The Weekend Game Plan

5 Insider Tips for New Govs Students

As the Associate Dean of Students, Director of Residential Life, and Dorm Head in our ninth-grade girls’ dorm, I have a unique perspective on weekends at Govs. Weekend events are created with and for our students. A committee of students from each grade comes together each week to work in collaboration with our Director of Student Activities to create the weekend events schedule. Some students are elected by peers to sit on the committee, while others volunteer because they have a passion for creating community. The committee is open to all who want to make our campus fun and vibrant after classes end on Friday.

1. Weekend events are open to all. This includes on-campus events and off-campus trips for day students. Grab your friends and enjoy lunch in Newburyport, a beach day on Plum Island, a shopping trip to H-Mart, or a museum in Boston.

2. Campus is your playground on the weekend. We have everything from the Dummer Cup (a dorm vs dorm vs day student competition), broomball games in the rink, 3v3 basketball tournaments in Alumni Gym, capture the flag on our fields, visual arts night, musical and theatrical performances by students and professionals, and dance shows. It's a wonderful chance to get to see students showcase their talents outside the classroom.

3. Dorms are open to all on the weekends. Our dorms are homes away from home for our boarding students, they get to sit back, relax, and connect with their teachers, coaches, faculty pets, and faculty kids. Boarding students also use this opportunity to host their friends in the dorm to enjoy movie nights in the common room.  You will be sure to find a dorm parent in the common room each night checking in with students and sharing great snacks.

4. Faculty join in on the weekend fun. Our faculty love showing off their interests and skills. They are incredible bakers, golfers, knitters, and writers. Faculty often plan some of the weekend events around their personal passions, like ice fishing, horseback riding, practicing yoga, and apple picking.

5. The dining hall is the weekend hub. Students and faculty members all enjoy a slower pace with a long, lazy brunch on both Saturday and Sunday. Students also have the privilege of getting to know the chefs in the dining halls. Teams of faculty are available in the dining hall on weekends to support students.

Weekends at Govs are filled with endless possibilities, and it's up to you to choose or create your adventure with your best friends.

Author: Faith Kagwa, Associate Dean of Students & Director of Residential Life