Summer Seminar Results 2020

Does anyone know the itinerary or workshops available at the USAFA summer seminar?
They're probably not going to show you any of the itinerary before or even during, but I'd be willing to share my experience and a rough overview of the schedule if you'd like.
 
I

I’m sure my son would love to know. Thanks.
On the afternoon DS shows up, he'll check in at Arnold Hall (the cadet social building) and be asked to wait for his first briefing, which will establish the baseline goals and rules of the week. He'll likely be brought to the room that he'll be spending the week in and leave his stuff. Then, if he hasn't already, he'll meet his cadre and the rest of his element. A quick tour of the dorms later, and they'll be on their way to dinner and then a briefing, and then a bit of relaxation time before lights out. The first morning is definitely a surprise... I'll let him experience it for himself, though he's likely to figure it out pretty quickly before he even wakes up. The seminar is broken up into the three pillars that USAFA prioritizes: military, athletics, and academics. Military day is day 1. He'll spend some time learning some basic drill, have a few briefings on character and continue touring the cadet area. He'll also have the privilege of touring the airfield, learning about the jump, soaring, and powered flight programs. Day 2 is athletic day. The majority of the day is spent in briefings, tours, or actual athletics. Most of the briefings run through what kind of academic programs the Academy has, as well as mandatory PE classes, IC sports, intramurals, etc. They'll run a CFA workshop where the standards are put forth and some work is done on improving the scores early. He'll tour the cadet gymnasium, the outdoor courts, the cadet fieldhouse, and the Falcon Athletic Center. He'll also get to play sports during an intramural period, with a variety of different sports to choose from. Day 3 is academic day and is unfortunately probably the most boring of the three. A lot of briefings on the academic requirements at the Academy. The fun part of the day is when he'll get to tour Fairchild Hall (the primary academic wing). He'll get to look at the Remotely Piloted Aircraft building, look at some of the VR work the CompSci department has been working on, look at the Human Performance Lab, tour the Aero and Mech engineering labs, and step into the science wing. He'll also get to take an actual class that the cadets would have during the school year. Another briefing later, and the day is over. The last morning, he'll pack up, go to yet another briefing, and have lunch before hopping on a bus back to the airport and heading home.
 
Question about the packing list. It asks that they bring 4 pairs of khaki pants. 4 pairs of black/blue shorts - easily doable and will be worn again. However, 4 pairs of khakis....will never get used again and kind of a significant investment for what it is. Looking for feedback from those that have attended - any modifications to the packing list that they would recommend? More or less of anything? TIA
 
Question about the packing list. It asks that they bring 4 pairs of khaki pants. 4 pairs of black/blue shorts - easily doable and will be worn again. However, 4 pairs of khakis....will never get used again and kind of a significant investment for what it is. Looking for feedback from those that have attended - any modifications to the packing list that they would recommend? More or less of anything? TIA
You could definitely wear the same pair of pants multiple days.
 
