Summer Seminar – A parent’s perspective

JJ2016

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Messages
23
I started to write a more detailed description of our weekend, but I think these notes and observations are shorter and more concise.
  • Super Shuttle from airport works great - $80 for 3 people in town car (tip included).
  • A last minute night addition - $80 Marriott, priceline. At check-in, we upgraded room for $20; 5th floor with view of the dock. Marriott was great, especially for proximity to Gate 1 and food. Stored luggage with valet after checkout (had to switch hotels).
  • DS believes he’ll find out everything he needs to know during NASS – not interested in any tour with mom & dad.
  • Planned on attending an admissions brief only to find out it is what we saw in Milwaukee and DS would see again as part of NASS. We did however meet an admission officer that was nice, approachable, and willing to sit and answer any question we had.
  • DS originally planned on entering about noon, 10:59 he entered the doors. Very nice mid basically told us to say goodbye and have a safe drive home. Very hard on one parent – didn’t bother DS.
  • So, as non-military people, first time to Annapolis, we learned nothing about NASS or the USNA as part of this experience.

Post DS departure
  • DW and I went to the Visitor’s Center multiple times during the weekend each time spending only a little more money (trying not to go overboard in the event things don’t pan out).
  • We took a paid tour. The insight the tour guides provided was wonderful. Our guide was a graduate of 63 years and a day. The Chapel was closed all day due to the five weddings.
  • Women of Annapolis wear really big shoes (maybe it was due to all the weddings).
  • The museum in Preble Hall was amazing… for me. DW enjoyed the rest. If you have ever built (or thought of building) a model this an amazing display.
  • It was exciting to see the sea wall and green torpedoes, but don’t recall seeing any green benches.
  • A jogging mid (assumed) politely asked if we needed help. We must have looked lost.
  • The pool is a sight to see. Two Olympic sized pools end to end with seating over the middle.
  • We visited every store on Main Street spending lots of money.
  • We were amazed how many people had dogs with them.
  • Some people have a lot of money tied up in boats.
  • Coming from the Midwest, food was good, but different (and expensive). Crab cakes taste like a tuna fish sandwich. Drydock turned out to be good comfort food.
  • Two additional nights spend at Loews (100/night). The room was fine, but there were no upgrades and we stayed right on the street. It was a longer walk to Gate 1 (via Main Street shops of course which means more shopping).
  • No contact with DS except a 2 minute call to report his CFA results. I wonder if his GF is also in the dark.
  • Annapolis is wonderful in the morning; crowded by noon; insane at 5pm.
  • $80 cab ride back to BWI. Concluded that there was no need for car staying in DTA.
  • Looking forward to hearing what DS has to say about his week, but knowing him,” it was fine” is all we’ll get.
 
Please do not take this as a criticism of any sort, just an observation.

You spent $160 on transportation to and from BWI. Using Hotwire, I have always gotten a compact car for less than $20 per day, usually less than $15 per day. I always get small cars when driving into Annapolis due to the tight parking. Even paying for parking, I think you would come in under $160. As I said, just an observation. Plus, I like having my own wheels, but then I am from the Detroit area. I suppose it is personal preference.
 
JJ ... hindsight's 20-15, and any one of 300-500 on here could have forewarned you about your parental NASS experience. Oh well. No sweat.

Still, as has often been said, in the event your DS receives an eventual appointment, be prepared for the most expensive "free" education ever. :eek: And it's worth every dime and more.
 
No offense taken by any stretch. This was our first time to Annapolis. I'm sure we did 1000 things wrong but we had a great time - just a matter of setting the correct expectations. I've read many things from the participant's point of view but not so many from a parents. I'll assume smarter people will continue to add to this (both do's and don'ts) and the next first time timers will have some idea what to do.

Thank you all for your continued insight to this process.
 
Someone must have spotted you as a tourist and sold you tuna fish labelled as crabcake, because there is no possible way, even in the farthest stretches of the imagination, that a true Chesapeake Bay crabcake can ever be described as tasting like tuna fish. :eek: :biggrin:
 
Someone must have spotted you as a tourist and sold you tuna fish labelled as crabcake, because there is no possible way, even in the farthest stretches of the imagination, that a true Chesapeake Bay crabcake can ever be described as tasting like tuna fish. :eek: :biggrin:

I was thinking exactly the same thing when I saw the OP say this.
 
If you decide to rent a car, realize that hotel parking in Annapolis can be very $$ and you won't need the car in town. There is public parking -- but not sure it's open 24 hrs, not sure about security, and it's a bit of a walk (not too bad) from the hotels.

As the OP realizes, the most important value of NASS is for the applicant. In my day, there was no NASS and, for CVWs, no parents' program at all. Now, USNA realizes the benefit of providing some education and information, especially for non-military parents and/or non-alums.
 
