Not sure about the bug spray, but my son did take sunscreen and was allowed to keep it, but they also issued sunscreen to basics. And at least in my son's squadron, they were told to use it! They'll get water canteens/camel backs etc too, and be "encouraged" (told) to drink plenty of water to help with the adjustment to the altitude.
Parent planning questions
- Thread starter Proud mom 2016
- Start date
Not sure about the bug spray, but my son did take sunscreen and was allowed to keep it, but they also issued sunscreen to basics. And at least in my son's squadron, they were told to use it! They'll get water canteens/camel backs etc too, and be "encouraged" (told) to drink plenty of water to help with the adjustment to the altitude.
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2010
- Messages
- 15
USAFA issues all basics sunscreen. Don't worry too much about the bug spray, there isn't much to deal with here in CO
YorkieMom75
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2012
- Messages
- 163
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
Does anyone know if there are parents' clubs at overseas military bases or some support group for active duty military families? I know we can't be the only ones. Our local group currently is having a luncheon for appointees and families but its definitely after my dh's travel dates and possibly mine as well. My son will go with his ALO if that is the case. If I do by chance make it, I can ask there but it would be nice to have a connection before I move if possible.
YorkieMom75
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2012
- Messages
- 163
We got a form in the mail to fill out, for our DS to sign to "allow" his parents to receive information about parents groups in our area. Haha!! Did you get that form? It was gold/yellow (not to start the color controversy again).
Here's the list of all the clubs in CONUS, but what might help you is the contact information. Call them and ask them your questions about OCONUS parent clubs. If they don't have any, there might be local Assoc. of Graduates (even informal) clubs on your overseas base that include parents of cadets.
http://www.usafa.af.mil/information/parents/clubs.asp
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
We got a form in the mail to fill out, for our DS to sign to "allow" his parents to receive information about parents groups in our area. Haha!! Did you get that form? It was gold/yellow (not to start the color controversy again).
Here's the list of all the clubs in CONUS, but what might help you is the contact information. Call them and ask them your questions about OCONUS parent clubs. If they don't have any, there might be local Assoc. of Graduates (even informal) clubs on your overseas base that include parents of cadets.
http://www.usafa.af.mil/information/parents/clubs.asp
OH I did see that form. Now to find it again. This week has been a fury of overseas medical clearances and passport applications and getting my house ready to show. I'm totally flustered with paperwork. I'll have to find it!
Hi Proud mom 2016, I agree with the other posts. Don't miss Parents Weekend and coming out Thursday and leave Tuesday is my recommendation. You will probably get some time to see your cadet near the chapel Thursday evening...take his favorite pick up dinner. So PW is a must at all costs. If anyone can make it, I also recommend Acceptance Day. True, you will will only see your cadet for a few hours, but seeing them in the parade and getting their Shoulder Boards is priceless. Try to stay close to the Academy for either one. We prefer the hotels near the North Gate rather than down in Colorado Springs. Anything from Wooden Street north would do. Don't waste a lot of time driving back and forth so keep the miles as close as possible. Prepare yourself for dropping off your cadet Monday evening. That is not easy...and it took several years to get easier. My suggestions are to drop off close to the dorms around a lot of other people. Don't find a private area...
We have our last PW coming up this year. They have been fantastic weekends that I would not trade for anything.
Congratulations and good luck. I know our son's class is really looking forward to 2016's arrival.
Bill
We have our last PW coming up this year. They have been fantastic weekends that I would not trade for anything.
Congratulations and good luck. I know our son's class is really looking forward to 2016's arrival.
Bill
As the Membership Director for the parents club of Northern Virginia, Maryland and DC-- I encourage anyone from those places to PM me. I can then send you the membership form and information directly to your email address and you won't have to wait for USAFA to notify us.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
usafa2012mom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2011
- Messages
- 110
Looking for the Parents Club in NC
The USAFA website lists three Parent's Clubs in NC:
NC-1: Parents' Club of Eastern North Carolina*
NC-2: Parents' Club of Western North Carolina
NC-3: Piedmont North Carolina AFA Parents' Club
I can only find an active website for the Eastern NC club. I have submitted my information a few days ago and haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone else on here have any information for NC parent groups.
