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GVL / Luke Hotwagner
Volunteers at Sibs & Kids Weekend hand out popcorn to guests.

Registration triples for 20th Sibs & Kids Weekend

By Susie Skowronek GVL Staff Writer
2/1/2009

As the next generation of Lakers toured Grand Valley State University, climbed the rock wall and built teddy bears, the annual Sibs & Kids Weekend at Grand Valley State University celebrated its 20th year.

Sibs & Kids Weekend provides a time for siblings and children of students to see what GVSU has to offer aside from the academics and athletics. It is effective for bonding and building legacies, said sophomore Amanda Clark, Spotlight Productions’ coordinator of Sibs & Kids Weekend.

About 1,200 sibs and kids registered for the event — triple the participation from last year. Registration is necessary so guests can receive a fair share of crafts, food and logo bags.

The Sibs & Kids logo bags allow guests to carry prizes and toys such as the popular build-a-bear from Saturday morning, Clark said.

Sibs & Kids Weekend is designed to further foster the relationships between siblings left behind when the GVSU student went off to school. Since living away from home can put a damper on the development of the close sibling bond, the Sibs & Kids Weekend mission is to provide a weekend where the student can host their guests and participate in many fun opportunities.

Popular events from Friday night and Saturday morning included designing a road sign, which involved printing names on a Louie the Laker sign, and a dog tag character artist.

However, Saturday night drew the biggest crowds to nine inflatables in the Fieldhouse.

Other events included open swim, dodge ball, a reptile display, “Wall-E” in the Big Screen Movie Theater in the Kirkhof Center and open hours at the Rec Center.

The Student Life Fund backed the events, making registration free for siblings and kids.

“Sibs & Kids Weekend is free to the campus — students can attend for free,” Clark said. “I think a lot of people don’t realize that.”

Freshman Rachelle Fox registered her younger sister, Delainey — a sixth grader — for Sibs & Kids Weekend. Living in Clarkston, Mich., the sisters do not have an opportunity to see each other much.

Rachelle said she enjoyed the activities provided by Spotlight Productions, and she appreciated the weekend events as a rare opportunity to relax with her sister.

“I liked being in the lounge of my dorm and singing songs with her,” she said. “I also like dinner at Fresh because meals are fun. We’re rowdy, the two of us. When we get a group together, there is a lot of laughing and a lot of fun.”

Like her sister, Delainey said she appreciated the time she was able to share in her sister’s company. She was especially fond of being able to watch “Kung Fu Panda” in her sister’s dorm room.

Sibs & Kids Weekend also gives families the opportunity to tour the campus in which their family member spends most of their time. Delainey said she appreciated being able to experience her big sister’s college during the weekend.

“It’s really nice, clean and humongous,” she said. “I want to come here when I get to college!”

sskowronek@lanthorn.com

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