I just wanted to say that you aren't the only parent who can't rely on much of a description from the kid that just went through a fascinating experience.

glad to know we aren't alone in this frustrating fact!

don't know if ds will have the chance at NASS much less the USNA, but if he ever does, I assure you, we'll only hear, "it was fine, mom," just like you all.:wink:

hope you get to learn more and more with an appointment in the future!
 
My DD Summer Seminar

We sent her alone, we went to candidate visit weekend, we are going to I day as well as parent visit weekend in august. But that first visit was hers alone, we felt she needed to experience it herself. she loved it and it was all about her. Just what we did, no criticism of any one else's choice.
 
Interesting comments... our dd applied, was accepted and went to NASS without us even understanding what it was. Good reinforcement on how independant our DD is. Having said that it reinforced her desire to attend and even though rejected year 1 she as accepted on the 2nd app.

For NASS.... my recommendation is to not overthink it..
 
Please do not take this as a criticism of any sort, just an observation.

You spent $160 on transportation to and from BWI. Using Hotwire, I have always gotten a compact car for less than $20 per day, usually less than $15 per day. I always get small cars when driving into Annapolis due to the tight parking. Even paying for parking, I think you would come in under $160. As I said, just an observation. Plus, I like having my own wheels, but then I am from the Detroit area. I suppose it is personal preference.

NASS is for the kids NOT THE PARENTS so I am wondering why parents even go.
 
Last edited:
There could be lots of different reasons. I think most parents visit college campuses with their DS or DD to get a feel for the school. Even though it is ultimately their decision, most childern want and appreciate their parents input.
 
For NASS, DD took everything anyone on this forum had recommended (max amounts of shorts, shirts, blankets, even a small room fan). NO WAY she could have taken it all on a plane!

Lesson learned: On I-day, she carried the absolute MINIMUM items anyone on this forum had recommended. All was (still is) well!
 
Dropped son at Airport, received a text two days later say it was "not bad", which is code for he's having a great experience. He's on his own
 
Like very few, maybe none others ... this is THE summer camp where dreams become ever-clear and hatched!

Never will I forget the rousing, near-standing O Admiral Rempt, then Supe, got from 2006 NASSies and there parents at Session 3's closing ceremony, in his noting, "And the REALLY GREAT NEWS about pursuing appointment and graduation to the Naval Academy and commissioning in the United States Navy or Marine Corps is that our grads have 100% EMPLOYMENT!"

While that observation was enjoyed and appreciated even then, little did we know how much it would mean in 2011 with over 40% unemployment among recent college grads ... and not a chance for any BO bennies since they've never had a job from which to be furloughed.

The lesson for each constituency might include recognizing actions have consequences. Some work out better than others, it seems.
 
JJ, My son typically gives me no more than a sentence at a time, and that's when we are "chatting". There were two times in his life when my less-than-communicative son couldn't shut up. One was after a mission trip to Botswana, the other was after NASS...Can't wait to hear if yours gives you a blow by blow after his Nass experience!
 
There could be lots of different reasons. I think most parents visit college campuses with their DS or DD to get a feel for the school. Even though it is ultimately their decision, most childern want and appreciate their parents input.

I agree but NASS would not be the appropriate time for that (IMO). It is a time for students to experience USNA on their own. Part of the experience should be getting there. I think that many parents shelter thier kids to the point that they do not know how to do thing that 17 year olds should know how to do, like find their ride at the baggage claim area.
 
I agree but NASS would not be the appropriate time for that (IMO). It is a time for students to experience USNA on their own. Part of the experience should be getting there. I think that many parents shelter thier kids to the point that they do not know how to do thing that 17 year olds should know how to do, like find their ride at the baggage claim area.

I agree it may not be appropriate for you and your family. I'm just saying some parents may use it as an opportunity to check out the Naval Academy and the town of Annapolis for themselves. It may have nothing to do with how competent their DS or DD is at traveling by themselves.
 
Funny

Our DS is there now, our text messages are about 3 words so don't feel bad. Actually, I'm glad he's that busy and feels that secure to not have to talk much to us. We were going to go and vacation there at the same time but we did that last year and saw everything already. Annapolis is a tourist town so there's plenty to do and the entire coastal area is tourist friendly.

This is his 3rd week gone this summer already; West Point SLS, Boys State then NASS. Coast Guard in July. I can say that it's a good thing if your DS feels comfortable enough to not have to fill you in on everything. Don't worry, if he's not busy he's probably sleeping. That seems to be a common theme with these leadership camps...fatigue and sleep.

I do have some minor negatives but will keep them to myself. Overall, he's having the time of his life and is really enjoying NASS. He gets yelled at today so we'll see how that goes. :yllol:

DC/Baltimore area gets expensive so I'm not surprised it cost you some. The Baltimore Harbor area is plenty fun to do and not too far.
 
Back
Top