“Bottom line is, even if you see them coming, you're not ready for the big moments. No one asks for their life to change, not really. But it does.
So, what are we, helpless? Puppets? Nah. The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's
when you find out who you are." - Joss Whedon

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Save the Date for FSA Summer Beach Days -- Saturday, June 18th, 2011 and/or Saturday, June 25th, 2011

Mark your Calendar and Plan to Enjoy the Beach with FSA on Either Saturday, June 18th or Saturday, June 25th! 
  • When: Saturday, June 18th (Carkeek Beach Park in Seattle).  And/Or Ocean Shores on Saturday, June 25th at 11:30am until whenever.
  • Where: Both Carkeek Park in Seattle (6/18) or Ocean Shores, WA (6/25).  (Choose where to attend based on your location and preferences.  Ocean Shores has sandy beaches, but at Carkeek Park it will be low tide and there will be plenty of ocean life to view as well as a great playground.  Groups will meet up at both locations.  More details on that as the date gets closer).

  • Who: Anyone is welcome.  We would love to mingle with others interested in and supportive of adoption.  Hopefully some birth-parents, adoptive couples, adoptees and friends of adoption will attend!  

  • Be prepared for Washington Weather.  We will hold the event rain or shine.  Plan to bring whatever you need to enjoy a day at the beach (layered clothing, umbrellas, rain gear, sunscreen, lunch, rubber boots, buckets, shovels and your beachcomber's guidebook).

      •  If you live far from Ocean Shores and far from Seattle (perhaps in Northern Washington, near the Sound or in Alaska) and want to host a beach day in your area this summer, please let us know and we will gladly spread the word!   
      • Contact FSA at: families.supporting.adoption@gmail.com to host a beach event closer to your home or with questions.  PS:  We are also seeking volunteers to host summer park play-dates so if you have a favorite park in your area and are willing to host a get-together in your area let us know that too.  Hope to see you soon!

      Save the Date for Zions Camp - Labor Day Weekend September 1-5th, 2011

      Zions Camp Entrance.
      Are you free Labor Day weekend this September?  Do you love to camp? If you answered yes to these questions PLEASE come join us at the LDS Church owned ZIONS Campground in Belfair, WA for a SUPER fun weekend! To see some pics of the fun we had last year CLICK HERE.

      We are in the process of gathering information regarding the number of people interested in attending.  If you have a preference for either a tent site or a communal cabin with up to 16 bunks please let us know.  Sometime in the future, we will be requiring reservations and payment to attend.  For now, Save the Date and Invite Your Friends and Family!  Please leave your comments regarding preferences below this blog post or email Families Supporting Adoption directly at: families.supporting.adoption@gmail.com.  Below are a few more details...

      When: Thursday, September 1st through Monday, September 5th, 2011 (Come anytime, stay as few or as many days as your schedule allows.)

      Who is invited: All adoptive applicants, families and friends.  (Birth parents are having their own retreat at ZIONS the following weekend).

      Cost: It depends a bit on where you choose to sleep.  There are cabins and tent sites.  We are hoping to be in the same general area (as Zion's Camp is quite large).  The cost will likely vary between $7 - $12 a person, per night (with no charge for children under the age of 3). This would  include a campsite (or communal cabin) for your family and breakfast with FSA on Saturday morning. The rest of the weekend you will be in charge of your own food and have an open schedule to do as you please and enjoy the facilities.  There is running water (flushing toilets, sinks and showers); however, showers cost .50 cents each and can be paid for at the front office. 

      What is there to do: All of the recreation at ZIONS CAMP is free, and here is a list of some of the fun things they have to offer...
      • Canoeing, paddle boats and row boats
      • Swimming in the lake
      • Large field for sports and a basketball  court (bring soccer balls, basketballs, nets etc. or borrow from the front office)
      • A HUGE tree house, and play equipment including a ROPE swing and obstacle course
      • Fishing (no license required, just bring your own tackle box)
      • Archery and horse shoes
      • Nature walks
      • Frisbee course (bring your own disks, or you can borrow them from the front office)

      Additional information: 
      • There is a Walmart less than 30 minutes away in case you forget something or run out of ice.
      • Befair, WA does have an LDS Branch that meets Sunday morning, if you are staying over Sunday and would like more information on that just ask when you check in.  All lake activities are closed for the Sabbath as well as the front office.
      • You get one arm load of firewood a day for free.  Each additional arm load does cost a small amount, but you are welcome to bring your own wood as well.
      • If you have any further questions just ask!

      Here is a link to their website: Zions Camp's Web Site.

      Sports Court.

      Mosiah's Swings.