Faces were painted, joy was had, and memories made when Manchester Activities Council's (MAC) Li'l Sibs Weekend took place on campus April 4-5.

  
The annual Li'l Sibs Weekend encourages Manchester College students to invite their younger siblings, cousins, nephews and nieces to campus for quality bonding time and free fun. Though targeted for kids ages 5-12, MAC is working to have the weekend appeal to all ages.

  
Shannon Green, director of student activities and head organizer of the event, is overall pleased with this year's festivities. “We've been doing Little Sibs Weekend since I can remember,” Green said. “People really enjoy it.”

A night of greetings and craft making was followed by a fun-filled Saturday. For about three hours, Manchester College had the town pool and Oak Park Lanes bowling alley reserved for free unlimited use. There were no reported cases of people dropping bowling balls on their feet.

  
During the afternoon, the PERC was filled with bright, blow-up, jumpy, obstacle course type playpens – and kids went crazy over them. Lil sibs were climbing over inflatable walls, sliding down shoots, and jumping until their legs give in – all with a smile.

  
“It's an opportunity for college students to just relax for a weekend,” Green said.

Even faculty and staff joined in on the festivities, many of whom brought their children.

  
Secondary motives seem to be plaguing the minds of some students – does Manchester put on this type of event merely for publicity? Getting the interest of potential students while they're young is a surefire way of insuring future stability.

  
“It's like sports,” said sophomore John Kimmel. “We recruit players that might not even get to play. It's all about enrollment numbers.”

“We don't get a lot of negative feedback,” Green said. “[And] we're always looking for ways to improve.”

  
Regardless of other motives, however subtle, Li'l Sibs Weekend is a win-win situation for all: the college stays open, and kids have a good time.

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