October 8-10, 2021
Families of students are invited to enjoy a beautiful fall weekend on campus in October. Experience school traditions like Step Songs at Main Hall and a bonfire on Tippetts Beach, attend classes, see a Stony Batter Players performance of the play Lost in Yonkers, and cheer on our Blue Storm athletes. Other highlights during Family Weekend include college counseling sessions for parents, a tailgate lunch featuring the inaugural “Mercersburger” competition, and a Chapel service.
We look forward to seeing you on campus! There’s no cost to you—all meals and events are complimentary!
Submit proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result for each registrant.
Registration closes at 4:30 p.m. ET on October 4.
COVID-19 Safety Measures
If fully vaccinated (two weeks after their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), attendees must submit proof of vaccination. Those registrants who are not fully vaccinated will be required to submit a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Please submit proof of vaccination by Monday, October 4, and for those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccination, please submit a negative PCR test result by Thursday, October 7.
Each registrant must submit one of these items.
Attendees will not be required to test upon arrival.
Masks must be worn at all times while on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
Mercersburger Competition
This year we’re trying something new! We’ve asked the community to submit burger recipes for consideration. Students will prep the recipes in our Mercersburg Test Kitchen (the True Blue Café), a panel of judges will narrow down to three finalists that will go head-to-head during Family Weekend, and you get to pick the winner!
Schedule of Events
Members of a student’s immediate household(s) are invited to attend all events during the weekend; the registration deadline is Monday, October 4. Some events have space limitations and may be “first come, first served.” (Please keep in mind the event dates, programming, and restrictions are subject to change as we continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 climate.)
8 to 9 a.m. - Breakfast, Ford Hall
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Welcome Center open, Simon Student Center
Class Fundraisers will be available between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Registration open, Visitor Check-In
9 to 11:30 a.m. - Visit classes
This will provide an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teachers and to enjoy a small sampling of class activities. In order to avoid crowding in our classrooms, activities and lessons will be brief, allowing families to cycle in and out of a classroom during the allotted time.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Lunch, Ford Hall
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. - Visit classes
This will provide an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teachers and to enjoy a small sampling of class activities. In order to avoid crowding in our classrooms, activities and lessons will be brief, allowing families to cycle in and out of a classroom during the allotted time.
1:30 to 2:45 p.m. - Departmental Open Houses, Various Locations
English - Edwards Room
Fine Arts - Cofrin Gallery, Burgin Center
History - 2nd Floor, Lenfest Hall
Language - 3rd Floor, Irvine Hall
Math - 4rd Floor, Irvine Hall
Religion - 4th Floor, Lenfest Hall
Science - 1st and 2nd Floor, Irvine Hall
Department members will be available in the academic buildings for “Open House” time. Parents or guardians are welcome to use this time to talk with teachers and to see a glimpse of the learning spaces utilized by their children.
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Class Fundraisers, Hale Field House Lobby
2:55 to 3:30 p.m. - School meeting with students, faculty, and families, Hale Field House
Watch Live!
3:45 to 4:30 p.m. - Acting Head of School update with Quentin McDowell P ’25, Hale Field House
Watch Live!
4:30 p.m. - Athletic events begin, Goldthorpe Athletic Complex
4:30 p.m. - Girls’ Cross Country vs. Maderia School and Grier School
5 p.m. - Volleyball vs. Bishop Walsh, Plantz Courts, Goldthorpe Athletic Complex
5 to 5:45 p.m. - Global Programs Open House, Edwards Room
6 to 7:30 p.m. - All School Dinner, Ford Dining Hall
7 to 7:45 p.m. - Meet the Grade Dean, Various Locations
9th grade - Edwards Room
10th grade - Traylor Hall Lobby
11th grade - Prentiss Alumni and Parent Center, North Cottage
12th grade - Irvine Memorial Chapel
8 p.m. - Step Songs, Main Hall
8:30 p.m. - Bonfire, Tippetts Beach
7:30 to 9 a.m. - Breakfast, Ford Hall
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Registration open, Visitor Check-In
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Welcome Center open, Simon Student Center
8:45 to 9:30 a.m. - College counseling sessions for parents
Getting Started: 9th and 10th Grade, Lenfest 201
Presenters: Rachel Mallory and Cindy Fowler
As our 9th- and 10th-grade students begin to explore life at Mercersburg Academy, many are already thinking about college. This session will help parents of 9th and 10th graders to better understand our developmental approach to college counseling as they support their students to be successful at Mercersburg and beyond.
