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
- August 22 – Non-Traditional & Transfer Student Orientation Session D- sign up
2025 Cowboy Family Connection Schedule
Day 1
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30am – 12:15pm | Check-In for Orientation and Housing Optional Lunch (Rowdy’s) | Recreation Complex – Ward Arena |
| 12:30pm-1:15pm | Opening Assembly w/Students and Parents | Tritico Theater |
| 1:25pm-1:40pm | Opening Parent Presentation | Parra Ballroom |
| 1:45pm – 2:15pm | Breakout Sessions 1 | Designated Locations |
| 2:25pm –3:10pm | Group Session | Parra Ballroom |
| 3:20pm –3:50pm | Breakout Sessions 2 | Designated Locations |
| 4:00pm-4:30pm | Student Panel- | Parra Ballroom |
| Optional Afternoon Activities | ||
| 4:30pm-5:00pm | Financial Aid Q&A (optional) | Student Central |
| 4:30pm-5:00pm | Campus Tour (optional) | Parra Ballroom |
| 5:00pm-5:30pm | College Open House (offered Day 1) | Various Locations |
| 5:30pm – 6:15pm | Break | |
| 6:30pm – 8:00pm | Family Social | 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 Group Session | Parra Ballroom |
| 9:10am – 9:40am | Breakout Sessions 3 | Designated Locations |
| 9:45am – 10:30am | Group Session | Parra Ballroom |
| 10:35am-11:05am | Breakout Sessions 4 | Designated Locations |
| Optional Afternoon Activities | ||
| 11:15am – 2:25pm | Explore Lake Charles (optional) | On your own |
| 11:15am-11:45am | Campus Tour (optional) | Parra Ballroom |
| 11:15am – 11:45am | Lunch (optional) | Parra Ballroom |
| 2:30pm – 3:30pm | Closing Assembly (optional) | Tritico Theater |
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.
Preferred Hotel Stays
Candlewood Suites Lake Charles South | 2 mi away from McNeese State University (4.0 Stars Google)
Home2 Suites by Hilton Lake Charles | 1.8 mi away from McNeese State University (4.3 Stars Google)
Staybridge Suites – Lake Charles | 2 mi away from McNeese State University (4.4 Stars Google)
Wingate by Wyndham – Lake Charles | 2.4 mi away from McNeese State University (4.2 Stars Google)
Wyndham Lake Charles | 2.7 miles from McNeese State University (4.0 Stars Google)
Local Casino Resorts
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles | 3.03 mi away from McNeese State University (4.3 Stars Google)
Golden Nugget Lake Charles | 3.04 mi away from McNeese State University (4.3 Stars)
Area Attractions & Activities
Check out visitlakecharles.org for a list of things to do in our area:
- Casinos
- Events
- Outdoors & Recreation
- Kids Activities
- Shopping
- Creole Nature Trail
- Downtown
- Arts & Culture
- Food & Drink
- Crawfish
Helpful Links:
https://www.visitlakecharles.org/things-to-do
https://www.visitlakecharles.org/plan-your-visit/visitor-guide/digital-guide