FutureAVIATOR_USNA
Future MIDN
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2022
- Messages
- 45
Running is super helpful for your CFA as it is a big part.
Help me start grooming my freshman high schooler
- Thread starter srstacey
- Start date
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,857
"Grooming" or even encouraging can be a rollercoaster. During a time when women weren't allowed to attend SAs, my mother suggested I consider it. I mentioned that women couldn't attend, but she (wisely) said, "They will one day." By the time women were admitted, I had rebelled at the thought; NO WAY did I want to attend a SA. This happened in part b/c I thought she was pushing me, when in fact, she was simply making me aware.
Memorial Day WE of my junior year in h.s., the first class of women graduated. I watched it and said, "I could do that. I WANT to do that." After that, it was entirely my decision. I'm not sure either of my parents was all that excited about their only DD attending a military academy. But they realized it was now MY dream and supported it.
Kids who will be successful at getting into a SA and successful at a SA will naturally do the "right" things in h.s. You can't force a kid to like STEM. Maybe the kid is destined to be an opera singer or composer. You can force a kid to like sports, let alone certain sports. You can't even force a kid to lead.
IMO, it's about providing opportunities. If at all possible (realizing it's not for some), get you kid into a h.s. that offers challenging core courses in math, English, etc. Expose your kid to various sports -- hopefully, he will find one or more that he loves and support camps and tournaments as you're able, financially and time-wise. Give him the opportunity to join clubs or participate in other activities (e.g., scouting) that provide leadership positions.
A friend of mine has a really, really smart daughter (academically). She's also great at X-country. However, her passion is ballet -- and she's exceptional at it. She's actually considering postponing college to do ballet for a time. The point is that parents can provide opportunities but the kid has to embrace his/her future.
Memorial Day WE of my junior year in h.s., the first class of women graduated. I watched it and said, "I could do that. I WANT to do that." After that, it was entirely my decision. I'm not sure either of my parents was all that excited about their only DD attending a military academy. But they realized it was now MY dream and supported it.
Kids who will be successful at getting into a SA and successful at a SA will naturally do the "right" things in h.s. You can't force a kid to like STEM. Maybe the kid is destined to be an opera singer or composer. You can force a kid to like sports, let alone certain sports. You can't even force a kid to lead.
IMO, it's about providing opportunities. If at all possible (realizing it's not for some), get you kid into a h.s. that offers challenging core courses in math, English, etc. Expose your kid to various sports -- hopefully, he will find one or more that he loves and support camps and tournaments as you're able, financially and time-wise. Give him the opportunity to join clubs or participate in other activities (e.g., scouting) that provide leadership positions.
A friend of mine has a really, really smart daughter (academically). She's also great at X-country. However, her passion is ballet -- and she's exceptional at it. She's actually considering postponing college to do ballet for a time. The point is that parents can provide opportunities but the kid has to embrace his/her future.
A1Janitor
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2018
- Messages
- 6,513
Awesome post.
My niece just quit college and is with a ballet company in Chicago. So talented.
PaigeM
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2022
- Messages
- 47
I wish I had started prepping for this sooner. He can't start too early. The SA's only consider things from Freshaman through Junior year. Regardless of SA, these are great to get involved with as early as possible:
I've been told these HS sports are HIGHLY regarded..water polo, swimming, track, cross-country, and crew.
Also, he should be considering these during the summer.
USNA - Summer STEM (grades 9-11) https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM.php#fndtn-panel1-Attending
USNA Summer Session (summer rising seniors). Admissions for this usually opens up in early January. You have to pay close attention this one and get your application the day it opens...it fills up fast. https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel1-Steps-For
USMA Summer Leaders - https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
USCGA Summer AIM - https://uscga.edu/admissions/aim/
USAFA Summer Seminar (registration open now) https://www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/high-school/summer-seminar/
Plus these SUMMER Camps would great experience and look great on the applications:
www.armyandnavyacademy.org
www.xmccamp.com
www.militaryonesource.mil
Norwich Youth Leadership Conference - https://www.norwich.edu/ylc
Norwich Future Leaders Camp - https://www.norwich.edu/flc
Norwich Leadership Challenge Weekend - https://www.norwich.edu/lcw
I've been told these HS sports are HIGHLY regarded..water polo, swimming, track, cross-country, and crew.
