<p>sunshine...I don't know why they ask you to sign up in advance, but don't worry, you are not held to any choices you might put down.....in fact you can list multiple options. My son listed nordic skiing, basketball, and wrestling for winter as well as possible guitar and being in a play. I think they just want some sort of idea of the numbers. You can certainly choose when you get there.</p>
<p>I don't know why they are doing the preseason this way....it certainly does not seem convenient for the families. I think we should say something as NMH usually is quite receptive to the needs of its students and families.</p>
<p>Hsmomstef: Does your family like camping? If so, you could check out the DAR State Forest campgrounds in Goshen, MA (not too far from Northfield), or other State run campgrounds in Western Mass., of which there are quite a few. </p>
<p>Our family doesn't camp much but folks we know who do have loved camping at DAR.</p>
<p>Also, NMH has their own guest house at the Northfield Campus. I believe it is a bed and breakfast...you could inquire about that.</p>
<p>Regarding preseason....there will definitely be other jv players there. I just asked my son about it. He said it's not like you get special training or anything, but it does give the coaches an opportunity to get an early look at the players. They do make cuts, so it could be a good way to ensure you actually get the jv spot. It is also very intense (I don't know if they think kids haven't played over the summer, but it is like they are trying to get people in shape).</p>
<p>keylyme - is your son going to the preseason soccer camp?</p>
<p>smile dog -- thanks for the suggestion on camping, we actually love to camp. Unfortunately, it will just be me dropping him off -- and I don't want to camp by myself. </p>
<p>keylyme -- I thought about the guest house, but I am wondering what I will do for 4 days. My mom is going to see if she can swing the cost of a plane ticket and meet me there. We thought that we might go check out Providence, RI. I am just hoping that plane costs don't skyrocket -- I don't have the funds to buy a ticket right now.</p>
<p>as far as selecting co-curriculars -- I called and asked and they said to just indicate what you might want to do and you can switch, etc when you are there. they are just trying to get some idea of numbers (which doesn't make sense to me -- like debate and mun, they are limited to something like 25 kids -- so they already know that the numbers will be 25.)</p>
<p>It looks like my son will be taking Freshman English, Religious Studies and Honors Geometry fall semester if they don't change things around.</p>
<p>Stef - Providence has some nice areas, and is not too far from Boston, so that would give you a whole lot of things to do. Plus, if you miss looking at schools and the whole application process, you could even start looking at some of the many colleges in the area.;)</p>
<p>Awesome. Thank you keylyme and stef.</p>
<p>stef....you have to visit Yankee Candle....about 20 minutes south of the Mount Hermon Campus. I think it is exit 25 off of 91South.</p>
<p>warriorboy....yes, my son is planning on attending preseason camp. This seems very different from last year, though. Last year, it was not so formal....no paper application, no COST. I also think it probably was a lot more jv players. This year the paperwork indicates it is for potential varsity players so to only attend if you think that is where you stand. My son tells me that normally the school has had a preseason in May for the previous year's varsity team; I think this is more similar to that (or a hybrid of the two).
Last year the preseason began later (?Aug. 25th) and registration was held the same day. This year, I think one of the reasons they are starting it earlier is so that there is not a conflict with student leader and peer mediator training (those both start on August 25th). Also, it is on the Northfield campus. Maybe they are planning on being busy with construction up until the last minute?</p>
<p>I just re-read my post (which i posted very late and was tired). I stated last years' preseason camp was in May (I meant Maine...the state). Then, there was an invitational (verbal) preseason at the school that began on August 29. Last year it was flip-flopped....student leader and peer mediation training was before preseason.</p>
<p>keylyme - I may just call Jim and ask him if my son should attend the preseason soccer. </p>
<p>hsmomstef - how did you figure out what classes your son was taking the first semester. I have the list of classes, but I can't figure out which semester???</p>
<p>Ditto to warriorboy's most recent comment. I can't tell which classes I'm taking first semester and which I'm taking second. How did you figure it out?</p>
<p>She probably went to the NMH website and clicked on "Parents". Then click on "NMH Online". Plug in your screenname and password and you can access your child's schedule. Kids can access the NMH blackbaud site using their password.</p>
<p>warriorboy....calling Jim is probably the best idea; the paperwork does say to call the coaches if you are unsure.</p>
<p>Actually my son signed on the the nmh network (the same one he signed on to sign up for classes).</p>
<p>You can select fall semester or spring semester once you get to the class list.</p>
<p>Let me know if you need more specific instructions and I will post it step by step -- I was surprised that it was already up.</p>
<p>What electives did you/your student end up with? My son will be doing Acting second semester.</p>
<p>I did all the same thing that you did (Steph) and I have his list of classes, but when I click on Fall or Spring it doesn't tell me when the classes are. He is taking the computer elective and of course Arts Foundation. He is scheduled for Honors Geometry and Honors Spanish II, but I still have to mail in the Spanish placement test.</p>
<p>I got it! I clicked on fall term instead of fall semester. He has A -Religious Studies, B -English and C-Geometry during the first semester. That's the same schedule as your son, hsmomstef. I wonder if they are going to be in the same classes.</p>
<p>stef:</p>
<p>I've been away for the last few days (packing up SmilePup1 to send him to Beijing for the summer - yikes!); totally makes sense not wanting to camp by yourself! The only person I've ever known who actually enjoys doing that is my dad, and I think he was really meant to be a hermit (think Thoreau and Walden Pond).</p>
<p>Here's another suggestion. It doesn't remove the need for renting hotel rooms, but it's something fun to do (BrooklynGuy made me think of this with his suggestion about visiting colleges): the last night of the MainStage production at the Williamstown Theatre Festival is Sun. Aug. 24. After you drop off your boy at preseason, you could head out Rt. 2 to Williamstown (where Williams College is). It's about an hour west of Northfield. You could see the play (called "Home" I believe). Williams also has an amazing art museum. Then you could take a trip into So. Vermont, go to the Bennington Pottery factory, continue up to Manchester, VT and go to the outlets up there (to purchase all those things that your son will remember he needs only after you've left home). It could easily eat up 4 days. Gas money will be spent (oh yes it will!) and hotels, but it would be a nice jaunt through lovely country.</p>
<p>Thanks for the great suggestions -- I am going to take a look at a map and make some plans.</p>
<p>There is an outside chance that I won't end up having the money to take my son up to drop him off -- depends on how much extra $ I can make this summer and how much gas and groceries just keep going up. As much as I don't want to, I may end up just sending him to school on his own. I am guessing that it will cost me about $1500 just for my plane ticket/hotel room/food/rental car/gas -- and that is probably a low estimate. Once I add in costs for supplies, clothes, etc -- we just may not be able to do it.</p>
<p>So some kids (other than international students) ever go without parents? He will be going to the pre-season football camp, so he will have met some kids and made some friends. I just hate to miss it!</p>