Why Fall Family Weekend Matters at Brewster
By Dr. Bryan Gross
Before heading home for fall break, we invite families to spend a little more time experiencing the people, relationships, and community that make Brewster special.
It feels like you just moved your kids in, doesn't it?
The boxes have barely been unpacked. Students are settling into classes, reconnecting with friends, and finding their rhythm. And now, just a few weeks later, we are inviting families back to campus for Fall Family Weekend, October 16 and 17.
We know how tempting it can be to pick up your student on Friday and get an early start on the drive home. After all, there is nothing quite like having everyone back under the same roof, enjoying a home-cooked meal, catching up, and simply being together.
But here is what we hope you will consider: You can enjoy that wonderful time at home and still make the most of Fall Family Weekend.
With the break extending from Saturday through Tuesday, there is plenty of time ahead for family traditions and a little well-deserved rest. Before you head home, we hope you will spend Friday and Saturday with us at Brewster.
This year, there is more reason than ever to stay.
A Chance to Experience Your Student's World
How are classes going? Who are your friends? What is your favorite activity? How is life in the dorm?
As parents, we ask these questions all the time, although the answers are sometimes shorter than we might like.
Fall Family Weekend gives you the opportunity to go beyond those conversations. It is a chance to meet the people your student talks about, visit the places where they spend their days, connect with other families, and experience the community they are becoming part of.
Parent-teacher conferences remain an important part of the weekend. They offer something that grades and progress reports alone cannot: the chance to hear directly from the teachers who know your student, recognize their strengths, understand their challenges, and support their growth.
That is the Brewster Model® in action. Our academic teams work collaboratively to understand each student as an individual. Fall Family Weekend gives you an opportunity to connect with the people behind that work and gain a fuller picture of your student's experience.
A New Kind of Fall Family Weekend
This year, we have reimagined the weekend to pair those meaningful academic conversations with a broader celebration of student life, school spirit, and community.
Friday, October 16, offers opportunities to connect in ways both big and small. Start the morning with coffee and conversation at the Brewster Family Network Coffee and Mingle in the Grayson Student Center. Then enjoy lunch at Estabrook Dining Hall, where each dorm will have a designated table. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet the students and families who share your student's residential community.
Throughout the afternoon, families can meet with teachers and participate in programs exploring the college recruiting process for athletes, changes in college admissions, and student wellness with Sara Brown, Brewster's Director of Counseling and Wellbeing. Parents of seniors and postgraduate students will also have opportunities for individual College Counseling conferences.
Have a younger child who might be interested in Brewster? Siblings are invited to a special Admissions tour and lunch on Friday morning. It is a chance to explore campus, learn more about the student experience, and get to know our community.
And as Friday afternoon turns to evening, the fun really begins.
Friday Night Under the Lights
Our Homecoming Community Night is designed to bring everyone together for an evening of Brewster spirit.
Beginning at 5 p.m., the Reyes Family Courtyard will be a gathering place for families and friends, with food trucks, a silent auction, and a showcase of student art. The evening will also include a special dedication of the courtyard, honoring the generosity of our community.
There is plenty to cheer about on Brown Field, too. Our Varsity Field Hockey team takes on Hebron Academy at 4:30 p.m., followed by Boys Varsity Soccer against Vermont Academy under the lights at 6:30 p.m.
You do not need to have a student playing in either game to enjoy the evening.
Grab something delicious from the food trucks. Catch up with another family. Spend time with your student and their friends. Cheer on the Bobcats and enjoy a beautiful fall evening in Wolfeboro.
These are the moments that bring our community together, and we hope every family that can join us will be part of them.
Stay for Saturday, Then Enjoy Your Family Break
There is a good reason to stay for Saturday morning, too.
From 9 to 10 a.m., DeWolf Field will come alive with a little friendly dorm rivalry as students compete in flag football and kickball! With T-shirts, prizes, and plenty of bragging rights on the line, it promises to be a fun, spirited morning for students and families alike.
Come cheer on your student's dorm, enjoy some friendly competition, and experience the energy and camaraderie that make Brewster such a special community.
Then, from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., families are invited to Team Brunch in Estabrook Dining Hall. Each academic team will have a designated table where students, families, and teachers can gather and connect.
We especially encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity. Getting to know the teachers who work together on your student's behalf is one of the most meaningful ways to deepen your understanding of the Brewster Model and the support your student receives each day.
Parent-teacher and College Counseling conferences will also continue Saturday morning, giving families additional opportunities for those important conversations.
And then, it is time to enjoy your family break!
Head home and make your student's favorite dinner. Let them sleep in, reconnect with siblings, see friends, and enjoy the comforts of home.
If you are traveling a greater distance, perhaps your journey begins with a stop in downtown Wolfeboro for coffee, lunch, or a walk along Lake Winnipesaukee.
We Hope You'll Join Us
We recognize that attending Fall Family Weekend is not possible for every family. Work schedules, travel distances, and other commitments can make a return to campus difficult, particularly for those joining us from across the country or around the world.
But if you can be here, we sincerely hope you will.
Fall Family Weekend is an opportunity to see Brewster through your student's eyes, celebrate the community they are part of, and create another memory together.
We look forward to welcoming you back to campus on October 16 and 17.
Register for Fall Family Weekend
Parent-teacher and College Counseling conference scheduling will be available in the Parent Portal soon. To register a sibling for the special Admissions tour and lunch, call the Admissions Office at 603-569-7494. Families may also request an optional admissions interview.
