R Day - Who Attends

Adding to Bigtalker's question...

Is it recommendable to get a hotel room for R-day if we live within driving distance? About 2-3 hours away.
 
Anyone can come to R day...several families show up with quite a crowd. It's a long day and physically/mentally draining. If you live within driving distance, know that you might have a 6 a.m. report time. Do you want to get up and leave by 3 a.m.? It's up to what you and your parents want to do. They won't leave until after the parade, late in the afternoon, but plenty early enough to drive back home.
 
Bigtalker-
There is no limit to the number of people that can come to R-day. I would recommend you ask the cadet candidate who they would like to be there. Also R-day is just one day, not a weekend. Did you mean A-day weekend (at the end of Beast)?

Sealion-
I guess that depends upon the report time your candidate has and how early you want to get up. The report times start around 6 a.m. and you have to allow extra time to get through the gate, park, and get to Ike Hall.
 
My son said goodbye to me in the driveway and headed off for R-Day on his own.

I did ask if we could show up for A-Day and he was happy to see us! :wink:
 
100% sure that even though my son may want that, there is no chance that my wife would go along with that. I am sure it will be a very emotional, but supportive ride to West Point.
 
Support is key...best of luck to your son and you! There are no right or wrong decisions when it comes to attending R-Day.
 
I've been asking myself a similar question...My son received his appointment yesterday (I almost attacked the mailman when I saw him coming up the walk with the package-LOL!)...our first thought was to have DH take the trip with him this spring for an overnight visit (it's about a 4 hr drive)...then all of us (including 12-year-old DD) would go for R day...then DH and I (and maybe DD) go for A day weekend.

But...now I'm thinking it might be better if we all go when he does the overnight, so we can have a more leisurely experience checking out the area, etc. without the crowds of R day...then, hubby and I could take him for R day (without 'dragging' our 12-year-old around all day)...then the three of us could go see him for A day weekend. Anybody have any thoughts on that?
 
I've been asking myself a similar question...My son received his appointment yesterday (I almost attacked the mailman when I saw him coming up the walk with the package-LOL!)...our first thought was to have DH take the trip with him this spring for an overnight visit (it's about a 4 hr drive)...then all of us (including 12-year-old DD) would go for R day...then DH and I (and maybe DD) go for A day weekend.

But...now I'm thinking it might be better if we all go when he does the overnight, so we can have a more leisurely experience checking out the area, etc. without the crowds of R day...then, hubby and I could take him for R day (without 'dragging' our 12-year-old around all day)...then the three of us could go see him for A day weekend. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Your plan sounds like a good one to me. :thumb:

Many congratulations to your son! :yay:

(Be sure to check out prospective-net and your state's West Point Parents Club.)
 
I've been asking myself a similar question...My son received his appointment yesterday (I almost attacked the mailman when I saw him coming up the walk with the package-LOL!)...our first thought was to have DH take the trip with him this spring for an overnight visit (it's about a 4 hr drive)...then all of us (including 12-year-old DD) would go for R day...then DH and I (and maybe DD) go for A day weekend.

But...now I'm thinking it might be better if we all go when he does the overnight, so we can have a more leisurely experience checking out the area, etc. without the crowds of R day...then, hubby and I could take him for R day (without 'dragging' our 12-year-old around all day)...then the three of us could go see him for A day weekend. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

Congrats on the appointment!

We took the 12 y.o. to R-Day, then didn't take him to A-day....and really regretted it when we had to leave him home bravely holding back tears about not getting to see his brother.....he was a sad puppy....
 
Is R Day weekend a family event or just parents?

Anyone can come. Many kids fly in alone with the WP package. Some bring one parent and others brought extended family. If family members have never visited an want to come - it is a great day.

Adding to Bigtalker's question...

Is it recommendable to get a hotel room for R-day if we live within driving distance? About 2-3 hours away.

SeaLion - get a hotel room and drive up the day before. Last year R-day was on a Monday and we drove up Sunday. It was nice and relaxing. Highland Falls is full of families and nervous New Cadets.

One recommendation - IF you are flying in from a long distance - I suggest planning on arriving two or three days prior.
Last year quite a few cadets were late because of delayed/canceled flights in the mid-west, due to thunderstorms.
Yes, delays can happen in the summer.

If you live within one-two days drive, I strongly recommend driving instead of flying.

R-Day is a great day, no question. It isn't all that emotional for the NC and their parents because they are gone so early. All the parents I saw were pretty happy and upbeat. There are plenty of things to do to keep busy until the parade.

Again - IF you can only make one event - R-Day or A-Day then pick A-Day. No question.
 
Just-A-Mom said:
It isn't all that emotional for the NC and their parents because they are gone so early.

Will the NC have any additional contact with their parents at all on R-Day? Should we say our goodbyes as soon as our son gets in line?
 
Will the NC have any additional contact with their parents at all on R-Day? Should we say our goodbyes as soon as our son gets in line?

No contact after your 60 second good-bye in Ike Hall. Say your long good-byes before you get in there.

You may see your NC from a distance but that is all. Whatever you do, DO NOT call out his/her name. You don't want to add extra unwanted attention by the cadre.
 
Sealion,

You will be waiting in line with your son. Depending on your report time you could be together waiting for quite some time. Everyone is in the same boat, and there is an excited/proud/nervous energy in the air. During the wait time for 2011 they actually had a juggler entertaining the line. After waiting in line you will enter the auditorium in Ike Hall and receive a short briefing from USMA personnel and then get your 60 second good-bye. Both my guys turned that into a 10-second "see ya" and walked away immediatley :eek:. You definetely want to say your real good-byes well in advance...

After saying your good-bye you should plan to go into the ballroom (also located in Ike Hall) where there are various information booths set up as well as lots of opportunites to part with $$$ for souveniors, football tickets, etc!
 
and then.....you spend the rest of the day playing "Where's Waldo?" If you are lucky, you will spot your new cadet marching somewhere, typically looking like a deer in the headlights! The goal is to snap as many pictures of as many cadets as possible. When you get home, you will share the links via plebe net, and then you will spend hours and hours per day looking at everyone's pictures hoping to spot your cadet. This all happens before you get the first letter, while you are worried sick and wondering if he/she is OK. While this did take up a good amount of time, it was fun to later share these pictures with my cadet!
 
...and then you will spend hours and hours per day looking at everyone's pictures hoping to spot your cadet.

Oh yes, and then your hubby comes in and says "you are STILL on the computer!" You finally spot your cadet and print the picture, only to find out on A-day that it isn't him. :redface:
 
R-Day If in Area; Must Do

If you can swing it try not to miss R-Day. But for the ride to West Point, your time with the New Cadet is minimal and how swift the parting drives home the enormity of the choice. Wait for a long time to file into Eisenhower Hall by the time slots given, brief words, and then a huf and then the New Cadet is gone.

Good time to get your bearings around the campus for the rest of the day.

And then an amazing transformation takes place as the New Cadets march in for the oath taking. Again the seriousness of what is going on is driven home. Later your son/daughter will complain how disorganized R-Day was but you will see and absolutely amazing transformation.
 
Our entire family went last year for R-Day, mom, dad, little sister, older sister and niece, older brother, his wife and two kids. We got there on Sat. for Monday R-day. I am so glad we all went, got to explore Highland Falls on Sunday. After he reported on Monday morning we spent the day touring West Point. Then saw our new cadet in the parade. After that we all went to NYC for a few days before going home. Just the parents went back for A-day.0
 
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