We just completed our 4th year of Generations of Faith. Our evaluations the first 3 years had lots of comments like "Gatherings are too long" and "Gathering ends too late. The kids need to get to bed earlier."
So, this year we tried something new. We don't have a big crowd for our meals (sports practices last too late and our hispanic parishioners usually arrive late) so we shortened the meal by 15 minutes (now is 6:00 to 6:30). We also ended the gathering 15 minutes earlier (now 8:15). At 8:15 everyone is invited to the hall for ice cream. We have a large crowd for ice cream. Lots of visiting takes place betwen adults about what they heard, children tell their parents about their sessions, and just visiting and catching up with friends. People leave the gathering later than any other year but we had only one evaluation this year that said our gatherings are too long. I think some of this may be that the kids don't need a snack when they get home so it is easier to get them off to bed. Ice cream is also a very positive ending to the evenings.
Sunday mass is at 9am and then the Generations of program starts after wards at 10:30 am with a breakfast provided most often by the Knights of Columbus. We are having a problem with many in the Sunday session leaving the session early. Also when we walk around we find that many adults are just chatting with others and not really actively doing the activity with their children. Or if they do it they rush through it and because they are finished early in what is a so-so way they feel they can leave. They do not wait for the sharing or the closing prayer. As a team we are really stumped and quite frankly frustrated. Any suggestions?
Perhaps your team might look at the time frame of the session and see if it needs to be adjusted. Contact some participants and ask for their input too. Do you finish on time ? Are people involved in the closing prayer ? We schedule our closing prayer so that we finish the sessions at least ten minutes early. This works for us.
Have you thought about having table leaders ? You might consider inviting people to a training session a couple of times a year. Once trained, people can facilitate discussions and invite people to actively particpate in the activities.