Family Reunion Program Template: Sample Schedule and Booklet Guide
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What a Family Reunion Program Is For
A family reunion program is the page, or booklet, that tells people what is happening, when, and who is leading it. At a small picnic it can be a single sheet taped to the pavilion post. At a weekend reunion with 100 people it can be a folded booklet with a welcome letter, a schedule, a memorial page and a family tree. Either way, it does three jobs: it keeps the day on track, it helps newcomers and in-laws feel included, and it becomes a keepsake.
This guide gives you a copy-and-paste program template, a one-day and a three-day sample schedule, a short MC script, and a page-by-page plan for a souvenir booklet. If you are still picking activities, start with family reunion ideas, and for the whole planning sequence see how to plan a family reunion.
Family Reunion Program Template (Copy and Fill In)
Paste this into a word processor and replace the brackets. Delete any line that does not fit your family.
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Cover | [Family Name] Family Reunion, [Year], [Theme], [City or venue], [Dates] |
| Welcome | Two or three short paragraphs from the chair or the oldest family member: why we gather, who made it happen, a word of thanks |
| Schedule | Times, events and locations, listed in order (see the samples below) |
| Meal plan | What is being served, what guests bring, and notes on dietary needs |
| Program of events | Welcome, blessing, family history moment, awards, talent show or games, group photo, closing |
| Family tree or branch map | A simple chart showing the branches and where each household fits |
| In memoriam | Names and years of relatives who have passed since the last reunion |
| Thank you | Committee members, sponsors, cooks, photographers, anyone who gave time or money |
| Practical information | Address, parking, restrooms, emergency contact, hotel details, wifi if offered |
| Next reunion | Date, place and who is hosting, or a note that the committee will announce it |
Sample One-Day Family Reunion Program
For a single-day picnic or hall reunion, keep the schedule simple and leave unstructured time on purpose. Use this as a starting point.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Arrival, check-in, name tags, t-shirt pickup |
| 10:45 AM | Welcome, blessing and introductions of the oldest and youngest attendees |
| 11:00 AM | Family history display and yard games |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Family trivia or the awards program |
| 2:00 PM | Group photo, then branch photos |
| 2:30 PM | Talent show, dance or open time |
| 4:00 PM | Closing remarks, announcement of the next reunion, cleanup |
Sample Three-Day Weekend Program
A weekend gives you more variety, but it needs a clearer plan. Give each day one big event and keep the rest flexible.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Travel and hotel check-in | Informal arrival gathering at the hotel or a host's home | Meet and greet with light food |
| Saturday | Breakfast, then a family history or tree session | Picnic or lunch, games, awards, group photo | Banquet or cookout, talent show, dancing or music |
| Sunday | Worship service or a memorial moment together | Farewell brunch and goodbyes | Travel home |
Print the full weekend plan on one page that can be folded into a pocket-size card, with the Saturday banquet details on the back.
A Short MC Script
The person who hosts the program does not need to be a performer. They need to read the room, keep to time, and sound warm. Here is a basic script you can adapt.
Opening: "Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the [Family Name] family reunion! I am [Name], and I am glad you are here. Take a look around the room. Every person here is connected to someone else here, and today is our chance to find out how."
Introductions: "Let us start by recognizing a few special guests. Who is our oldest attendee? Who traveled the furthest? And who is here for the very first time?"
Blessing: "Before we eat, I will ask [Name] to offer a word of thanks."
Transition to activities: "After lunch, we will gather for family trivia at 1:00. Team captains, find me by the banner. Everyone else, bring a chair and bring your memory."
Awards intro: "Now it is time for the part of the day we have all been waiting for, the family awards. Every winner gets a certificate, and every certificate has a story." For ideas, see family reunion awards.
Closing: "Thank you all for coming. A special thank-you to our committee, our cooks and our photographers. Let us take a moment to remember those who are not with us. Safe travels, and we will see you at the next reunion on [date] in [place]."
For more speaking ideas, including welcome toasts and tributes, see family reunion speech examples.
How to Make a Family Reunion Souvenir Booklet
A booklet is a longer version of the program. It costs more to print but becomes the item that people keep. A simple 12-page booklet can work for most families. Here is a page-by-page plan.
- Page 1, cover: The reunion name, year, theme and a group photo from a past reunion if you have one.
- Page 2, welcome letter: A short letter from the chair or the family elder.
- Pages 3 and 4, schedule: The full program of events and meals.
- Page 5, family tree or branch map: One chart showing how the branches connect.
- Pages 6 and 7, family history: Short stories about the family's origins, a timeline and photos of the oldest ancestors.
- Page 8, in memoriam: Names, years and a short verse or line of remembrance.
- Page 9, recognition: Honorees, award categories and committee members.
- Page 10, recipes or traditions: Two or three family recipes or sayings.
- Page 11, contact list: Names and email addresses, only for those who agreed to share them.
- Page 12, back cover: The next reunion's date and place, plus a thank-you.
Tips for the booklet: use a readable font of at least 11 point, keep photos clear and sharp, and leave white space. Print a single proof copy first. A printer usually needs the page count in multiples of four for a folded and stapled booklet, so pad with a notes page if you need to.
After the reunion, a booklet can turn into something longer lasting. Turn your photos into a keepsake with the family reunion photo book guide.
Print It, or Share It Online
Printed programs are loved by older relatives, who often like having something to hold. But many people will lose theirs by noon, and many will look up the schedule on their phones. The best approach is to do both: print a short one-page schedule and keep the full details in one place that everyone can open from a link.
Grove lets an organizer put the schedule, location and reunion details on one shared page, so a change of start time reaches everyone at once instead of requiring reprints. Start a reunion page to try it with your family. For the rest of the plan, use the 12-month checklist, and see family reunion planning for all the guides in one place.
Program Checklist Before You Print
- Every name is spelled correctly, including maiden names and nicknames people use.
- Times match what the venue and caterer have confirmed.
- The memorial list has been reviewed by an elder or two.
- Thank-yous include everyone who helped, not only the committee.
- Three people have proofread the final version, including one who did not write it.
- You printed about 10 to 20 percent more copies than the expected headcount, since not everyone counts the same household member.
Ready to plan your reunion?
Grove handles the budget, the RSVPs, the potluck, the schedule, and the family history. Free to start.
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