Dear Alumni and Alumnae Parents:
As a William Smith graduate, HWS employee and mother of two young girls, I've been asked to offer my thoughts on why Reunion is great for children. This is an easy assignment for me as this annual event is always a highlight for my entire family and especially my two young daughters:
Children are welcome to attend all events, but after you've read the various activity descriptions, you'll see which may be more appropriate for your child given his or her age. Many parents enjoy giving tours of the place where mom and/or dad went to school. We suggest showing them the dormitories where you lived, taking a walk down to the Lake to see the Bozzuto Boathouse and dock (and explaining how hard it used to be to get down there!), or visiting other favorite spots on campus. The symposia on Friday afternoon and the Alumni College courses on Saturday morning might be a snoozer for pre-teens, so Friday afternoon and Saturday morning might be the best time to show them around. The pool will also be open on Friday and Saturday afternoon. (Check the final schedule for times. The Lake is, of course, always open!) The Reunion Parade on Saturday is always fun for kids. Bart the Statesman with be strutting his stuff and the Empire Statesmen Marching Band is a real crowd pleaser. A Geneva fire truck with lights a-blazing will also be a part of this year's Parade. Following that, lunch on the Quad will include traditional kids' fare: Hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. with variety of refreshments. That afternoon, the Quad becomes an active playground complete with a bounce house, face-painting, crafts, and "sprinkler games" if the weather is nice. Got a future Statesman or Heron in your clan? We'll have a few of our varsity athletes – in uniform – to play with your All American contenders. (Bring your equipment!) For us older kids, several local vineyards will be setting up shop on the Quad for a wine tasting, and Fred Matt '81, whose family owns Saranac will be leading a beer-tasting – all within view of our kids! And just so they don't feel left out of all these good tastings, the ice-cream will be served at 3:00. (Yes, there's plenty for Mom and Dad too!) To work it all off, challenge your sons and daughters to ascend the Harry Potter-like spiral staircase of St. Mark's Tower. The view of campus and Lake is spectacular from the top, and if you make it all the way, we'll award you and your fellow climbers with an "I climbed St. Mark's Tower" sticker to place on your nametag. We'll also snap your photo and email it to you. (Possible family Holiday card??)
There are many more activities throughout Campus on Saturday afternoon (see the on-line schedule for a complete listing), but your kids will probably insist on staying on the Quad. That night, Kid's Camp serves as our childcare center to allow alumni and alumnae parents to have some of their own playtime. (Please note: Pre-registration via the Reunion registration form is required for Kid's Camp and walk-ins cannot be accepted.) Kid's Camp will be headquartered in close proximity to the Quad, so your children will remain nearby. I've found this to be comforting for both parents and kids alike! And if Kid's Camp is "not happening," offspring are more than welcome to stay with their parents throughout the evening. This year's band (Brass Taxi) has been a Reunion favorite in years past and they play a wide variety of songs - oldies and top-40 covers, and every year, kids are among our most enthusiastic dancers. (But not to worry - alums and their friends have fun too. We've got a big dance floor, or rather, a big dance lawn!) As nighttime approaches, standard Reunion-issued glow-necklaces become the accessory of choice as fireworks light up the sky over Coxe Hall. Kids Camp will be brought outside for the show – or they can watch with their parents on the Quad.
With the exception of the 50th and 25th Reunions, dinner on Saturday night is on the Quad with all classes seated under the main tent. (25th will be at the President's home, not far from the Quad, and the 50th will be in Scandling Center.) There are suggested areas for classes to gather for dinner, but there is no assigned seating so coming and going is easy if you've got kids in-tow. The same is true on Sunday morning – buffet brunch on the Quad. Plenty of outdoor space for kids to be kids.
For those with teens, there is a "Just for Teens" program which lasts all of Saturday. Specially trained student chaperones will be their guide for a day of activities including an educational excursion on the Colleges' research vessel, The William Scandling (formerly the HWS Explorer), a visit to the Admission's office (never too early!), an Alumni College class (a sample of college-level learning), Quad activities, and more. The $50 fee includes lunch and dinner.
Kid's Camp on Saturday evening is for children 12 weeks to 12 years, so we're prepared for even the youngest of visitors. Younger children in strollers and other various baby carriers are not an uncommon site on the Quad at Reunion, but that's usually where they stay. (Even Baby Einstein would object to an Alumni College class!)
All in all, Reunion Weekend is great for kids and parents alike as the schedule includes a wide variety of activities for the entire family. And if you've read through this and are still not planning to bring your kids (or you don't have children) and are now worried that it's too kid-oriented, it's not. There is enough space for everyone and plenty of opportunities for alums to be with alums.
So, with that I encourage you pack up the station wagon, set the GPS for Seneca Lake and come see for yourself. In the meantime, I'm here to answer any Reunion kid-questions you might have.
Hope to see you – and your family – in June!
Karen Ilacqua Reuscher '88
Director of Advancement Services
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Alumni House
Geneva, NY 14456
315-781-3722
315-781-3767 (fax)
Faculty or staff - please use this form to register
Here is an updated list of alums who have registered for Reunion 2012.
Why Reunion is fun for kids of ALL ages
