Hesston College began welcoming students back to campus on Monday for the 2013-14 year, which will kick off with Opening Weekend Aug. 15 to 18.

Resident assistants arrived on campus Aug. 8 for training and a weekend retreat while members of the volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country and soccer teams as well as Bel Canto Singers and aviation students and members of the Jump Start program arrived Aug. 12 for practices, orientation and to begin flight training.

Registration for new and returning off-campus students begins Thursday, Aug. 15.

New and returning on-campus students will move into their dorm rooms, go through registration Aug. 16 and attend orientation sessions Aug. 17.

Opening Weekend activities include Opening Celebration at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Hesston Mennonite Church. An ice cream social for the campus community and families will follow the service.

A parent breakfast will be at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, along with parent orientation sessions.  The day’s festivities include a Performing Arts open house in Northlawn 109 from 11 a.m. to noon for students and parents wanting to learn what the music and theatre departments offer, a women’s soccer scrimmage at 5 p.m. on the Hesston College soccer field, a volleyball vs. alumni scrimmage at 6 p.m. in Yost Center and a men’s soccer intra-squad game at 7:30 p.m. on the Hesston College Soccer Field.

Sunday’s schedule features a 10:30 a.m. worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church with the message by Hesston College President Howard Keim focusing on the college’s theme verse for the year, The Lord’s Prayer. Other Sunday activities include Freshmen Games, a picnic for the campus community at 6 p.m. and the annual Mod Olympics at 7 p.m. on the soccer field. The local community is invited to attend Mod Olympics.