<p>How many days was the Appointee Visit last year, and in what month? For the class of 2010 would you rather have your parents say goodbye at Indoctrination Day, or be at parents weekend when BCT ends? Will you be able to come home for Thanksgiving or just Christmas break?</p>
<p>Appointee Orientation lasts about 2 days if I remember right...definitely do it, it's worth every minute. We'll be honest with you and answer any question you have.</p>
<p>As far as your parents...you DEFINITELY Want them to come Parent's Weekend...you will be one sad new freshman if they aren't there and you're stuck at the Academy while your friends go off with their parents for 3 days. It's not a question...you WILL regret it.</p>
<p>And yes, you get off for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This year we get about 5 days for Thanksgiving and 2 1/2 - 3 weeks for Christmas, depending on your finals schedule.</p>
<p>Did you spend I-day at your sponsor family or did your family see you off. She has an Aunt in Denver who can drive down. We are just trying to plan my Vacation days next year to get the most time.</p>
<p>The class of 2010 was invited to attend one of three orientations in April, 2006. Each orientations started on a Monday @ 7:30 am (check-in) and finished by 4:30 pm Tuesday. ATTENDANCE IS VOLUNTARY. Parents do NOT need to go, in fact, parents will not be allowed in the cadet area. Travel expenses are not reimbursed. </p>
<p>Our son did not go to an orientation. He received his appointment in December. Since no one in our family had been to the USAFA, my husband and son scheduled a visit in February. My husband was taken on a tour of the cadet area. Our son shadowed a cadet. Our son needed to see it for himself before he made his decision to accept his Appointment. </p>
<p>The decision for parents to bring their child to In-processing is a personal one. We did not accompany our son. Instead, we took our boys on a cruise the week before "I" Day. The AFA issued him an airline ticket for the day before "I" Day. There were FIVE other Appointees at the airport on the SAME flight to Colorado Springs! Saying good bye would have been just as tough no matter where we were. The Association of Graduates (AOG) offer a Bed & Breakfast program for cadets that travel alone. He was one of three Appointees that spent the night at the home of an Air Force Officer. His host brought him to the Academy in the morning. </p>
<p>With very short notice, I traveled to see the Acceptance Parade. Parents were permitted to spend a few hours with their cadet. My visit was only an hour and a half but i would do it again in a heart beat! This was my first visit to the Academy. I brought my son's guitar, a care package :) and fresh baked cookies! Saying good bye was a sad but PROUD moment! </p>
<p>Our family (Mom, Dad and both younger brothers) went to Parents Weekend.<br>
My husband and one sibling attended the morning classes, watched the lunch Noon Formation Parade, ate lunch without our son in Arnold Hall, then myself and the other sibling attended the afternoon classes. Everyone got to experience a part of cadet life. The rest of the weekend was for our son. We made a trip to Sam's Club for "stuff". Our son chose to order room service, watch movies and sleep most of the weekend. I did his laundry.<br>
We went to church at the AFA Chapel on Sunday. Keep in mind, the four degrees had to be in FULL uniform at ALL TIMES outside their rooms (he even had to wear his issued swim suit (covered by his althletic warm-up to and from the room) in the hotel pool. </p>
<p>Not all cadets travel home for Thanksgiving break. Cadets will be allowed to leave late Tuesday afternoon before Thanksgiving but must be signed in before 7:00 pm on the following Monday. </p>
<p>Winter Break begins AFTER the cadet's last semester exam (Dec.15,16,18,19,20). They must return Jan. 7, 2007. </p>
<p>Wow, I did not intend to be long winded. I just remember how lost I felt only a year ago. I hope our experience is helpful.</p>
<p>Parents Weekend- a must! Orientation day -- i learned a lot and am glad i went. Got a much better feel for the place but that one is optional for sure. I_day: the best advice i got was take the cue from your son or daughter. Some would really rather not face the tearful goodbye at the Academy and others really want their parents there. We ended up going and were glad; Others ended up not going and were also glad! I'd have a heart-to-heart with your cadet (actually Basic Cadet!)</p>
<p>I did a quick search for Air Force Academy Orientation and got this page: <a href="https://admissions.usafa.af.mil/RRX/AppointeeRegistration.htm%5B/url%5D">https://admissions.usafa.af.mil/RRX/AppointeeRegistration.htm</a></p>
<p>According to it, the dates for that class of 2011 orientation are as follows:
09-10 Apr 2007
18-19 Apr 2007
25-26 Apr 2007</p>
<p>I may be reading this wrong, but that is what it seems like.</p>
<p>I was sent off at the airport in Houston and stayed with a Colonel in CO Springs as part of the Bed and Breakfast. Parent's came up for Parent's Weekend (not any of the parades and such). For me, it was the best deal. Saying goodbye in Houston was best for me and waiting till Parent's weekend rocked. I'd recommend it, but it depends on your personality.</p>