<p>My parents and I were wondering if there was any designated parents'/family weekends, and if so, what kind of activities and such were planned. My family is interested in coming out but wants to do so at a time other than moving day to get a true feel for the school.</p>
<p>There's a family weekend every year. It's usually the last or second-to-last weekend in October. I think there are usually planned events on campus, but my parents don't do any of it. My family usually goes out to dinner on Friday night, and then we get together Saturday afternoon and do any shopping I want help with (i.e. get my mom to buy me toiletries and then drive it to my dorm) before going downtown for the rest of the day. During my first year I gave my family a campus tour at some point. Usually one of the nights we go out to dinner with any of my friends whose parents couldn't come. </p>
<p>Some of the student performances may be good, especially if you're involved in one of the groups, but your parents are really coming to see the school and spend time with you. I'd encourage you to show them your room and campus and maybe take them downtown and show them any of your favorite spots. A dinner with your close friends and maybe their parents would also be fun for everybody, I think.</p>
<p>The dates for Parents Weekend this year are Oct. 24 - Oct. 26.</p>
<p>One of the things that is nice is that they have model classes that parents can attend, with or without their kids. (Usually without. They start early on Saturday. This year the one kid I got to go with me was the only current student in either of the classes we went to.) Some of them are lectures, often involving famous faculty, some small seminars. They are very substantive. The ones I have attended involved a specific Holderlin ode, female troubadors in late-medieval Provence, religious tolerance in the Roman Empire, and contemporary witchcraft in southern Africa. A few years ago, there was also a terrific session with creative writing faculty reading from their work.</p>
<p>I have been to two parent weekends, and these sessions were the absolute highlights of both for me. One of the ones we went to this year briefly turned my son into a prospective anthropologist, he was so turned on by it, and he struck up a relationship with the teacher that has continued.</p>
<p>There are also usually some kind of reception with the President and, separately, with the Resident Master of your child's dorm. There are also sessions with your child's advisor, with the study abroad office, and various stuff on Friday that I've never gotten to.</p>
<p>You can also sign up for tours. Some of these fill up fast - the Frank Lloyd Wright house, for example.</p>
<p>Yes, and the Oriental Museum.</p>
<p>We've been to three parents weekends. We missed the one last fall because our D was coming home the following weekend.</p>
<p>They can be a lot of fun, even though lodging near the U is non-existent. For us, one of the best parts was hearing our D's advisor talk about what is going on, and why the advisers don't talk to parents...</p>
<p>classes were a mixed bag, but the tours are great, and the receptions and breakfast not bad. </p>
<p>The key, though, is to sign up early. It is done on-line. Don't wait for the mailing as it may be too late. check the website. This was last years but should be the same next fall. <a href="https://familyweekend.uchicago.edu/%5B/url%5D">https://familyweekend.uchicago.edu/</a></p>
<p>Thank you all very much!</p>