Travel Information
Family Reunion Info
The Family Reunion will take place from Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14 on a private island in Connecticut. Other than a caretaker, we will be the only ones on the island. It is necessary to take a very short boat ride to get on to the island. If you need a different arrival and departure time outside what we have prearranged, please contact us to coordinate it. We recommend bringing everything you might need with you.
Location: Laurel Island: 11 Old Marlborough Rd, East Hampton, CT.
Thursday arrival times:
Please be parked in the parking lot and ready to get on the boat by:
1:30 pm
5:00 pm
Sunday departure time:
3 pm
Getting there and away:
If you are driving, please head to the Laurel Island parking lot by the Thursday time listed above. There will be ample parking for everyone. We heavily encourage ridesharing! If you are coming by car and have any extra seats, note that on the form. If you are looking for a ride, please indicate so or reach out to someone who has listed an available spot.
If you would like to take a train, note that the train can bring you from New York to Old Saybrook, CT. If you are planning on doing this, pick a train that others are riding on and share the ride for community and affordability. Amtrak services this station via the Northeast Regional from New York and Boston. The trip takes approximately 2 hrs on the Northeast Regional train.
Running a Session
Anyone may run a session on any topic, and depending on interest, we will have one or two different sessions running at a time. A session may be a playtest, a feedback session, a game, a dialogue on a topic, a presentation of work you have done, a guided meditation. You may present more than once. We will make a schedule of the sessions in advance of our weekend, once we have gathered a list of what folks will offer. Got a question about what might be appropriate? Email us! This is meant to be a very open format. Sessions may be indoors or outdoors. The main reason a session would be disallowed is if we don’t have time or the appropriate facilities for the session.
Food
We will all be cooking together, led by Ayden (will she bring her old culinary school uniform? We’ll see!). Everyone must sign up for one cooking shift and one cleaning shift, though everyone should chip in to clean up every meal. All food and drink is included in your registration fee. Meals will be healthy and include options for vegans and vegetarians. All allergies noted in your registration will be accommodated. Snacks will be available between meal times. If you have any particular talent, or a food-based offering you’d like to bring, let us know and indicate this on the spreadsheet.
Housing & Island Info
You will be assigned a room upon arrival. If you registered with a companion for a room, you will be with that person. If you registered for a private room, you will have a private room. If you registered for a shared room, you will be in a room with 1-2 other people we will assign you. The housing is split between 6 small houses around the small island. Linens and towels are provided.
Laurel Island is an eco-friendly island. Their power source is the sun, and they use composting flush toilets. There is no hot water in the bathrooms in the cabins; hot showers are available in the shower house. Biodegradable soap, shampoo, and conditioner are provided! More on the amenities of Laurel Island here.
Packing List
We’ll be having a book swap! Please bring a book that has either shaped how you understand experience design or been of particular interest right now.
In addition, we recommend you bring a notebook, sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes, a flashlight, phone charger, water bottle, swimwear, sun block, bug spray, toothbrush and toothpaste, a mask, etc.
Swimming
Swimming, and use of kayaks, canoes, standup boards, and paddle boats is entirely at your own risk. If you wish to do so, you may not do so alone. All swimming and watersports must take place in indicated areas and must be engaged in with proper safety equipment.
COVID Policy
We support everyone in attendance feeling safe and encourage an environment where no one is judged for their choice to wear a mask or not. We encourage all participants to take an at home COVID test prior to travel.
Liability and Documentation
All attendees will be asked to sign a waiver of liability and a release for documentation, and to act safely and responsibly while on the island. You may print and sign this one ahead of time. Then you may email it or bring it to the island. Printed copies will be on hand at your arrival at the island.
This page will continue to be updated.