Families - How to Get Involved - Events
Pre-THON Events
These are the events that are held throughout the year in order to spread awareness on campus, build excitement among the student population, and engage your family! Please join us at all of these events!
• THON Family Picnic
The Family Picnic is the first event of the THON season, and takes place in early fall at Shank Park in Hershey, PA. The picnic is organized by The Four Diamonds Fund, and is attended by the THON Overall Committee. It is a great opportunity to meet THON families and familiarize yourself with the new Overall Committee.
The Four Diamonds Fund will send registration information for the THON Family Picnic to you.
• Harvest Day
Harvest Day is a fall favorite for families and kids. Every October, dozens of families and students visit Harner Farm in State College, PA to enjoy a relaxing autumn afternoon.
Harvest Day events include games, a hayride, apple and pumpkin picking, and trips through the farm’s haunted corn maze. Harvest Day is a great opportunity for families to meet this year’s Overall Committee, the Family Relations Captains, and other Four Diamonds Families.
You will receive information about how to register for Harvest Day, and directions to Harner Farm, in the family mailer.
• THON Hoops
THON Hoops gives Four Diamonds Families and kids a chance to come out and enjoy a Penn State basketball game! Kids will have the opportunity to meet members of the Penn State men's and women's basketball teams, as well as participate in games and events on the court of the Bryce Jordan Center during timeouts and at halftime!
Be on the lookout for more information about THON Hoops in the December family newsletter!
• THON 5K Walk/Run
The annual THON 5K Walk/Run, is the largest event of its type in Central Pennsylvania! This year's 5K Walk/Run is scheduled for October 17th, 2010.
The Kid's Race for children ages 10 and under, will take place 30 minutes prior to the start of the 5K.
Music, games, activities, good company and refreshments will also be featured at the 5K!
• THON Family Carnival
The annual Family Carnival is an exciting event with carnival themed games, prizes, and food! We invite you to join us on this fun-filled day in Penn State’s White Building. The date of this year's carnival is November 7th, 2010. This is a carnival unlike any other your family will experience!
An added highlight of the Family Carnival is the revealing of the THON logo!
Be on the lookout for registration information in the September family mailer!
THON Weekend!
THON Weekend is a two-day event, jam packed with programs and events for your family and kids to enjoy. We can guarantee that you’ll never experience a dull moment!
Please note that that most THON Weekend programs and events must be registered for well ahead of time. Registration forms will be sent in the pre-THON family mailer.
• “Project Sibs”
This program is designed specifically for siblings of Four Diamonds children, and is open to those children between the ages of five and twelve years old.
The siblings join a THON committee of their choice during the Saturday of THON Weekend, and are paired up with at least one captain from that committee!
Your child will be a THON "captain", and shadow a THON student volunteer to run many of the weekend’s activities. Opportunities include working with DJ Larry Moore, leading a line dance, helping Rules and Regulations captains keep the BJC safe, or feeding the dancers with our Hospitality Captains.
• Variety Shows
The Four Diamonds Family Variety Show is your child’s time to shine! Always a crowd favorite, the Variety Shows feature your child on stage performing an act. The show helps the dancers stay motivated, and will leave you with entertaining memories to share forever.
There are two Variety Shows during THON Weekend for anyone in your family to show off their talents!
When registering for this event, please indicate which Variety Show you would like to participate in. Due to the popularity of this event, acts registered after the deadline may not be featured. Please be sure to register early!
Registration for the Variety Show will be included in the November family mailing. In your response, please include what equipment your performance will require, along with a CD of music (if applicable).
• Captains in Training
“Captains in Training” is a program geared toward the teenagers of THON. This is a great way for your child to get behind the scenes of THON, contribute to the event’s success, and interact with Penn State students!
• Fashion Show
The Fashion Show is an exciting event that puts the spotlight on your child! The event, which takes place during the Saturday of THON Weekend, is open to Four Diamonds Children.*
Your son or daughter will have a chance to rock out on the runway while wearing Penn State gear.
Registration forms can be found in your family mailer in the early fall. The registration deadline is typically in the month of December.
*Due to popularity of this event, only a family's Four Diamonds Child is permitted to participate.
• Penn State Wish Program
Does your child want to see the Penn State Football locker room? Lead a cheer with the Penn State Cheerleading Team? Then register for the Penn State Wish Program! The program is set up to give Four Diamonds children and families the opportunity to participate in an exciting Penn State activity of your choice during THON Weekend!
Other wishes that have been fulfilled in the past include riding horses with the Equestrian Team, touring the Berkey Creamery, or playing soccer with the Penn State Men's and Women’s Soccer teams.
All wishes will be granted on the Saturday of THON Weekend, during the early afternoon hours.
To register your child’s wish, please fill out the Activity/Program Registration form and indicate your child’s top five wishes. This form is sent out in the November family mailing.
