SAMI Baskets, etc.

MommaFalcon22

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Jul 2, 2018
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Hi everyone! So I just noticed this topic trending on the parents Facebook page. Apparently there is some sort of basket that were supposed to order for acceptance day??? Then of course there are the calls to do something for spirit mission. Honestly I feel like right now I’m being pulled in a lot of different directions and I’m having a hard time trying to determine what is it prudent, necessary and productive for the cause. I don’t want to skip something that would be really important for my basic but I also don’t want to be pulled down every rabbit hole that pops up on Facebook. Please advise. Thanks in advance!
 
You can do Acceptance Day any way you want. Make sure that you keep the needs and wishes of your Cadet in mind rather than what other people do.
Some cadets may want all their friends around, and some may just want to be with you.

Now, I don't know a lot about USAFA, but what I do know is that there are a lot of people out there who think "you ought to do things this way", when really the point of Acceptance Day
is to celebrate the end of BCT and be accepted into the Cadet Wing with those 4th class shoulder boards. Pretty simple.

Don't sweat it, is my 2 cents. :)
 
I was in your shoes last year - a lot of information come in from multiple sources and everyone seemed to know best. If you are not going out to A-Day yourself there will be plenty of options for your cadet. I didn't go and I know that my DD had at least 5 offers for picnics but actually all that she wanted to do was go back to her room and relax. I would use the FB groups to find a couple of parents that are in the same squad as your cadet and perhaps start PMing them. I did that and it allowed me to find someone, whom I know consider a close friend, in the same CS who was willing to pickup items that I had ordered at Walmart and hand deliver them to my DD until I was able to come out like a hot water kettle, a blanket (so she could sleep on top of her bed), tea and pot noodles.

Spirit Mission is important in that the group helps raise money for important milestones over the cadet's 4 years. If you can't directly participate and volunteer time, you can contribute in others ways like donations and the purchase of spirit merchandise. You will find your feet and Parent's Weekend will certainly help give you a much better perspective. Relax and enjoy the ride!
 
+1 @THParent

What I see some parents discuss on some of the Parent FB groups are way over the top and (IMHO) adds stress that diverts attention from the true purpose of A-Day, etc.

We brought a light picnic lunch (DS did not eat much, but enjoyed telling us about BCT), delivered a few snacks/school supplies to his room, walked around the Tzo, and then our brief visit was over. Just relax and enjoy your time with your C4C.

Let your cadet take the lead in determining what she/he needs - they can pick up most of the essential cleaning supplies, school supplies, etc. at the C-store and should know by PW what other items they'll need for the academic year.
 
I'm just curious, what is a SAMI basket?

It's a basket (or two) that various florists and other retailers in the Colorado Springs area will market to Parents of Doolies for Acceptance Day, which includes cleaning supplies for their room and/or snacks and other feel-good items. Basically, things that your Doolie can get right there at USAFA, but using your credit card and sending a basket somehow means that you love them more.

See? I haven't bought into the idea fully. Your mileage may vary. :)
 
Well I have never seen
I'm just curious, what is a SAMI basket?

Saturday Morning Inspection [emoji4]
Haha, I'm a cadet, so I'm very familiar with a SAMI, I just had never heard of the aforementioned associated basket and was curious what it was. Thanks though! You have no idea - maybe I'm one of the ones who taught your basic what a SAMI is. ;)
 
You’ll see a lot of different baskets for sale during your cadet’s time at the Academy. I don’t buy them for my son because I prefer to send my own packages with items I know he’ll love instead of items picked out by someone else. As far as I can tell, he’s never felt left out because he didn’t get one of the pre-packaged baskets! I do, however, support the Spirit Mission by buying whatever they’re selling, as well as making monetary donations.
 
SAMI basket, cute idea, sure, but I’d never order one. It’s a package of cleaning supplies!! By A-day they’ve survived several SAMIs so they’ve gone to the C store and bought what they need and really don’t want to store a bunch of extras.

I did order a couple care packages from the CO parent club since it’s a fund raiser and helps support the I-day picnic. I figured he could share/give away any items he didn’t want.

I also donated to the class spirit mission and I’ve also bought several items sold by the spirit mission because I really liked the items!

But all these we’re personal choices. You should not feel pressured into buying or donating anything. Do what works for you. Your cadet will probably be completely unaware regardless.
 
Speaking of things circulating amongst the Facebook Parent crowd (great group of people, btw), there are lists of suggested item to bring or send your cadet for ADay. I’d strongly suggest simply discussing items with your DS/DD during your Doolie Day Out call so you can focus on what they really want.
 
Well I have never seen

Haha, I'm a cadet, so I'm very familiar with a SAMI, I just had never heard of the aforementioned associated basket and was curious what it was. Thanks though! You have no idea - maybe I'm one of the ones who taught your basic what a SAMI is. ;)
Wonder if Hoodlum and I both had the same vision of a basket with pre-folded 10"x10" shirts...:yllol:
 
Well I have never seen

Haha, I'm a cadet, so I'm very familiar with a SAMI, I just had never heard of the aforementioned associated basket and was curious what it was. Thanks though! You have no idea - maybe I'm one of the ones who taught your basic what a SAMI is. ;)
Wonder if Hoodlum and I both had the same vision of a basket with pre-folded 10"x10" shirts...:yllol:

LOL - just google "usafa sami baskets", there is a local florist that markets SAMI baskets for cadets (one basket of cleaning supplies and other of snacks) ranging from $40 (small) to $60 (large). I know what the reaction from my DS would be, but will not elaborate here...
 
LOL - just google "usafa sami baskets", there is a local florist that markets SAMI baskets for cadets (one basket of cleaning supplies and other of snacks) ranging from $40 (small) to $60 (large). I know what the reaction from my DS would be, but will not elaborate here...

My faith has been restored . . . ;)
 
For A-Day, we talked to our kids (on some other parents' cell phone), and enjoyed hearing them relaxed and calm. We sent no basket, no picnics, no little doo-dads. Our children were MEN, grown. We mailed letters, and sent a "care package" once per semester. Others send them weekly, monthly - I guess we were mean.

Parents: you can do everything or nothing, or something inbetween.

Note: for their birthday (twins), their sponsor parents always got them cakes (enough for the whole squadron! Beware those parents who send enough for just a few), and we would order in Boriello's pizza (about 20 pies, each).
 
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