About this Event
Shippensburg University presents Ship Family Day 2026, dedicated to families and friends who come to campus to experience Ship with their students. Please see below for the schedule of events!
Schedule of Events
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Family Day Check-in, Great Hall, Ceddia Union Building (CUB)
Pick up a schedule, map, ask questions, and get information about the day.
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Family T-Shirt Sale, Great Hall, Ceddia Union Building(CUB)
Order online and pick up your Family Day t-shirts, designed specifically for this special day! Some shirts will be available the day of.
This year's new t-shirt design is located at the bottom of this page.
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Scavenger Hunt, various campus locations
Complete a photo scavenger hunt across campus for a chance to win a prize. More details will be available when you check in.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Donuts with Deans and Department Chairs, CUB Amphitheater
Grab a donut and great conversation while you mingle with our Academic Deans and Department Chairs. Feel free to ask them anything—and everything—about Ship.
10:00 AM - Faculty Guest Lecture,
"Ship by the Sea: Exploring Our Changing Coasts from Assateague to the Arctic"
From the shifting sands of Assateague Island to storm-battered beaches in Hawaii, the Outer Banks, or the rapidly changing Arctic, our coastlines are constantly being reshaped by waves, storms, rising seas, and human activity. Join Dr. Sean Cornell, Professor of Geography & Earth Science, for a journey to some of America’s changing shores to discover how Shippensburg students and faculty study coastal change—and how that science is helping us navigate the challenges of protecting the places, communities, and resources we value.
10:30 AM - Ship Legacy Pinning Program, CUB MPR
Be a part of a Ship tradition that honors the past and present and celebrates your family legacy at Ship! Shippensburg alumni parents, grandparents, and aunts/uncles of currently enrolled students are invited to attend a special Legacy Pinning Ceremony with the President and the Alumni Association Board of Directors to welcome current students into the Ship family.
Registration for Legacy Pinning is separate from Ship Family Day registration. Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/legacypinning2026.
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Family Activities, CUB
- Dancake Pancake Art: this team of talented and charismatic artists can take portraits, landscapes, cartoon characters, logos… anything you can imagine, and turn it into a pancake! Sponsored by the Activities Programming Board.
- Stuff-a-Plush: bring your own Ship plushie to life! Hosted by the Student Government Association.
- Balloon Artists: watch the magic happen as creatures are brought to life out of balloons - right before your eyes! Sponsored by the Office of Admissions.
TBD - Faculty Guest Lecture, CUB
Take advantage of this opportunity to hear from one of Shippensburg University's very own faculty members on a topic that they are passionate about.
11:00 AM - Get Connected with MSA, Gilbert Hall 100
Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is a home away from home for many Ship students. Gilbert is an inclusive, student-centered place that develops leaders and scholars prepared to excel on the global stage. MSA invites families to become partners in their students’ journey. Become involved in the MSA Parent Partnership Program (PPP) and connect with other families, students, alumni, and staff. Our PPP theme is “If not us, then who? If not now, then when? (Congressman John Lewis).” Join us as we share our services with you.
11:00 AM - Test Kitchen, Susquehanna Room, Reisner Dining Hall
Join Ship Dining’s Culinary Team for a hands-on cooking experience featuring elevated game day appetizers. Watch as our chefs demonstrate their techniques, share tips, and answer questions while preparing flavorful dishes. This year's menu features a vegetarian white chili and pull-apart sliders!
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Lunch, various dining locations
Check out our various on-campus dining options (including family meal deals) when you check in!
11:15 AM- Tailgate Trek, CUB Great Hall
Join us in the CUB Great Hall to walk together to Seth Grove Stadium and the tailgating lots.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM- Tailgate Time! Seth Grove Stadium
Tailgate before the football game begins. Bring your own or look out for the Office of Admissions, which will host lunch and lawn games under its tent near the stadium entrance.
12:00 PM - Field Hockey, Robb Sports Complex
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
1:00 PM - Football, Seth Grove Stadium
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. Bloomsburg
Grab a lanyard when you check in for free admission to the football game!
1:00 PM - Women's Tennis, Tennis Courts
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. Frostburg State
2:00 PM - Men's Soccer, Robb Sports Complex
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. Slippery Rock
5:00 PM - Women's Soccer, Robb Sports Complex
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. East Stroudsburg
7:00 PM - Women's Volleyball, Heiges Fieldhouse
Shippensburg University Raiders vs. Shepherd
Questions
If you have any questions about this event, please email [email protected] or call 717-477-1560.
OTHER EVENTS:
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM- The Shippensburg Beer and Wine Festival, Shippensburg Fairgrounds
More information can be found here: https://shippensburg.org/beer-and-wine-festival
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM- SUMB Member for a Day
Join the Shippensburg University Marching Band to experience a day in the life! Open to all high school students. More information can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSct33Skcmy3cWv5f9aKYLjemDcGKW9wuPTCywoylv2xU_HJ2Q/viewform
Event venue & nearby stays
Shippensburg University, 408 Lancaster Dr, Shippensburg, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.