Siblings Weekend

Save the Date for Hope College Siblings Weekend! We invite brothers and sisters ages 5–17 to experience an unforgettable time on campus with their Hope sibling Saturday, January 30–Sunday, January 31, 2027. 

The schedule for 2027 will be available soon. Here's a sample of last year’s festivities: 

Saturday, January 31, 2026
*National Hot Chocolate Day!*

• 8 a.m.–12 p.m. | Check-in station in the Bultman Student Center Family Room
  Don’t forget to sign up for The Great Game!
• 8 a.m.–10 a.m. | Make your Hope student a valentine in the Bookstore
• 9 a.m.–4 p.m. | Indoor Farmers Market at the Holland Civic Center
• 10 a.m.–12 p.m. |  Mini Golf at the Van Wylen Library
  Putt through a feathered treasure (Activity made possible thanks to a Flight Path grant)
• 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Build a recycled bird house and make a seed bomb with the Office of Educational Outreach & ExploreHope at the Van Wylen Library
• 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | The Kruizenga Art Museum is open
• 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Lunch at Phelps Dining Hall
• 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | LEGO building hour with LEGO Club in the Bultman Student Center Family Room
• 1–3 p.m. | Sibling Social Hour in the Bultman Student Center Family Room
  Hot chocolate bar, interactive games and a photo booth so that siblings can bring home a memory from the weekend!
• 1 p.m. | Men’s and Women’s Swim & Dive vs. the University of Chicago at the Holland Aquatic Center
• 2–4 p.m. | Crafting Party in the Martha Miller Rotunda
• 3 p.m. | Women's Basketball vs. Adrian College at DeVos Fieldhouse
• 5–7 p.m. | Dinner at Phelps Dining Hall
• 5–8 p.m. | Open Gym at the Dow
• 6 and 7 p.m. | Movie at Sperry's Movie House (limit 45 seats per showing)
• 7 p.m. | Mario Kart Tournament in the Bultman Student Center Great Room

Sunday, February 1, 2026

• 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Pajama brunch at Phelps Dining Hall - Pajamas encouraged!
• All morning: Bring your sibling to your local house of worship!

The schedule will be updated as additional events are added

When you're ready to explore beyond campus, Holland has endless opportunities for family fun, from local climbing gyms to the newly opened Holland Ice Park, not to mention all of the great shops and restaurants within walking distance of campus.

We can’t wait to welcome you back to Hope for the best weekend ever!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Siblings Weekend cost?

$35 per visiting sibling. This includes three meals in Phelps Dining Hall (Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch), tickets to the Hope Men's JV and Varsity basketball games on January 30, and all* of the activities on the schedule.

*Climbing at Scrapyard Climbing Collective, movie showtimes at Sperry and ice skating at the Holland Ice Park all have limited capacity. You will receive a form to sign up for those individual events once you register. Options will be removed from the form as they fill.

What age level is Siblings Weekend appropriate for?

Siblings Weekend is open to siblings ages 5–17. We strive to provide activities for all ages and interests while acknowledging that time with their Hope student will always be the most valuable part of the experience.

Where do visiting siblings sleep on Saturday, January 30?

If your family chooses for the visiting sibling to spend the night on campus, we will follow the Hope College housing policy for visitors: Young children who may be visiting a student of the opposite gender may stay with the resident unless the child is 10 years old or older. In that situation, the student will need to make housing arrangements for the child with someone of the same gender as the child.

If your family chooses to stay in a local hotel, the Haworth Hotel is offering a discounted rate to Hope families with the code “SIBLING”.

Who is responsible for the visiting sibling during the weekend?

Each Hope College student is responsible for their visiting sibling and will be held accountable for their actions and the actions of their guests. This includes their behavior on and off campus. Siblings Weekend is treated as any other day at Hope College, to the degree that all students are expected to uphold all of the policies of the Hope College student handbook.

It is also the responsibility of the Hope College student to accompany their siblings to all activities and functions. Should the sibling be present and unaccompanied, the emergency contact person will be notified.

How are emergencies handled?

All emergencies are handled by Hope College Campus Safety. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to provide an emergency contact for the weekend. It is helpful that this individual is able to make medical decisions on behalf of the guest.

What do parents/guardians do during the weekend?

Our hope is that this weekend will give parents and guardians the gift of more free time! Perhaps you will stay at home without your kiddos or find a local hotel and enjoy all that the Holland area has to offer.

What do visiting siblings eat during the weekend?

The $35 registration fee covers Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch in Phelps Dining Hall. Phelps is designed to accommodate a variety of common allergies and special diets. Some events throughout the weekend will have additional drinks and snacks. Hope students are welcome to take their visiting sibling off campus to eat if they choose.

If your Hope College student does not have a meal plan, you will be able to add a $10 wristband to the weekend package, so that the Hope student may enjoy all three meals in Phelps with their sibling.

My child needs accommodations or has special dietary needs. Who should I contact?

Please contact Katie DeKoster, director of Family Engagement, at families@hope.edu.

When and where do we check in for the weekend?

Check-in will be at the Siblings Weekend Hub in the Bultman Student Center Family Room on Saturday, January 30, from 9 a.m.–noon. During check-in, each visiting sibling will receive a wristband identifying that they are participating in the weekend!

When and where do we check out on Sunday, January 31?

There is no formal check-out and you are welcome to pick your visiting sibling up at any time on Sunday.

Additional questions or concerns?

Please do not hesitate to contact Katie DeKoster, director of Family Engagement, at families@hope.edu.