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! Eagle Family Weekend Will Be on October 10th - October 12th!
Registration Is Now Open! Click Here To Register!
For additional support, please contact parents@fgcu.edu
*Please note: Events marked with an asterisk require additional registration
Friday, October 10th
12pm to 4pm: Eagle Family Weekend Check-In
Welcome to FGCU’s Eagle Family Weekend! Start your weekend off right by checking in and picking up your welcome materials. This is your first stop to get everything you need—from event schedules and nametags to campus maps and your exclusive Eagle Family Weekend T-Shirt. Our friendly staff and student volunteers will be ready to greet you, answer any questions, and help you get oriented for an exciting weekend of connection, celebration, and Eagle pride. Whether you're a returning guest or it's your first time on campus, we’re thrilled to have you here!
12pm to 2pm: Fraternity & Sorority Life Family Mixer
Stop by for food and giveaways as you start your FGCU Family Weekend! Membership in a fraternity or sorority is not required to join us; the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life is excited to welcome everyone to campus. This event will allow you to meet other families and prepare for a great weekend on campus!
*1pm to 3pm: Live Cooking Demo (Lunch)
The School of Resort & Hospitality Management will be hosting a culinary interactive experience that is open to all families of FGCU. For your entertainment, our chef instructor who will be stepping outside of 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 yourself you be pampered, while we demonstrate and serve you something memorable. We hope to see you there! Learn more about our chef instructor here.
Cost: $30. Limited to 30 registrants. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event.
2pm to 4:30pm: Welcome on the Lawn
The fun starts here! Kick off Eagle Family Weekend with the Welcome on the Lawn! Get connected with FGCU's academic registered student organizations (RSOs), resources like the Center of Academic Achievement and the Office of Service-Learning, and connect with various faculty and staff in the heart of campus, our Library Lawn!
*5pm to 6pm: Live Cooking Demo (Dinner)
The School of Resort & Hospitality Management will be hosting a culinary interactive experience that is open to all families of FGCU. For your entertainment, our chef instructor who will be stepping outside of 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 yourself you be pampered, while we demonstrate and serve you something memorable. We hope to see you there! Learn more about our chef instructor here.
Cost: $30. Limited to 30 registrants. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event.
*5:00pm to 7:45pm: Naples Princess Sunset Cruise
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 appetizers and unlimited soda/juices. Other food and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase on board.
Cost: $70 Limited to 143 registrants. Pre-Registration is required to attend this event.
7pm to 8:30pm: 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!
Limited to the first 250 participants.
8:30pm to 10pm: FGCU Hockey vs. University of Utah
Join the FGCU's Club Hockey Team as they play against the University of Utah at Hertz Arena's Blue Rink!
Students receive free tickets at ice rink with valid Eagle ID. Guest tickets cost: $10. Seating is very limited.
Saturday, October 11th
*8:15am to 12pm: Morning of Service at Harry Chapin Food Bank
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!
Limited to 60 registrants. Seats are at a first-come basis. Transportation is not included.
*8:15am to 12pm: Morning of Service at Bunche Beach with the Healthy Earth Organization
Start your Saturday with purpose and sunshine at our “Morning at the Beach” Service-Learning Trip—a unique opportunity for students and their families to serve together while soaking in the natural beauty of Southwest Florida’s coast. We'll kick off the morning with just over an hour of meaningful coastal service, helping to preserve one of our region’s most treasured environments. Afterward, enjoy free time to relax, explore, or dip your toes in the Gulf before heading back to campus for the Eagle Family BBQ. At FGCU, service is in our DNA—and this is the perfect way to connect with both our community and each other. Don't forget to bring your sunscreen and your service spirit!
Limited to 24 registrants. Seats are at a first-come basis. Transportation is included.
11:30am to 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 with our photographer, sponsored by FGCU's Alumni Association! For your comfort and convenience, indoor seating is available within the Cohen Student Union Ballroom. Limited outdoor seating available, guests are welcomed to bring foldable lawn chairs, blankets, etc.
12pm to 5pm: Family Fun at The Waterfront
Enjoy the scenic views of Lake Como and bask in the sun at the Waterfront located in North Lake Village! Get out on the water by checking out a kayak or paddleboard!
Pre-registration is not required. Kayaks and paddleboards are at a first-come basis, and are subjected to availability.
8pm to 10:30pm: Outdoor Movie Night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at our Outdoor Movie Night! Bring a lawn chair or blanket as we sit under the stars to enjoy a fun film! Movie selection has not been determined at this time.
8:30pm to 10pm: FGCU Hockey vs. University of Utah
Join the FGCU's Club Hockey Team as they play against the University of Utah at Hertz Arena's Blue Rink!
Students receive free tickets at ice rink with valid Eagle ID. Guest tickets cost: $10. Seating is very limited.
Sunday, October 12th
10am to 1pm: FGCU Alumni Market
Join us during Eagle Family Weekend for the FGCU Alumni Market! Shop a variety of unique, handmade items from alumni and student vendors, including candles, jewelry, art, and more. Enjoy a fun and festive atmosphere with food and drinks available for purchase. It’s a great way to support Eagle-owned businesses and celebrate the FGCU community!
