trying to finalize ppw travel plans

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>I said I would have more questions . . . I need to book flights for ppw. As I am sure with many of you, it is a balancing act. Because of other obligations we need to return as early as possible, hopefully without missing anything. I have called usna and left a voice mail asking approximately what time on the 13th that ppw concludes. I know they will call me back (they have always been great about responding to my inquiries) but I need to know asap. Several other pending arrangements/obligations are contingent on when we return from ppw.</p>

<p>So,</p>

<ul>
<li><p>does anyone know if a preliminary or contingent schedule has been released? </p></li>
<li><p>if not, is there usually a standard time it concludes?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Thanks again (and I promise I always check the archives before I post - either the infos not there or I messed up the search. :) )</p>

2

<p>As I recall, they had to be back by 6p on Sunday, which means he wanted to be back by about 4p on Sunday.
We had time to make dinner in D.C. and could have caught the last flights out if we had known.</p>

3

<p>flusna,
I'm looking at last year's schedule and it reads:</p>

<p>Sunday
6:00 P.M.<br>
LIBERTY EXPIRES FOR THE CLASS OF 2009. MANDATORY EVENING MEAL FORMATION IN TECUMSEH COURT. END OF PARENTS' WEEKEND, Class of 2009. (Inclement weather formation will be in company areas.)</p>

<p>P.S. If you think leaving them is bittersweet on I-day, this parting is even more wrenching! On the other hand, things get much better once the academic year begins.</p>

4

<p>bill,
You were there for both I-day and PPW. Which was more emotional for your family?</p>

<p>I think my plebe returned about 4:30 P.M. Some plebes returned at the last minute and were half-dressed in T-court--I even saw some plebes in formation with shopping bags. Not a good way to end that weekend...</p>

5

<p>It is posted on the academy Iday section.</p>

6

<p>Oh. . . I think PPW was much worse.
I-day was sort of like leaving them for summer camp. The separation, you figured, was for just about six weeks and, well, not that big a deal. Not too different than other trips he had taken without us.</p>

<p>The phone calls were VERY dramatic. I don't mean from the Plebe necessarily, but we were SO curious about ANY information. THE first phone call [we had been warned about the hour] just came out of theblue. The first call was emotionally charged, quick, he was clearly under a lot of stress. Nobody new what in the heck was going on, he was a bit emotional but determined to make it, etc.
The next phone call was better, getting adjusted, etc.
The last phone call was better still.
Still, it was like our little boy was at summer camp. When we left I-day, the walkoff was emotional, the calling out of names, the assembly, the parental applause. . . not all in that order . . . was all very intense. Still it was our little boy going off for camp.</p>

<p>PPW? I am not sure how to describe it. He had changed. For the better no doubt, but still, it was clear, that this was not summer camp. He had been ripped from his mother's bosom and, now, it was clear that he was adapting to it. He was changing before our very eyes. He was still very nervous about things, but, clearly, he had made it through the summer w/out mom and dad!</p>

<p>Our little boy no more. As he gave his last hugs to siblings, to grandpa, to dad, and to mom. . . it was clear that a young man was emerging. THAT is what hurt [well, I shoudn't say hurt necessarily, but since it was our first one to leave the house it was a bit different feeling than we had experienced before] the most.</p>

<p>NOW . . .what an amazing transition.</p>

<p>I am not sure it is possible to describe a parent's feelings anymore than it is possible to describe Plebe summer.</p>

7

<p>Thanks Oregon Mom. Sorry, seems I need some help. I found the I-Day Section and schedule a few days ago but I don't see where the PPW schedule is posted there. I would appreciate the link. Thanks!</p>

<p>**
I am going to base our flights on a 6:00 pm check in and assume my daughter will want to be back by 4:30 at the latest. That should work well. Thanks again everyone.</p>

8

<p>Bill - thanks for your post. You always seem to have something beneficial to add to the topic. I appreciate your insights as a parent one year ahead. Your comments above were inspiring.</p>

<p>I like the "Summer Camp" analogy - maybe if I keep that in mind I can get thru I-day w/out too much emotion! (Now, if PPW is going to be "worse", then I'm really in trouble! All the men in this family are already about to disown me!).</p>

<p>Thanks to all the parents of 2009 (and earlier) who are on here providing so much support & information. All of us 2010ers sure do appreciate y'all! (I'm sure I can speak for everyone in saying that!). </p>

<p>Wow! Only six days to go!</p>

9

<p>Oh, we'll just have to see who is blubbering more? You or the dad.</p>

<p>On one of the parent's sites, the following [paraphrased] example.</p>

<p>Imagine a riverside resort with a bridge going over the river. Royal Gorge in Colorado comes to mind.</p>

<p>Plebe summer: You child is jumping off the bridge into the frigid, rushing waters. </p>

<p>Plebe year. All the plebes are swimming toward the shore. Like tadpoles, they are part of a pack that seeks safety in numbers. At the end of the year, they reach the shore.</p>

<p>Youngster year. Shore at last. Now, I can spend a little time looking around, catching my breath, maybe getting to see more of whomever else made it to shore. I've seen some of the beach activities and its beginning to look pretty good. [And what about that stripe! The best stripe you will ever earn according to what they say.]</p>

<p>Second Class Year. I am walking around the beach, maybe even surveying the woods, lookng around, etc. I get to play that game this year? Wow! Who are all of these new people that I have to help supervise?</p>

<p>Firstie year. This beach is pretty damn nice. Lifeguarding duty is pretty sweet. The forest is looking better and better everyday. [Well, maybe just a little bit scary to think of it.] I've seen seen the road, played some of the games on the beach.</p>

<p>Graduation. Time to leave.</p>

<p>You and your child will be fine! Dad will cry more than he wants to admit. You will cry more than you think you will. Your kid will march in and out of your home from time to time. The summer flies by. The year starts. Football is fun. Thanksgiving. Christmas. It is wonderful. Then they get back on that plane with more confidence than you wish they had.</p>

<p>Having a kid leave is tough. But that is what they are supposed to do. Good luck. Have fun!</p>

10

<p>Yep, it's one craaazy ride already - An "E" ticket for sure!</p>

<p>Our state's Send-Off luncheon recently was a lot of fun. Our congressman was there and his wife said, "You'll cry when they leave, but not as much as you would if they stayed home!".</p>

<p>Cheers all! Looking forward to our PPW gathering.
Hope we get to meet some of y'all next week too!</p>

11

<p>the cadre love to scream: "you think this is summer camp? Camp Tecumseh?"
they woke us up one morning last summer playing baby beluga and other raffi songs to emphasize the point.</p>