Seasoned AFA Parents, Questions!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
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<p>I put this in an AFA thread about parents coming with their child in June and realized it really belongs here: </p>

<p>D has asked us to go with her - which we are thrilled to do (of course, who wouldn't be?!). Maybe there are some CC AFA parents that can give me an idea from a parents perspective what to expect. From the above posts, I take it we bring D around 9 am (not to early, not to late kind of thinking?!) hang out in Doolittle Hall for about an hour while she sets up banking or whatever (I had assumed we would do the bank before she got there but is that incorrect? Somewhere on here y'all discussed USAA and the free ATM etc.? - remember? Or was that WP or USNA forum?) anyway, she'll hang around doing little things and then suddenly have to go upstairs and hubby and I will be hanging in the lobby with nothing to do for the balance of the day until some unknown time the following day when we can watch the oath etc? Approx what time is the oath? We have to think about things like travel arrangments for us and appropriate flight time home (sounds like we could have some serious periods of "down time" in which case, make flight home without excess "cushion"!). As long as I am thinking travel - when D signed paperwork she gave nearest airport etc. and someplace I think it said AFA will give her the ticket about 2 weeks before she leaves - so in order for us to be on the same plane, hubby and I can't make arrangements until after she gets her flight info (yeah - we get to pay full fare, no early bird super saver rates here???!!!). Technically, I guess we don't even know if AFA will fly D into Denver or Colorado. Anyway can we arrange to find out her flight info earlier so we can plan? What did some of you more seasoned AFA parents do for flight arrangements? What did you do for the rest of the day and night before the oath ceremony? We will certainly be there and can't wait but it does sound like we may spend that afternoon making HUGE signs so D can see that we are watching as she takes the oath, anything else to do - organized tours for parents or maybe a speaker or two to tell us what the adventure our child is about to embark upon will entail etc....</p>

2

<p>We also accompanied our D to In-Processing. We all went out several days early, as a last "family vacation". We took cog railroad up Pikes Peak, and went rafting, hiking, and exploring together. The night before, we went to dinner at The Broadmore and celebrated InProcessing and her birthday (one month early). The morning of in-processing, D went thru her bookbag one last time, to ensure everything she needed was there (cheap watch, calculator, sports bras, paperwork), and everything she didn't need (extra clothing, toiletries) was removed. We arrived at Doolittle Hall around 9:00, stood in line, heard a welcome speech from a representative of the AOG (Assoc of Grads), and went into Doolittle Hall. There were various tables set up with banking info and signup, cadet clubs, curriculum guide, and other academy-related info. We said our last goodbyes, and she went up the stairs. Then we moved to our appointed photography positions, and waited. Most of the new basics came down stairs 25 to 45 minutes after going up, in groups of 20. From that point, they were accompanied by upperclass cadre, and not allowed to speak to or acknowledge their family. They were led along a Heritage display outside, addressed by a retired graduate, and led over a bridge onto the bus that would take them to the cadet area.</p>

<p>After the bus departed, we went back inside Doolittle Hall for a short time. We ate lunch and attended an info session for parents in Clune Arena at noon, which involved a video of previous BCTs, discussion of what BCT would involve, and Q&A. After the session was over, we went to the Visitor Center and picked up some souvenirs. We took some pictures from the overlook west of the athletic fields, and went back to the hotel for swimming and relaxing.</p>

<p>The next morning, we arrived at the Chapel Wall at 7 am; we found out our D's BCT squadron and found a spot on the wall across from where her squadron would form up (there are small signs lettered A thru I). We did not take/make a sign. We could see squadrons being drilled in marching in the distance. At 8, the squadrons marched in, flag ceremony was completed, speeches made, and the oath administered. Then the basics were marched off to Arnold Hall for briefings.</p>

<p>We flew back home that afternoon. I'm very glad that D wanted us to go, and that we were able to.</p>

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<p>09Mom_USAFA - Thank you - that is what I was looking for, a semi-blow-by-blow of events. The cost for us is considerable. We already plan to go to Parents Weekend (room already reserved!). D asked us to come to I-Day so we need to make financial choices. I had it in my head that we would do no more than hang around and say good bye on I-Day and be out of there by 10:00 am with nothing to do until the next morning for another hour of waiting for a 10 minute ceremony to begin. You gave me much more information, which I appreciate, and now I-Day sounds much more like something we will go to.</p>

<p>Can you give me an idea of the same data for A-Day? D has said she'd like us to go to that too (but understands the $$$ issue if we can't) some people here seam to say it is the better to go there than I-Day. By the time we fly, rent a car, hotel and food - each trip is upwards of $3k, plus lost work time (at least one day each trip for each parent), so we'd like to be able to make an informed decision on what is the best "bang for the buck" and also, of course we will do whatever D requests. We may even decide to do all three, but can't make that decision without more info about what occurs during A-Day. </p>

<p>Thanks again. Everyones input is wonderful and truly appreciated. Sometime in the not to distant future, D, H and I will sit down with the print out of all these responses/threads and make a family decision. Thanks everyone.</p>

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<p>My son is a 2dig this year so it has been awhile. He wanted to say his Good byes at home so we respected his wishes and sent him off with about four other cadets who were also flying out on the same flight. The Academy books them on the same flight if they are flying from the same geogtraphic area. We booked a hotel room for him (he received a late medical waiver so it was too late to book B&B) and he took the bus to the Academy from hotel. We did not attend A day (was not presented as an option at the time). We have had several discussions regarding his trip there alone and he has said that it was the best way for him. </p>

<p>IMO if you feel the need to go Iwould go for I day and then wait until Parent's weekend. A day is only about 3 weeks from Parents weekend and you will not have much time to spend with your cadet. I would use the time and $ to come on Thursday before parents weekend and take the chance that you can see your cadet that evenign at the Chapel.</p>

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<p>DH went to Acceptance Day -- flew to COS in the early morning, went directly to the parade, got to spend about 2 hours with D as she buzzed around getting books, class schedule, computer set-up, etc. On the other hand, the mother of D's BCTly roommate was most distraught, because she had come from NJ and did not get a chance to talk with her D at all. Squadron mandatory meeting and athletic practice got in the way.</p>

<p>Some squadrons are more flexible than others.</p>

<p>One tradition -- send an Acceptance Day box. I used the flat rate Priority Mail box from the post office, and stuffed it with chocolate, new underwear (after Jack's Valley, what they had before isn't in good shape), poptop cans of fruit, and other goodies.</p>