Would you mind giving examples of the weekend activities? DS will be applying this fall, so only a 20% chance I'll use the info, but I'm still curious.I would have to think it's 7/1 as stated on the calendars. I can't believe they'd change Day One to a Sunday. So much goes on that weekend!
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Several notable things (at least that we enjoyed last year) that may or not be on the published schedule.Would you mind giving examples of the weekend activities? DS will be applying this fall, so only a 20% chance I'll use the info, but I'm still curious.
He's been sick, plus super busy with school and sports, but we're heading to the CGA next week for a cross-country/track and field overnight recruiting visit. We'll have a fair amount of down time on the plane and driving around (we're also visiting the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and RPI, plus spending the weekend with my friends and relatives on the east coast). I'll make sure he works on the essays and the rest of the AIM application while we're on the trip.Several notable things (at least that we enjoyed last year) that may or not be on the published schedule.
- The guided tour is nice (especially if you haven't done it before). Although the tour at parents weekend is probably a little better as they may take you to check out the cutter simulator. You'll get a very limited tour of Chase Hall and can see what a room looks like.
- Razorbill tour is cool (87' patrol boat) if you've never been on a cutter before.
- The various Parent Association chapters will have booths set up in Leamy Hall where you can get a variety of items, with a heavy focus on things that will come in handy for your cadet. For instance, you can purchase items to fill a regulation sized box that will serve as a care package for their first week of swab summer. Everything from snacks to lint rollers that cadets will need. One chapter also does regulation blankets with last name embroidered that is delivered to them after swab summer.
- The Parents Association will hold a couple sessions to not only talk about what they do and promote membership, but also share some practical info/hints/tips on navigating life as a USCGA parent, and how to support your cadet. It's a great organization and they do a lot for the cadets!
- I recall some sort of informal mixer at Leamy on the "steel beach" patio. It gave the kids a chance to group up and meet other kids in their company prior to Day One. That was really cool.
- If your perspective cadet will be on a sports team, some teams hold an open house for cadets and parents sometime on Saturday evening to allow everyone to meet each other. Often they'll do some sort of BBQ or ice cream social or something of that nature.
- It's also worth hearing the addresses by Adm. Johnston (the Superintendent) and others. The whole weekend is information overload, but it provides a great foundation for preparing for swab summer. It's a rough summer for not only the kids, but also us parents.
- Last but not least, if you participate on the Class of 2028 parents Facebook page, you will have gotten to "know" a lot of parents throughout the spring. Probably even more if you had the advantage of more time from EA acceptance. This weekend is a GREAT time to meet other parents in person. It's an unbelievable support group and I have some made some incredible new friends over the last year+. If you stay in one of the local hotels, you'll meet tons of parents that way too. The entire area (hotels, restaurants) is absolutely swarming with nervous looking teenagers and parents with the look of semi-shock on their faces. LOL.
Hopefully your son is applying for AIM right now! It's a great program as well!!
It should be updated in late March or early April after most of the appointments are done. The forms and checklists don’t change much each year. The 7/1 date isn’t likely to change.My DS was asking when/how he should expect to get find out all the specific details about swab summer and making travel arrangements? I believe there’s a website for class of 2027 with all the details that should be updated for 2028 but we weren’t sure when that gets updated and sent out? He is an EA applicant and has accepted. Thanks! We started making our travel arrangements assuming the 7/1 date so hopefully that’s not going to change!
That's awesome!!! I took my daughter on a big college tour up in the northeast over spring break 2 years ago. It was a logistical masterpiece, visiting 6 schools with full tours and coach meetings in 4 different states in 9 days! CGA was the first stop... Coach meeting the day we got in, then Bear's Day the next day. We could've just skipped the rest of the trip LOL. After CGA, she had ZERO interest in civilian schools! Regardless, we had an incredible time together!He's been sick, plus super busy with school and sports, but we're heading to the CGA next week for a cross-country/track and field overnight recruiting visit. We'll have a fair amount of down time on the plane and driving around (we're also visiting the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and RPI, plus spending the weekend with my friends and relatives on the east coast). I'll make sure he works on the essays and the rest of the AIM application while we're on the trip.
A friend's daughter graduated from the CGA last spring. He's also been feeding me lots of good intel.
@Wolfpack is spot on. I can't remember exactly, but I think last year, it took longer than usual for the portal to change from 2026 to 2027. Regardless, the info is pretty much the same. You can look at 2027 to see what all the paperwork looks like.My DS was asking when/how he should expect to get find out all the specific details about swab summer and making travel arrangements? I believe there’s a website for class of 2027 with all the details that should be updated for 2028 but we weren’t sure when that gets updated and sent out? He is an EA applicant and has accepted. Thanks! We started making our travel arrangements assuming the 7/1 date so hopefully that’s not going to change!
Fill us in on what a clothing stamp is, and what brand/type you recommend. Can it be ordered ahead of time?Socks are silly to worry about. The clothing stamp choice is critical. DO NOT SCREW THAT UP!
In the cadet handbook, in the section with the packing list, there's a blurb about labeling all your belongings with first initial and last name. You can do it with a sharpie, or get a custom self inking stamp or iron on labels. I got my daughter a stamp on Amazon...there are a few to pick from...they're all about the same. They work pretty good for socks and white T shirts. We tried some iron on for dark underwear and sports bras but those didn't hold up too well. For non clothing items, she used a label maker I already had.Fill us in on what a clothing stamp is, and what brand/type you recommend. Can it be ordered ahead of time?
All great points! It's funny how after all the anticipation, and how much/little you may try to prepare leading up to swab summer, all that crap goes out the window when you drop them off. They'll figure out how to be resourceful. The cadre will do the job they were trained to do. Little things in life that they once thought were so important will be replaced with new found importance of a Bic lighter and a good lint roller.I agree about the stupid stuff newbie parents obsess over while waiting for day one. There are lots of posts about shopping for summer, read them since things rarely change. Then read the 2028 list when it comes out and do what it says.
Most of the underwear and socks are trashed by the end of swab summer and will likely be replaced (cadre actually wash laundry by beating with rocks down at the Thames) so don't sweat things too much. High, motivated socks, bland colors on the shoes and clothing, follow the list and don't stand out. Use a bunch of gallon ziplocks for day one to help make moving easier.
As long as you have your passport processed and a place to stay for July 1 the rest of this is the fun part of the journey. Enjoy your time together, finish the school year strong with classmates, stay in shape and avoid anything stupid. Parents should take pics, maybe think of memorable things to do together since after this spring you won't be seeing much of this kid for the next 8-10 years. Don't be maudlin, but start embracing the fact that you're getting the entire long slow college separation in a single cold dash.