R-day is the worst day to visit in the four years you are there. R-day would be worse than wasting a ticket....
As parents of an incoming swab, we too are bringing Grandma to see our daughter off. We were told there is a fulll day of activities on the Sunday before R-day such as picnics, chapel services, and parent group meetings. We were planning on sight seeing in the area such as the Mystic Aquarium on Saturday. Sounded like a nice weekend together before she leaves. On R-Day there are parent programs offered by the academy while the swaps are suiting up and learning to march for the first time.
Is it just R-day that's bad or the entire weekend, and why?
If it's like last year, I wouldn't call Sunday a "full day" of activities. Other than walking around the campus after the Sunday AM church services, there is really nothing to do until they open up Chase Hall around 4PM for the tour.
Last year they also opened up the cadet wardroom in Chase Hall for a "welcome" dinner (you will get info as to how to order the tickets for dinner) but some of the sports teams also had meetings during the dinner so all were not able to attend. Your swab will also get a chance to meet some of the other swabs in his/her company on Sunday evening, as well as find out who their roommate will be and where their room is.
There is a lot to do on R-day, but not with your swab. After they leave Leamy Hall and get on the bus, you won't talk to them again until after the Swearing In oath and the class photo on the parade field, and then only for 15 minutes.
After they leave Leamy Hall, you can head to the auditorium at Leamy where there will be a speech by the Superintendent, the Commandant, the AC Dean, the Athletic Director, and the president of the Parent's Association. Most of the academic buildings will be open for you to tour, but if you missed the barracks tour (Chase Hall) the day before, forget it, it's closed to you today. The local PA sponsors a lunch at Leamy Hall (you can buy the tickets on R-Day) and all of the PA's will have tables set up in the Alumni Center to sell their USCGA-branded merchandise (tip - bring cash). You can also join the national PA and your local PA while you are there.
There is (
semper gumby) also a helicopter search & rescue demonstration over the Thames in the afternoon, you can see it from the patio behind Leamy Hall.
Tip - pick a place on the parade field to meet your swab after they are dismissed from the class photo - you only have 15 minutes, don't waste it running around looking for each other. Don't pick the flag mast, as EVERYONE else will - try
"the 2nd tree on the right when you face Hamilton Hall" or something like that so they can find you quickly. Have a cold drink and perhaps a snack for them, they will appreciate it.