Thanks
The USAFA website lists three Parent's Clubs in NC:
NC-1: Parents' Club of Eastern North Carolina*
NC-2: Parents' Club of Western North Carolina
NC-3: Piedmont North Carolina AFA Parents' Club
I can only find an active website for the Eastern NC club. I have submitted my information a few days ago and haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone else on here have any information for NC parent groups.
Thanks
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
- Messages
- 3,181
RE: Accommodations for PW
We have stayed each of the four years in the Clarion/Quality Inn on Bijou St, which is just west of downtown. We got a 2 room suite (it's a remodeled motel, so it's like 2 large hotel rooms with a large opening in between). Two Q beds, one living room with pull out sofa, chair, and most importantly: two bathrooms! One we stayed in had a full kitchen, all brand new, and we have reserved that room for graduation (48 days).
There is a full hot breakfast (eggs, sausages, fruits, etc, not just cereals), pool, etc.
The longest it has taken us to get to USAFA is about 20 minutes, and usually less than 15 (since Colorado folks have lead in their shoes). For us and our family, it's been absolutely great.
We have also stayed near the north gate on shorter stays and have not been disappointed, though it's tough to get in there for the big events (PW, Grad) etc.
We have stayed each of the four years in the Clarion/Quality Inn on Bijou St, which is just west of downtown. We got a 2 room suite (it's a remodeled motel, so it's like 2 large hotel rooms with a large opening in between). Two Q beds, one living room with pull out sofa, chair, and most importantly: two bathrooms! One we stayed in had a full kitchen, all brand new, and we have reserved that room for graduation (48 days).
There is a full hot breakfast (eggs, sausages, fruits, etc, not just cereals), pool, etc.
The longest it has taken us to get to USAFA is about 20 minutes, and usually less than 15 (since Colorado folks have lead in their shoes). For us and our family, it's been absolutely great.
We have also stayed near the north gate on shorter stays and have not been disappointed, though it's tough to get in there for the big events (PW, Grad) etc.
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
Thank you! you just saved me over $700 from my original reservations of what I could find in a suite! Given the cost of our airfare, that's almost the price of one ticket!!
MomofFutureLeader
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2011
- Messages
- 63
Best Site to use for reservation for best price
Where would you recommend booking to get the best rate on this hotel? It looks like Clarion and Quality Inn are actually two different hotels at the same address? I have found that Priceline is actually sometimes more expensive than the hotel website, sometimes the other way around. Anyway, it looks like the two room one is the Quality Inn. We have reservations at Comfort Suites North Academy for a 2 queen suite for $745.01 including tax for 8/30 checkin - 9/3 checkout but it looks like this may be a better deal and perhaps we should switch???? Never having been to Colorado Springs and a pretty novice traveller, any tips would be much appreciated!!!!
Where would you recommend booking to get the best rate on this hotel? It looks like Clarion and Quality Inn are actually two different hotels at the same address? I have found that Priceline is actually sometimes more expensive than the hotel website, sometimes the other way around. Anyway, it looks like the two room one is the Quality Inn. We have reservations at Comfort Suites North Academy for a 2 queen suite for $745.01 including tax for 8/30 checkin - 9/3 checkout but it looks like this may be a better deal and perhaps we should switch???? Never having been to Colorado Springs and a pretty novice traveller, any tips would be much appreciated!!!!
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
I looked up the Clarion at the same address. they have one room left with 2 queens. You have to ask for an extra bed to get the 5th person to stay. I have 2 younger daughters coming so we need the suite at the Quality Inn with the 2 Queens, sofabed, 2 bathrooms and it says microwave and fridge in our room.
