<p>One of my main concerns regarding my daughter wanting to go to West Point was my belief that it was a very regimented, disciplined atmosphere, without the opportunity for her to be a teenager and have some fun experiences.</p>
<p>Now that she has completed Beast and her first semester, I now know that these young adults will find a way to have fun - even at a military academy.</p>
<p>I have heard of (from my d, other parents and postings):</p>
<p>Spirit Missions in the middle of the night to dress statues
Laundry cart races
Using cardboard to sled down the hill near Trophy Point
Body surfing at the Dave Matthews concert
Pillow fights - see utube
Ring ceremony traditions - see utube
Mattress surfing down the barracks' stairs (with protective gear of course)
Moving SA exchange students furniture outside the week of games</p>
<p>Okay - I've started the list. Now let's hear more, so that the candidates applying will know that they're not going to be regulated every waking moment and miserable all the time.</p>
<p>We watched the 6 hours of "Surviving West Point" over break. We saw a good bit of fun! Also, we are passing around Absolutely American. We are all getting a small glimpse of what awaits.</p>
<p>My son is also a plebe and had a good first semester. I would add the following to the above list:</p>
<ol>
<li> Plebe Parent Weekend.</li>
<li> Going into New York City on a Russian Class trip.</li>
<li> Going to Florida with the Military Ethics Team.</li>
<li> Going to the Air Force Academy for the USMA/USAFA football game.</li>
<li> Going to Baltimore for the Army/Navy football game.</li>
<li> Going into New York City for a Womens Basketball game.</li>
<li> Home football games, especially the Tulane Game.</li>
<li> Army/Navy week activities at West Point.</li>
<li> The Christmas Dinner/Cigar Smoker in early December.</li>
<li> Learning to play raquetball.</li>
<li> Inter-Company sports.</li>
<li> Hasn't happened yet, but when he returns getting to ski and snowboard.</li>
<li> Ordering pizza with his "group" from Schades.</li>
<li> The Dave Matthews Band Concert.</li>
<li> Going with the History Department to civil war battlegrounds.</li>
</ol>
<p>There are probably more that I could add, but as you can see that m y son left the post five or six times and had a blast. It is amazing to me the friendships that cadets develop during their plebe year.<br>
14.</p>
<p>A few fun things that my plebe has done first semester:
-Retreat to Camp Buckner in late August.
-History Dept. trip to Antietam in Sept.
-Dinner at his sponsor's house.
-Pass to NY City over Labor Day weekend and Veteran's Day weekend (earned an extra pass by tutoring other cadets).
-Dress up as a Ninja and fight the Ninja Turtles for Halloween (see youtube).
-Fill an upperclassman's room with newspaper.
-"Birthday parties" for upperclassmen (one thing they like to do is drag them in the shower and cover them with condiments).
-Huge snow ball fight between companies.
-Go to the movies on post.
-Infantry Tactics Club
-And of course many things the other parents mentioned...Army/Navy game, home football games, A-day weekend, Plebe Parent Weekend, Dave Matthews concert, pillow fights, many spirit missions.</p>
<p>He said the holiday dinner and cigar smoke was probably the most fun he has had at West Point so far. They really cut loose that night - decorating, lifting the tables up with upperclassman on top, singing, throwing food, etc.</p>
<p>Memorable experiences for my Cadet include singing the National Anthem with the Glee Club at a Yankees playoff game and a trip to NYC to see a couple of shows with her WONDERFUL sponsor family. (Parents: You will be so very, very thankful for the Sponsor families who play surrogate mom & dad to you cadet. Our family has been truly blessed with her sponsors.)</p>
<p>We are also anxiously awaiting the soon-to-be-released Trace Adkins CD on which the Glee Club was invited to sing backup. What an experience that was!</p>
<p>And, as has been mentioned before, the relationships they form with fellow Cadets are amazing. </p>