<p>R Day for the Class of 2011 at the United States Military Academy is 112 days from today. Hard to believe in less than four months the future cadets will be gone.</p>
<p>An exciting time for sure. Hopefully everyone is running, breaking in low quarters and boots, conditioning feet by doing hikes, doing everything they can to stay healthy, and managing to find time to have fun :)....</p>
<p>The booklet my D received in her packet gave a list of things she will receive on R-day, and also what to bring. But on some of these postings there are suggestions for other things (wet wipes, bikini underwear for hikes, antibacterial body wash, etc.) that have proven to be helpful during Beast. I'm also assuming that she'll need to take her own feminine hygiene products.</p>
<p>Is the list in this booklet the only things she can bring, or is there a little wiggle room? Can she bring some of the items listed above, or will they be confiscated? If they're confiscated, do they get thrown out, or will they eventually be returned to her?</p>
<p>Thanks for any guidance.</p>
<p>Now would be a good time for the Parents of Cadet Candidates to contact their local parents club. They are a great source of information and support. Here is the the West Point Link </p>
<p>The West-Point.org web site also has a link to plebenet. Also a great source of information.</p>
<p>I will be at the West Point Parents Club of Long Island table at Eisenhower Hall on R day. Looking foward to one of our Nations great days.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion to contact your local parents club for support and information. That said, in the past the list provided was the MINIMUM that USMA suggested cadets bring, although you will never see it written like that. There are different thoughts on taking more than that, but there are items that others have found useful, such as those you have seen here. Unless the items are specifically proscribed (OTC meds, etc) within reason they will be allowed to keep what they bring -- as long as they are willing to tote it around on R-Day!</p>
<p>wpmom2011: This thread may be useful to your daughter
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=189698%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=189698</a></p>
<p>My understanding is that on R-Day the cadre have a list of "allowed items" . New cadets are given a short time in which to take out the things they are allowed and keep them with them during Beast - everything else should be left in their bags. There is some wiggle room, and as has been mentioned lots of debate about taking extra "stuff". I know my son took a few extras (sock liners, masking take to cover his knowledge book etc.) Two things that should not be taken are cell phones (can leave them in your bag in lock up during beast), and non prescription meds.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the information. All of your postings have been invaluable and much appreciated by those of us New Cadet parents. I've had two sons leave for college, but helping my D (my youngest) get ready for WP has been quite an experience. It's been helpful to read other parents' postings and to know that when my tears start to flow I'm not the only parent who has "been there, done that." Of course, while I'm reading some of these postings, I start to cry for those parents and my D thinks I'm losing it. LOL </p>
<p>I haven't yet contacted the local parents group, but plan on doing it soon. Have also run across postings from bzzzt. Her details have been truly wonderful.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>I'd like to echo what cobia has said. Please reach out to your local parents' club. Because of privacy issues your names will not be provided to the clubs. </p>
<p>Future cadets: please provide the link to your parents or get the info for them if they don't do much with computers.</p>
<p>Parents: you will find these clubs very helpful as you go through the next 4 years.</p>
<p>In many areas of the Country the local Parents Clubs have a picnic or similar event in June for the cadets that will be entering West Point that year. It is my understanding that the picnic is attended by parents of current cadets as well as some current cadets, who offer advice that is extremely helpful to the soon to be cadets and their parents. We have already gotten an email regarding the picnic in June for North Texas kids who are accepted for the class of 2011.</p>
<p>There is another list you really should look into joining also. You can subscription info at <a href="http://www.west-point.org/parent/prospective-net/%5B/url%5D">http://www.west-point.org/parent/prospective-net/</a>
It is for prospective cadets and including those newly accepted.</p>
<p>Looks like R Day is in 85 short days. Any ideas on what to do in the area on the Sunday before R Day with the family? Are there any must sees in the area?</p>
<p>FWDAD: Relax and enjoy the day together - R Day will be long and stressful for your new cadet. There is usually a picnic in the afternoon on the grounds of the Episcopal Church in Highland falls. We enjoy the small town of Coldspring across the river from WP. The waterfront area in Newburgh is also nice.<br>
What an exciting time it is for all of you - good luck.</p>