Labor Day Cadet "Goodies"

J

Jerseymom

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2014
Messages
19
So from what I have read on the boards is:
1. Cadets want to eat and sleep.
2.Cadets do not want to set foot in any store, so do shopping prior to picking up cadet. (Toiletries, school supplies, etc)

My questions:
1. Are Cadets allowed blankets and pillows aside from what they are issued?
2. Is there a standard watch (wristwatch) to purchase, or is it personal preference?
3. Is there anything to do locally that would be considered rejuvenating or fun? (Hot springs, tours, great restaurants--)

Thank you!
 
1. Yes; one of the first things my kid wanted was a comfy pillow and blanket to use. Often, the freshmen sleep either on the floor or on top of their bed so that they don't mess it up too much for SAMIs. Lots of kids buy good sleeping bags for the same reason.
2. Wristwatches are personal preference within a standard. I believe they need to be black/silver only.
3. We went to Garden of the Gods and Seven Falls when our daughter was a sophomore and not required to wear her uniform when she was out and about. As a freshman, i know cadets who did spa treatments/haircuts at the local Veda salon and at the big hotels (Broadmoor and Cheyenne Mountain Resort). Otherwise, they're a little bit self-conscious about going out and about, so I would be careful about planning sightseeing activities that include your cadet, but certainly other people in your family may want to get out and about.
4. Brunch at the Broadmoor is a very nice experience. Make reservations early, and you may already be out of luck.

Honestly, other than maybe one really nice dinner out, we did alot of takeout, we brought our daughter her favorite comfy clothes to relax in the hotel and bath oils and salts so she could take long baths (every day!) and we let her call the shots for the weekend. After the mandatory football game and bbq with her sponsor family and other families from our state parents club, there's really only a full Sunday...by midday Monday, they're already thinking about having to go back and will get quiet and preoccupied again, so just know that. Monday morning was the time we let her sleep in and watch TV while we headed out to fulfill the Target list and procure food. We went to an early dinner and took her back up to the Hill around 6. If you go then, you will be able to pull your car all the way up to the dorm to unload. If you try to cut it close, they will likely not let you drive up because of the congestion and you'll have to hoof it from the parking lot with all your stuff. This becomes stressful for you and your cadet. So, resist the urge to stretch the time spent with your cadet! Get them back early and you'll have time to help them get settled and they'll be able to check in with plenty of time.
Good luck!
 
Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful reply. Great advice about early reservations, if we do choose to leave hotel!
June 26 is close, and Parents' weekend seems far away. Your comment about getting Cadet back early, actually physically watching your DS regroup and get emotionally prepared to return gave me chills.
 
Thank you! This is very helpful. :)


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Open your horizon

Remember, you don't have to spend all Parents Weekend in Colorado Springs. After Saturday's football game (which ends around 3:00-ish), cadets do not need to return until Monday late afternoon/early evening. We've taken advantage of some nice hotels in the Westminster area (about 10 miles from Boulder) that are 3 and 4-star but have very low rates over the weekend because they cater primarily to business travelers. (Omni Interlocken, Westin, etc.) (We've use Priceline and Hotwire, but all discount sites will score a nice room. Indeed, we usually get our son his own room.) Boulder is a great town to explore, and there is a shopping mall. movie theaters etc in Westminster. Plus, your cadet won't constantly be bumping into other cadets. Other ideas include staying in Denver or Breckenridge (about 2 hours and change from USAFA.)
 
After BCT, I used Amazon to mail a sleeping bag and cheap digital watch. Later on, we switched out the strap on his nicer watch to black and that is what he wears now. I worried about all this stuff and then discovered that my son had a handle on most of it - I mean, the kids that go here are relatively competent :wink: He bought his monitor for his room and I sent the aforementioned from Amazon, oh yes, and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones because he was adjusting to having roommates. Seriously, after BCT, living without a conveinence while the parentals mail it is no big deal.

Also, after the football game on PW, we headed out to Breckenridge. The traffic on the way back was murder, but my mountain kid enjoyed the change of scenery.
 
Good call on getting out of town...we thought about that seriously last year and again for the upcoming PW but after consulting with our cadet we opted to stay in the area due to the traffic which is always bad that weekend. Our kid didn't want to have to worry about the drive back on a busy Monday holiday.

Also, if your kid is an IC, teams often have "bonding" bbqs or other gatherings at a coach's house on Sunday or after the game on Saturday, so you may want to think about whether that's something you'll need to plan for. It's nice to meet the other families and kids on the team.
 
Some of the most useful things my doolie year:

-Sleeping bag/mattress pad.
-Mug/travel bottle. Seriously. Probably the single most useful thing i have in my room.
-Bin for food/etc. Some way to properly store food is nice. No refrigerators until junior year.
-Computer monitor/printer
-Personal effects. Photo of family/special others, etc.
 
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