Engage
Family & Friends Weekend
2024 Family & Friends Weekend
Information Coming Soon
Welcome to the 2023 Friends & Family Weekend!
We are happy to provide a new, revamped experience this year featuring fun events, including a food truck rally, exclusive Friends & Family Weekend swag, access to Homecoming events, photo opportunities, and so much more across both the Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses!
Registration for Family & Friends Weekend is now closed. If you did not register for the weekend, but are interested in attending Homecoming events, please visit the Homecoming website to see the full calendar of events on each campus.
Reminder: registration does NOT include USF Homecoming game tickets; please purchase directly from USF Athletics.
Weekend information
Family & Friends Weekend is open to families, friends, and USF students who attend any of our three campus locations. Registration is required to receive Family Weekend items and to participate in official weekend activities, including your USF student. There will be events hosted on all three USF campuses; however, the vast majority of events will be hosted on or near the USF Tampa campus. For specific weekend information, based on your preferred campus, please contact your support office listed below.
- Tampa campus: Visit the Office of Parent & Family Engagement
- St. Petersburg campus: Visit the COMPASS Student Experience Office.
- Sarasota-Manatee campus: Visit the Department of Student Support.
Tampa campus | Weekend Event Guide and Food Truck Menus
St. Petersburg & Sarasota-Manatee campuses | Weekend Event Guide
As we plan to ensure a memorable weekend, final event details are subject to change.
Registered participants will receive a final schedule with event locations and a map
one week prior to Family & Friends Weekend.
Discuss Your Plans with Your Student
We are thrilled that you and your student are excited about Family & Friends Weekend.
Please know that your student will likely still have class responsibilities, exams,
and study groups during the weekend. Some students also have organization commitments
based on it being Homecoming Weekend. We encourage you and your student to discuss
their academic schedule according to their syllabi and any organization commitments
prior to booking to ensure you have a positive experience during the weekend. Unfortunately,
we do not offer refunds for these conflicts.
Cheer on the Bulls at the USF Football Game!
Join your fellow alumni, family, and friends returning back to campus in celebration of the 2023 Homecoming Week with a weekend full of events and the USF football game on Saturday, October 14th against the FAU Owls. As a thank you for your support, we have an exclusive family & friends discount for our 2023 USF Family & Friends Homecoming Football Game! For more information please click here.
If you are having trouble navigating the link, would like more information, or need help on purchasing tickets, please contact Shana Crespo by calling or texting (813) 974-8242 or emailing Crespos@usf.edu.
Homecoming Partnership
Family & Friends Weekend will take place during USF Homecoming Week! Learn more about Homecoming and all of the activities going on during the week.
Refund Policy
We aim to provide the best experience for our students and family members participating
in our programs. Based on our event planning and purchasing timeline for Family &
Friends Weekend, we are unable to provide refunds. All sales are final.
TAMPA CAMPUS EVENT DETAILS
Cost to Attend
Registration is now closed.
Add-On Experiences:
Canoeing & Kayaking at USF Riverfront Park
Join us on the Hillsborough River for a great day of paddling! It’s hot out there so don’t forget to bring your sunscreen, hat and water. Single daily boat rental for canoes and 2 person kayaks is $10.00 per boat for up to 2 hours. Single daily boat rental for 1 person kayaks and stand up paddle boards is $5.00 per boat for up to 2 hours. Each single daily boat rental is valid for one canoe, kayak (single or double), or stand up paddle board. No refunds are issued for unused hours in the rental period.
Canoeing and Kayaking passes can be purchased at the USF Riverfront Park Boathouse located east of campus at 6550 E Fletcher Ave Tampa Florida 33647. We accept Visa and MasterCard only. Boats cannot be reserved and are available on a first come, first served basis. Experience available Friday-Sunday 10am-5:30pm.
USF Challenge Course at USF Riverfront Park
Bring your friends and family out homecoming weekend to the USF Challenge Course on Saturday October 14th 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm! Get harnessed up and challenge yourself on three different levels. If you've ever seen the course and wanted to try it, this is your chance!
Test your balance on our log! Make the leap across the Bulls Bridge! Swing from rope to rope! Race across our double zip-line!
Spots are limited so purchase one now!
A signed waiver is required and is available on the ropes course website for printing or you can fill it out at the event. Participants must wear closed toed shoes.
If you would like more information, or need help on purchasing tickets, please contact challengecourse@usf.edu
USF Botanical Fall Plant Festival
The annual Fall Plant Festival is back! Join us at the USF Botanical Gardens as we celebrate 44 years of this fantastic plant festival. Explore a diverse selection of plants from 50 different vendors, including commercial growers and local clubs from across the state. Plus, don't forget to indulge in some delicious food and treats while you're here.
Festival is held Saturday October 14th and Sunday October 15th 10am-3pm.
- $10 Admission - Paid at the gate
- Free for USF Botanical Gardens Members
- Free for USF faculty, staff and students with their USF ID
- Children under the age of 12 are free
Arrival Information
Guests are encouraged to arrive on Friday morning in order to take full advantage
of the events being offered. We typically begin experiences on Friday afternoon around
1pm, all-day on Saturday, and leave Sunday open for families to navigate quality time
with their student and safe travels home.
Travel, Accommodations, and Meals
The University of South Florida does not guarantee, approve, or endorse any specific
hotel, lodging, or transportation option. However, we encourage families while doing
their research to ask about a discounted rate for USF students and families. Guests
participating in the weekend are responsible for coordinating and covering costs associated
with their meals, travel, and accommodations. For local hotel guides, near all three
campuses, please click here.
Thank you from Parent & Family Engagement!
All of the financial support the Office of Parent & Family Engagement receives to
support our staffing, programs, and operations comes from the revenue generated by
Family & Friends Weekend. Your registration enables us to support families as they
support their student, to keep families informed of university happenings, and to
provide opportunities for families to connect with each other. Your contribution ensures
that we can maintain our programs and services while paving the way for new initiatives
that will benefit USF families for years to come. If you are able to further support
the efforts of the Office of Parent & Family Engagement, please consider making a gift that directly supports services and experiences for you!
Have Questions or Need Further Assistance?
Please contact our office by emailing family@usf.edu. We are happy to assist you!