Below, you'll find the Family Day schedule for 2022.
We are excited to have you back to campus for Family Day. Your registration fee of $42 per person over the age of 8, covers your Family Day shirt,* all morning activities, the Eagle Family Lunch and Musical Showcase, afternoon on-campus activities, supplies, and administrative costs. If you have children under 8, they are welcome to come join us at no cost, but please do not register them. You will need to register each additional family member, including your student.
All participants must wear your official Family Day nametag for admission into events.
Please plan ahead and register as soon as possible in order to save your spot. Registration closes at midnight on September 28.
While Friday is not officially part of Family Day, we recognize that some families come into town early. Thus, we have put together this list of some activities in case you're in town on Friday. Additionally, we've put together a list of local restaurants for dinner on Friday night. The Rock Hill area has so many great food options and local flavors!
Celebrating York County with a German twist! Starting at 12:00 p.m., we will tap our German style beers to begin the celebration! On Friday and Saturday, we will have German food including brats, sauerkraut, pretzels and more! Games and competitions will also be happening, so bring your competitive self! Lederhosen, Dirndls, and other German attire are highly encouraged but not required. For just $10, you get a custom Yorktoberfest 1/2 liter mug and your first pour of German style beer!
Yorktoberfest, Visit York County
York County’s only Haunted House, Open Air Scare Zones, Haunted Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing, and SO much more! Channel your inner Horror Movie with this night of frights! Guaranteed to leave you with nightmares of creepy crawlers, freaks of the night, & the living dead!
$15 General admission includes haunted house admission. Other activities (Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing) priced per activity & may require reservation; $20.00 per person Frightmare Bundle includes haunted house admission & unlimited Haunted Mini-Golf!
Frightmare at Mr. Putty's Fun Park
Today's the day! Family Day on Saturday is broken into two parts below: Morning and Afternoon, a reminder, Family Day registration includes all Saturday on-campus morning activities, the Eagle Family Lunch and Musical Showcase, most Saturday afternoon and evening activities (unless cost is otherwise listed). You must be wearing your official Family Day nametag for admission into all events.
Welcome, Eagle families! All registered participants should check-in for Family Day to receive their name tag, lunch ticket, and other Family Day items. Have some time after check-in and before the first session? Visit the Winthrop Bookstore in the DiGiorgio Campus Center, or take a moment to explore our campus in the fall!
We are thrilled to welcome you to campus for Family Day 2022! Join us for this kick-off session and hear from key members of the Winthrop community.
Office of New Student & Family Programs, and Division of Student Affairs
Learn about the academic opportunities within your student's Academic College and hear highlights from students and professors. Highlights can include current research, special projects and events, academic successes, and more!
For the afternoon, choose your own adventure and explore all that campus and Rock Hill have to offer! All events included unless otherwise listed.
Enjoy a delicious picnic meal while listing to the sounds of the Winthrop University Department of Music as the musical ensembles come together for an afternoon of harmony during your lunch.
Performances by: Winthrop University Choirs - Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Collegiate Choir - conducted by Dr. Jeremy Mims, Winthrop University Concert Bands - Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band - conducted by Dr. Lorrie Crochet and Dr. Doug Presley, the Jazz and Commercial Music Ensembles, directed by Dr. Tracy Patterson. Please present your lunch ticket at the picnic in McBryde Hall as you go in.
Department of Music, Winthrop's Vocal & Instrumental Ensembles, College of Visual & Performing Arts
Celebrate the season with us and decorate a pumpkin to take home! Our pumpkins are local from Cotton Hill Farms.
Office of New Student & Family Programs
As you peruse Winthrop's lush and beautiful campus, you may notice that natural features play an important role in the overall charm. Join Winthrop's Office of Sustainability to enhance this beauty by planting a tree or other plant(s) on Family Day for future Eagles to enjoy.
Participation in this event requires a pre-registration. Participants: please be advised that you may get a little dirty during this event as you will be working with soil and plants, so plan to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Office of Sustainability, Campus Tree Plan
Families will have the opportunity to try out our 36 foot climbing wall
Recreational Services, Office of New Student & Family Programs
Showcase your smarts and team up with your family during Family Day trivia! Join us for some family fun and friendly competition. The winning team will receive a prize! Game on. The Edge is the seating located on the lower level near the food court.
Office of New Student & Family Programs
Children 10 and under are invited to Storytime in the Winthrop Bookstore Commons (enter through the Bookstore). Kids of all ages are welcome to join us for the Coloring Corner where they'll be able to make their own bookmark.
Come join us as a family to decorate a special flower pot and plant your student a succulent to keep and remember your day together.
Diversity & Student Engagement
Join us for our fall festivities! We have a U-Pick Pumpkins, Fall Hay Rides (end at 4 p.m.), and The Market at Lowrys (closes at 7 p.m.), which is our seasonal produce stand and offers a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products like ice cream! Prices vary by activity.
Jump into fall with us! With plenty of activities to keep all family members entertained, this family-owned and operated apple orchard is a great family activity. At Windy Hill, you can enjoy fresh pressed apple cider, fresh-made apple products like the hot apple cider donut, and award-winning hard cider. Go apple-picking yourselves or buy some apples from the farm stand. Live music by Electric Dreams from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Entry to Windy Hill is free, but additional costs vary by activity.
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill
The Piedmont Medical Center Walking Trail at Riverwalk offers scenic views of the Catawba River and is a great locale to explore Rock Hill's natural beauty and spend time with the family. The trail itself is 3.35 miles one way and offers trekkers access to flat areas, both uphill and downhill stretches, in addition to benches and bridges along the way. Walk the entire trail or just a piece - the whole family is sure to enjoy! Entry is free.
Piedmont Medical Center Walking Trail
We've put together a list of local restaurant for dinner on Saturday night. The Rock Hill area has so many great food options and local flavors! This is a great opportunity to come together toward the end of Family Day and enjoy some good food together as a family.
Carowinds is transformed from a "theme park" into a "scream park" at SCarowinds - the Carolinas' largest Halloween event. Whatever you fear is here!
Entry to SCarowinds is not included in Family Day registration, and families who choose to participate are responsible for all SCarowinds costs. Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the gate.
Celebrating York County with a German twist! Starting at 12:00 p.m., we will tap our German style beers to begin the celebration! On Friday and Saturday, we will have German food including brats, sauerkraut, pretzels and more! Games and competitions will also be happening, so bring your competitive self! Lederhosen, Dirndls, and other German attire are highly encouraged but not required. For just $10, you get a custom Yorktoberfest 1/2 liter mug and your first pour of German style beer!
Yorktoberfest, Visit York County
York county’s only Haunted House, Open Air Scare Zones, Haunted Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing, and SO much more! Channel your inner Horror Movie with this night of frights! Guaranteed to leave you with nightmares of creepy crawlers, freaks of the night, & the living dead!
$15 General admission includes haunted house admission. Other activities (Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing) priced per activity & may require reservation; $20.00 per person Frightmare Bundle includes haunted house admission & unlimited Haunted Mini-Golf!