Weekends as a Panther
With decision day just around the corner, thousands of high school seniors are taking their final campus tours, making their decisions and preparing for the next big step. Every freshman should be looking at the the quality of the academic programs and making sure it meets their expectations. Without a doubt, academics are a key part in the decision, but another part is being able to relax. Some of the most common questions facing our campus tour guides are “What is there to do on the weekends?” or “How will my son/daughter be spending their free time?”
Florida Tech has numerous opportunities for every kind of student to get involved with. Below are just a few of the many.
Aquatics
With the beach just a seven minute car ride from campus, there are plenty of adventures to be had on the inter-coastal waterways and multitude of smaller islands. There are great fishing spots to be had just a short bike ride from campus. You can Stand Up Paddle board or surf with a fairly consistent swell throughout the school year. Kayaks and canoes can be rented from our on campus gym if you want to go explore the area on your own.
The wild outdoors not your thing? No problem, we have an excellent aquatic center with two swimming pools, diving boards and most importantly, they are heated for those “chillier” Florida days. Whichever you prefer, there are plenty of ways to stay active.
Geocaching
Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, and Tomb Raider come together in a non-violent family friendly way in geocaching. All you need is a handheld GPS device, some good hiking shoes and there are plenty of cool things to be found. Caches of various dimensions and difficulties are hidden all throughout the city of Melbourne, as well as the country. Go explore the city and find hidden trinkets and logbooks. The adventure is not in what you find, but the journey to find it.
FOOD!
Our award winning dining hall is a great place to start. For those of you who are more adventurous, there are plenty of excellent restaurants in the area. Our diverse student population is also well represented in the local community with restaurants for every type of ethnic food you can imagine. There are still plenty of mom & pop shops throughout the city with some hidden delicacies.
Arts & Culture
With the only textile arts museum in the state located right on our campus, you don’t have to go far to find art. Florida Tech also has its own student run art magazine on campus known as the Kaleidoscope. Melbourne has a local art museum, as well as numerous monthly events such as First Friday, where local artists, bands and food trucks are showcased. There are plenty of other venues in the area such as Orlando, Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral where there are numerous concerts every weekend.
These are only four of the many things that there are to do on campus, and in the area. But, the best answer Florida Tech has to the question of what there is to do is “What do you want to do?” Opportunities on end is what we have to offer, and we are excited to see what you will do with them!