The Healthy College List (11th- and 12th-Grade Parents), Lenfest 502
Presenters: Michael Conklin and Justin Ledesma
Deciding where to apply—and eventually where to enroll—can be a daunting task for any student. In this session, learn more about how we counsel each student to construct a targeted college list that reflects their interests, priorities, and academic profile. We will discuss our timeline and the many resources available to students and their families as they explore a wide range of college options across a spectrum of selectivity.
8:45 to 10:25 a.m. - Drop-in with college counseling, Hager Reading Room (main level), Lenfest Hall
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Adviser meetings for parents
9:40 to 10:25 a.m. - College counseling sessions for parents
When to Apply: The Truth about Early Admission (11th- and 12th-grade parents), Lenfest 502
Presenters: Justin Ledesma and Michael Conklin
A record number of students now apply to selective colleges through early admission programs. In this session, we will consider the potential advantages, as well as the potential drawbacks, of early admission programs, including Early Decision and Early Action. We will offer guidance about how and when to determine if seeking early admission is appropriate for your child.
Athletic Recruitment and College Admission (Parents of prospective college student-athletes), Lenfest 201
Presenters: Glenn Neufeld and Paul Sipes
Is your son or daughter an aspiring college athlete? In this session, our presenters will offer advice to parents who wish to support their student-athlete to achieve their academic and athletic goals. We will consider the implications of being a recruited athlete when applying to college, and will discuss best practices for aspiring NCAA Division I, Division II, and Division III athletes.
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Climbing wall open, Masinter Outdoor Education Center
10:25 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. - College counseling meetings for 12th-grade parents
10:30 to 11:15 a.m. - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Open House, Room 119, Simon Student Center
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Blue Storm picnic lunch, outside Tippetts Hall (south side)
Featuring the Mercersburger! Enjoy three sliders and help us select our top burger for this year’s inaugural Mercersburger competition!
12 p.m. - Boys JV Soccer vs. Fannett-Metal School District
1 p.m. - Athletic events begin, Goldthorpe Athletic Complex
Blue/White Swim Meet
Field Hockey vs. Lawrenceville School
Boys' Varsity Soccer vs. Lawrenceville School
Girls' Varsity Soccer vs. Lawrenceville School
Girls' Varsity Tennis vs. Lawrenceville School
Volleyball vs. Lawrenceville School
2 p.m. - Football vs. Valley Forge Military Academy
5 to 7 p.m. - Postgame supper, Ford Hall
7:30 p.m. - Stony Batter Players Production of Lost in Yonkers, Simon Theatre, Burgin Center for the Arts
Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon (1991 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner) is set in 1942. Come to the Burgin Center for the Arts’ Simon Theatre for a performance of this comedic drama.
8:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Continental breakfast, Ford Hall
11 a.m. - Worship service, Irvine Memorial Chapel
Share the weekend! #MburgFamily
Note to Parents
We encourage you to enjoy the entirety of the weekend, including the athletic competitions and theatre production on Saturday and the Chapel service, meals, and free time on Sunday. If you would like to discuss taking your child off campus during Family Weekend, please contact the Office of Student Life at 717-328-6119 or studentlife@mercersburg.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Members of the immediate household are invited to participate. Attendees will be required to register in advance and, if fully vaccinated (two weeks after their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), submit proof of vaccination. Those registrants who are not fully vaccinated will be required to submit a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival. We ask that you submit your plans by Monday, October 4.
We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins or unregistered guests after Monday, October 4. To register, please visit this page (link coming).
If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you will be required to submit proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival. If you are fully vaccinated for COVID (two weeks after the final dose of a COVID vaccine), you are not required to do any pre-testing.
