{"id":15643,"date":"2025-03-26T11:19:13","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T16:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/?page_id=15643"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:48:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T17:48:05","slug":"cowboy-family-connection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/campus-life\/cowboy-family-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Cowboy Family Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"586\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full-1024x586.png\" alt=\"Cowboy Family Connection Logo\" class=\"wp-image-15651\" style=\"width:467px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full-1024x586.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full-768x439.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full-1536x879.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/03\/CFC_full.png 1746w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to Cowboy Family Connection 2026! 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. Cowboy Family Connection is an optional one-day orientation experience for parents and family members&nbsp;that&nbsp;takes place during the first day of Cowboy Camp&nbsp;with the goal of&nbsp;equipping&nbsp;parents and guardians with the knowledge needed to be fully supportive of their students throughout their McNeese career.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>During Cowboy Family Connection, you will discover on-campus support services available for your student such as 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 safety, housing and meal plan options, recreational facilities and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your student registers for one of the four Cowboy Camp Freshman Orientation sessions, they have the option to provide parent\/guardian contact information; we will use this information to invite parents to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Cowboy Family Connection is optional for parents, but participation is encouraged.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parents\/guardians can attend any of the 4 Cowboy Family Connection dates referenced below. Cowboy Family Connection will begin promptly at 10:45 a.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signing up in advance is preferred ($10.00 per adult, $5.00 for guests&nbsp;17 years of age and younger), but no refunds will be issued for cancellations. Walk-ins will be accepted on the day of the event.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Registration fees cover access to meals and branded&nbsp;giveaways&nbsp;provided to families.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cowboy Camp Freshman Orientation Dates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dates \/ Times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>May 27&nbsp;\u2013 May 28\u202f \u202f\u202f\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/cowboy-family-connection-session-a-2026-tickets-1982828228608?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Session A&nbsp;&#8211; sign up<\/a>&nbsp;(May 27&nbsp;only)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>June 24&nbsp;\u2013 June 25\u202f \u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/cowboy-family-connection-session-b-2026-tickets-1982883311362?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Session B&nbsp;&#8211; sign up<\/a>&nbsp;(June 24&nbsp;only)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>July&nbsp;8&nbsp;\u2013 July&nbsp;9\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/1982883903132?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Session C&nbsp;&#8211; sign up<\/a>&nbsp;(July 8&nbsp;only)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>July&nbsp;22&nbsp;\u2013 July&nbsp;23\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/1982885699505?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Session&nbsp;D&nbsp;&#8211; sign up<\/a>&nbsp;(July 22&nbsp;only)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026 Cowboy Family Connection Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Time<\/th><th>Activity<\/th><th>Location<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>9:00-10:30am<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Check-In\u202f<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Richard Student Union<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>10:45-11:30am<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Opening Assembly<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Tritico Theatre<\/strong> <strong>(Shearman Fine Arts Annex)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>11:30am-12:15pm<\/strong>\u202f<strong><em> (optional)&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Lunch<\/strong>&nbsp;&#8211; <em>Parents sit together<\/em><\/td><td><strong>Rowdy\u2019s Dining Hall (Richard Student Union)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>12:30-1:15pm<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parent\/Family Welcome<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>1:15-2:00pm<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Student Support &amp; Advocacy<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2:05-2:55pm<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Group Session #1<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>2:55\u20133:05&nbsp;p.m.\u202f<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Break<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3:05-3:50pm<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Group Session #2<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>3:50-4:45pm<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Group Session #3<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4:45\u20134:55<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Break<\/strong><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>4:55-5:15pm<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Student Panel&nbsp;<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Parra Ballroom (Student Union Annex)<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>Optional Activities<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em><\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em><\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>5:20-5:50pm&nbsp;(optional)<\/em><\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Campus tour with students<\/em><\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Student Union Annex<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>6:00-7:00pm&nbsp;(optional)<\/em><\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Family Social hosted by McNeese Leadership Team<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Noland Room, SEED Center<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><em>7:15-7:39pm&nbsp;(optional)<\/em><\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Join students for Clock Tower tradition<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong><em>Quad at the Clock<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to do, places to stay, and places to eat in Lake Charles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/\">www.visitlakecharles.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preferred Hotel Stays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ihg.com\/candlewood\/hotels\/us\/en\/lake-charles\/lchcw\/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-CW-_-US-_-LCHCW\">Candlewood Suites Lake Charles South<\/a> |<\/strong> <strong>2 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.0 Stars <em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hilton.com\/en\/hotels\/lchwpht-home2-suites-lake-charles\/?SEO_id=GMB-AMER-HT-LCHWPHT&amp;y_source=1_ODQyMDU1Mi03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D\">Home2 Suites by Hilton Lake Charles<\/a> | 1.8 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.3 Stars <em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ihg.com\/staybridge\/hotels\/us\/en\/lake-charles\/lchwb\/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-SB-_-US-_-LCHWB\">Staybridge Suites \u2013 Lake Charles<\/a> | 2 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.4 Stars <em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyndhamhotels.com\/wingate\/lake-charles-louisiana\/wingate-by-wyndham-lake-charles-casino-area\/overview?CID=LC:WG::GGL:RIO:National:23894&amp;iata=00093796\">Wingate by Wyndham \u2013 Lake Charles<\/a> | 2.4 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.2 Stars <em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyndhamhotels.com\/wyndham\/lake-charles-louisiana\/wyndham-lake-charles\/overview\">Wyndham Lake Charles<\/a>  | 2.7 miles from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.0 Stars&nbsp;<em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Local Casino Resorts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.llakecharles.com\/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=localseo\">L\u2019Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles<\/a> | 3.03 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.3 Stars <em>Google<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goldennugget.com\/lake-charles\/\">Golden Nugget Lake Charles<\/a> | 3.04 mi away from McNeese State University<\/strong> (4.3 Stars)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Area Attractions &amp; Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Check out visitlakecharles.org for a list of things to do in our area:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Casinos<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Events<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Outdoors &amp; Recreation<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kids Activities<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shopping<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creole Nature Trail<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Downtown<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arts &amp; Culture<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food &amp; Drink<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crawfish<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helpful Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/things-to-do\">https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/things-to-do<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/plan-your-visit\/visitor-guide\/digital-guide\">https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/plan-your-visit\/visitor-guide\/digital-guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/events\/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Kur8prfjAMVxSRECB2MPQswEAAYASABEgJDR_D_BwE\">https:\/\/www.visitlakecharles.org\/events\/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Kur8prfjAMVxSRECB2MPQswEAAYASABEgJDR_D_BwE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Cowboy Family Connection 2026! 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. Cowboy Family Connection is an optional one-day orientation experience for parents and family members&nbsp;that&nbsp;takes place during the first day of&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"wf_page_folders":[],"ppma_author":[21,24],"class_list":["post-15643","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15643"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15847,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15643\/revisions\/15847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wf_page_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_page_folders?post=15643"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/campus-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=15643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}