Please Note: Students must have an Eagle Family Weekend ticket to attend. This schedule is tentative. Event times/dates are subject change.
More to be announced...
Featured Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn
This hotel is less than a mile from Gulf Coast Town Center Mall, two miles from Florida Gulf Coast University, and under a 10-minute drive to Southwest Florida International Airport. They have an outdoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center and onsite restaurant. Free perks include WiFi and our shuttle service available 4am-1am within a three-mile radius.
Homewood Suites
Find them just off I-75, 10 minutes from Southwest Florida International Airport – hop on their free shuttle. We’re three miles from Florida Gulf Coast University. Enjoy dining on your doorstep, or at Miromar Mall, 10 minutes away. For a quieter night, join their complimentary evening social every Wednesday, or do a little in-suite cooking. WiFi and breakfast are on us.
We have compiled a list of other nearby hotels, many of which offer an FGCU Eagle Family Weekend rate.
*Places marked with an asterisk are Alumni owned!
University Village
Gulf Coast Town Center
Miromar Outlets
Wasabi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Lounge
Other Hot Spots
*Places marked with an asterisk are Alumni owned!
Activate: Enter the game where you become the player in the world's first active gaming facility. Jump, climb, problem-solve and laugh, as you and your friends move between challenges. Each dynamic game room has interactive technology that reacts in real time, ensuring an adrenaline-filled adventure. Opening soon!
*Cattyshack Cat Cafe: Cattyshack Cafe is more than just a coffee shop—it's a one-of-a-kind experience where you can sip your favorite drink while spending time with adoptable rescue cats and kittens.
Estero River Outfitters: Explore the Great Outdoors with Estero River Outfitters! Rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board and explore the Estero River!
Fort Rock: Fort Rock Climbing Center in Fort Myers aims to fuse their modern indoor rock climbing gym with a sense of community, connection and a love for adventure and fitness. Their climbing center boasts state-of-the-art bouldering and climbing terrain, a designated fitness space for training with weights, barbells and balls, as well as their pro shop, their party room, and an inviting atmosphere for people and families to connect through climbing and fitness.
GameTime: The ultimate entertainment destination! With over 100 interactive games, full-service dining, and over 60 HDTVs, everyone can have a blast!
Hertz Arena (Ice Skating): Come try their refreshing public skating sessions in their Recreational Rinks! Let their disco ball and intriguing laser show amuse you and your party as you skate around their 200’ x 85’ ice surface while listening to the weekly top 20 tunes.
HeadPinz: Enjoy 24 lanes of bowling fun featuring the latest in entertainment from our touch screens. They also have 4 old time, Pin Boyz lanes for a unique experience. Their Game Zone has 4 virtual reality games, 2 level laser tag arena, aerial ropes course, 3 escape rooms and more than 45+ of the hottest arcade games!
Koreshan State Park: Cradled by majestic oaks along the banks of the Estero River, Koreshan State Park’s historic buildings and gardens are a testament to the industrious lives and unique beliefs of the Florida pioneers.
PopStroke: Embark on a mini-golf adventure at our oasis-like destination, featuring two meticulously designed 18-hole putting courses. Each course mirrors the challenge and excitement of a traditional golf setup, complete with synthetic fairways, tricky bunkers, and unpredictable rough patches—all played with just a putter in hand!
*Rising Tide Explorers: RTE provides kayak rentals, kayak tours, and boat tours with SWFL's only biologist guides. Voted the #1 Kayaking Tour in the USA by USA Today.
Sandbox VR: Sandbox is a futuristic VR experience for groups of up to 6 where you can see and physically interact with everyone inside, just like the real world. Inspired by Star Trek's Holodeck, our exclusive worlds let you feel like you're living inside a game or movie, and are built by EA, Sony, and Ubisoft veterans.
Spinz: Enjoy classic roller skating that offers fun for all ages. The venue features a large indoor arena where families can enjoy roller skating or blading, with skate helpers available for beginners.
Sky Zone: Enjoy jumping at an indoor trampoline park that offers a variety of fun activities! From classic jump to dodgeball, Sky Zone is fun for the whole family!
Top Golf: Topgolf is a sports entertainment complex that blends golf with a fun, social atmosphere. It features climate-controlled hitting bays, giant targets, and a unique game system that uses microchipped golf balls and technology to track accuracy and distance.
Wonder Gardens: The Wonder Gardens is home to a diverse family of rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable animals. From Florida Alligators and Flamingos to beautiful macaws, pythons, turtles, tortoises and even Chinese Golden Pheasants – add that to the vibrant botanical collection and we have something to interest every member of your family!
810 Entertainment: Roll into 810 Entertainment in Estero, FL for drinks, bites, bowling, billiards, games, and all-around good vibes. Enjoy epic happy hour deals, delicious eats, and a whole lotta fun! Let’s make your break one to remember!