You will receive a wristband that indicates you’ve completed the arrival process. If your wristband is lost or damaged, please return to Visitor Check-In to have it replaced.
Yes, members of the immediate household for both families will be able to participate as long as they complete the registration process.
Yes. While on Mercersburg’s campus, masks must be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking.
We recognize that traveling to campus may not be possible for some of our families due to travel restrictions, health considerations, or other concerns. With that in mind, events throughout the weekend will be available via livestream and Facebook Live. Recordings will also be available afterward. Mercersburg will provide a livestream for the school meeting and Head of School update on Friday, October 8. Step Songs will be shared via Facebook Live on Friday night. Links will be added to the Family Weekend web page closer to the event, and we will send out an email with the links the week of Family Weekend.
It is likely, but please contact the Office of Student Life to discuss this matter directly.
Building Hours
Class of 1960 School Store
(Simon Student Center)
Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cofrin Gallery, Burgin Center for the Arts
Visiting Artist Exhibit: Anita Schievley
Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 6 p.m.
Lenfest Hall
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Prentiss Alumni and Parent Center at North Cottage
Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Reservation Information for Lost in Yonkers
Tickets are free, and patrons may reserve seats on our ticket reservation site or by calling 717-328-6349.
*Please note: Reserved seats are held until 10 minutes prior to curtain. Unclaimed reservations are then released to ensure our students have a full Orchestra section for their productions. Weekend participants who did not make theatre reservations are welcome at the performance.
Building Accessibility
Family Weekend events will be held in a variety of buildings around campus, as well as outdoors. If anyone in your family has mobility issues or related concerns, please contact Mercersburg’s events team.
If you have any questions about Family Weekend, please contact the Office of Student Life at 717-328-6119.
Self-Guided Walking Tours
For self-guided tours of campus, please stop by the welcome center in the Simon Student Center to pick up a guide packet and map.
General Information
If you have questions or require special assistance while on campus, please go to Visitor Check-In or call Campus Safety at 717-328-1111.
If you are interested in learning more about admission for your child, feel free to schedule an appointment in advance by calling 717-328-6173, or stop by Traylor Hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday to pick up admission materials.
In the event of an emergency, please call the Dean on Duty at 717-860-0488 or Campus Safety at 717-328-1111 or extension 1111 from any campus phone.
As a reminder, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances are prohibited on campus.
Old Mercersburg
Verse 1
Now we all march on together,
On through fair and stormy weather,
And when e’er we have a fight to fight,
We’ll win it for the Blue and the White:
She our pride and spirit raises,
As we stand and sing her praises,
For we proudly do our school revere,
And greet her with a rousing triple cheer,
Chorus:
For Old Mercersburg!
To you we all are ever loyal
Old Mercersburg!
Your name will ever cherished be:
Old Mercersburg!
We’ll give a cheer for the Royal
Old Mercersburg! Our loved Academy.
Verse 2
On we’ll march to fame and honor,
In her name we’ll fight and conquer
On the diamond, football field, or track,
Our rival’s team we’ll steadily hold back;
With a vim the fight beginning,
For old Mercersburg we’re winning;
When the battle’s o’er and the contest done,
Out team will have another vic-t’ry won
Chorus
Verse 3
[Whistle]
Chorus
M – E – R
M-E-R-C-E-R Mercersburg (BOOM!)
Mercersburg, My Mercersburg,
We’ll sing to thee.
Fairest Academy,
Give her a three times three,
Oh fellows,
Long may we cherish thee,
Faithful we’ll be
Mercersburg, my Mercersburg,
For you and me.
Alma Mater
High tower, above us her pillars,
In majesty crowning the hill;
She’s faced the wild storm waves of years,
And bravely she faces them still.
Come, Mercersburg all and we’ll praise her;
The world will we tell of her fame,
Till down the long train of the ages
Shall echo old Mercersburg’s name.
This world sweeping mightily onward
Will whiten our heads with its years;
But ever we’ll greet Alma Mater
With full hearts and loud swelling cheers.