Eagle Family Weekend
Family weekend is designed for the parents, siblings, children, friends, and families of FGCU students to learn more about the university and feel a greater connection to our campus and community. Throughout the weekend there will be activities that give families an opportunity to catch a glimpse of their student's life, envelop themselves in the FGCU and Fort Myers community, and learn more about what it means to be a true Eagle!
Save the Date: October 4 - 6!
Friday, October 4th
1-5pm: Eagle Family Weekend Check-in
The fun starts here! Check-in the family to receive your name tags and event passes! If family members are arriving following the check-in time, students are able to check-in the entire family on their behalf!
Location: Eagles Landing in North Lake Village
4-6pm: Fraternity and Sorority Life Family Reception
Join FGCU'S Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for an opportunity to connect and socialize with the fraternities and sororities currently active on campus. Grab a light beverage and enjoy the views of Lake Como!
Location: The Boardwalk in North Lake Village
7:30-9:30pm: s'mores at the waterfront
What is better than enjoying some dessert in paradise? Swing by the beautiful Waterfront to enjoy s’mores on the beach! Brought to you by University Recreation & Wellness.
Location: The Waterfront in North Lake Village
8-10:30pm: Outdoor Movie Night: Twisters (2024)
Bring your favorite blanket or chair and get ready for an exhilarating night under the stars with the high-octane excitement of the new Twisters (2024) movie! Join us for a heart-pounding adventure as the latest blockbuster lands in our nest! Movie will begin at 8:30pm. Brought to you by First Year Experience and the Resident Housing Association.
Location: SoVi Green in South Village
Saturday, October 5th
8-11am: Late Check-in
Arriving late? No worries, we have you covered! Visit our late check-in table on the first floor of the Cohen Student Union to pick up your name tags and event passes!
Location: Cohen Student Union, First Floor Atrium
8:30am-12pm: Morning of Service*
Spend the morning giving back to the community at Harry Chapin Food Bank. Harry Chapin Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit and the only Feeding America member in Southwest Florida, serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties. They rescue and distribute donated food and other grocery products through our food distribution programs, feeding more than a quarter of a million people who are hungry each month!
Location: 3760 Fowler St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
*Limited to 60 registrants. Pre-Registration required. Participants must be at least 14 years old, and must wear closed-toe shoes.
9-10:30am: Guided Wet-Walk W/ Campus Naturalists
Take a Wet Walk in the FGCU Nature Trails! Learn about the Cypress Dome and the wildlife that it holds! Make sure that you are wearing closed toed shoes and old clothes (preferably ones you don't mind getting soaked)!
Meet-up Location: Academic Building 9 Lobby
Limited to first 40 participants.
9am-1pm: FGCU's Adaptive Sports & Rec Day*
Adaptive Rec Day highlights adaptive recreation for individuals with disabilities. Campus, and the surrounding community, come together to promote adaptive recreation and provide opportunities to participate in a wide range of sports and recreational activities. All are welcomed to participate!
Location: Alico Arena
*Registration will open soon! View flyer here!
10-11:30am: Karaoke Bingo
Get ready for a morning of epic fun and laughter at our Karaoke Bingo! Imagine your favorite karaoke songs mixed with the classic thrill of bingo, and you’ve got a recipe for an unforgettable event!
Location: Cohen Student Union Ballroom
Limited to the first 250 participants.
10am-2pm: Unified Special Olympics - Sand Volleyball
Unified is an opportunity for families to watch a Sand Volleyball game that is a partnership with the special Olympics and FGCU student community.
Location: The ROC (Outside of Alico Arena)
11:30am-2pm: Eagle Family BBq
Enjoy a barbecue lunch catered by Mission BBQ! Craving something sweet? Create your own cookie creation at our Chip Cookies Station! Get the family fun started with our interactive inflatables, lawn games, and more! And don’t forget to capture the moment at our photo booth! For your comfort and convenience, indoor seating is available within the Cohen Student Union Ballroom. Limited outdoor seating available. Guests are welcome to bring foldable lawn chairs, blankets, etc.
