hard to accommodate. We are taking into account the allergies of four individuals, not just one. Please help us by not bringing additional food into the camp, including drinks, chips, candy, etc. We will have ample food and drink for you to snack on through-out the day as well as delicious, easily prepared meals.
When you arrive to camp, please wash up to help eliminate traces of certain foods.
For the parents who have little ones still drinking milk from a bottle, we understand this is something you will need to bring. However, please be aware of spilled or dripping milk, and wash hands and faces of your little ones often.
There is a serious concern regarding the distance from the campground to a hospital. The allergies are severe enough for one member of our family that it could be a life or death situation. Hiding things under beds or in a duffel bag is not an option. Unfortunately, this has been learned through experience.
Please help us create a safe and comfortable environment for those with allergies, so that all of the Monson Family Members are free to enjoy the reunion and be blessed by your association.
ABOUT THOSE CHARMS…
In the Spring of 1804, Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, with their crew, began their journey up the Missouri River from their Winter Camp near St. Louis. Of great importance, among their supplies, were the items they took with them for gifts and trading with the Indians they expected to meet. Many of these trade goods were bright colored and flashy, as they hoped to impress the Indians concerning the greatness of their new country and their new Father (President Thomas Jefferson).
We hope that each family will bring at least 80 charms that are representative of your family in some way.
Each person will receive a necklace to put charms on. Since there will be 17 or 18 families participating, every person should be able to make a necklace with that many charms. If you can bring a few extras it wouldn’t hurt. There will be a special reward for everyone who gets all of the charms on their necklace.
Please have someone in your family monitor the trading to be sure that everyone in camp has a chance to get one of your family charms before they are all gone. FEEL FREE TO BRAG ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND THE MEANING OF YOUR CHARM.
WORSHIP/TESTIMONY MEETING
We are going to have a Hymn Singing Testimony Meeting on Sunday Morning. Those who wish to do so will be asked to explain briefly why the hymn touches you, and then we will sing it.
Alternatively, you may prepare members of your family to sing your hymn for the rest of us.
So think about your favorite Hymn and your Testimony. Please bring Hymn Books, if you have them. There is an Organ in the Lodge, but no piano.
PASSING OF THE TORCH…
We will have a short Sibling meeting to discuss how to organize future Reunions.
IN CONCLUSION...
Our family is excited and looking forward to seeing and enjoying your company for three straight days.
We love you.
Wayne and Jule
Then we had the Amazing Race. This is Where we did different events, like Lewis and Clark (shooting arrows, putting together a teepee, filling up a water bucket with soaked t-shirts, figuring out how wide a river is and how tall a tree is, making a cucumber boat, ‘shooting’ stuffed animals, disciefering an actual code that Lewis and Clark made. We had clues that led 
us to the next event, each time. It was a fun time. 
I'M GOING TO UPLOAD SOME PICTURES. THE REUNION WAS FABULOUS! WAYNE AND JU
LIE'S FAMILY DID A MARVELOUS JOB! WE ALL HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!! THESE ARE PICTURES OF THE SKITS THAT WE PERFORMED OF GRANDMA'S LIFE. THEY WERE SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH AND PERFORM IN!
Hey! We just got back from an awesome family vacation where we visited lots of different places. Among those places, we visited the Lewis and Clark National Park (on the Oregon Side). We were taken on a shuttle bus to a replica fort and visitors center. There were great demonstrations, walking trails, a cool movie, and a museum. I could have spent all day there, but there wasn't any food. So we left the park and headed for home. The best part of our visit was the replica fort. We saw the military style barracks that the men (and one tough lady) stayed in. And the kids got to try on some of the clothing of the day. Jacob especially liked the gun.
