Tour Visit tips

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Nytoga330

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Hi! We are taking DS (junior HS) for a visit to USAFA. We were told by a college counselor that we could try to get a class visit or cadet area visit (DS has a former classmate that is a 2nd year cadet at USAFA). We tried, but his friend couldn't figure out how to get it done, and when we contacted USAFA, they emailed back stating that it was not possible.

We have the general tour visit set up and wanted to ask if there are any tips you may have to get the most out of the trip.

We have been to Co Springs before and have toured Red Rock, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Manitou incline. What are other, hidden areas we could visit while we are there? We love Manitou incline, so we will get a reservation for climbing again. And we have no issues revisiting Red rock/garden of gods, but wouldn't mind going to a new attraction to change things up.
Thank you!
 
Last time we visited USAFA was pre-Covid, so things may have changed. Back then, there was just the general tour, which brought visitors inside the fence (the cadet living area, with residence halls and academic buildings). We passed dorm rooms and classrooms, but were not allowed to attend class. The tour also visited areas outside the fence (visitors center, chapel, a distant view of the athletic fields).

This tour is akin to those at USMA and USNA. USNA may be the least restrictive, as it seems visitors can roam more areas more freely. (Ironically, its area is also the smallest of the three. But again, no real classrooms or dorm rooms at any of the three.)

What we did when visiting all three: Just hang around after the tour. Grab a bite where you’re allowed. Wander over to open areas. Just be in the proximity of cadets/mids — see them, overhear their conversations (without being creepy), get into a conversation with them if you can. It can give you a great feel.

When DD was in the 8th grade, she and I visited USNA. I thought it would be a two- or three-hour jaunt, with the general tour being the highlight. But we did what I suggested above. We stood a long while in the foyer of Bancroft Hall, just watching mids walk up from lunch (she was enamored with how mids hauled multiple Gatorade bottles in their upturned covers). DD overheard that there’d be parade practice that afternoon and asked if we could stay to watch. So we grabbed lunch and attended afternoon mass at the chapel (both with many mids among us). She loved watching parade practice (we seemed to be the only civilians there) and we finally left eight hours after we arrived. 🤭

P.S. Years later, DD would often leave lunch carrying multiple Gatorade bottles in her upturned cover. And she’s one of the few mids who genuinely enjoyed parades — and parade practice. 😉

P.P.S. Within a couple hours: Check out the Great Sand Dunes National Park, to the southwest. Or head into the Rockies, with stops at Evergreen or Breckinridge or Frisco or Vail. Then there’s lovely Boulder, with CU and all things Coach Prime. Have fun.
 
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We visited KP with our DD during her senior year. The morning was spent listening to the standard presentations after which DD went off with a plebe while DW and I were left to wander. We ran into a maintenance man and asked how to get to the store where shirts, etc. were sold. (Proper term is NEX) He preceded to give us a 20 minute lecture on Midshipman life. The point is: Find a civilian employee who has worked at the Academy for 10-20 years to learn what your DD/DS is getting into. Epilog: While visiting KP a few years later we ran into him again. "She's doing great." We have no idea how he was able to match DD with us.
 
MidCakePa said:
Last time we visited USAFA was pre-Covid, so things may have changed. Back then, there was just the general tour, which brought visitors inside the fence (the cadet living area, with residence halls and academic buildings). We passed dorm rooms and classrooms, but were not allowed to attend class. The tour also visited areas outside the fence (visitors center, chapel, a distant view of the athletic fields).

This tour is akin to those at USMA and USNA. USNA may be the least restrictive, as it seems visitors can roam more areas more freely. (Ironically, its area is also the smallest of the three. But again, no real classrooms or dorm rooms at any of the three.)

What we did when visiting all three: Just hang around after the tour. Grab a bite where you’re allowed. Wander over to open areas. Just be in the proximity of cadets/mids — see them, overhear their conversations (without being creepy), get into a conversation with them if you can. It can give you a great feel.