Location: FGCU’s Library Lawn
2-3:30pm: Live Cooking Demo*
The School of Resort & Hospitality Management will be hosting a interactive culinary experience that is open to all families of FGCU. For your entertainment, our chef instructor, will step outside the classroom to engage with you for this one-day event only, that will be hosted in our Hoffman Family of Companies Wine Lab. Allow us to serve you something memorable!
Learn more about our chef instructor here.
Location: Room 117, Sugden Hall
*Cost: $25. Limited to 40 registrants. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event. This event has reached its maximum capacity.
5:30-9pm: Eagle Cheer Garden
Eagle Family Weekend participants are invited to enjoy game day in our exclusive Eagle Cheer Garden located behind the north goal of Pickering Field. Get a field level view and cheer FGCU’s Men’s Soccer to victory!
Location: Pickering Field (FGCU Soccer Complex)
*Limited to first 500 guests. Soccer Gameday Ticket AND Eagle Family Weekend registration required for admission.
7-9pm: FGCU's Men's Soccer Vs UNF*
Join the FGCU Men’s soccer team as they play against the University of North Florida!
Location: Pickering Field (FGCU Soccer Complex)
*Family tickets available for purchase here. Full-time students get free entry, please visit this webpage on how to claim student tickets.
Sunday, October 6th
9-10:30am: Guided Wet-walk W/ Campus Naturalists
Take a Wet Walk in the FGCU Nature Trails! Learn about the Cypress Dome and the wildlife that it holds! Make sure that you are wearing closed toed shoes and old clothes (preferably ones you don't mind getting soaked)!
Meet-up Location: Academic Building 9 Lobby
Limited to first 40 participants.
10:30am-1:30pm: Cruisin' Up the Coast*
Set sail with the Naples Princess Cruise, a 105' state of the art vessel! The Naples Princess is a private cruise that will show the beautiful waters of Naples Bay. The ticket includes a 2-hour charter with unlimited soda/juices. Other food and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on board.
Port Location: 550 Port O Call Way, Naples, FL 34102
*Cost: $65 Limited to 144 registrants. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event. This event has reached its maximum capacity.
1-3pm: Fgcu's Women's Soccer Vs Uwg*
Join the FGCU Women’s soccer team as they play against the University of West Georgia at Pickering Field at the FGCU Soccer Complex!
Location: Pickering Field (FGCU Soccer Complex)
*Family tickets available for purchase here. Full-time students get free entry, please visit this webpage on how to claim student tickets.
Additional Events
Family Fun at Gametime*
Enjoy an hour of unlimited play on a wide variety of classic and modern arcade games, from Skee-Ball and air hockey to simulators. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a gaming pro or a casual player.
What you’ll receive: a one-hour timed play-card, that can be used on any non-redemption/ticketed game. The one-hour time will start once the card has been swiped at any machine. One-hour timed play-cards are valid from 10/4-10/6 only.
Location: 10037 Gulf Center Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33913
*Cost: $18. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event.
Urecwell Center Open Gym & Tours
Visit the new state-of-the-art University Recreation and Wellness Center! Family members 18 and older can accompany their student to the facility for a free workout. Tours are available upon request for the entire family (no age restrictions). The University Recreation and Wellness Center will be open from 10am-5pm all weekend long.
*Closed-toed shoes required, must fill out a waiver at the front desk to use the facilities.
Urecwell Waterfront Beach
The Waterfront in North Lake Village will be open from 12pm to 5pm all weekend for students and families to enjoy! Watercraft rentals will be unavailable on Saturday, October 5th due to Adaptive Sports & Rec Day.
There are many hotels near the FGCU campus excited to welcome families to Fort Myers
for Eagle Family Weekend!
We have compiled a list of nearby hotels, many of which offer an FGCU Eagle Family Weekend rate.
