Parents Weekend

US2021

US2021

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Jun 14, 2017
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Hi everybody! I was wondering what parents weekend is like at the Air Force Academy!:)
How do the rules apply for cadets being able to interact with their parents/visitors (i.e. Are they allowed to stay together for 24 hours straight? Are they able to leave the campus? etc.)

I am planning on visiting in September to stay for 4 days and don't know what to expect. I know its far ahead, but I was also wondering if I should start looking at flights early. Do the traveling/flight prices to Colorado go up near Parent's weekend?
If any of you have any experience or know anything about Parent's Weekend at USAFA, it would be GREATLY appreciated!!:w00t: Thank you
 
Come on Thursday if you can. You'll get free time with your cadet, and yes they can sleep at the hotel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if it's like years past. You'll have to get them to the football game early on Saturday.

It's a great time. Enjoy.


By the way, it's not early... It's getting late for reservations.
 
We have gone on Thursday too. Friday we attended the parade and then visited some of his classes and had lunch at Mitch's. Then I believe he was free to spend the rest of the day with us, but I think that's squadron specific. Friday night he spent at the hotel with us, but he had to be at the football field very early Saturday morning. After the game, they are hours until Monday night, 7pm if I recall. Book a hotel and car as soon as you can!! But most importantly, enjoy it's a very proud time!!
 
You best be getting a hotel yesterday.

We made our reservations this year while we were there last year!

They can leave with you Friday but have to be back for the football game. Quick tip, have your cadet DRIVE the car to the game. Parking is or at least was free if they were driving. Learned this last year.

Our son said the visit ending that was hardest on him was when we dropped him off on Labor Day. We stopped back Tues at lunch to say hi before we flew out.
 
Maplerock said:
Come on Thursday if you can. You'll get free time with your cadet, and yes they can sleep at the hotel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if it's like years past. You'll have to get them to the football game early on Saturday.

It's a great time. Enjoy.


By the way, it's not early... It's getting late for reservations.
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Do you have to reserve a time to spend with your cadet? I apologize I am new to this, but what do you mean by reservations? And what would be the deadline? Thank you!
 
jag3 said:
You best be getting a hotel yesterday.

We made our reservations this year while we were there last year!

They can leave with you Friday but have to be back for the football game. Quick tip, have your cadet DRIVE the car to the game. Parking is or at least was free if they were driving. Learned this last year.

Our son said the visit ending that was hardest on him was when we dropped him off on Labor Day. We stopped back Tues at lunch to say hi before we flew out.
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Thank you very much!! If I were to signup next month would that be too late? And do the hotels have to be in the area of usafa?
 
US2021 said:
Do you have to reserve a time to spend with your cadet? I apologize I am new to this, but what do you mean by reservations? And what would be the deadline? Thank you!
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No for reserving time to be with cadet. You need hotel room (Can be $$$ or hard to get) plane reservation, car rental, and game tickets.
 
You want the hotel for Thursday and Friday night to be in The Springs. But you can go elsewhere for Saturday and Sunday night. Some will go to up to Denver. Boulder or up into the mountains.
 
Come on Thursday. Some squads allow Cadets time with the family in the afternoon and may even allow them to leave with you.

Friday is the parade and exhibitions of the flying, gliding and jump teams (weather permitting). After the parade the campus is open for your Cadet to show you the dorms, class rooms and other parts of the Cadet area. They usually have a meeting in the afternoon (our DS' squad invited families to the meeting) and then are dismissed to go and stay with you.

The Cadets have to be back early Saturday for the game. Get tickets online and plan on staying and tailgating with your Cadet before the game. The Cadets are free to leave with you after the game. We stuck around Colorado Springs on Saturday night so we could all attend mass at the Chapel the next morning and do the tour of Jack's Valley (the only time it is open to family).

We left Sunday afternoon and drove a couple of hours to Buena Vista in the mountains to get our DS away from the Springs. We hiked and then did a morning rafting trip on Monday morning before returning him to USAFA.

A few things to keep in mind: many Cadets want to hang low since Doolies have to be in uniform anywhere in public. Each Cadet is different so ask your Cadet before PW but after BCT what they are up for during the break. We were prepared to raft or just hang out if our DS wanted to sleep. Book now as hotels and flights fill up quickly. Try to stay fairly close to USAFA the first couple of nights as you will be back and forth for events. Dress comfortably as you will do a lot of walking and keep in mind it is September in Colorado so the weather could range from sunny and near 90 to cloudy, windy and in the 40s. You will get plenty of time with your Cadet over the weekend.
 
& it is 7000' above sea level.
 
I was there dropping of my DD for SS couple of weeks ago and I find cheaper flights to Denver than to Colorado Springs, and rent a car is about 90 drive, also are several hotels close to the Academy.
 
Definitely book early, like yesterday. Depending on where you are flying in from, connecting flights to Colorado Springs can be tricky or very limited. We booked our flight into Denver and rented a car. I think it's about 1.5 to 2 hour drive to Colorado Springs depending on traffic. I'm sure many are aware but you usually get the best deals booking directly on the specific airline's website vs. Expedia and other travel websites.
Oh, try and get in shape before you go.:muscles2: Like someone mentioned, it's 7,000 ft. elevation. Also, take it slow if you like to drink, all you boozers!:D Cadets are warned not lock their knees in formation and the adults are advised to go easy on the booze. Disregarding this sound advice may result in falling flat on your face.
 
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Definitely bring & use water bottle to hydrate frequently, esp. the first few days.
 
I thought the ops question was a unique at this stage of the game. So I looked at some of her other posts.

Here is her 1st post on the forum:
US2021 said:
Hello! I am a 13 year old female heading into 9th grade and am interested in the military academies! I have been looking into them for years and have especially been drawn towards the Naval Academy/Air Force Academy! I am the first person in my family to be born in America, but serving the U.S. Army is my dream. If any of you could help me out or have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated!!
..........
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My question to the Op is, who are you visiting? I'm confused.:confused:
 
MN-Dad-2016 said:
I thought the ops question was a unique at this stage of the game. So I looked at some of her other posts.

Here is her 1st post on the forum:


My question to the Op is, who are you visiting? I'm confused.:confused:
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I'm confused too, it looks like her older sister might be sharing the account too?
 
jag3 said:
You best be getting a hotel yesterday.

We made our reservations this year while we were there last year!

They can leave with you Friday but have to be back for the football game. Quick tip, have your cadet DRIVE the car to the game. Parking is or at least was free if they were driving. Learned this last year.

Our son said the visit ending that was hardest on him was when we dropped him off on Labor Day. We stopped back Tues at lunch to say hi before we flew out.
Click to expand...

The tip to have your cadet drive to the game...is this for just 3 degrees +? Correct that 4 degrees aren't allowed to drive?
 
4 degrees are allowed to drive. They just cannot own or maintain a car. Driving the family/parent's car is fine.
 
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Here's a copy of last year's PW schedule just to give you an idea of what takes place.. Needless to say, times and activities are always subject to change.. it's the military, in case you haven't figured that out yet. Stick around awhile after you drop your cadet off.. you might even hear a Christmas tune or two..
"I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree.."
 
Your local parents group will have plenty of info, and as I recall, USAFA sent some info to parents as well. Recommend hotel & car reservations... now.

There are several threads here about PW - go through them and see what you find!
 
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