Eagle Family Weekend

*Please note: this schedule is tentative. Event times/dates are subject change.

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.

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!

*Events marked with an asterisk require additional registration

More to be announced...

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.

University Village

Fat Katz Slider Bar

Insomnia Cookies

Mellow Mushroom

Off the Bone BBQ

Pelican Larry’s

Poke Fusion

Skillets

Smoothie King

Sour & Dough Artisan Bakery

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

Thai Café

Urban Buzz

Gulf Coast Town Center

Amore Brick Oven Pizza

Burntwood Tavern

Carraba's Italian Grill

Connor's Steak and Seafood

First Watch

Hooked Island Grill

Hummus Republic

Koto Grill

Miller's Ale House

Nectar Lab

Outback Steakhouse

P.F. Chang's

Playa Bowls

Pinchers Crab Shack

Red Robin

Share Tea

The Keys Bar and Grille

The Library Pizza

Mirormar Outlets

Ford's Garage

Kava Kulture

Naples Flatbread

Wasabi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Lounge

Other Hot Spots

Backyard Social

Cava

Chicken Salad Chick

Chip Cookies

Crisp & Green

FK Your Diet

Oak & Stone

Texas Roadhouse