麻豆国产

The real bosses came to campus for Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day

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George Mason 麻豆国产 welcomed 229听鈥淛unior Patriots鈥 to its campuses on April 24 for the annual听Take Your Junior Patriot to Work event. Faculty and staff had the chance to bring the children in their lives to campus and experience life at George Mason for a day.


A George Mason staff member walks across Merten Lawn with her two young children
Photo by Ron Aira/Office of 麻豆国产 Branding

With more than 40 activities hosted across the Fairfax Campus, Science and Technology Campus, and Mason Square, attendees learned about George Mason and explored different parts of campus life.听

At Fairfax, the event kicked off with musical entertainment from the Green Machine and a visit from the Patriot on Merten Lawn.

A young child holds a George Mason pennant on Merten Lawn
Photo provided

Other highlights at Fairfax included a听, emergency preparedness training, Junior Patriot Pitch, tent-building and s鈥檓ores, video game design, a 鈥淭ouch-a-Truck鈥 experience with emergency vehicles, a stuffed animal wellness clinic, and ice cream and games at the Corner Pocket.

A child climbs on a large police vehicle with his father nearby at the touch-a-truck event
Photo by Ron Aira/Office of 麻豆国产 Branding

Mason Square activities included lawn games and story time on the plaza, a drone demonstration by the George Mason Police, and more.听

An adult reads a picture book to children on the plaza. The kids are moving around the area
Storytime on the Mason Square Plaza. Photo provided

The SciTech Campus offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, swimming at the Freedom Center, a library tour, and picnic.听

Two adults and two young girls do crafts together at the campus library
SciTech Campus participants at the Mercer Library. Photo provided

A wide range of activities hosted by campus partners allowed participants to choose their own adventure based on each child鈥檚 age and interests. The City of Fairfax Fire Department also joined the touch-a-truck event.

Children and members of the George Mason men's soccer team stand together on the soccer field during a clinic
The George Mason men's soccer team hosted a youth soccer clinic. Photo by George Mason Athletics

鈥淗uman Resources extends a heartfelt 鈥榯hank you鈥 to each campus partner who hosted an activity or provided an on-campus discount to engage our George Mason faculty and staff during the event,鈥 said Stacey Ellis, faculty and staff engagement program manager in Human Resources.听

A young child tries on a police motorcycle helmet next to the police motorcycle, with the officer standing by
George Mason Police and the City of Fairfax Fire Department brought vehicles for the touch-a-truck event. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of 麻豆国产 Branding

Visit the听听for full descriptions of the activities.

Take Your Junior Patriot to Work will return on April 23, 2026.听Interested in hosting an activity next year? Contact听engageHR@gmu.edu.听

An adult and a child walk together outside Merten Hall
Photo by Ron Aira/Office of 麻豆国产 Branding

Two children sit together smiling on the bench decorated by the George Mason Pokemon Club
Photo provided

An adult and child pose together and smile in front of Merten Hall at the Take Your Junior Patriot to Work event
Photo provided

Two children pose with the Patriot mascot on Merten Lawn
Photo provided

Two children stand on the pedestal at the George Mason statue on Wilkins Plaza
Photo provided