Camp Hennessey

Jan 13

Photo by Sunnie Mae Photography

A CAMP-THEMED FAMILY GATHERING

Most family gatherings in 2021 could be titled a reunion of sorts. For some of us, it had been two years since we were all together and a lot happened in those 18-24 months. Children were born, careers shifted, homes transitioned and sadly, some lives were lost all while we were encouraged to stay at home.

Call it what you want, but the freedom to celebrate and gather as a larger collective in the summer of 2021 was the best dose of medicine prescribed. The Hennessey family and beyond did just that. It was a “last minute” event, from an organizer’s perspective, but still allowed time for a theme and a weekend plan for the family of twenty.

The setting for the weekend was at a home with plenty of backyard space and time. The weekend was a retreat for most and the goal was to relax and reconnect. Campfires, backyard games and water play were easy activities to incorporate. With the goals established and activities outlined the inspiration for the camp theme originated naturally. Selecting a theme helped guide the rest of the planning for the family of 13 adults and 7 children (9 and under).

Keeping the goals for the weekend in mind, we wanted to create a menu that was suitable for all ages and dietary preferences. This allowed for all the shopping to be completed ahead of arrivals which created more time for the important stuff, like backyard baseball games and water balloon fights. We also helped determine the itinerary or a loose plan for the weekend. With babies and nap schedules, we wanted to ensure that meals were ready at the appropriate times and minimize the meltdowns for children and adults alike.

Olive and Evergreen Design itinerary for family reunion

Olive and Evergreen Design event menu for family reunion

Olive and Evergreen event design menus for camp-themed family reunion

Once the menus and itineraries were established, it was on to the FUN part of the design. The little things. We identified all the animals that were known to inhabit the backyard and named each bedroom/sleep space after them. We created activity plans for both indoor and outdoor fun and designed a custom bingo game. It only rained for a short time during the weekend but it was helpful to have options for indoor activities when we needed them.

Olive and Evergreen design for family gathering room name tags

Much like if you were attending a real camp, we created a ‘know before you go’ email to share with the family. It was a light-hearted note that included arrival information, a weather update and meal plan details.

The family gathering was exactly what everyone needed, reconnection. It was full of smiles and hugs and time to play. I can’t think of a better medicine for the heart in times like these and it was truly a fun design project.