Swab summer schedule 2022

CGA2026 said:
Will there be opportunities between the conclusion of Swab summer and the beginning of school where parents can drop stuff (like printer and whatever else the cadet asks for) off? Or it's best they just buy whatever they need from the onsite store or local retails? Thank you.
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yes to all the above questions.
 
StacyMcallister said:
What is the swab summer 2022 schedule
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Reporting in day is always the last Monday In June. So for class of ‘27, I Day will be Monday, June 26, 2023. I THINK the first time you get to see your Swab after drop off is at the Mystic event (flag ceremony?) towards the end of the 7 week Swab summer. There are some GREAT cadet blogs on the USCGA website and some of them are about preparing for Swab summer.
 
uscga.edu

How to Prep for Swab Summer - United States Coast Guard Academy

While Swab Summer 2020 was a different Swab Summer unlike any other, I’d like to share my insight into how I prepared for it, what I should have done differently, and what I won’t take back from the summer. I appreciated all the help and advice I got before Swab Summer– I asked too many […]
uscga.edu uscga.edu

These blogs on the USCGA site are REALLY helpful! This one is by a cadet and has tons of helpful tips on preparing for Swab Summer. One that my DD and I found especially insightful was the tip on having your swab prep their own care packages with dates/weeks on when to send them, and the pre-filling out of stamped envelopes to cut down on limited free time to write home, etc (which is also the only way to communicate with home if they need something sent etc).
 
USN/USCGMamaBear said:
uscga.edu

How to Prep for Swab Summer - United States Coast Guard Academy

While Swab Summer 2020 was a different Swab Summer unlike any other, I’d like to share my insight into how I prepared for it, what I should have done differently, and what I won’t take back from the summer. I appreciated all the help and advice I got before Swab Summer– I asked too many […]
uscga.edu uscga.edu

These blogs on the USCGA site are REALLY helpful! This one is by a cadet and has tons of helpful tips on preparing for Swab Summer. One that my DD and I found especially insightful was the tip on having your swab prep their own care packages with dates/weeks on when to send them, and the pre-filling out of stamped envelopes to cut down on limited free time to write home, etc (which is also the only way to communicate with home if they need something sent etc).
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Agree with this lots of info in the Cadet Blogs.

Also, most cadets have their emails listed in the Blog posts. If you have a question, nothing beats emailing a current cadet and asking the question or getting a few tips.
 
Question for experienced folks. When dropping off Swabs on Monday, what time are we basically done with their activities? Planning return flight same day or next.

Also, when Swab summer is over, when do we get to see them, is it for one day or multiple?

Thank you 🙏
 
USCGABound said:
Question for experienced folks. When dropping off Swabs on Monday, what time are we basically done with their activities? Planning return flight same day or next.

Also, when Swab summer is over, when do we get to see them, is it for one day or multiple?

Thank you 🙏
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I would have the return flight the next day. You drop them off EARLY Monday morning (time depends on their company), then they have the swearing in ceremony at 3:00p-4:00p. You say your final good-byes after that.

They don't get any formal time off after swab summer. They go straight into CAP week (get their schedules, move into their rooms, etc). It's a busy week for them. The local families might get an afternoon with their cadet, but there isn't any leave between Swab Summer and the start of school. They should have a "long" over Labor Day weekend. But their time off there might be interrupted by sports or their duty schedule. Thanksgiving should be the first guaranteed plane ticket home.
 
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CGA2026 said:
Will there be opportunities between the conclusion of Swab summer and the beginning of school where parents can drop stuff (like printer and whatever else the cadet asks for) off? Or it's best they just buy whatever they need from the onsite store or local retails? Thank you.
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My DD gets a lot of things online and just had it mailed to her there. We did not go there during CAP week but she does have a sponsor parent that could bring items to her that we had stored there when we dropped her off for swab summer. But in hind sight that was not necessary because she had a better idea of what to get in the moment of CAP week. The long Labor Day weekend was truly the better plan to take for your first visit. Because my DD was during 2020 summer, we never got to see her till after swab summer was over. No Mystic visit and no Eagle week trips for that class and we never saw the campus on Swearing-In day because it was a couple hour window or for the rest of that school year.
The biggest thing we learned that year was online purchasing ( let them use your Amazon account) and one-way tickets ( not round-trip).
 
Is there anything at the conclusion of Swab Summer for families to attend- or even just to visit to see their swab before beginning CAP week? Or is that not really a thing...
 
Bulldogmom74 said:
Is there anything at the conclusion of Swab Summer for families to attend- or even just to visit to see their swab before beginning CAP week? Or is that not really a thing...
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There will be a shoulder board ceremony. I believe this is where they official go from "swabs" to "cadets". It's open to the public. Are you local or would a visit involve an airplane ticket, hotel, vacation time, etc? That's makes a big difference. Planning ahead this week is tough, but if I recall, many local families were successful finding some time here and there.
 
CA946 said:
There will be a shoulder board ceremony. I believe this is where they official go from "swabs" to "cadets". It's open to the public. Are you local or would a visit involve an airplane ticket, hotel, vacation time, etc? That's makes a big difference. Planning ahead this week is tough, but if I recall, many local families were successful finding some time here and there.
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We are in Virginia so travel and hotel definitely needed.
 
