batorthopa
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Do we need to register ahead of time for I Day alumni association welcome picnic?
I Day Picnic
- Thread starter batorthopa
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Blondie1
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- Dec 19, 2013
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Yes--I think, not sure, it was in with the mountain of paperwork they receive sometime after they accept their appointment. Little hazy on those memories--so much going on!
A word to all parents planning on going to IDay! Was our first time on the east coast so we went 6 days early and turned it into a family vacation. Took in all the sights. Walked EVERYWHERE! By IDay--DS was in great shape, by DH and I were exhausted! We missed some of the best activities because we were wiped out! If you plan to turn the event into a vacation....do all the heavy walking AFTER IDay!
A word to all parents planning on going to IDay! Was our first time on the east coast so we went 6 days early and turned it into a family vacation. Took in all the sights. Walked EVERYWHERE! By IDay--DS was in great shape, by DH and I were exhausted! We missed some of the best activities because we were wiped out! If you plan to turn the event into a vacation....do all the heavy walking AFTER IDay!
usna1985
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You can also get info and sign up here: http://www.usna.com/page.aspx?pid=443
NOTE - This will be a "contrarian" viewpoint.
My son was a Plebe in 2009. We attended the picnic on IDay. We had extensively toured the Yard the day before with our S. We accompanied our S to his 9:00 a.m. check-in, arriving with plenty of time to spare. We hung around and then attended the picnic. We hung around some more for the 1st formation and the post-formation meeting with our S.
In retrospect, we wish we had left after he checked in. He didn't want us "spying" on him through the day, so we didn't. We should have left, had a lunch away from the Yard, relaxed and chilled out at our hotel and then returned to the Yard for the formation.
My suggestion - do what works for you!
My son was a Plebe in 2009. We attended the picnic on IDay. We had extensively toured the Yard the day before with our S. We accompanied our S to his 9:00 a.m. check-in, arriving with plenty of time to spare. We hung around and then attended the picnic. We hung around some more for the 1st formation and the post-formation meeting with our S.
In retrospect, we wish we had left after he checked in. He didn't want us "spying" on him through the day, so we didn't. We should have left, had a lunch away from the Yard, relaxed and chilled out at our hotel and then returned to the Yard for the formation.
My suggestion - do what works for you!
We stayed within walking distance to the yard so after our sons 7:30 a.m. check-in time we went back to hotel and re-emerged for the picnic. Purchased tickets ahead of time per instructions that came with one of the packets he received.
There was a presentation for the parents in Alumni Hall after the picnic so we attended that, hung around the mid-store a bit and still had time to go back again to the hotel before the class of 2018 took their oath. Glad we were staying so close to the Yard because it was a very hot day this past July 1st in Annapolis and it was a welcome respite to escape the heat and the crowds throughout the day.
There was a presentation for the parents in Alumni Hall after the picnic so we attended that, hung around the mid-store a bit and still had time to go back again to the hotel before the class of 2018 took their oath. Glad we were staying so close to the Yard because it was a very hot day this past July 1st in Annapolis and it was a welcome respite to escape the heat and the crowds throughout the day.
usna1985
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I suggest that you "hang around" the Yard if you've never been to USNA (or not been there often), you don't want to walk/drive back and forth, you want to socialize with other parents, you want to shop in the MidStore, and/or you want to learn more about what PS and USNA will be like for your mid (for those who may not have a lot of knowledge).
I agree you should not stay to "spy on" or hope to catch a glimpse of your child during the day (between reporting and the time with families at the end of the day). For you, it smacks of being a helicopter parent. For your mid . . . it's downright embarrassing. Remember a lot of parents can't afford to (or otherwise can't) come at all. This is the first step in letting go. Don't be one of "those parents," especially in front of your kid. Let go.
I agree you should not stay to "spy on" or hope to catch a glimpse of your child during the day (between reporting and the time with families at the end of the day). For you, it smacks of being a helicopter parent. For your mid . . . it's downright embarrassing. Remember a lot of parents can't afford to (or otherwise can't) come at all. This is the first step in letting go. Don't be one of "those parents," especially in front of your kid. Let go.
JShawshank
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- Nov 2, 2013
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If anyone in Class of 2019 is planning to have a personal swearing in ceremony with a family member after the full class does it together, I suggest that you go into Memorial Hall the day before I-day and choose a spot where you will meet with your Plebe. There will be lettered signs down Stribling where many will be meeting their Plebes but it is a sizable mass of humanity that you can avoid by setting that meeting place in advance.
Agree with hthp37 in terms of leaving the Yard to relax during the day. DS had 06:30 check-in time (the first wave) but we showed up about 06:15 and they actually opened the doors to Alumni and swallowed him two minutes after we arrived! I barely had time to snap a photo of DW with her arm around him and tears in her eyes before he said "I gotta go, see you later", and that was it until 18:00.
Agree with hthp37 in terms of leaving the Yard to relax during the day. DS had 06:30 check-in time (the first wave) but we showed up about 06:15 and they actually opened the doors to Alumni and swallowed him two minutes after we arrived! I barely had time to snap a photo of DW with her arm around him and tears in her eyes before he said "I gotta go, see you later", and that was it until 18:00.