When DD was in the 8th grade, she and I visited USNA. I thought it would be a two- or three-hour jaunt, with the general tour being the highlight. But we did what I suggested above. We stood a long while in the foyer of Bancroft Hall, just watching mids walk up from lunch (she was enamored with how mids hauled multiple Gatorade bottles in their upturned covers). DD overheard that there’d be parade practice that afternoon and asked if we could stay to watch. So we grabbed lunch and attended afternoon mass at the chapel (both with many mids among us). She loved watching parade practice (we seemed to be the only civilians there) and we finally left eight hours after we arrived. 🤭

P.S. Years later, DD would often leave lunch carrying multiple Gatorade bottles in her upturned cover. And she’s one of the few mids who genuinely enjoyed parades — and parade practice. 😉

P.P.S. Within a couple hours: Check out the Great Sand Dunes National Park, to the southwest. Or head into the Rockies, with stops at Evergreen or Breckinridge or Frisco or Vail. Then there’s lovely Boulder, with CU and all things Coach Prime. Have fun.
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That's great advice. Hopefully they'll let us stick around afterwards. We'll definitely go buy some official swag. DS is wearing my USAFA t-shirt my parents bought me when I visited as a 13 year old...
 
Hockey10 said:
We visited KP with our DD during her senior year. The morning was spent listening to the standard presentations after which DD went off with a plebe while DW and I were left to wander. We ran into a maintenance man and asked how to get to the store where shirts, etc. were sold. (Proper term is NEX) He preceded to give us a 20 minute lecture on Midshipman life. The point is: Find a civilian employee who has worked at the Academy for 10-20 years to learn what your DD/DS is getting into. Epilog: While visiting KP a few years later we ran into him again. "She's doing great." We have no idea how he was able to match DD with us.
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Amazing story! Very cool. DS makes fun of me because I talk to anyone/everyone, so hopefully that helps!
 
JohnMcLane said:
Royal Gorge is about a 45 minute drive away. It is absolutely amazing.
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Do you just go to the bridge? Is it worth paying for the zipline/coaster? My son is a thrill junky (aspiring pilot, haha), so i know he'd say yes if it's worth the cost.
 
How far out is this visit? It is actually relatively easy to get approval if you are more than 2 weeks out. More than happy to send the friend a draft of the paperwork to use.
 
Clar said:
How far out is this visit? It is actually relatively easy to get approval if you are more than 2 weeks out. More than happy to send the friend a draft of the paperwork to use.
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Going on Monday for the Tour. Thank you for your offer, though. We had contacted them at the beginning of the month, but they replied that the cadet areas would be off limit. I think I just didn't know who to contact (I emailed admissions). Or, I assumed that covid changed things.
 
Nytoga330 said:
Do you just go to the bridge? Is it worth paying for the zipline/coaster? My son is a thrill junky (aspiring pilot, haha), so i know he'd say yes if it's worth the cost.
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This was several years ago so no clue on prices. We just did the bridge, the gondola, and took a helicopter ride. The bridge by itself is a little adventurous. The zip line looked super intense!
 
There's also a very challenging (and very expensive) "Via Ferrata" climb/hike up the walls of the gorge that an adrenaline junkie would enjoy possibly more than just a gondola ride or zip line. Check out the Royal Gorge website

Guided Climbing Tours - Best Via Ferrata Attraction in Colorado

Looking for the Best Guided Climbing Tour in Colorado? Climb the granite rock walls of the Royal Gorge on our new Via Ferrata Attraction! Book your Tour online today!
royalgorgebridge.com royalgorgebridge.com
 
I second Royal Gorge and Via Ferrata. When my then 18y/o and then 16 y/o now Plebe visited USAFA in summer 2021, the kids did it and had an absolute blast. It was HARD.

Another option is to rent mountain bikes and ride the awesome trails in Colorado Springs.
 
Nytoga330 said:
Hi! We are taking DS (junior HS) for a visit to USAFA. We were told by a college counselor that we could try to get a class visit or cadet area visit (DS has a former classmate that is a 2nd year cadet at USAFA). We tried, but his friend couldn't figure out how to get it done, and when we contacted USAFA, they emailed back stating that it was not possible.

We have the general tour visit set up and wanted to ask if there are any tips you may have to get the most out of the trip.

We have been to Co Springs before and have toured Red Rock, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Manitou incline. What are other, hidden areas we could visit while we are there? We love Manitou incline, so we will get a reservation for climbing again. And we have no issues revisiting Red rock/garden of gods, but wouldn't mind going to a new attraction to change things up.
Thank you!
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One of the things that helped my DS2027, was he had a friend that graduated from his High School that ended up in the USAFA class of 2025. After we did the tour, he was able to meet up with the Cadet (who had just finished recognition at the time) in Arnold Hall and get an in person understanding of what life would be like and answer a hundred questions. Usually, cadets maintain a text/email relationship with one or two formative teachers from their high school. You may be able to get in contact with a cadet that came from your high school through your teachers.
 
