[Waiting4Celeste]

THIS THREAD IS A COMBINATION OF ALL THREADS CREATED ON THE TOPIC OF THE CRUISE FOR GUATOBERFEST 2009. FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON THE EVENT, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THE THREAD OR CONTACT THE THREAD STARTER FOR DETAILS.


I recently joined the Global Orphan Team and my first "job" is to plan Guatoberfest 2009!!!

I haven't been before, so this is new to me (although I've planned MOGUATE for the past two years, so I kind of know what it takes to plan on a much smaller scale!)
so I need some opinions from you guys...

We are looking into incorporating some cultural and raising adopted children activities.

If you have ideas, suggestions, and/or connections please post!

A few of my ideas (I'd LOVE to hear more!):

1 - A discussion panel with:
a counselor who specializes in post-adoption parenting,
an adult adoptee (or even older children who have been adopted from Guatemala),
nutritionist...
anyone else you'd like to hear from?

2 - A chef to teach us how to make Guatemalan food

3 - Someone to teach a basic Spanish lesson (I may have someone who could do this)

4 - I'd also like to have some activities for the children - depending upon their ages.

5 - Someone who could share with us about the culture/history of Guatemala

OK - so here's your chance to give your input about Guatoberfest 2009!!! (Dates will be announced soon)

We are planning the location right now, and let me tell ya, if we can get the details worked out for our #1 choice of location - you ABSOLUTELY WON'T want to miss it!!!!!!

It will ROCK!!!!

[asauer]

We had such a great time in '08 and can't wait for '09. Here are some ideas:

1. A lifebook workshop- I'd love to compare/get ideas- maybe if someone's a Creative Memories consultant, give us some product recommendations- or if someone does on-line scrapbooking, etc...

2. Maybe have an IA doctor come to talk about potential medical conditions to keep an eye out for as our children get older.

3. It might also be fun to present some of the Quiche Maya language and/or teach us how to make our names in ancient Maya glyphs- there are a couple pretty good codeces out there.

[kirbystarcat]

Can't wait to hear the details. We haven't been before, but I would really like to go.
DH and I had the opportunity to hear an adult IA adoptee speak. She was from Central America, but not Guatemala. It was such a wonderful opportunity and gave me a lot to think about. If you are able to line someone up to do that, I am sure everyone would benefit from it.

[spidermanteache]

Can't wait to hear the location!!!!

[Aidensparents]

I went the first year and LOVED it. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to go this past time. I can't wait to hear the location for this year to see if we can swing it.
I am not big on public speaking as I did it at our church's adoption group but I am an adult adoptee that could "possibly" answer a few questions if need be.
Looking forward to hearing details and hope to be able to go this year.

[Waiting4Celeste]

Originally Posted by spidermanteache

Can't wait to hear the location!!!!

It's a GOOD ONE!

It's my little secret until I get all the details.....
I can't wait to tell you all!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sksnell]

• I'd like to learn some native children's songs/nursery rhymes! We could do this with the kids
• I LOVE the idea of some Guatemalan cooking. Instead of having a Christmas party at daycare, they have an annual International Day and the parents bring in food from their native countries. It's been really challenging to find Guatemalan recipes for this.

I can't wait to hear what this year's location is so we can make plans!!!

[sksnell]

I thought of something else... what about a nightly 'story hour', where the parents sign up to read their favorite bedtime books to the kids? Would (hopefully) help them wind down a little

[IHOP]

in Myrtle Beach and can't wait to hear about this year's location. I like the cooking idea and i like the story idea and i like all your ideas - i love meeting other families with AWESOME KIDS FROM GUATEMALA!!!!!!!

[AngelsMama]

Did you look at the adoptive families website for ideas? It always has things like cultural camps and such.

What about an art session for the kids where they make some sort of Guatemalan like art?

[Disneycrazed]

I'm hoping this would be on the east coast. We ahve never been before and would love to come to it.

I love the ideas!!! Very interested to hear dates and place. That would help us to know if we will be able to attend.

[Guatemom]

Originally Posted by asauer

We had such a great time in '08 and can't wait for '09. Here are some ideas:

1. A lifebook workshop- I'd love to compare/get ideas- maybe if someone's a Creative Memories consultant, give us some product recommendations- or if someone does on-line scrapbooking, etc...

2. Maybe have an IA doctor come to talk about potential medical conditions to keep an eye out for as our children get older.

3. It might also be fun to present some of the Quiche Maya language and/or teach us how to make our names in ancient Maya glyphs- there are a couple pretty good codeces out there.

I 2nd these!!! We'd love to go this year, too, as we have never been able to make the previous ones. Can't wait to hear more!!
ps-CONGRATS on such a wonderful opportunity to plan such an awesome event!

[LisaAnn1170]

Is this in the fall? I teach, so sadly, we can only travel in the summer months.

[dspakowsky]

Congrats on joining the Global Orphan Team!

I would say that whatever we do next year a short period with child care would be great. Sounds impossible, I know, but keeping my kids content to listen would be hard.

[Michelle Smiles]

Love some of the ideas but I will add that I don't really want to attend a seminar weekend. I would enjoy a few activities - especially the cooking, culture, or lifebook ideas - but I will never convince my husband to come if it is a conference type thing. But that is just my opinion!

Also - I didn't attend last year but this is open to all adoptive families, right? The focus on Guat might make other families feel less welcome to attend. Not sure if that is really a concern or not - just throwing it out there.

I am really hoping we can come this year - all depends on the location (and structure of weekend so I can talk hubby into coming - don't want to travel with 2 little ones alone) so I look forward to that announcement.