<p>Today, USNA sent an email to my son (and 394 others) looking for response to the CWV letter they sent a couple of weeks ago. Looking to fill up the October 28, 29 weekend I guess.</p>
<p>I don't know what kind of response they want, seeing most of these folks are really dedicated to both their fall varsity sports and their academics. They likely need to miss a game day along with a school day to attend....counter intuitive really.</p>
<p>Also:
Looking for candidate to share Limo and/or hotel for Oct 28-29 weekend. Best for others flying out of Boston to BWI either afternoon of Oct 27 or first flight out morning of 28th. If out on 27th, can share room at Navy Lodge for one night. Limo back to BWI flexible for afternoon/evening of 29th.</p>
<p>Can PM me for details.</p>
<p>Ya gotta love the Navy - These open emails probably aren't a great idea. They did that same thing with NASS in the initial acceptances. </p>
<p>We had already committed to Nov....got the confirmation letter back from them Dated Oct. 5........and still we get this letter.</p>
<p>So once again, they don't have everything totally figured out with email and updated correspondance - but heck - </p>
<p>Go Navy
Beat Army</p>
<p>Well, if you can't trust the USNA's top ~2000 candidates.....who the heck are you going to trust? :)</p>
<p>I'm just surprised by the numbers. I wonder how many went out in October...or even Sep/Oct combined? This forum is a little slow this week...had to put something up. ;)</p>
<p>peskemom- our son is attending the Nov date as well</p>
<p>so where do you hail from?</p>
<p>we're in San Diego County and she'll leaving early for the weekend and staying through tues...with local family and friends.</p>
<p>i'm confirmed too for november weekend . . . is anyone going to the football game after on saturday? i want to go but don't know what i'd do with all my stuff, and i don't know who i'd go with since all the mids march in and sit together. is the Academy strict about like getting your bags off their property at that 11:00 AM "end-of-visit" time? thanks! -shawna</p>
<p>My son is now booked for Oct. Quick in and out. Leave Bos @ 0615 on Friday and depart BWI @ 1720 on Saturday. I'll let you folks know how it goes and maybe....he'll get on here and tell in his own words :D</p>
<p>Army vs. Navy soccer is Sat night at 7...too late...too bad. Go NAVY!</p>
<p>peskemom- reside in NY, but our son will be coming down from CT. </p>
<p>Boston USMC: have football tickets in hand...should be good as it is Navy's last home game of the season. Don't know anyhing about where to store "stuff" however our son was told to expect info in the mail before the Nov date. Will post if we find out anything. If you end up going to the game, let us know- maybe the candidates could meet before the game if you don't meet as a group on the yard during your stay. Have a safe trip!</p>
<p>Dad2b'2010: looking forward to hearing all about it! Maybe your son will be able to shed some light on the "stuff" question!</p>
<p>We already have a mail confirmation for Nov with details - not much by the way, just the paper like NASS which is your admission to the Yard and telling you when to arrive/leave....and it sounds like they basically expect you to 'be gone' by 11 am. I even emailed the Navy Football Boosters and asked if some of the CVW kids might hitch up with them to attend the game and they replied the kids might like to walk there from the Academy....which the mids do....but not too practical with travel gear.</p>
<p>It's only one overnight...how much "stuff" do plan to bring. A sleeping bag and a hike pack or back pack (anything with at least a shoulder strap) should be easy to handle to/from the game and you could certainly find someone to store your "stuff" in their car or such during the actual game. I think a candidate by themselves or with other candidates would have absolutely no problem gathering support at the pre-game tailgate. Simply...NOT A PROBLEM...Navy is a FAMILY, and I don't see members of that family leaving serious USNA candidates adrift!</p>
<p>shawna-
I'm laughing....have visions of "legally blonde" and her caravan of "Stuff" trailing behind her!.....but after seeing some of these posts, its obvious the guys don't see things the same way as the gals, and the need for "stuff" varies widely between the two... (our son will take next to nothing, a toothbrush and a razor if I am lucky)...but we do have a daughter that did "official visits" to her schools a few years back, I appreciate EXACTLY what you are asking, and will give this my best shot....(mind you, I am hoping the academy will send their own suggestions)....so here's some thoughts:</p>
<p>Pack very light (as light as you can)...bring things that coordinate with what you are already wearing down that can be mixed&matched for the next day.....just (the one pair of) very comfortable shoes you are wearing down....add a pair of cheap flip-flops for the bathroom/showers (you don't want to be coming home with anything you did not arrive with).....small "trial size" toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and deoderant (not the big bottles)....better yet, if you can wash your hair before u go down and "let it go" for one night, even better (just elliminate that "stuff").....limit makeup to just gloss and blush (can even fit in your pocket...if you even need it at all)....a hairbrush and a clip to put it up (will elliminate the need for any other hair-stuff)....PJ's and maybe a light jacket or sweatshirt (that you can wear rather than pack)...a long scarf around your neck (can double as a hat)....something to listen to on the way, and you should be all set....bring your wallet and ID, but leave the pocketbook behind...pack your cell (but make sure to turn it off until you need it for the way home, if you need it at all)....a pen and a small pad to jot down any info you might want to remember...</p>
