<p>With Parents' Weekend on the horizon, and with several members who post regularly that are planning to be on campus, I thought it might be a good idea for the members to share this website address with other parents that you meet. When my son was a plebe, there was a Message Board that you could link to from the USMMA website. I enjoyed reading just the type of things that first year parents ask, and learning so much from the 'oldtimers.' , For some reason, which I never learned, the Board was taken down before the school year was over. I only found CC by accident, when I 'googled' "Kings Point" this summer. This is a wonderful resource for asking questions, learning the 'hot spots' when in NY, and what to expect down the road as the plebes advance. Can't tell you how many times I wished that Message Board had remained available, and I am so glad I found this forum. I am sure many more parents would love to know about this site.</p>
<p>Mountaineer Mom-
The board you mention was taken down because it was basically hijacked by someone spewing profanity, and the school didn't want a link from their web page to that board. Last school year the parents coordinator sent out a link to this board to all member club presidents, at my suggestion, but would not put a direct link on the parents page because of the previous instance with the other board. Hopefully all parent club presidents forwarded the link to their members--I know our club did!</p>
<p>Last year at parents weekend I met Jamzmom! We won't be there anymore since son graduated, but I still like to read this board to see what's going on. Hope some of you can get together this year, it's really fun to meet people you talk to on-line!</p>
<p>I prefer to click on "View Full Version," then navigate. There is a
separate (but little used) parents' section.</p>
<p>The participants in the forum are parents, midshipmen and graduates.</p>
<p>I find it is a fountain of information from knowledgeable sources. Although
it is an unofficial web log, it's not particularly gossipy or negative. I
think the midshipmen know from experience not to be critical of the
administration, etc.</p>
<p>Plus, if you are wondering about something, how it works or what it means,
you just ask and you get some pretty good answers fairly quickly.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reasons for the board being discontinued. I was aware of some not so nice postings, and had a hunch that it was something that couldn't be 'fixed' in a secure way. One of my favorites that I recall, was a female who said her father was the captain on one of the ships that often had KP cadets on it. Her dad sang high praises of the cadets, and the daughter had a chance to meet some of them when she met up with her dad in port. She had an enjoyable time, and echoed her father's compliments. Stories like that make you smile, and feel the pride in having your son/daughter attending KP. So glad the Parents' Groups can mention the link. </p>
<p>Good job Altsmith! This place has really grown & will get bigger & better with that kind of help. I've had a million questions answered here & still keep coming up with more to ask. Thanks to all who post here! Three of us met at parent's week-end last year. These guys are my pals! Ya'll should really try to meet this week-end some how, some way. All the CC folks should perhaps say hello at the football game. Its really hard to find another time. They keep you going at full steam ahead the whole week-end. Wow, you guys are going to have such fun. I WANT PICTURES!!</p>
<p>And to the first time visitors to KP, bring a small part of your savings to the SHIP's STORE. It is only open a few hours Fri and Sat, I think. It was a popular place to be! We did our Christmas shopping for nieces and nephews that year in the shop. The online link to the store is only a sampling of their inventory. So,take your list of names, sizes, ideas. Between the various Parents' Tables with things on sale and the store, you'll be broke in no time!</p>
<p>Thanks QB. That guy over there is the best. I don't think he actually realizes how much he helps folks with the Dodmerb problems. Nasty Dodmerb. ;)</p>