Parent Weekend Questions

[USMAMom]

I have read through the Parents Weekend info, and I can't find the answers to the following questions.
1.) I read somewhere on this forum that we can bring dinner to our cadets on Thursday night at/near the chapel. Does anyone know what time the cadets can visit with us on Thursday? I asked my son (via email) and he doesn't know anything about this.
2.) I have also read somewhere that the cadets are allowed to stay with us on Friday night. Does that include 4th class cadets or just upperclassmen?
3.) Does anyone know what time the North gate opens on Saturday before the game? We are hoping to start tailgating early , but I am afraid that the gate won't be open until 8AM, and there will be a huge line of cars like on Acceptance Day.
Any info would be very much appreciated. We are getting very excited about this weekend!
Thanks!

[dohdean]

In past years, C4C cadets have been allowed to meet their parents and picnic on the Chapel grass (this doesn't mean you can't walk with them any further than the Chapel grass -- just means that is an easy place to meet). Timing depends on last class and whether your cadet is an IC athlete. My daughter's 4th class year we met at about 5 pm and she was able to stay outside until about 6:30 or 7. This is squadron dependent also. Friday night cadets are allowed to leave (assuming they are not in some trouble for some reason, or an athlete who is not allowed to leave, etc.) after the Squadron Open House -- this is printed at page 13 of the Parents' Weekend handbook under the heading "Squadron Open Houses" ("After the open houses, cadets are free to join their families for the evening"). As for when you can return on Saturday morning, the same section of the handbook states "All Second, Third and Fourth Class cadets must return to the Academy for accountability formations by 9:30 a.m. Saturday." These "accountability formations" are held (I believe) at the squadron tail gate area by the stadium -- in other words, your cadet and you drive to the Stadium (with your cadet in proper uniform) and they check in with one of the upperclassmen who marks them present on a clip board. That doesn't answer the question of the exact time the gate will open, but does tell you the time that your cadet needs to be there for check in -- ask at the gate on your way out on Friday night -- hopefully the guard on duty will know the time for Saturday a.m. -- but no guarantees.

[the tone]

Good info, thanks. If the 4th year cadet does not go off the Academy on Friday night, how do they get to the football field to check in?

[Christcorp]

They are bussed from the cadet area.

[USMAMom]

My C4C son forwarded me an official looking email that said cadets (didnt specify 1st,2nd, and 3rd class like the other info) will be released after lmd or Squadron Open Houses on Fri until Sat AM accountability formation, so maybe this year the C4Cs can stay with us on Fri?!? It also said the North gate will be open at 0530 on Fri, but no info on Sat AM opening.

[CAP Commander]

Per my C4C, he stated that he had to be back by TAPS on Friday which is kind of a bummer. He's an IC (runs Cross Country) and we'll actually be going to his meet in Ft. Collins on Friday at 6PM but was hoping we could "collect" him after the meet and go straight back to the hotel. I'm hoping he's mis-informed. Wouldn't be the first time!

[CAP Commander]

Strike that! Now he's telling me that he can stay with us on Friday and needs to back to the Academy by 9:30Am on Saturday. Ah...the life of a Doollie!

[EagleDriver]

FYI parents- When my DS was a doolie, we had the opportunity to shadow him on Friday to his classes before football practice. It was an experience to remember to shadow him around and watch the quality of instruction our cadets were getting. My wife is a HS Math teacher and she was particularly interested in his Calc. class. the ratio of cadet to instructor was awesome. 9:1 and the instruction was exceptional. I would highly recommend shadowing your cadet to some of their classes. This is something we always do when we go up for Parents Weekend. And oh by the way...your cadet will probably want to just shack up in your hotel room and sleep in for a while. Also go shopping for ski equipment. Funny how the Sports authority has a HUGE sale on ski stuffs. Being from Hawaii...we had to get everything for our son. He reminded us how much its "costing" us for his education so spending some money on a snowboard and outfits was cheap. LOL...