Bulldogmom74 said:
We are in Virginia so travel and hotel definitely needed.
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My nephew is a cadet at WP and the weekend following beast the summer before his plebe year, families were able to visit their cadet and they had leave to see them. I didn't know if CGA had something similar. Sounds like maybe not...
 
CA946 said:
There will be a shoulder board ceremony. I believe this is where they official go from "swabs" to "cadets". It's open to the public. Are you local or would a visit involve an airplane ticket, hotel, vacation time, etc? That's makes a big difference. Planning ahead this week is tough, but if I recall, many local families were successful finding some time here and there.
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This shoulder board ceremony is not something for parents. They are allowed because it is an open campus, so you can attend if you want. But honestly, it probably is not worth the trip (unless you are local) because you will not get time with your swab/cadet. They march onto the parade field as swabs (like for regular regimental reviews), and then as part of that review, they will have their shoulder boards put on by an upper class cadet (usually of their choice). Then they march off as 4/c cadets. There is no time for pictures. There is no liberty.
 
Bulldogmom74 said:
Is there anything at the conclusion of Swab Summer for families to attend- or even just to visit to see their swab before beginning CAP week? Or is that not really a thing...
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The shoulder board ceremony isn't a huge deal and not many people come in for it. I'm with @Swimmom816 here: Labor Day is the best chance, otherwise Parents' weekend is in early October and is terrific. If you need to travel that's the time to see the campus, when you can get into Chase, get a tour and the students get some libo.

EDIT: Jinx!
 
Class of 2026 parents were highly discouraged from attending the shoulder board ceremony. (from admins in the Facebook groups). But there were a number of 2026 families who went and they all said it was well worth it and they were glad they attended. I just thought that was very odd. I think if you're local and can go, then check it out. But I wouldn't buy a plane ticket and get a hotel. Last year it was live-streamed, too. Hard to find your cadet, but nice to be involved if you're not close by. Labor Day is also a gamble as they could be gone for sports.
 
CA946 said:
Class of 2026 parents were highly discouraged from attending the shoulder board ceremony. (from admins in the Facebook groups). But there were a number of 2026 families who went and they all said it was well worth it and they were glad they attended. I just thought that was very odd. I think if you're local and can go, then check it out. But I wouldn't buy a plane ticket and get a hotel. Last year it was live-streamed, too. Hard to find your cadet, but nice to be involved if you're not close by. Labor Day is also a gamble as they could be gone for sports.
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I agree that if you are local, it may be a nice thing to see. You *might* be able to pick out your swab depending on where they are on the field, but if they are in the middle of their company then you might not even see them except when they march on. Just trying to manage expectations for those who would have to make a longer trip. It is usually done on the Monday right after swab summer ends so it isn't a day they will have liberty.
 
ProudMom7 said:
I agree that if you are local, it may be a nice thing to see. You *might* be able to pick out your swab depending on where they are on the field, but if they are in the middle of their company then you might not even see them except when they march on. Just trying to manage expectations for those who would have to make a longer trip. It is usually done on the Monday right after swab summer ends so it isn't a day they will have liberty.
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The actual shoulder board part of the ceremony is over in a flash too. Basically all swabs are done at the same time and it takes maybe two minutes total. Agree 100% here with ProudMom7.
 
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Bulldogmom74 said:
Is there anything at the conclusion of Swab Summer for families to attend- or even just to visit to see their swab before beginning CAP week? Or is that not really a thing...
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The mystic Flag Ceremony, which is in late July, before the end of SWAB summer, is a great time to go. We were able to visit our cadet, take her to lunch and Target. It was only a few hours, but well worth it for all of us! We were in NJ for the summer and drove up, stayed overnight the night before. I would have flown from FL, as it was worth it to us, and we were able to.
 
momofusna1 said:
The mystic Flag Ceremony, which is in late July, before the end of SWAB summer, is a great time to go. We were able to visit our cadet, take her to lunch and Target. It was only a few hours, but well worth it for all of us! We were in NJ for the summer and drove up, stayed overnight the night before. I would have flown from FL, as it was worth it to us, and we were able to.
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I agree. Class of 2024 had strict covid restrictions and parents were not able to come up to visit. They had their Mystic Flag Ceremony on the football field with no spectators near the end of the summer. BUT, that is not the norm. This past summer (2022), I volunteered with the Parents Association for the Mystic Flag Ceremony, and it seemed like it would be a perfect time for a visit if parents are able to make it. They have several hours of liberty after the ceremony, plus you get to see your cadet dressed in their trops uniform as they march in. It is probably a big transformation for many swabs from the beginning of the summer. Since many parents are not able to come, most parents who do attend will voluntarily take a few extra swabs with them to lunch or for ice cream so that no swab is left out. It is the first true bit of downtime for most swabs since the beginning of the summer. However, keep in mind that some swabs might prefer that family NOT come. They might feel that they would rather stay "in the zone". Hopefully your swab would communicate their preference to you.
 
The swabs get their phones back after the Mystic Flag ceremony so even if you can’t attend in person you can at least talk to them. We had a memorable 4-hour call with our guy last year :)
 
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