DeKalb | Family Weekend is Friday through Sunday and there are a wide variety of activities for students to choose from as they welcome their families to experience a bit of their college life.

“Students participate in a diverse variety of events because all of our students are diverse and they get to really see and feel the culture of NIU,” Kesha Williams, associate director of Family Connections said.

Williams said students and families are encouraged to go to events, not only to spend time with one another, but also to get to know campus. She said Family Weekend provides a fun way for everyone to become familiar with the atmosphere of the school while transitioning out of summer.

One of the many events students can attend with their families is Bowling and Billiards from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday. The Bowling and Billiards event is available to parents and students for $10 per person, which will get them an all access pass to bowling, pool and console games in the Huskie Den in the basement of the Holmes Student Center. With unlimited access, this is one of the few events of the weekend that require an admission fee to get in while most other events are free.

”It is a deep bonding experience where your family can really enjoy themselves,” freshman computer science major, Josh Skawski, said.

Williams said Family Weekend is an opportunity to bring everyone together on campus and welcome new students and families. With several events lined up, students have all weekend to catch something going on around campus.

If students are looking to connect with nature, a trip to Jonamac Orchard is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday where families can enjoy apple picking as well as barnyard activities, according to the Family Weekend schedule found on NIU’s website. There are also several annual events going on such as Kite Fest, 11 a.m. Sunday on Lucinda and Kishwaukee Drive, which connects campus with the DeKalb community for a shared experience. Students are invited to come out, fly kites in the DeKalb wind and enjoy the community.

“[Family Weekend] is an opportunity for you to have a great time with your student and learn about the campus,” Williams said.