Cowboy Family Connection
The Smart Choice
Welcome to Cowboy Family Connection 2025! We are excited that you will be visiting our campus and learning more about how you can best support your student during their journey to becoming a college graduate.
During Cowboy Family Connection, you will discover on-campus support services available for your student, like counseling, accessibility services, tutoring, and health services. You will also learn about student financial matters, like financial aid and scholarships, tuition and fee bills, setting up installment plans and other payment options as well as purchasing textbooks and supplies. You will have the opportunity to tour campus and find out more information about campus housing, meal plan options, recreational facilities and more.
When your student registers for one of the three Cowboy Camp Freshman Orientation sessions, they have the option to provide parent/guardian contact information.
- Cowboy Family Connection is optional for parents, but participation is encouraged.
- Parents/guardians can attend any of the 3 Cowboy Family Connection dates referenced below. Cowboy Family Connection will begin promptly at12:30pm.
- Signing up in advance is preferred ($12.00 per adult, $7.00 for guests 17 years of age and younger). Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event.
Cowboy Camp Freshman Orientation Dates
Dates / Times
- May 28 – May 29 Session A- sign up
- June 25 – June 26 Session B- sign up
- July 16 – July 17 Session C- sign up
2025 Cowboy Family Connection Schedule
Day 1
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 9:00-10:30am | Freshman Last Min Advising | Hardtner Hall |
| 10:30am – 12:15pm | Cowboy Camp Check in (Parents and students will have opportunity to visit the tables to ask questions and/or get specific information) | M-Rec – tables setup for the following: SponsorAdvising InformationFinancial AidHousing InformationCampus DiningCampus Safety Counseling Health ServicesSouthwest Credit UnionDean/Poke PantryBookstore |
| 12:30pm –1:15pm | First Rodeo: Opening Assembly w/ Parents | Tritico (Dismiss Parents before Students) |
| 1:25pm-1:40pm | Opening Parent Presentation | Parra Ballroom – Ice Breaker/Poll/Dr. Nicholas |
| 1:45pm – 2:15pm | Cowboy Circuit 1 (choose 1 of 4) | Parra Ballroom – Housing BBC 118 – Sponsor Session BBC 120 – Support Services BBC 201 – Student Engagement/Greek Life |
| 2:25pm –3:10pm | Ranch Round-Up I (Financial/Advising) | Parra Ballroom w/10-minute presentations by BookstoreRegistrar Freshman AdvisingFinancial Aid |
| 3:20pm –3:50pm | Cowboy Circuit 2 (choose 1 of 4) | Parra Ballroom – Dining Services BBC 118– Accessibility Services BBC 120 – Career Services BBC 201 – International/Study Abroad |
| 4:00pm-4:30pm | Student Panel | Parra Ballroom |
| Optional Afternoon Activities (choose one or more from the following or break until Parent Social) | ||
| 4:30pm-5:00pm | Financial Aid Q&A | Student Central |
| 4:30pm-5:00pm | Campus Tour | Student-led tour of campus |
| 5:00pm-5:30pm | College Open House (Only offered Day 1) | LaJeunesse Room – College of Education Stokes – College of Nursing and Health Professions Tritico – College of Liberal Arts BBC 153 – College of Business Frasch 130 – Science & Mathematics Drew 125 – Engineering Gayle Auditorium – College of Agriculture |
| 5:30pm – 6:15pm | Break – check-in to hotel and change for social (if applicable) | |
| 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Parent Social hosted by McNeese Executive Leadership Team (get to know McNeese/LC) | Noland Room, SEED Center |
Day 2
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 7:30am-8:00am | Check-In (if you did not attend Day 1) | Parra Ballroom |
| 8:00am – 9:00am | Continental Breakfast Ranch Round-Up 2 (Student Support Platforms) | Parra Ballroom w/15 min presentations about McNeese SAFE AppShmoody/ViaLink/Canvas/365ESP Parent Portal |
| 9:10am – 9:40am | Cowboy Circuit 3 (choose 1 of 4) | Parra Ballroom – Housing BBC 118 – Sponsor Session BBC 120 – Support Services BBC 201 – Student Engagement/Greek Life |
| 9:45am – 10:30am | Ranch Round-Up 3 (Student Safety/Health/ Wellness) | Parra Ballroom w/10-minute presentations by Campus Safety Health ServicesCounselingRec |
| 10:35am-11:05am | Cowboy Circuit 4 (choose 1 of 4) | Parra Ballroom – Dining Services BBC 118– Accessibility Services BBC 120 – Career Services BBC 201 – International/Study Abroad |
| Optional Afternoon Activities (choose one or more from the following) | ||
| 11:15am – 2:25pm | Explore Lake Charles | See Community List |
| 11:15am-11:45am | Campus Tour (optional) | Student-led tour of campus |
| 11:45am – 12:30pm | Lunch (optional) | Rowdy’s Dining Hall |
| 2:30pm – 3:30pm | Peace Out Pokes Closing Assembly (option to return to campus & join student for this) | Tritico |
Things to do, places to stay, and places to eat in Lake Charles
There is always something fun to do, something exciting to see and something amazing to eat, here in Lake Charles. For a full calendar of events and suggestions on museums, exhibits, festivals, attractions and restaurants you can enjoy while you are here, check out www.visitlakecharles.org.
- Places to Stay: https://www.visitlakecharles.org/places-to-stay/
- Places to Eat: https://www.visitlakecharles.org/food-drink/