Grand Valley State University’s Sibs and Kids Weekend will be a time of reconnection for GVSU students and their families. To celebrate this annual event, GVSU will be hosting a variety of activities Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28. Most of the activities will occur in the Kirkhof Center, although a few will happen in various other campus locations, as well as off campus.

Activities will include laser tag, rock climbing, face painting and star gazing. In addition to these events, participants will be able to play in an inflatable obstacle course, visit an exotic zoo and participate in a dance party to top it all off. There will also be a photo booth, a jungle maze and a movie-showing of Disney’s Moana.

“Everyone is welcome this weekend,” said Claire Neville, a Laker Traditions event coordinator. “It’s important, especially for those (students) bringing along their siblings, to show them that even though they’re in college working toward a career, they can still visit and have fun.”

The first evening of GVSU’s Sibs and Kids Weekend will begin with a miniature feast consisting of pizza, popcorn and cotton candy, followed by a variety of other planned events that will take place on and off campus throughout the weekend.

This year’s Sibs and Kids Weekend will be hosted by the Laker Traditions team, along with assistance from organizations like Spotlight Productions and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. In addition, the Grand Rapids Community College will be partnering with the YMCA to provide volunteers for one of Saturday’s main events, “Night at the YMCA.”

The events will help alleviate a problem of homesick students by providing an opportunity for students to see their families while staying on campus.

“The purpose of the event is to bring more families to Grand Valley so that students here are able to interact with their siblings and encourage them to visit more often instead of having to go home all the time,” said Nicole Goward, a Laker Traditions event coordinator. “School is very hectic and stressful. It’s nice to connect with loved ones again.”

For a complete Sibs and Kids Weekend schedule, visit www.gvsu.edu/sibsnkids/.