It was a bustling Family Weekend on Friday and Saturday on the GCU campus. It included more than 30 events, from a student market, to the Lil Lopes Dance and Cheer Clinic, to a women's volleyball game, to a carnival. The event was organized by Welcome Programs, which partnered with the Parent Council. Story
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Welcome Programs' Brooke Carlson (left) and Sawyer Kofoid hand out Family Weekend T-shirts to parents and family members as they sign in during Saturday’s festivities. Oct. 11, 2025. -

Students and family members mill about the campus during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Students and family members visit the student market at the Canyon Activity Center during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Students and family members visit the student market at the Canyon Activity Center during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Some overnight rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Saturday’s Family Weekend events on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Lil Lopes run onto the floor to perform a routine for their parents during the Lil Lopes Cheer and Dance Clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A participant performs a stunt during the GCU Cheer and Dance clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Macie Kerlin and fellow Lil Lopes participants perform a routine for their parents during the GCU Cheer and Dance Clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder takes photos with the Lil Lopes participants during the GCU Cheer and Dance clinic at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Students and family members look over the limited edition Family Weekend T-shirt at the Lope Shop on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder dances with a Lope Shop employee during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A family member takes a photo during an event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A young Lope finds a comfortable spot in the GCU letters outside Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

After a long day on campus during Family Weekend, dad carries the family load. Oct. 11, 2025. -

Lil Lopes join the GCU Cheer and Dance teams as they parade down the Promenade to Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder joins the Lil Lopes as they parade toward Global Credit Union Arena during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

The Thundering Heard Pep Band performs at a mini pep rally in front of Global Credit Union Arena before the women’s volleyball game during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

The Thundering Heard Pep Band performs at a mini pep rally in front of Global Credit Union Arena before the women’s volleyball game during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder works the crowd in front of the Lope Shop before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder works the crowd in front of the Lope Shop before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder poses for pictures with students and their families before the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Welcome Programs Manager Garrett Abeyta (right) and Lope Shop manager Garrett Miller announce the winning name for the Thunderbolt shopping spree event during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Welcome Programs Manager Garrett Abeyta and Thunder search the crowd for the winner of the Thunderbolt shopping spree event during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan is greeted by Thunder, as she was the winning name drawn for the Thunderbolt shopping spree during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan readies herself with Thunder for her 30-second shopping spree in the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan takes off with Thunder in tow on her 30-second shopping spree in the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan loads up Thunder with items from the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan dashes through the Lope Shop with Thunder in tow, grabbing items during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan dashes through the Lope Shop with Thunder in tow during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Thunder looks for help as Emma Hogan loads him up with items from the Lope Shop during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan with all of her items at checkout during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Lope Shop employees total all the items Emma Hogan grabbed during the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Emma Hogan and family, including her niece (second from left), who is a GCU student, with her $1,594 worth of Lope Shop merchandise following the Thunderbolt event at Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Student family members during Family Weekend on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A family member tries to navigate the All Star inflatable obstacle course during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Students get their picture taken at photo booth during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A young Lope tries to knock down clowns with a bean bag in a game during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025. -

Family members show you're never too old to enjoy an amusement ride during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025. -

A young Lope sticks his landing as he exits an inflatable obstacle course during the Family Weekend Carnival on Oct. 11, 2025.