Question about the packing list. It asks that they bring 4 pairs of khaki pants. 4 pairs of black/blue shorts - easily doable and will be worn again. However, 4 pairs of khakis....will never get used again and kind of a significant investment for what it is. Looking for feedback from those that have attended - any modifications to the packing list that they would recommend? More or less of anything? TIA
That is part of my so s uniform so for that
On the afternoon DS shows up, he'll check in at Arnold Hall (the cadet social building) and be asked to wait for his first briefing, which will establish the baseline goals and rules of the week. He'll likely be brought to the room that he'll be spending the week in and leave his stuff. Then, if he hasn't already, he'll meet his cadre and the rest of his element. A quick tour of the dorms later, and they'll be on their way to dinner and then a briefing, and then a bit of relaxation time before lights out. The first morning is definitely a surprise... I'll let him experience it for himself, though he's likely to figure it out pretty quickly before he even wakes up. The seminar is broken up into the three pillars that USAFA prioritizes: military, athletics, and academics. Military day is day 1. He'll spend some time learning some basic drill, have a few briefings on character and continue touring the cadet area. He'll also have the privilege of touring the airfield, learning about the jump, soaring, and powered flight programs. Day 2 is athletic day. The majority of the day is spent in briefings, tours, or actual athletics. Most of the briefings run through what kind of academic programs the Academy has, as well as mandatory PE classes, IC sports, intramurals, etc. They'll run a CFA workshop where the standards are put forth and some work is done on improving the scores early. He'll tour the cadet gymnasium, the outdoor courts, the cadet fieldhouse, and the Falcon Athletic Center. He'll also get to play sports during an intramural period, with a variety of different sports to choose from. Day 3 is academic day and is unfortunately probably the most boring of the three. A lot of briefings on the academic requirements at the Academy. The fun part of the day is when he'll get to tour Fairchild Hall (the primary academic wing). He'll get to look at the Remotely Piloted Aircraft building, look at some of the VR work the CompSci department has been working on, look at the Human Performance Lab, tour the Aero and Mech engineering labs, and step into the science wing. He'll also get to take an actual class that the cadets would have during the school year. Another briefing later, and the day is over. The last morning, he'll pack up, go to yet another briefing, and have lunch before hopping on a bus back to the airport and heading home.
thank you so much
 
On the afternoon DS shows up, he'll check in at Arnold Hall (the cadet social building) and be asked to wait for his first briefing, which will establish the baseline goals and rules of the week. He'll likely be brought to the room that he'll be spending the week in and leave his stuff. Then, if he hasn't already, he'll meet his cadre and the rest of his element. A quick tour of the dorms later, and they'll be on their way to dinner and then a briefing, and then a bit of relaxation time before lights out. The first morning is definitely a surprise... I'll let him experience it for himself, though he's likely to figure it out pretty quickly before he even wakes up. The seminar is broken up into the three pillars that USAFA prioritizes: military, athletics, and academics. Military day is day 1. He'll spend some time learning some basic drill, have a few briefings on character and continue touring the cadet area. He'll also have the privilege of touring the airfield, learning about the jump, soaring, and powered flight programs. Day 2 is athletic day. The majority of the day is spent in briefings, tours, or actual athletics. Most of the briefings run through what kind of academic programs the Academy has, as well as mandatory PE classes, IC sports, intramurals, etc. They'll run a CFA workshop where the standards are put forth and some work is done on improving the scores early. He'll tour the cadet gymnasium, the outdoor courts, the cadet fieldhouse, and the Falcon Athletic Center. He'll also get to play sports during an intramural period, with a variety of different sports to choose from. Day 3 is academic day and is unfortunately probably the most boring of the three. A lot of briefings on the academic requirements at the Academy. The fun part of the day is when he'll get to tour Fairchild Hall (the primary academic wing). He'll get to look at the Remotely Piloted Aircraft building, look at some of the VR work the CompSci department has been working on, look at the Human Performance Lab, tour the Aero and Mech engineering labs, and step into the science wing. He'll also get to take an actual class that the cadets would have during the school year. Another briefing later, and the day is over. The last morning, he'll pack up, go to yet another briefing, and have lunch before hopping on a bus back to the airport and heading home.
How was the altitude there? I’m coming from 50ft above sea level which is a huge jump to the thousands USAFA is at, so I’m a little nervous. Did they give you guys time to adjust before putting you in sports? Any comments are appreciated!
 
How was the altitude there? I’m coming from 50ft above sea level which is a huge jump to the thousands USAFA is at, so I’m a little nervous. Did they give you guys time to adjust before putting you in sports? Any comments are appreciated!
Get in shape now. It takes more time than you'll be at SS to get those red blood cells up to an "adjusted" level. Your first morning will be the BCT Wake up, and PT. "Stairs suck", may be something you hear often.
 
