Reunion & Commencement Weekend is a Family Event—Bring the Kids!

The entire family is strongly encouraged to participate in Reunion & Commencement Weekend. While you attend various activities, your children (ages 4 months through 12 years) may enjoy Camp Cardinal, a supervised program created to entertain children during the weekend.

Camp Cardinal Preschool Program (ages 4 months to 5 years)
We’re pleased to offer our popular preschool program for your children ages 4 months to 5 years. For the 13th consecutive year, the Neighborhood Preschool—a licensed day-care facility serving the Middletown and Wesleyan communities—will operate a special program exclusively for children of alumni and parents attending Reunion & Commencement Weekend. Its professional, trained staff will organize games and other activities, and will also provide quiet time, when needed, for the younger children in the group. The Preschool is conveniently located on the Wesleyan campus at 115 High Street, near the Butterfield residence halls.

Camp Cardinal Children’s Program (ages 6 to 12 years)
The Children’s Program will provide entertainment and supervision for 6- to 12-year-olds attending Reunion & Commencement Weekend. The program begins on Friday afternoon with games and activities, including the eighth annual all-campus scavenger hunt and a yoga lesson, and concludes with a basketball clinic, a pizza party and movies. Saturday’s schedule features more games, meals, and lots of other fun-filled indoor and outdoor activities on campus.

Camp Cardinal Registration
Please sign up for Camp Cardinal when you complete your registration for the weekend. The registration fee includes food, snacks, and other essentials. You will receive more detailed program information, along with special permission forms, once you register.

A preliminary schedule of events is listed below, and a final schedule will be provided at Registration (Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, 330 High Street) when you obtain your welcome packet. If you have questions or need more specific information, please contact Linda Kavan, associate director of alumni relations, at 860/685-2641 or lkavan@wesleyan.edu. For specific information about the Preschool Program, please contact Diane Kischell, director of the Neighborhood Preschool, at 860/346-4333.

Friday, May 21

3 p.m.
Meet and Greet
Student supervisors and children will learn names and create nametags. We’ll all play some “getting to know you” games. Student staff will be available to answer questions.

4 p.m.
Scavenger Hunt (weather permitting)
Back by popular demand for the eighth consecutive year! We’ll separate into small groups and scour the campus for facts, figures, and hidden treasures.

5 p.m.
Yoga for Kids
Be a tree, a lion, a triangle, a wheel, a flamingo, and more! Join Sandra Kopell ’90 at her studio, Yoga in Middletown, to learn about postures, breath work, yoga games, and deep relaxation. Have fun with fellow campers while enhancing strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration. This session is geared toward children ages 6-9.

Basketball Clinic
Older children can enjoy shooting hoops with Gerry McDowell, Wesleyan’s head coach of men’s basketball. This session is geared toward children ages 10-12.

6:30 p.m.
Dinner Time
A student supervisor will pick up dinner from a local eatery.
 

7:30 p.m.

Movies
After a full day of activities, we’ll relax, enjoy some munchies, and watch movies (choices will be offered, based upon age).

11 p.m.
Time for Bed
We will clean up and get ready to say goodnight. Parents, PLEASE pick your children up by midnight.

Saturday, May 22

9 a.m.
Good Morning
Children meet student staff for another day of fun and excitement. We’ll play more games and learn names.

10 a.m.
Annual Parade Practice
Campers have the opportunity to paint T-shirts and create banners to be proudly displayed in the parade.

11:15 a.m.
Assemble for the Annual Parade

11:30 a.m.
Annual Parade Begins

1:15 p.m.
Festival on Foss Hill
We’ll eat lunch and then join the adults for an afternoon of fun, games, and lots of entertainment. Get ready for face painting, arts-and-crafts, Wiffle ball, Frisbee, and much more.

1:45 p.m.
Baseball Clinic
Join Mark Woodworth ’94, Wesleyan’s head coach of baseball for a clinic covering everything from pitching to hitting and fielding. Come learn how to enjoy baseball and feel like a Wesleyan Cardinal player for a day.

2:30 p.m.
Fun with Fitness
Campers may enjoy swimming in our Olympic-size pool. Parents are welcome to come and make some waves with your children.

4 p.m.
Arts and Crafts
Time to get creative as campers make art masterpieces.

Climbing for Beginners
Join Geoffrey Wheeler, adjunct assistant professor of physical education, for an introduction to basic rock climbing using the climbing wall in Freeman Athletic Center (FAC). Wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes and challenge yourself to reach the FAC summit. Safety instruction will be provided along with all climbing gear.

5 p.m.
Storytelling Session
Once upon a time . . . campers are treated to an exciting storytelling session in a land far, far away.

6 p.m.
Pizza Party

7 p.m.
Ice Cream Sundaes
We’ll show a big-screen movie appropriate for all ages while we create and consume amazing ice cream sundaes.
 

11 p.m.
Goodnights and Goodbyes
Once again, it’s time to wind down and bid farewell. Parents, PLEASE pick your children up before midnight.