This semester, the Office of Residence Life at Southeast Missouri State University will have its second annual "Sibs and Kids" weekend.

Sibs and Kids is a weekend-long event hosted on campus, where participants can enjoy face painting, a dive-in movie and funny pictures.

The purpose of the event is to provide students the opportunity to interact with their siblings or children on campus.

Kari Talik, coordinator for student leadership at Southeast, said she was no stranger to hosting this kind of event before it made its way to Southeast.

"A lot of universities across the country have a program like this, and I have been a part of it at different institutions, so I decided to bring it here," Talik said.

Each day offers new activities and experiences for students and their siblings to engage in. Each activity is hosted on a different part of campus depending on what it offers.

The dive-in movie will be held in Southeast's Student Recreation Center-North, whereas the dance party will be held at Towers Café.

"We are also working with student athletics and doing a lot of meet and greets and autograph signing with student-athletes," Talik said. "We usually close it out with a big dance party with a DJ, it's a lot of fun."

The younger siblings also have the opportunity to stay over in an on-campus residence hall with their older brother or sister.

Jessica Bolhafner, a senior at Southeast, is a former participant of Sibs and Kids and plans to volunteer this year.

Bolhafner said last year was an amazing experience for her and her siblings.

"My little brother really liked the all-you-can-eat cafeteria, and he's dead set on coming to Southeast when he's older because of it," Bolhafner said.

This year, Bolhafner is putting together the event with Talik and a committee of volunteers from the Office of Residence Life.

"I helped with the organization and brainstormed what activities we want to do, as well as design the T-shirts and posters," Bolhafner said.

The goal this year is to see an increase in overall participation.

"I would like to see more participants on campus," Bolhafner said. "We do have a lot this year. We have more than 50 people this year, but I'd like to see more because this is a really cool experience."

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Aside from spearheading the event, Talik and Bolhafner shared their most cherished memory from last year's Sibs and Kids event.

"My little sister enjoyed walking around campus with me to see what it had to offer," Bolhafner said. "I'm a tour guide on campus, so it was cool showing her around."

Talik's most memorable experience from last year was witnessing the reaction from all the visiting siblings.

"My favorite part of last year that I'd like to see again is the excitement in all the kids' eyes when they get to have a fun time with their older siblings," Talik said. "I can tell the older siblings love it too, which makes me happy."

Sibs and Kids will be held Feb. 6-8. Admission is $25 for the first sibling and an additional $10 for any additional siblings. Students can register at the Residence Life office located in Towers Complex.