We are paying $837 for reservations at the Quality Inn for 5 nights with 3 adults and 2 children in the room. We had reservations at Staybridge Suites, they wanted over $1500. They did have fully equipped kitchen but no way would we save $700 by my cooking in!
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
- Messages
- 3,181
I might call the hotel directly ( Phone: (719) 471-8681
Fax: (719) 329-7449) and check their rates/availabilty.
Both the Quality and the Clarion are at the same address and share public facilities (pool, restaurant). The Quality side has the "suites", the Clarion side is a traditional "motel" (inside corridors for both).
My sons like this place because while there are other USAFA folks there (filled to the brim with them on PW), they can't see USAFA from it! It's very close to downtown attractions (Catholic Cathedral w/in walking distance for any R.C.'s out there) with a Denny's right across the street. Neighborhood is not exactly swanky but it's safe, and if you look west on Bijou St - there's Pike's Peak right in front of you!
If you find any problems at all with your room, remember to mention it to the front desk folks. When we had an uncooperative toilet, they gave us a voucher for 75% our next stay. We then used it for the next PW and saved a boat load of $, even though they fixed our toilet ASAP.
Nice outdoor area if you want a picnic supper.
Fax: (719) 329-7449) and check their rates/availabilty.
Both the Quality and the Clarion are at the same address and share public facilities (pool, restaurant). The Quality side has the "suites", the Clarion side is a traditional "motel" (inside corridors for both).
My sons like this place because while there are other USAFA folks there (filled to the brim with them on PW), they can't see USAFA from it! It's very close to downtown attractions (Catholic Cathedral w/in walking distance for any R.C.'s out there) with a Denny's right across the street. Neighborhood is not exactly swanky but it's safe, and if you look west on Bijou St - there's Pike's Peak right in front of you!
If you find any problems at all with your room, remember to mention it to the front desk folks. When we had an uncooperative toilet, they gave us a voucher for 75% our next stay. We then used it for the next PW and saved a boat load of $, even though they fixed our toilet ASAP.
Nice outdoor area if you want a picnic supper.
Proud mom 2016
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 85
This may be a dumb question, but should we bring a swimsuit for our son to use the pool while there?
Dad
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2010
- Messages
- 1,132
Definitely.
Basics will get issued a bathing suit, too--our son wasn't sure if he had to wear the AFA one when we went to our hotel pool over PW (freshmen have to wear their blues--uniform--when out in public until Rec.) or could wear the one we brought from home for him, but I read somewhere (probably these forums) that a swimsuit (or snowgear for skiing etc) is OK and won't get you in trouble. On a side note, my son said some cadets wore their AFA bathing suits under their ABU's during basic to help minimize chafing.
proud2serve
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2010
- Messages
- 12
Last year we stayed at the Fort Carson lodging facilities (I’m still active duty). This year the Grandparents are attending so we decided to rent a vacation home for the same price of two hotel rooms. You can find great vacation rentals at http://www.vrbo.com/
We are paying $1,500 for a spacious (4,300+ SF), fully furnished/equipped, 5 bedrooms 3.5 bath home which sleeps up to 15. It is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood and is approximately 4 miles from the South Gate of the Air Force Academy. The home includes: great open views of mountains, 3 decks, large grill, fireplace, hot tub, WiFi, cable, 5 TVs, 2 DVD players, movie library, & fitness equipment.
My only recommendation is to make reservations NOW so you can enjoy quality time with your cadet.
We are paying $1,500 for a spacious (4,300+ SF), fully furnished/equipped, 5 bedrooms 3.5 bath home which sleeps up to 15. It is located in a quiet, residential neighborhood and is approximately 4 miles from the South Gate of the Air Force Academy. The home includes: great open views of mountains, 3 decks, large grill, fireplace, hot tub, WiFi, cable, 5 TVs, 2 DVD players, movie library, & fitness equipment.
My only recommendation is to make reservations NOW so you can enjoy quality time with your cadet.