<p>So I notice that day two of orientation they have various trips planned for parents. I'm not inclined to do any of them because I recently had ankle surgery and a lot of walking can be a problem, so I'm sort of wondering if I'm going to miss out, or how many parents actually do these trips. (And...why don't they have some kind of social event for those of us who can't be hiking around?)</p>
<p>The idea of staying at the hotel reading books in bed is actually pretty darn appealing, as I hardly ever get to do nothing...but I am wondering what is typical. Only one of us will be accompanying son down since the other will have to hold down the fort at home.</p>
<p>I saw that, too but don’t think I will sign up since my husband and I can find plenty to do on our own. I like to have my own schedule. I don’t think you’ll really miss out since there will be things for the parents on day one. And if your ankle feels okay, there is plenty to keep you busy in DC. All of the Smithsonian is free. Although, I will admit, the hotel and book sounds appealing, too!</p>
<p>About 10-15 parents go on every trip (sometimes more on the Platinum Tour). The trip to Annapolis includes a tour of the US Naval Academy and a boat tour of Annapolis (boat trip not free). Then you go to lunch at a cool restaurant (also not free). The perk of the Annapolis tour is that you get to hang out with an OA and Gerry, the Director of Orientation, who is quite the personality.</p>
<p>The DC tour involves a lot of free time to look at the museums…something you could always do on your own. I think you eat at Gordon Birsch.</p>
<p>The Platinum tour is for hard-core parents who want an extended walking tour of campus. It’s like 3 hours long, which can be too much when it tops 90. You eat lunch at Adele’s, which is our on campus restaurant.</p>
<p>We did the walking tour and lunch at Adele’s. But I did not get the sense that the majority of the parents participated in any of the tours that were offered.</p>
<p>We took the trip to DC and enjoyed chatting with other parents over lunch. Found out what types of laptops they planned to purchase-- that sort of conversation.</p>
<p>DH and I sat through all the classes and talked to other parents on day 1 and had had quite enough of it by the time the day was over. We enjoyed our evening out and overnight in the hotel and met up with DS as soon as his second day was over. I think that was early afternoon so we had checked out of the hotel and had lunch before picking him up. That let us hit the interstates south before the real rush hour started. I didn’t feel like we missed anything by not going on the group activities.</p>
<p>I went to both D’s orientations, and skipped out on the day 2 activities both times.<br>
The first time I stayed in the hotel and did the reading thing until they kicked me out. Then I went and did the “reading thing” at Stamp, and met D there when she got finished. For the 2nd D, husband was able to come too and we went off on our own and did our thing. We skipped out on a few of the day 1 meetings the 2nd time around, and I talked with several parents who stepped outside to enjoy the nice day at the same time I did during those!</p>
<p>I was looking for information on Orientation and what seminars or events were listed for parents when I noticed a fee of 60.00 per person. Is this a fee that is routinely charged? Any comments from former freshman parents as to whether it is worth 120.00 for two parents to attend? My husband and I are curious of parents’ opinions. We are not new to visiting the DC area, so need to know if the activities are worth the money.</p>
<p>Seniormom2: I thought the classes for parents were very worthwhile. DH and I are not strangers to DC area either, I had done a lot of research on Maryland and we already had kids in other colleges. But the Orientation makes you think about issues that you may not have considered. I thought the Campus Police presentation was the best, but I learned quite a bit in the classes on campus life, financial matters and the professor’s perspective. There were other parents who seemed to find everything a surprise so it was very eye-opening for them. </p>
<p>IMHO the $60/person was worth it. I thought it was applied back against the student account but I might be thinking of the Spring Open House fee, so I’m not sure.</p>