If you'll be @ USAFA on Monday, there should be a noon meal formation starting @ 11:35 where you can watch the Cadet Wing march to lunch :)
Off campus, you might want to go to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Enjoy a meal or just walking around the grounds of the Broadmoor Hotel. For other things to do, visit the website www.visitcos.com
 
If you don't mind driving, about an hour away from Colorado Springs is Cripple Creek and the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine. It used to be a working gold mine but now they give tours. You take a small mine elevator down about 1,000 feet where the guide shows you around the mine, explain how the mine operated, and tells you about the lives of the miners who worked there and what sort of equipment they used. It's actually really interesting. One word of warning, it is definitely not a good idea if anyone in your group has claustrophobia or a fear of the dark. If you get cold easily a light jacket might also be a good idea.

Others have mentioned the Royal Gorge and I agree that's a lot of fun with some thrilling things to do. However, nearby is the Royal Gorge Railroad, and it takes you right through the gorge and under the bridge. It's about a 1 1/2 to 2-hour tour and you choose the level of car you want when you book your ticket. They even offer lunch and dinner options. They also have a couple of open-air cars that are available to everyone where you can get some really great pictures. A lot of the ride is by a fairly large running creek and you can see animals and sometimes even rafters depending on when you go.
 
Trip update from OP

We had a wonderful visit to Colorado springs. Sunday we met DS 2nd year cadet friend. He gave great info regarding the level of rigor vs their high school classes (his take is no classes were harder than HS but the demands of a first year make time management very difficult, which makes finding time to study hard). Friend also said how much he's changed in one year and how his goals changed. It was good for DS to hear ...DS thinks he's prepared for the military aspect due to Civil air patrol, but I think he'd be in for a shock!

Monday was the tour, and it was much more comprehensive than I thought it would be. We got to see the dorms, go through the library, exemplar hall and saw the lunch formation.

We were also surprised how easy it was to access the academy. We hung out afterwards and hiked Eagles Peak, a suggestion from cadet friend....well, he didn't describe it well and DS and I were not prepared for a strenuous hike that wasn't clearly marked. After a wrong turn, we met other people and they re oriented us. Made it to the top and it was worth the view!

Other trip highlights were the Garden of the Gods and Manitou incline, royal gorge skycoaster and zip line...I need a vacation from this vacation!

Weather was amazing, and DS fell in love and wants to put all his eggs in this basket. I think visits to USNA and some ROTC will help. The admissions people really put on the hard sell and sugar coat the experience here. I'm sure the other schools will describe what makes the better, haha.
 
The tour will serve as good information to share in your son's future essays and interviews discussing his knowledge of cadet life, his understanding of the challenges and his motivation that increased with his visit and meeting his cadet contact. I'm pleased it was such as good trip -- Go AF!
 
For the SA of anyone seeing this later, it is very easy for a cadet to get approval to tour someone around the cadet area. I believe a cadet can even host a prospective student for an overnight visit with the right approvals, though I don't have direct experience with that.
A few other reactions to your post I wanted to share:
Nytoga330 said:
DS thinks he's prepared for the military aspect due to Civil air patrol
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He probably has slightly more preparation that the average cadet. The bigger danger is showing up to I-day thinking you know better than your cadre or your classmates. If he flaunts his CAP experience, he'll probably come off as a know it all and be widely disliked. As I remarked in another post, some of the only likable CAP kids are the ones who keep it to themselves. Quite often you'll hear someone was a Cadet whatever in CAP and you just kind of nod and go "yup, that checks."

Nytoga330 said:
The admissions people really put on the hard sell and sugar coat the experience here.
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Without a doubt, they do. However, it's important for your son to be clear eyed about what this school is and what it's not. I took my best crack at explaining that difference here because I thought it might bring value to future candidates. On balance, I do love this school, but it is frequently not the picture that admissions paints.
 
Nytoga330 said:
Weather was amazing, and DS fell in love and wants to put all his eggs in this basket.
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Glad to know the visit was successful and enchanting. Extended visits have a way of doing that to candidates. DD felt that way after a full-day visit to USNA. Until she spent a week at West Point. Until she spent a full week at USNA. 😉

Remind your son that he should pick the service, not the service academy. The latter lasts all of four years, the former potentially many more. And always have Plan B, C, D… You know what they say about the best-laid plans.
 
Nothing really prepares you for I-day. Our son grew up in a Military household. Heard all the stories. He is extremely fit and thought he was prepared. He comment back to us after the shock and awe was this is nothing one can truly prepare for. He loved it and loves being at USAFA, but states it a grind you have to love and want.
 
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