Plebe Parents Weekend

I can't seem to find much official information about Plebe Parents Weekend other than the days it will occur. What exactly is it? I've tried searching around, but I can't seem to find anything about the purpose of the event. The only reason I ask is because I am unsure as to whether or not my parents will be able to make it, and I want to inform them to the best of my ability as to what the event will be. What happens if your parents don't come?

Did you look on USNA.com? Not sure if it’s there or not, but I-day events are. We have registered on the site, so not sure if it’s available to anyone, or only if you have created an account.

SRJ said:

I can't seem to find much official information about Plebe Parents Weekend other than the days it will occur. What exactly is it? I've tried searching around, but I can't seem to find anything about the purpose of the event. The only reason I ask is because I am unsure as to whether or not my parents will be able to make it, and I want to inform them to the best of my ability as to what the event will be. What happens if your parents don't come?

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Plebe Parent weekend is time for Plebes to meet with family members. You will be granted liberty (you can leave the yard but must return at night) There is a lunch formation and you are released after that. You can travel upwards of 30 miles from the Yard. You must remain in USNA uniform or PT gear when off the Yard. This is the first time you will be allowed in town during Plebe summer. (not counting your trip to the BB game)

If you do not have parents there you can go to town with squad or company mates or with some and their parents. It's not required that your parents attend. We took an international student we'd come to know out to eat for obvious reasons.

Good luck to you. Be strong and lend a hand to your mates when you can.

Adding to what @helmsdown wrote-- PPW will be the first time plebes will be able to spend time with family since Iday. For some it would be the only time to be with family until Thanksgiving or Christmas. The PPW schedule is pretty much the same year to year. On Friday plebes are released on liberty after noon formation. For families there is typically a brief in Alumni Hall in the morning where a plebe summer video is shown (later available on Youtube.) There are various displays etc. set up in Dahlgren Hall-- and there may be patrol boat tours. Families can choose to eat in King Hall with their plebe (must buy a ticket), and see their plebe summer room. Some plebes want to do that, while others just want to get away from the detailers and the yard and eat non King Hall food-- take long hot showers in a hotel-- and sleep. My Mid wanted us to see King Hall and his room, then we left the yard. We appreciated that very much. Keep in mind that the only other time family members can see their Mid's room is 2/C parent weekend. Plebes much be back on deck Friday night around 11pm or so. Saturday plebes are on liberty after the formal parade and also have to be back around midnight. Sunday liberty typically begins at 0800 and ends 1800. As helmsdown also wrote, there are a number of parents who do not make it to PPW. Some plebes are able to tag along with other "adoptive" families, or they get away as a group of company mates etc. If your parents can make it, all will enjoy the weekend. If they can't you'll be able to enjoy time away from the yard with your USNA friends. Good luck with Plebe summer!!!

We did the King Hall lunch and DD took us up to her deck and introduced us to some of her detailers. As soon as that was over we bolted to our hotel where she promptly changed and slept. Sleeping was the priority of the weekend.

SRJ said:

The only reason I ask is because I am unsure as to whether or not my parents will be able to make it, and I want to inform them to the best of my ability as to what the event will be. What happens if your parents don't come?

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It's certainly OK if your parents can't come, but if they have the financial means and can get the necessary time off I highly recommend that they go to PPW. Plebe summer is stressful for the Plebe and parents and PPW is a great opportunity to reconnect and for your parents to get some insight about your new life. You will really want to get off the Yard by then as well. Even though you'll have to be back each night you will really appreciate the time away from the Yard. They will want to book a hotel soon to be as close to the Yard as they can afford. Getting back each night in time can be stressful if the hotel is far away and you hit traffic. There are several hotels that are a short drive and a few within walking distance.

Good luck.

Lot of older threads about PPW. You can read those to see what others have discussed in the past.

Agree 100% that, if your parents can make it, they should. Other than Commissioning Week, this is the one event not to be missed. You should have a sponsor by PPW, so staying with them is an option if your parents can't attend. O/w, as noted, someone will invite you to tag along.

The "big events" for parents are the morning briefing on Friday, noon meal formation on Friday (it's really impressive if you've never seen it), the plebe parade on Saturday, and the ability to see your room. More importantly, since you've had only three short phone calls with your family since I-Day, it's a chance to see each other, catch up in more than snippets, etc. And, while hard to explain/quantify, it's neat for parents to see the change that has come over their plebe from that somewhat cocky/somewhat nervous person on I-Day afternoon and the more confident, military member you've become.

We rented a house near gate one since High School roommates and all siblings were coming for PPW. DD said no way we were going to eat on the Yard, just get me out of here and let me take a shower and sleep. Noon Meal is great to see. Rental was good since we had a deck and backyard where we could grill and hang out. It was also cheaper than getting a lot of Hotel rooms.

Just wanted to expand slightly on 2MidsDad comment about the exhibits in Dahlgren. During 2016 PPW, each academic major had an informative table set up, staffed by current mids in that major (usually a rising 1C). Many had a professor or two in that subject as well at that table. Parents can see the courses their mid will take if they choose a particular major and ask questions about all the majors. You won't officially declare your major until spring.

USNA Museum is a great place to visit and spend a while. Check out the Ships carved from bone ivory.

PPW was so important for our family. DS showed me his room then couldn't wait to get off The Yard. We spent time at the Mall, eating "regular" food and A LOT of time in the hotel suite with the AC cranked and he and his sister playing video games (yes, I brought a Playstation).

If your parents can make it, they should.

We brought brother and sister. We all stayed at Sponsor's condo. (Sponsor was a college fraternity brother of mine.) We all saw his room and then it was off the Yard as quick as possible.

Had a great time hearing all about Plebe Summer. S spent a lot of time playing online games with his brother and hanging out in the condo pool. A lot of great meals.

For those who do not have a credit card in your own name yet, I recommend turning in the form at NFCU in Bancroft for their special deal for USNA Mids before heading off the yard during PPW. Not that you need that much, but at the request of the Dant, they have increased the credit limit to start at $4000 as a Plebe. If you only use it for what you need, and pay it off every month, imagine what that debt to credit ratio can do for your credit rating/score. But I digress...

Looking for a little more detail on the schedule for PPW so that we can get the correct logistics set up. A bit confused as the USNA website says PPW is Thurs. Aug. 9th - Sun. 12th, with more details to follow (been that way for months). Everything above says the plebes aren't out until Friday. Trying to figure out if we need to travel in Wed or if Thurs travel is ok. We don't live close so it takes a couple of hops to get to MD. Any input is appreciated.

There are some things for the parents to do on Thursday. For example, the Mid Store is open. There might be an outdoor band concert. That sort of thing.

Plebes aren't free until Friday. Thus, traveling on Thursday is fine, provided you're there by noon Friday. For your return, consider leaving Monday morning (vs. Sunday). You will be hard pressed to make a Sunday evening flight.

Here is a link to a schedule from a few years ago. The dates will be different but the activities are largely the same from year to year.

https://www.usna.edu/PlebeParentsWeekend/_files/documents/4CPW_Schedule.pdf

Good points above.
Get your Mid Store run done or any other touring you haven’t done previously, such as the Museum or Chapel. You plebe will want Off The Yard Now, and won’t want to invest precious town liberty time in on-Yard things. Maybe show you his or her room.

Perfect! Thanks as always