<p>When is Acceptance Day (date,time). If a parent(s) goes to the AFA for this event, will the cadet get to spend any time with their parent(s) If so, how long? Can the cadet go into town with parent? Can it be a total surprise for the cadet?</p>
<p>Last year the '09 cadets had a few hours they could spend with their parents; however, some of that time may be taken up by briefings and such. I know that I only got to spend about an hour and fifteen minutes with my parents before I had to be back for computer training. Four-degrees aren't allowed to leave until Parent's Weekend, so going into town isn't an option. Also, it's best that you tell your cadet you're coming because it is hard to meet up with so many people there, so you should plan on a place to meet. This would be especially useful if your cadet's squad takes away their cell phones, as mine did...it ended up taking me about 45 minutes to meet up with my parents since I had to find phones to borrow and such. But, things change and there is new leadership this year, so you never know what they'll decide.</p>
<p>Just to piggyback on what BlueFalcon said, don't assume that you will get to spend time with your child. </p>
<p>If you happen to be in the area and don't have the expectation of seeing him, it's a neat experience to at least see the parade. On Acceptance Day, the basics march in an inverted wedge (into their respective squadrons. (After the parade they get their shoulder boards pinned on, by cadre members of their choice and are no longer basics.) The graduation parade is similar, except that the outgoing class marches in a wedge formation away from their reqpective squadrons.</p>
<p>As far as spending time with your son, Parents Weekend is what you can look forward to. There's a parade (if it isn't cancelled due to weather, which it is about half the time), you can go to classes that Friday with your child, go to the home football game if there is one, and then take him out for the remainder of the weekend.</p>
<p>Thanks Bluefalcon and Uncynical, your info and contributions to this forum have been much appreiciated. Is the date for this year's Acceptance parade been deicided.</p>
<p>According to the AOG web site, the Acceptance Day Parade will be 8 August (and Parents Weekend is 1-4 September).</p>
<p>Uncynical -- given where the cadets will be and where the parents are allowed, is there a good place for us to meet them (assuming that it is allowed)? Given the time limitation, thought there might be a spot that you could suggest. Thanks.</p>
<p>If it turns out you can meet them, I'd definitely recommend up by the chapel. It's easily accessible to cadets and the public, both logistically and proximity-wise.</p>