<p>Hokiefan: I don’t have a band kid but my d is friends with a current sophomore in the million dollar band. Based on what was said at Panhellenic & from what I’ve heard from the band member, I would think that doing Alabama Action/Outdoor Action and Million Dollar band would be nigh impossible (we were told that doing Sorority Rush & AA/OA was impossible although Omama’s D was able to do both last year with effort.) </p>
<p>Roll Tide on the River could be doable since there are multiple dates scheduled and they start in June. Bama Bound is, of course, mandatory because that’s when the kids register & get their ID’s etc. </p>
<p>WOW sounds like a bunch of events over a 4 day period; certainly even the band kids will have some time during those days to attend some of the events.</p>
<p>I would suggest emailing the Million Dollar Band folks; it must be a common question & having some type of preliminary band schedule for the summer would be helpful for your planning purposes. If you don’t get the info you’re looking for, I can reach out to D’s friend for you.</p>
<p>I did checkout the bandsite about something else awhile a go and they have summer band camp for 2 weeks and it looks like they practice 8:30 am through 9 PM. If they are not on the field they are doing something else band related on just taking a break. My son does like canoeing/boating I will have to look into that when the time comes. I have this year for you guys to figure it all out for me:) I’m just reading and taking notes.</p>
<p>I know the band is a big time committment and so does my son. I just don’t think he realizes how big. He may chose concert ensembles instead. But you have to try out for those before school starts also. I think I’ll worry about it after he is accepted.</p>
<p>*How do these programs fit in with band camp? *</p>
<p>One of my son’s freshman suitemates was in band. He had to arrive a week or so early for Band practice. That would suggest to me that they couldn’t do OA or AA.</p>
<p>That is what I thought. I think these programs would be great for a freshman especially someone out of state. I guess he will have opportunities to meet lots of people with the band if that is what he choses to do.</p>
<p>Outdoor Action question -D received a confirmation email for OA stating “You will move into your permanent room on Aug. 8, and the program will begin that afternoon.” Can anyone clarify if by permanent room they mean d’s dorm room for the fall semester? I’m wondering how much of her stuff to send along on the 8th.</p>
<p>Bring everything at that time. She’ll be moving into her dorm for the fall semester. Of course you can hold back cold weather clothes until fall break, but have her bring a couple of things - like a hoodie and sweater for some cool nights before then.</p>
<p>*That is what I thought. I think these programs would be great for a freshman especially someone out of state. I guess he will have opportunities to meet lots of people with the band if that is what he choses to do. *</p>
<p>He could do Roll Tide on the River…those are held on other dates.</p>
<p>Timeflew: Fall Break is a little bit later this time (Oct. 28 and 29), so it may be a good idea of bring some cold weather clothing. </p>
<p>Last year, my son’s suitemates laughed when he said that I packed four pairs of jeans for him. They told him, "You won’t need them. It doesn’t get cold here until Thanksgiving. At homecoming (mid-October), it was 36 degrees and sleeting. He was glad for the jeans, but called after the game and asked that I send some of his sweaters, hats and gloves. (I kept joking that I’d send his boots – just in case the snow does stick, and he wants to go out and help the maintenance people clear the walks.) This year, he is a bit more prepared. The sweaters and sweatshirts are in storage. He also plans to take his winter jacket with him when he returns in August. He may not come home for fall break, so he wants that jacket with him.</p>
<p>Last June, we had to stay an extra day with Bama Bound, as we could not get a flight home. It worked out great. We got to visit some of the buildings (particularly, the libraries) we had not seen on tours, drive around T-Town to see where various places were and meet with a few people my son wanted to see on campus. Sometimes, the extra day is a good thing.</p>
<p>My son would like to do Alabama Action but he would rather work only on the hands-on project since he does not have experience with working with kids. Is it a requirement to work as a mentor during Alabama Action?</p>
<p>I can’t answer if it’s required or not. However, I wouldn’t let the fact that he hasn’t mentored before hold him back. My son was asked to tutor last year and I have to admit I wasn’t sure how he would do, but our kids have so much to offer and they find a way to connect with these kids in a way adults don’t. </p>
<p>I do have to admit my S hopes he doesn’t get roped into an “artistic” project, not his comfort zone.</p>
<p>With Alabama Action, my son did lots of hands on stuff, as his group painted and fixed up a middle school library media center. The mentoring part, he said, was rather easy. He had lunch on a daily basis with some students. They talked about everything from sports to studying. Some kids needed some assistance with their academics. He said that he really enjoyed the experience, and being from OOS, he got to share stories about where he lives.</p>
<p>Thank you for the input! My S has always participated in similar summer volunteer projects but has never been a mentor so he is somewhat nervous of what to expect. If nothing else, this new experience will help him grow…and he might just enjoy it, like momreads son.</p>
<p>It was discussed that some Alabama Action participants would not be participating in the mentoring and working on extra projects instead, but AFAIK that is not going to be the case this year. I really liked working with the kids and also on the less “artistic” projects like painting and landscaping.</p>