ESFamilies
Welcome to our Mighty Oak families—we're thrilled to have your students join ESF!
Family Weekend
We're so excited to welcome our ESF families to campus for a weekend that's all about you and your students!
Our celebration will be full of action-packed fun, informative nature sessions, ESF history, and ESF culture and traditions.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22
Check-In and Welcome Table
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Gateway Center Concourse
Check in at our table to receive your free ESF Family Weekend items and to meet the Division of Student Affairs staff.
Continental Breakfast and College News
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Gateway Center
Come together with College staff, students, and families for co¬ffee, conversation, and a review of the schedule. Hear remarks and campus updates from College leadership at 10 a.m.
What's Happening with Student Life?
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Gateway Center
Join Dean Anne Lombard, Ph.D., Executive Student Affairs Officer and Dean of Students, and staff from Centennial Hall, Counseling Services, and Student Success and Engagement as they share resources available and campus trends to help you and help your student succeed!
Tie-Dye Your Family Weekend T-Shirt
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Quad Tent
We will provide materials so you can take part in a long-standing ESF tradition to tie-dye your family weekend t-shirt!
ESF Student Crafters
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Gateway Concourse
Come check out and shop with our amazingly talented student crafters!
Family Photos
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Quad (Rain location: Gateway Center)
Food Trucks
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Quad
Enjoy lunch from Oompa Loompya, Bagas Bowls on the Go, and Ali Baba's with your family on the Quad and eat under our tent. Play bean bag toss, ring toss, tic tac toe, and lawn games! Get a caricature by J.P. Crangle.
Not included in the Family Weekend registration fee
Birds of Prey
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
5 Illick Hall
Come face-to-face with exotic birds of prey and learn about the Page Wildlife Center!
Hoverter Historical Walk
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet Outside of Bray Hall
Join Kevin Reynolds (ESF Hoverter College Archives volunteer) as he leads you on a historical walk around campus. You'll learn answer to these three questions: Who are the academic buildings named for? Why did the New York State College of Forestry end up at Syracuse University? Why did New York State decide to create a College of Forestry in 1911?
Rain or shine!
SPECIALTY TOUR SESSIONS
Roosevelt Wildlife Collection
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Gateway Center
Join Sabrina Horrack as she takes you through the College’s fascinating collection of wildlife. Limited to 20 people
Paper Making
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet on the corder of the Quad near the stairs and walk to 102 Walters Hall.
Come try this ancient technique of making a sheet of paper with your own hands! We'll also perform destructive tests to see how much force it takes to crush, punch a hole into, and pull apart different kinds of paper.
Walking Tour of the Historic Oakwood Cemetery
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Moon Library and walk to Sumner Tomb in Sec. 8
Join us as we visit the oldest section of Oakwood Cemetery with historian Sue Greenhagen of the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association. Oakwood was established in 1859, and covers more than 60,000 burials. Remember, not everyboxy's famous, but everybody has a story. Oakwood is located directly behind ESF and serves as an official living laboratory for ESF learning.
Greenhouse Tour
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet outside of Illick Hall and travel to the 5th Floor
Explore the new greenhouses that have been replaced on the rooftop of Illick Hall. The tour will be guided by a knowledgeable member of the greenhouse team.
Night at Salt City Market
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Salt City Market (484 S. Salina St.)
Finish off the day with us as we try foods from different cultures at Syracuse's newest and fastest growing food market in downtown Syracuse. Stop by the ESF check-in table to say hello and learn about the programs and resources o¬ffered. We will o¬ffer all those in attendance a $5 voucher.
Driving directions included in Family Weekend packet.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
ESF Pancake Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
7393 Maple Ridge Rd., Tully, NY 13159
Join us for a pancake breakfast featuring ESF's very own maple syrup! Fill up on pancakes, sausages, juice, and coffee as we conclude Family Weekend 2022!
Heiberg Forest: Return of the American Chestnut
Tours start at 10:30 a.m. | 11:00 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 12:00 p.m. | 12:30 p.m.
Tully Field Station (10 min drive from Heiberg)
550 NY-281, Tully, NY 13159
A little over a century ago, the American chestnut tree, once one of the most abundant trees in the eastern forests of the United States, was devastated by the chestnut blight. After 25 years of research at ESF, trees with enhanced blight resistance have been developed using the tools of biotechnology. Come out to a walking tour of some of the growing American trees at the Tully Field Station and learn about the exciting journey of the American chestnut.
Timber Sports Demonstration
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Check out our talented ESF Mighty Oaks Timber Sports team and see why they are a cut above the competition!
Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard and Cidery Pick-Your-Own Event
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join us as we head over to our beloved Beak & Skiff, established in 1911, located approximately 30 minutes south of campus near Heiberg Forest. Last pick-your-own wagon departs at 5 p.m.
Driving directions included in Family Weekend materials.
SPECIAL FAMILY WEEKEND DISCOUNT
College sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, maple syrup, and more will be available for 10% off at the ESF College Bookstore.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy a ticket for the entire weekend?
Yes. The ticket price includes activities throughout the weekend for Saturday and Sunday, which include breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, your choice of a Family Weekend t-shirt, access to all of the presentations and presenters, access to food trucks for lunch, and a $5 food voucher for Salt City Market on Saturday evening. You will be given a wristband to signify your registration.
Do I have to buy a ticket for my student?
Yes, undergraduate student tickets are $25 for Saturday and Sunday.
Where can we stay for the weekend?
Accommodations can be found here.
Do I have to sign up for tours ahead of time as we have in previous years?
No, this year it will be first come, first served. You do not have to register for events ahead of time, but spaces on some tours are limited.
What food options are available on-campus?
Food trucks are coming to campus! We also give all registrants a $5 food voucher to go to Salt City Market in Downtown Syracuse to try some good local food. The food truck event and carnival on Saturday will include three different options: Oompa Loompyas, Baga Bowls on the Go, and Ali Baba's.
RESOURCES
NEW STUDENT INFO
STUDENT SERVICES
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ACADEMICS
