AIM week for parents

cathyk

5-Year Member
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Oct 30, 2011
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DD was accepted for second AIM session. We are planning on driving her to New London, spending the week then driving home. We are not at all familiar with the area and would appreciate suggestions on very reasonabe lodging and "must see" things to do. Can we tour the Academy grounds and museum during our stay, or is it only available on Friday? Thanks for your input. (am I even posting this on the correct thread?)
 
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There is a list of area hotels on the Parent's Association web site that honor the "Coast Guard Academy" discount, just let them know you are staying in conjunction with the CGA and you will be able to get the rate, no "proof" will be required. Ask when you book the room.

The academy is an "open" campus, all that is need to enter is a valid ID (driver's license). The buildings, however, are not all open, and you will not be able to enter some of them without a cadet escort or in some cases not at all (i.e. Chase Hall, where the cadets/swabs/AIMsters live) is not usually open to visitors except on special occasions. On Friday, Billard Hall is where the Engineering Competition will take place, you can come and go as you please and observe your AIMster as they compete in the challenge. Their "graduation" will be in Dimick Hall (all the way on the other side of the campus, bring comfortable shoes).

The museum is located in Waesche Hall, the same building that houses Admissions and the library (lol) and that building is always open for visitors. It's not very big, you could probably see everything in the museum in less than an hour. Up on The Hill (where the Superintendent and Commandant live) is the Hopley Yeaton memorial and the Chapel, both worth taking a look at, and the sailing center down at the waterfront (Jacobs Rock) is also a nice place to get some great waterfront pictures.

As for the town of New London.......go visit Mystic, Providence, or Boston.
 
Definitely visit Mystic...there are some nice restaurants out on the waterfront and some decent shops to go through. Mystic Seaport is also decent. My family and I always stay at the Hyatt or Hilton is Mystic...its a nicer area and farther away from the Academy. There really isn't much to do in New London in terms of vacation. If you like hiking, try out Devil's Hopyard...its a state park in East Haddam, CT. Providence is about an hour away from the Academy and is nice as well.
 
Don't forget to add the Sub Base at Groton on the list. The Submarine Museum is a good way to spend a couple of hours, and USS Nautilus open for a walking tour. You'll get a pretty decent taste of what life aboard a nuke is like.
 
Newport R.I. also has a lot to see and do. It is also about an hour or so from New London.
 
Aim visit

Two of the world's largest casinos are not far from New London. Lots of shopping,dining and entertainment inside the casinos, even if you don't play it can be a fun visit
 
AIM Lodging

I would suggest that you make a reservation at the Waterford Spring Hill Suites - about 2 miles from Academy. The staff is great and the rooms are reasonably priced, clean and the breakfasts are free.. We stayed at the Spring Hill suites when we dropped off our DS on R-Day this past year and returned from Fla 5 additional times to visit. We already have booked for Parents Wknd in Oct '12. Good luck and hope that you have a great AIM experience.

Sculler Dad (DS Class of 2015)
 
Hotel Rate Caution

There is a list of area hotels on the Parent's Association web site that honor the "Coast Guard Academy" discount, just let them know you are staying in conjunction with the CGA and you will be able to get the rate, no "proof" will be required. Ask when you book the room.
The Residence Inn by Marriott at Mystic is on the list. Yesterday my wife made reservations there for when our scholar son will report in July. She was informed that the discounted rate could not be given unless a government ID was presented.
 
Admissions tour

Do we want to schedule a formal Admissions briefing and tour on Monday, or will we see enough on Friday? We do not want to interfere with DD's week.
 
We are not at all familiar with the area and would appreciate suggestions on very reasonable lodging and "must see" things to do.

Over the years we have had nice meals at Tony D's Restaurant at 92 Huntington ST in New London (Phone: 860 443-9900, recommend reservations), and Capt. Scott's Lobster Dock at 80 Hamilton ST in New London (Phone 860 439-1741, no reservation needed) is always a good spot for lunch.

I would also recommend the Connecticut College Arboretum just across the street from the Academy. Nice walking paths and a nature pond that is open to the public.

As for lodging in New London, the old Holiday Inn within blocks of the Academy has been converted to a new Clarion Inn and renovated. They also have a "Coast Guard Academy" rate but you have to call the hotel and ask for it -- it is not a rate listed on the hotel web site (860) 442-0631. If you don't mind spending more money and a longer drive, then the Hilton Garden Inn in Mystic is very nice.
 
The Residence Inn by Marriott at Mystic is on the list. Yesterday my wife made reservations there for when our scholar son will report in July. She was informed that the discounted rate could not be given unless a government ID was presented.

This has been resolved. A CGA associated visit will receive the discounted rate.
 
Week 2 aim parent request

Our son is at the Week 2 of AIM july 8 - 14. Unfortunately we cannot be at the Academy to watch gradution and take part in the other evewnts of the day. Will anyone reading this be attending Friday? If so, will you be doing any filming? If so, any chance you would be so kind as to upload a copy to me?
 
follow up for goalie1050

Is anyone aware of any type of webcam used for the graduation ceremony?
 
Aim Week

Don't know if there will be a webcam but go to Paul Duddy's Facebook Page and you will see a number of AIM photos. Paul is the "Unofficial-Official" photographer at the USCGA for AIM, Swab, Academic,Athletics and USCGC Eagle---throughout the year!

Sculler Dad
DS Class of 2015 Crew
 
Thanks for directing us to Paul's FB page. I have been looking all over the web for pics...I didn't see my son but I got a glimps of what they have been doing...Thank You!!:thumb:
 
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