ECC Student Life Kicks Off Fall 2026 Welcome Weeks Events

It’s the first week of classes for Fall 2026, and Elgin Community College’s Office of Student Life has planned numerous special welcome events to help get the fall started right.

This year’s Welcome Weeks has a summer camp theme, inviting students to choose a cabin, take part in the Cabin Challenge, meet fellow students, and compete for a special end-of-camp field trip. 

Week 1

Welcome Stations

August 24 -25 | 8 am to 12 pm

Buildings A, B, F, H, and S

Welcome to your ECC camp adventure! Stop by a Welcome Station for help finding your way around campus and getting the semester started. 

Summer Camp Jamboree

Tuesday, August 25 |  10 am to 2 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Choose your cabin and race through the obstacle course to kick off the Cabin Challenge! Need a camp buddy? Make your own squishy friend and cool off with a sweet treat at the Yak Shack.

Imagination Station

Wednesday, August 26 | 10 am to 2 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Collect memories instead of bug bites! Unleash your creativity with classic camp crafts such as tie-dye, friendship bracelets, and more.

Splash Bash Field Day

Thursday, August 27 | 11 am to 2 pm

Building B, Lakeside Patio

Cool off and dive into fun! Beat the heat with water balloons, slip n’ slides, and other fun water games. You’ll want to bring a change of clothes!

Week 2

Meet Your Camp Counselors

Monday, August 3  | 10 am to 1 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Calling all happy campers to meet your camp counselors. Stop by the Student Life campsite to make new connections and play music bingo.

Camp Olympics

Tuesday, September 1 | 11 am to 2 pm

Building B, Jobe Lounge

Grab your cabinmates and test your Olympic skills in rock climbing, gaga ball, and more. Stop by to go for the gold or just have some fun!

Clubchella

Wednesday, September 2 | 11 am to 1:30 pm

Building B Walkway

Meet new campmates and explore clubs and organizations! Grab lunch from food trucks at the canteen and sign up for an adventure that will make this year unforgettable.

Campfire Jam

Thursday, September 3 |  6 to 8 pm

Building B Walkways & Lakeside Patio

Gather around the campfire and sing a campfire song with us. Enjoy s’mores and refreshments while crooning a tune at karaoke.

Compete in the Cabin Challenge and win a Field Trip!

ECC students can join a cabin and collect tokens for the group by participating in Welcome Weeks activities. The cabin with the most tokens at the end will win a free field trip to Richardson’s Farms on Friday, September 25. 

All events are sponsored by ECC’s Office of Student Life. 

For more information on all upcoming Student Life Welcome Weeks events, please visit the Student Life webpage.