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Krystyn Katsibubas, sophomore communications studies major, helps her brother play "Battleship" during Friday night's Kids Weekend event in the basement of the Andrews Hall. (John Bailey / The Daily Eastern News)

Kids on Kampus

By: Barbara Harrington/University Reporter

Posted: 3/31/08

Emily Podnar loves Eastern.

Emily, 5, came from Oswego to visit her aunt Danielle Podnar, a sophomore special education major, to celebrate Kid's Weekend.

Danielle invited her niece and sister, Dayna Podnar, to come to Eastern for Kid's Weekend.

Dayna said this is only her third time visiting Eastern but said she is sure it will not be her last.

"Emily said when she grows up she wants to come to this school too because it's cool," Dayna said. "She really loves it here."

Kid's Weekend, sponsored by the Residence Hall Association, took place Friday through Sunday.

The weekend kicked off with the showing of "Bee Movie" in Buzzard Auditorium on Friday night.

Jenny Kaplan, chair of RHA's programming committee, said RHA started preparing for Kid's Weekend in September. She said the theme for this year was "Traveling Through Time."

The theme was chosen because it is gender-neutral and allowed residence halls to be creative when coming up with sub-themes, Kaplan said.

Each residence hall chose a different time period to develop their activities around, such as "The Renaissance" or "The Age of Exploration."

Students and their families traveled to each residence hall for 45 minutes each Saturday to participate in the themed activities, such as learning how to disco, building explorer hats and going on a treasure hunt. The halls offered games, coloring activities and crafts.

Dayna said she was impressed by the events.

"I didn't know that colleges did this," she said. "It's very interesting, and Emily has been really excited about it since Danielle told me about it."

Students' families were able to stay with them in residence halls during the weekend.

Dayna and Emily stayed with Danielle in Pemberton Hall on Friday and Saturday night.

"It was fine, but hot," Dayna said. "Emily is excited because she already knows her way around. Of course, I didn't know where the bathroom was, but Emily said, 'I know where it is; I'll show you, Mom.'"

Caitlin Dowling, a freshman biology major, spent the weekend with her brother, Nate Gandy, 6.

Dowling said she thought inviting her little brother to Eastern for the weekend would make them closer.

"I thought it would be fun hanging out, just the two of us," Dowling said. "He likes getting to see where I live."

Nate said he enjoyed exploring Eastern's campus and participating in the coloring activities.

"I just like having all of these adventures," he said.

On Saturday night, Ken Schultz, "The Flying Fool," performed his comedy and juggling routine in the University Ballroom at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Kid's Weekend ended Sunday with breakfast in the 7th Street Underground and a scavenger hunt on the Library Quad.

Kaplan said RHA considers Kid's Weekend one of its most important events each year. This year, about 20 residents signed up, she said.

"It's just really nice for residents because you're away from your family," Kaplan said. "If you have younger siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, they can come and spend the weekend in your dorm and have fun with you."

Barbara Harrington can be reached at 581-7042 or at bjharrington@eiu.edu.