Parent and Family Weekend

10:00am – 3:00pm

Check-In. Pick up your lanyard/pass for events, t-shirts, pint glasses and other swag at the Museum of the Rockies. Staffing is provided by the Bobcat Parent & Family Program.

Museum of the Rockies,600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

10:00am – 4:00pm

Take a Hike. Visit the Outdoor Recreation Center adjacent to the Roskie Hall parking lot and Intramural Fields. Those interested in area hikes should stop by to receive maps and directions.

Outdoor Recreation Center, 1401 West Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

Enjoy a Gallery. There are three campus galleries to enjoy:

Helen E. Copeland Gallery located in Haynes Hall;

School of Architecture gallery located just inside the East entrance of Cheever Hall;

The Exit Gallery located in the Strand Union Building

Visit a Museum. Check out the world-famous Siebel Dinosaur Complex and more. Those registered for the Parent & Family Weekend will receive free admissions throughout the Museum of the Rockies. 

Do you prefer something with less scales and more recent historical advancements? We recommend the American Computer & Robotics Museum  located at 2023 Stadium Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715

Take a Tour. Self guided walking tour or Bozeman driving tour.

Celebrate American Indian Heritage Day. 

"This year we are highlighting the ongoing work with Every Child Matters.  There will be a self guided exhibit for those who wish to learn more about what Every Child Matters is in the Great Hall of American Indian Hall. We are pleased that Dr. Eduardo Duran, indigenous psychologist, will share and speak to the healing and resilience communities and individuals are working through.  There will be a Prayer Walk and an honoring song on Sunrise Plaza, followed by a bison stew and frybread feed in American Indian Hall.  We thank our sponsors for partnering with us and supporting this event.  We hope you can make it!"

Educational Exhibits on Display at American Indian Hall 11-2 pm

Opening Remarks at Great Hall 11 am

History & Impact of Residential School at Great Hall 11:10-12 pm

Honor Song at Sunrise Plaza 12:10pm 

Prayer Walk at Sunrise Plaza 12:15 pm 

Community Feed to Follow at Great Hall

Photos with Spirit. Alumni Plaza. 

2:00 - 4:00pm

MSU Faculty Lecture Series. Strand Union Building. 

2 pm Scott Creel   Predators, Prey and People. Large carnivores like wolves and large herbivores like elk are important ecologically, economically and culturally.  They provoke strong opinions in Montana (and around the world), and policies for the management of wolves and elk in the Northern Rockies are changing rapidly.  Scott Creel will discuss research on the ways that wolves affect elk, and the ways that people affect wolves.

4 pm Michael Reidy   Mountains and Minds: The Ascent of Science in the Nineteenth Century. The Department of History & Philosophy specializes in the history of science, technology, and the environment.  It’s not your traditional history or philosophy.  I will give you an example of our approaches by going through my own research on nineteenth century mountaineer-scientists, including Charles Darwin (evolution) and John Tyndall (climate change).  They both turned mountains into laboratories as they strove to prove their scientific theories.

3:00 - 4:00pm

Bear Safety Clinic at Outdoor Recreation Center.

Free! No cap on participation.

Are you Bear Aware?  Join the Outdoor Recreation Program for this Bear Safety clinic; this is a must-do for anyone recreating around Bozeman. Learn the basics of bear behavior and what you need to do to respect this powerful animal and stay safe in Bear Country.  Cap off the clinic with an opportunity to fire off some inert bear spray (no irritant added) to get real life practice with this essential safety tool. 

4:30pm – 6pm

Welcome Reception. No-host bar and appetizers. Join us in the large event tent located next to MSU's parking garage, located atS 7th Ave & Grant St, Bozeman, MT 59715.

**In the event of inclement weather, the reception will be moved to the Strand Union Building **

7:00 pm

Montana State Volleyball Bobcats vs University of Montana Grizzlies. Help MSU fill the fieldhouse in support of our Women's Volleyball team! Students get in for free with Cat Card. Parents please purchase tickets. 

Location: Brick Breeden fieldhouse

8:00 - 10:00 pm

Swing Dancin'. Live Music, Lessons & Dancing. Brought to Parents Weekend by Office of Student Engagement: Swing Dancing! Lessons start at 7 pm with MSU Country Dance Club. Live Music and Dancing 8 pm. There will also be a Food Truck and Silent Auction. $5/person $10/family of up to 4. Tickets not included with registration to the weekend, purchased on site at event. 

Location:Gallatin County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building 01. 

8:00 am 

Alpha Omicron Pi 25th Annual 5k & 1 mile race for the Arthritis Foundation. Check-in for participants will begin at 8:00am on Saturday, October 1st at Montana Hall on the MSU Bozeman Campus. The 5k and one mile races will begin at 8:30am and end at the Alpha Omicron Pi house where a light breakfast for participants will be provided. All donations raised will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation to support Juvenile Arthritis research and provide resources to families who have children that have Juvenile Arthritis. Register ahead of time. 

Location:  Montana Hall(Please park in Bobcat Lot 11 located off of S. 7th Avenue near the MSU parking garage and North Dome Fitness Center.)  

10:00 am 

Montana State Women's Rugby vs CU Boulder. Find the ladies playing at the turf fields until brunch time. Free. 

11:00 am 

Bobcat Parent & Family Brunch Please join us in theStrand Union Building Ballroom for a meal and special guest lecture with physics demonstration with Dr. Greg Francis & Dr. Mehmet Unver on understanding magnetic induction and quantum levitation. Arrive on time to see the special show. 

Menu Items: Fried Chicken, Waffles, Toppings, Doughnuts, Fruit, Pastries, Bagels, Coffee and OJ. 

8:00am – 5:00pm

Take a Hike. Visit the Outdoor Recreation Center located on West Lincoln Street adjacent to the Roskie Hall parking lot and Intramural Fields. Those interested in area hikes should stop by to receive maps and directions.

Outdoor Recreation Center, 1401 West Lincoln Street, Bozeman, MT 59715

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Parent & Family Tailgate. Join us for a tailgate to mix and mingle with other parents and families before cheering on the Bobcats! There will be yard games and food provided, as well as drinks available for purchase.

Menu for the Day: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Vegetarian Option of Jack Fruit), Macaroni, Coleslaw, Corn bread muffins and Pespi products. 

Location: Bobcat Stadium, 1 Bobcat Circle, Bozeman, MT 59718

8:15pm Kickoff

Bobcat Football. Montana State vs UC Davis. Cheer on the Bobcats. Show your MSU spirit and make sure to wear blue and gold or your Parent & Family Weekend t-shirt! TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT; but please join us at the tailgate for some parent and family fun!

Clear bag policy for all attendees.  Bring the bags handed out at orientation over summer or purchase one at the check in table. 

Location: Bobcat Stadium, 1 Bobcat Circle, Bozeman, MT 59718