Family Day, set for Oct. 5, helps students share UNG with loved ones

Taylor Bradberry can vividly remember the first time she told her mother that she felt like the University of North Georgia (UNG) was her home. Her mother told her that Winder, Georgia, was home.

But on Family Day in the fall of Bradberry's freshman year, Bradberry had the chance to show her mother, a UNG alumna, exactly what she meant.

"It was great to show her UNG through my eyes," Bradberry, now a senior and pursuing a degree in kinesiology, said.

Bradberry, who helps with Family Day through her work as an orientation leader in the Orientation and Transitions Programs office, hopes to provide a similar experience for other UNG students when this year's Family Day is held Oct. 5 on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Students from all campuses are invited to the event, and they can invite parents, grandparents or other family members.

Students and parents should pre-register for the free event through UNG Connect. Parents can register as guests.

This year's opportunities for families include previous favorites such as the shooting range at the Military Leadership Center, indoor climbing wall, laser tag, planetarium shows and firearms simulator.

UNG will also collect protein items for the UNG Food Pantry for the Family Day service project. The preference is for vacuum-sealed packages of tuna and chicken. Other items, including peanut butter, protein bars, and canned items like pinto or kidney beans, will be accepted.

A concert is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. in Shott Auditorium featuring the Vocal Quartet, Trombone Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, and Low Brass Collective. Families also can tailgate while they cheer on the UNG women's and men's soccer teams, who play at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the UNG Soccer Complex. A new activity this year will be rappelling at the Colombo Tower, which will be led by members of UNG's Corps of Cadets from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Planetarium shows are scheduled for 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. on the second floor of the Health and Natural Sciences Building. Laser tag will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Recreation Center Gym and the gym's climbing wall will be open from noon to 3 p.m. The shooting range is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with liquid nitrogen ice cream from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry served at the range from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

See a full schedule of events at the UNG Family Day website.

Ryann Carter, a junior from Braselton, Georgia, pursuing a history education degree, participated in Family Day as a freshman and as an orientation leader is in her second year of helping with the program. Her first year at UNG she was grateful to show her parents different spots on campus that were meaningful to her.

"Parents get to see how their student is growing and becoming an adult," Carter said. "It's neat to see how excited they are for their student."

Udis Calderon, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations, also assists with Family Day as an orientation leader. He said parents enjoy the time with their students and other families on Family Day.

"Their students are in good hands," Calderon said. "They see the opportunities their students are able to take advantage of."