<p>I've seen the flyer for the Alumni Assn lunch on the parade field for parents, family, and friends (10:30-12:30 @ $15/person). </p>
<p>Am I imagining things, or do I correctly recall reading / hearing something about a Superintendent-hosted event for just parents as well? If so, I hope it doesn't conflict with the Alumni event.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Dream on.... ;)</p>
<p>If it is the same as in years past, the picnic consists of a hotdog, chips, cookie and soft drink. A bit of a steep price for what you get if the menu stays the same. You could certainly decide to wander around in town, get a great lunch and go back and hang out with the parents at the parade field without deciding on the $15 picnic lunch. Besides, if the weather is consistent with years past, you may be looking for a bit of air conditioning to give you a break in the day. There is usually a briefing by the administration after lunch. HOWEVER, if there is one thing that you can count on with the current leadership is that they may just throw you a curve ball and do things differently than in the past.</p>
<p>I'm trying to recall . . . but was there a charge for this in previous years? I don't remember paying a per person charge but, rather, being hosted by the USNAA for the hotdogs and chips.</p>
<p>Supt's speech was in teh afternoon? Say 1p.</p>
<p>But, you are correct, this Supt does not seem to care much for parent interaction.</p>
<p>That would have to be one heckuva good hot dog for 15 smacks!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great idea of a nice lunch in town in air conditioning respite. Tagging-up with the sweaty parents ~ 12:00 for a little socializing sounds like the right game plan.</p>
<p>Yea, there was charge, but not $15. I doubt this year's is that either.</p>
<p>Oh yes, it's $15 a head. (I've already paid it!) Info is on usna.com.
[quote]
A light lunch, soda and snacks will be served.
[/quote]
Guess light lunch=hot dog.</p>
<p>I guess you could say that $15/head is a bargain. They are charging $20/head for the Alumni Picnic during Commissioning Week. Needless to say, we have decided to skip that event. Maybe a trip to Cantler's would be a much better use of our time.......piles of crabs on a picnic table overlooking the water. No contest. BTW, I do believe that we did not pay anything for the picnic 4 years ago. Given the menu, it seems like an event that the Alumni Association could put on for the class without charging. Instead, it seems to have turned into a bit of a fundraiser. Perhaps they have had a few difficult budget years.</p>
<p>Last year's picnic was $5 a person, but I think that was a discounted price if you joined the Alumni Assocation. </p>
<p>It turns out we used that membership for discounted Army/Navy game charter buses from Annapolis and a pre-game party at the Camdem Yard Club. (last year's game was in Baltimore, this year's is in Philadelphia)</p>
<p>Although I agree $15 is a little high for a hot dog lunch, I can guess at the AA's reasoning. First, you cannot possibly guess at the number of people who will attend. There are not just parents involved, but also siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. So, the best way to get an accurate count is to involve money up front. Second, if you did a free picnic, and they ran out of food because of a bad count, the same people will be complaining that they ran out of food. I contribute $$ each year to the AA and I am not sure funding a picnic is on the top of my list for how funds should be allocated. I am always fearful of the response to this board if graduation had to held indoors due to weather and only parents would be allowed to attend. Of course, it will be the Administration's fault that they cannot squeeze 15,000 people into Alumni Hall or whatever venue is used. It will be a long four years for your Mid. Don't start it off by complaining about the price of a hot dog.</p>
<p>Well-said, grad/dad!</p>
<p>Our kids are going to be getting a top-notch education tuition-free. What's $15 for a lunch?!</p>
<p>$15 is pretty steep in my book. Considering there will be 8 of us there that day, I'd have to drop $120 for a picnic lunch - Ouch!</p>
<p>Be assured, this is one event that is highly "missable." As already noted the chow is tube steak and trimmins ... and you'll be hottern bejesus ... lucky if you can get a chair ... and it'll most likely be out in the sun (or rain). The only program was a bried "howdy" from the Supe and Dant talking to the masses from the gazebo ... you can still partake in that minus the weenie. </p>
<p>This is a non-issue if it's at all an issue.</p>
<p>Just thought I'd update this thread, now that the picnic is history... we went and all enjoyed the lunch very much. Yes, it was a hot dog, but it was one of the best darn hot dogs I've ever had, and it was hambugers too (you could take both) + the chips, cookies, watermelon and drinks. And they gave all the parents very nice, large canvas tote bags that say "Proud Parent of a Naval Academy Midshipman" on them. The bags alone are probably worth more than $15. And we found great seating on the bleachers, in the shade at the edge of Worden Field. And we were sitting there with people that we discovered are the family of a plebe who is in the same company/platoon as my son, so, of course, we exchanged email addresses. All in all, very much worth the cost.</p>
<p>Over the next four years, you will find that nothing at USNA is 'cheap'. However, most events are both planned and executed very well. And when attending them, they are usually memorable for one thing are another, often something totally unexpected. So if one wants to complain about the heat, the crowd, the expenses, the food selection, etc., feel free. However, I, like grad/dad, think you will find the four years more pleasurable if you suck it up and attend them. You can spend private time with your mid when he is home on leave. Be a part of the whole atmosphere. Soak it up. Besides, any profits, if any, will be funneled back into the Brigade or the Academy.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Be a part of the whole atmosphere. Soak it up.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>USNA69- could not agree with you more!!!!</p>