<p>you should be able to get it into one small backpack that would be great (or a very small overnight or, even better, an over-the-shoulder tote or fabric bag )....those things can go with you anywhere. </p>
<p>Instead of a bulky sleeping bag, get a "sleeping sheet" (L.L. Bean has them) or better yet make your own....one queen sheet, folded width-wise, and sewn across the bottom and 1/3 up the side.....fold down and and stitch one of the "free ends" at the top to create a "pocket" for a pillow....which, for $2, you can get an inflatable one at most bath stores that are very soft and can just slip in to the space, and when deflated, is smaller than a matchbook! The whole thing can be rolled up into "nothing," and if you use a flannel sheet to begin with it will be nice and warm too!...our daughter used hers up in Colgate in the middle of winter and did just fine....(and our son wants one-minus the pillow-cause he thinks it will save him from making his "rack" every day!)</p>
<p>so see? not so bad at all! As for the game- no doubt there will be lots of company to sit with! You can always sit with us!</p>
<p>Although the visit is officially over at 11 am, and you will not be allowed back into Bancroft after that time, there is no reason why your hosting mid can't keep your bag in the room for you to pick up after the game. You can still walk onto the Yard (with a driver's license ID of course) and your hosting mid can just bring it downstairs for you. </p>
<p>The issue is whether your host will have liberty after the game, in which case he/she may not be going back to the Yard until much later. They will know this ahead of time and, in that case, you could just ask a mid who on duty that weekend to help out. Mids on duty have to return to Bancroft about an hour after Blue and Gold is sung at the end of the game (approx 5:30 to 6pm for a 1:30 kickoff game). Since a good percentage of the brigade is on duty every weekend, this shouldn't be too difficult to arrange. </p>
<p>Much would depend on your schedule after the game and whether you have time before heading to the airport. Of course if you are staying in a local hotel Sat eve., you can leave your bags at the desk there between 11 am and gametime, and then check in after the game.</p>
<p>oiixxg- is it customary to give the hosting mid a small thankyou? (like a care package) or something along those lines? any suggestions aside from a thank you note following the visit?</p>
<p>Great question -- I've never heard any mids mention gifts, but I'll find out and let you know what I hear. </p>
<p>By the way, if any of you who are visiting hear yourselves refered to as "drags" don't take offense! It's Academy slang for visiting candidates and doesn't in any way mean that you are an imposition. (Years ago the term "drag" was used to refer to a midshipman's girlfriend, and "drag houses" were the rooming houses that visiting young women stayed at in town. Guess the term evolved over the years to mean a visitor in general.)</p>
<p>navy2010 - haha, thanks for all those creative suggestions! now i have that Legally Blonde scene in my head too . . . yes, for the most part girls do see it differently from guys. of course, i wasn't planning on bringing my whole closet or anything, (i'm not a "girly girl"), but i want to have what i need. i know, i know, if i'm going into the military i need to learn how to pack light and make do without EVERY little thing i'm used to . . . lol. i can deal. :-D
oiixxg - that's definitely good to know; i was wondering if a mid could do this for me, but i didn't know if it was usually done or not.
thanks everyone!</p>
<p>bostonusmc- "girly girl" is ok too...just as long as you are "motivated, down right motivated!" ....just be who you are, and shine! Just be sure to go "au natural" with the nails (trimmed and clear gloss....now is not the time for tips and gems on your digits!) But now that I think about it again, definately pack the lip gloss- not only will you look great, (feel feminine and all that), but your smile will "shine" and it will be protective as well! LOL!!! Have a safe trip!</p>
<p>navy2010: Here's your answer. Gifts from drags are neither customary nor expected. An email thank you is nice, but don't be let down if the mid you bonded with doesn't have time to write back -- its nothing personal, they're just busy.</p>
<p>My son went last year; his mid left him a note wishing him well and offering to answer any questions he had. Then my son sent him an email; the mid wrote back so anything's possible. A gift, I would think, is not necessary.</p>
<p>Really...gifts would be inappropriate... -CWV's are official Navy business and gifts to mids could be misconstrued as a bribe!</p>
<p>Afterall, this is not your average civilian college tour... at least it is not supposed to be. :D</p>