From Friday, Feb. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 23, the Office of Student Life’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) hosted the annual Sibs and Kids Weekend, which was designed to give students and their families an immersive on-campus experience. The weekend featured a full schedule of activities for the siblings and children of Grand Valley State University students, faculty and staff.
Many of the event’s activities reflected the outdoor adventure feel of a summer camp, the weekend’s theme. A survival skills workshop took place, where participants learned to tie rope, identify edible and poisonous plants and understand basic outdoor safety. Other hands-on activities included arts and crafts, slime-making and interactive games.
“So many Lakers, (whether they be) faculty, staff (or) students, have young children or siblings who want to see what they do here at school,” said CAB President Bridie Tolley. “This (Sibs and Kids Weekend) is a great way for them (children and siblings) to experience Grand Valley and just have fun.”
Tolley said Sibs and Kids Weekend continues to grow each year, and brings together various GVSU departments to create a memorable experience for visiting families. This year, partners included other campus departments, such as Recreation & Wellness, Housing and Residence Life and more.
Each year, the event features a different theme. Last year’s theme was “Under the Sea,” while this year’s focus was a summer camp experience.
“Our students (in CAB) wanted a summer camp vibe, and there’s so much you can do with that,” said Tolley.
Beyond activities, Sibs and Kids provided guests with full access to campus facilities, including free admission to the weekend’s basketball games and transportation services.
“When sibs and kids come here, they are treated like GVSU students, which is kind of the fun part about it (the weekend),” Tolley said.
Technology played a key role in this year’s event, as a technology showcase was held on Feb. 21 by the University’s IT Innovation and Research team. The showcase featured virtual reality headsets and 3D-printed giveaways. Visitors received 3D printed keychains with GVSU’s logo, and had the opportunity to immerse themselves in various virtual reality experiences.
That same day, guests toured a climate-related exhibit at the GVSU Art Museum and participated in a community weaving project that utilized fabrics and found materials. The interactive exhibit encouraged attendees to contribute to a larger piece while engaging in discussions about sustainability and artistic expression.
Another highlight of the weekend was the S’more Improv comedy show on Feb. 21 by Subject to Change, an improv club at GVSU. The group engaged the audience with spontaneous and absurd humor, pulling suggestions from the crowd to build their scenes.
“We (asked) the crowd for a random news segment, the craziest one (they) can think of,” said Bryan Hanes, a member of Subject to Change.
The result was an unpredictable act that featured newscasters reporting on rewriting the theory of relativity. Later in the performance, the group acted out a storybook reading of a dystopian tale that included kangaroos.
“Camp nights are usually filled with scary stories, but our S’more Improv show was filled with laughter,” said Hanes.
As Sibs and Kids Weekend continues to expand, it remains a tradition that allows students to share their university experience with loved ones, and engage in activities that showcase community at GVSU.