Also, he should be considering these during the summer.
USNA - Summer STEM (grades 9-11) https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM.php#fndtn-panel1-Attending
USNA Summer Session (summer rising seniors). Admissions for this usually opens up in early January. You have to pay close attention this one and get your application the day it opens...it fills up fast. https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel1-Steps-For
USMA Summer Leaders - https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
USCGA Summer AIM - https://uscga.edu/admissions/aim/
USAFA Summer Seminar (registration open now) https://www.academyadmissions.com/prepare/high-school/summer-seminar/
Plus these SUMMER Camps would great experience and look great on the applications:
Summer Camps For Teens | Summer Leadership Programs| Army And Navy Academy
Summer camps for teens with JROTC, aviation, computer science, and ESOL options. Click to learn more about our summer leadership programs for middle and high school students.
www.armyandnavyacademy.org
Extreme Military Challenge | United States | #1 Military Summer Camp
Summer Military Camp For Ages 13-18 from all across the USA. Learn leadership, self-discipline and confidence from experienced staff. Not a correctional camp.
www.xmccamp.com
DOD Summer Camps for Military Children • Military OneSource
Keep your military child busy, engaged and having fun this summer with Department of Defense summer camps. Learn more.
www.militaryonesource.mil
Norwich Future Leaders Camp - https://www.norwich.edu/flc
Norwich Leadership Challenge Weekend - https://www.norwich.edu/lcw
Gotta love the disclaimer.Extreme Military Challenge | United States | #1 Military Summer Camp
Summer Military Camp For Ages 13-18 from all across the USA. Learn leadership, self-discipline and confidence from experienced staff. Not a correctional camp.
My son did this one. SAME is the Society of American Military Engineers. He loved it. It was a great experience. He had to write an application for the scholarship, travel on his own to California and write an essay about the experience. When we picked him up at the airport he said he wanted to enlist because "officers don't do anything." The camp was designed for Academy and ROTC aspirants, but was run by retired Navy Chiefs. Good luck with the grooming thing.
STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps
SAME’s STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps offer high school students interested in a highly unique STEM experience the chance to spend a week at a military base learning engineering, construction and design, while developing leadership skills and discovering the potential of a career in STEM.
www.same.org
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,857
One way for kids to see if a SA is even in their ballpark is to attend a sports camp at one or more SAs. It's mostly about the sports. But you can't help but get glimpses into SA and military life. Some kids see it and run for the hills. Others embrace it.
STEM camp is mostly targeted at kids who show STEM promise but are in a situation (school, geo area) where they don't get a lot of STEM encouragement. It's super-competitive and the "best" (as in strongest grades, scores, etc.) aren't always the ones selected.
Ditto for NASS. Many posts on this topic but it's also a recruiting effort, not a pre-selection for USNA. Definitely apply to other SA STEM and summer programs -- some MAY have different goals in selection and some may be less competitive in your particular region.
Finally, over the last 25 years, I've had many candidates receive appointments who had no military in their backgrounds (family, ECAs, camps, etc.). And many who were very active in military-type things (e.g., Sea Cadets, JROTC) who were turned down. The reason for doing military stuff in h.s., is to help determine whether a SA or the military is for you. It is absolutely NOT NECESSARY to earn an appointment.
STEM camp is mostly targeted at kids who show STEM promise but are in a situation (school, geo area) where they don't get a lot of STEM encouragement. It's super-competitive and the "best" (as in strongest grades, scores, etc.) aren't always the ones selected.
Ditto for NASS. Many posts on this topic but it's also a recruiting effort, not a pre-selection for USNA. Definitely apply to other SA STEM and summer programs -- some MAY have different goals in selection and some may be less competitive in your particular region.
Finally, over the last 25 years, I've had many candidates receive appointments who had no military in their backgrounds (family, ECAs, camps, etc.). And many who were very active in military-type things (e.g., Sea Cadets, JROTC) who were turned down. The reason for doing military stuff in h.s., is to help determine whether a SA or the military is for you. It is absolutely NOT NECESSARY to earn an appointment.