What is Welcome Week at Baylor?
After deciding on Baylor for college, new incoming Bears get their first in-depth introduction to BU during Baylor Line Camp. But once they make the move into their residence halls in mid-August, things begin to get really real — and that’s where Welcome Week comes in.
Since 1979, Welcome Week has helped new students get accustomed to college life while celebrating the official beginning of students’ experiences as Baylor Bears. The four-day event, which follows Move2BU and concludes the night before classes begin, helps students build new friendships and connect with the Baylor and Waco community leading up to the first day of school.
After getting settled into their rooms, new Bears officially say goodbye to their families at the Baylor Family Picnic, then join the small groups (led by returning BU students) they’ll spend the rest of the week with. Sessions with those new friends are interspersed around events that bring the entire freshman class (and transfers) together. Those include:
- Friday night’s Spirit Rally, where new Bears experience the Baylor spirit ahead of future game days;
- An on-campus church fair on Saturday morning, which introduces students to Waco’s faith communities;
- Saturday night’s Big Event, a night of games, music and more; and
- Sunday night’s candlelight worship service, in which students reflect, pray and worship before the school year begins.
In short, Welcome Week encourages new students to engage and embrace Baylor’s traditions while helping them connect with new friends and the campus they’ll call home for the next four years — the start of relationships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Sic ’em, incoming Bears!