Family Programs, Events, and Resources
Middlebury families are a welcome, active, and important part of the community.
We invite you to participate in a variety of ways and to attend Middlebury events held on campus, around the country, and overseas. Please note that Middlebury, the first carbon neutral campus in the U.S., extends all invitations by email. Be sure we have your email address!
Contact Lyn DeGraff, associate director of Alumni and Parent Programs, at 802-443-5777 or ldegraff@middlebury.edu, if there is anything we can do to make your Middlebury experience more memorable. We look forward to seeing you on campus.
Welcome Receptions
These receptions are hosted by current families and alumni for new students and their families. They are a fun way to get to know the Middlebury families in your local area, ask questions, and hear about the student and family experiences. Incoming Febs and their families are also encouraged to attend.
Alumni College
Alumni, families of past and current students, and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend Alumni College, which combines a relaxing late-summer weekend in Vermont with the opportunity to be inspired by some of our finest faculty. Share in a professor’s knowledge and enthusiasm during engaging discussions and field trips, enjoy delicious meals with faculty and classmates, and have a chance to see firsthand what your student has been experiencing.
Orientation Receptions
The Alumni and Parent Programs Office hosts a reception for families during orientations for September and February students. Come and be welcomed into your new Middlebury family. Look for details in the orientation schedule.
Fall Family Weekend
Fall Family Weekend is an opportunity for families to visit campus and participate in a wide variety of academic, social, cultural, and athletic events or attend a class on Friday morning. Families of incoming Febs are welcome to attend in the fall, prior to their student’s arrival. A limited amount of housing on our Bread Loaf campus in Ripton is made available via lottery in July. Information on how to join the lottery will be shared in emails and in the Middlebury Parents Facebook group.
Homecoming
Fall in Vermont is a beautiful time of year. Spend time on campus or take your student for a hike or day trip to see some of the many nearby sights. Homecoming programming is geared toward alumni but open to all families.
Family ID Card
In a separate mailing, you’ll receive your Family ID Card. This provides discounts at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course and for the Performing Arts Series, as well as for many performances by the theatre, dance, and music departments. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office. Your ID also grants you free access to Middlebury’s athletic facilities, including the fitness center, natatorium, and squash and tennis courts, when you are visiting.
Family Facebook Group
Have questions? Need advice? This Facebook group is only open to parents/guardians of Middlebury students. The nearly 2,800 members exchange information and contribute a wealth of experience and knowledge. Page administrators periodically add content that seems parent-worthy, such as upcoming events, student achievements, campus photos, career/internship advice, break bus schedules, and links to questions that are posed by parents.
Treats for Students
For birthdays, holidays, congratulations, exam survival, or any other special occasion, browse the Box Office for gift ideas to treat your student from afar.
Ways to Get Involved
There are many ways for families to get involved in what’s happening at and around Middlebury.
Host an Event
As parents, you’ll be invited to events hosted by Middlebury in your area. Find a calendar of regional events and registration forms for them online. Families often host regional events such as summer welcome receptions, talks, and dinners. Do you have an insider view of the arts or business that would make a fun place for Middlebury friends to visit? Contact Lyn DeGraff at ldegraff@middlebury.edu in the Alumni and Parent Programs Office to discuss your idea.
Support Student Career Exploration
Support the Center for Careers and Internships by doing any of the following:
- Participating in career panels on campus.
- Hosting students at your organization for a site visit or job-shadowing experience.
- Posting an internship or job opening from your organization on our Handshake opportunities database.
- Joining one of our professional networks.
- Becoming a volunteer career mentor on Middlebury’s networking and mentoring platform, Midd2Midd.
Be a Panelist
Family members can serve as panelists for Preview Days in April, sharing insights with families of admitted students. During Fall Family Weekend, Homecoming, and other special events, family members can participate in educational and career-oriented panels.
Additional Links
Use these links to find out what is going on around the Middlebury sphere.