Traveling with Children

alumni weekend

One of the best parts of Alumni Weekend is the opportunity to introduce your children to Swarthmore, your Swarthmore friends, and your friends' kids! We strive to offer programming and resources to make sure everyone has a fun and fulfilling weekend. Below you'll find helpful information and considerations for traveling to Alumni Weekend with kids.

Registration

Children 4 years old and under are free, and you do not need to register them for Alumni Weekend. Dependents ages 5 to 20 receive discounted pricing and should be registered for all meals and activities. There are children's prices for almost all packages and paid events. Learn more about packages and pricing options.

Childcare

Swarthmore does not provide childcare during Alumni Weekend. The Philadelphia Nanny Network is a local, bonded agency that operates contractual childcare services. Alumni and families looking for childcare should contact Philadelphia Nanny Network directly at least four weeks in advance for details and scheduling. This agency is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by Swarthmore College.

Parents' Room

We are happy to provide a private space in Clothier Memorial Hall to express milk, nurse, feed, or change your child. The room also has a fridge to store milk or pump parts during the weekend. The Parents’ Room is available to guests beginning Friday at 10 a.m. until Sunday at 1 p.m. Visit the registration desk in Shane Student Lounge during Alumni Weekend to learn more or request access.

Housing

Registration for on-campus housing has reached capacity and is now closed. Please visit our accommodations page to learn more about housing options, including local hotels and short-term rentals. 

If you registered for on-campus housing, children may share parents' rooms for no extra charge. You are welcomed and encouraged to bring pack n plays, sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc. for children.

A few reminders about staying on campus:

  • We cannot provide cribs during Alumni Weekend.
  • Bathrooms are communal and all-gender; rooms with private baths are not available.
  • Most residence halls do not have air conditioning.

While in years past we have been able to offer family suites (dorm rooms with one or more connecting rooms), these will not be available during Alumni Weekend 2025 due to campus construction.

Programming

There will be plenty of family-friendly as well as child-focused programming during Alumni Weekend, including our Family Movie Night, Family Game Night, the Family Carnival and Community Fair, and more. We've also created a Swarthmore-themed coloring and activity book available for all of our youngest guests. 

Questions?

If you have questions about any of the information on this page, or if we forgot something, please reach out to Alumni & Family Programs at events@swarthmore.edu or 610-328-7332.