Question about the packing list. It asks that they bring 4 pairs of khaki pants. 4 pairs of black/blue shorts - easily doable and will be worn again. However, 4 pairs of khakis....will never get used again and kind of a significant investment for what it is. Looking for feedback from those that have attended - any modifications to the packing list that they would recommend? More or less of anything? TIA
My son attended USAFA Summer Seminar last summer. We sent him with 2 pairs of khaki pants and he said that was definitely enough. I'm fairly certain we bought them at Walmart - and as I recall they were Wrangler brand and less than $20 bucks a pair. I think I've seen him wear them once since (possibly to impress the GF?) We packed very lightly as our son's airfare only allowed 1 personal item to carry on (basically backpack size) or we had to pay a baggage fee of $30+ dollars. He said that he had more than enough to wear. We did send him away with a mesh laundry bag to put all of his dirty stuff and the "merch" they gave him. Some way or another he smuggled this all on the plane home without paying anything extra...I think the aircrew saw the USAFA sweatshirt he was wearing and "comp'd" him. He actually got to meet the pilots and stand in the cockpit while getting on the plane. As I remember what he had said, one of the pilots was an Academy grad and was asking him about the experience, etc. Pretty cool for him. Unfortunately though, the Infantry calls and it looks like it's going to be USMA.
 
For anyone else who like me, did not get selected, the application for SLE at West Point is open until March 14th and NASS at Navy is until March 31st. Definitely going to apply for them now just to have a shot at a summer seminar experience, even though Air Force is my number one SA on list.
 
How was the altitude there? I’m coming from 50ft above sea level which is a huge jump to the thousands USAFA is at, so I’m a little nervous. Did they give you guys time to adjust before putting you in sports? Any comments are appreciated!
I live at altitude, so I didn't have to adjust to the altitude at all. But for everyone in my element, who was coming from Texas, Arizona, California, and other low elevation places, the stairs were brutal. And you're going to have about 16 hours once the seminar starts to when you're doing exercise, so there's almost no acclimation time.
 
For anyone else who like me, did not get selected, the application for SLE at West Point is open until March 14th and NASS at Navy is until March 31st. Definitely going to apply for them now just to have a shot at a summer seminar experience, even though Air Force is my number one SA on list.
CG AIM is still open too
 
For anyone else who like me, did not get selected, the application for SLE at West Point is open until March 14th and NASS at Navy is until March 31st. Definitely going to apply for them now just to have a shot at a summer seminar experience, even though Air Force is my number one SA on list.
Coast Guard academy just opened as well.
 
If you don't mind sharing - what does it mean to be sponsored for the Summer Seminar? And what is the criteria for determining who is sponsored?
I asked if they offered financial assistance. They then sent me an email the next day saying I was sponsored. They waived the registration fee and said they would pay for my flights.
 
Question about the packing list. It asks that they bring 4 pairs of khaki pants. 4 pairs of black/blue shorts - easily doable and will be worn again. However, 4 pairs of khakis....will never get used again and kind of a significant investment for what it is. Looking for feedback from those that have attended - any modifications to the packing list that they would recommend? More or less of anything? TIA
I attended last summer, two pairs is perfectly fine even one pair will last you the week. Four pairs is not necessary, I only used one pair
 
How was the altitude there? I’m coming from 50ft above sea level which is a huge jump to the thousands USAFA is at, so I’m a little nervous. Did they give you guys time to adjust before putting you in sports? Any comments are appreciated!
make sure you run a lot before you go. During my session, one kid in my element passed out from the altitude
 
I asked if they offered financial assistance. They then sent me an email the next day saying I was sponsored. They waived the registration fee and said they would pay for my flights.

Who did you contact for financial assistance?
 
My DD was accepted to session B. Still waiting to hear from USMA - but USAFA has been her first choice since she could talk - her grandfather is a 69 grad.....
 
Who did you contact for financial assistance?
When you open up your portal, go down and there should be a pdf named "2020 Summer Seminar (SS) TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION/PACKING INFORMATION."There is an email listed as Summer.Seminar@usafa.edu. Just send them an email about needing financial assistance. For USMA or USNA, send an email and they will reply to you.
 
Back
Top