Traveling from USNA to USMA

OldRetSWO said:
We're talking about less than a year before being allowed to vote, sign contracts, etc.
Every family (and kid) is different.
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This. You gave them wings, now it’s time to let them fly away. If you have a young adult who is headed to an SA, they will be traveling around the world as part of their education. And then even more so as part of their career. There will be trips to other major cities with friends that they will plan entirely themselves, fun weekends away from the academy. You might not even hear about it until they’re back! Please, please give your young adult the confidence and respect they deserve in letting them travel alone. Even hand them the reins in the planning – you might be surprised what they come up with! They'll be responsible for so much detail once they raise their right hand, may as well let them start being independent now. Time to let 'em go.
 
This site outlines overall costs, timing options that you may find useful. I would also contact the program coordinators to confirm options to get to the train station near BWI if that is a route you wish to explore. *I do not work for or endorse any specific route - just info sharing.
 
ChatterMom2 said:
Last year my daughter traveled alone. Both USNA and USMA will provide transportation from the airport to the Academy and then back to the airport if your DD arrives/departs at the academies preferred airport during their preferred/suggested arrival/departure times. Check the info packet's travel section. It gets tricky sometimes if you can't find a flight that arrives early enough (when flying west coast to east coast) to get there during the suggested program check-in times to use the Academy's provided transportation. Sometimes you are looking at a overnight flight or overnight layover. If flying a day early then hotel accommodations and local transportation become a factor. Also traveling from NASS to SLE or SLE to NASS you are looking at a hotel an extra night or two depending on what the current dates are.
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This. The academies usually will provide transportation to/from the nearest airport. They might even provide transportation directly to/from the train station. My daughter did not attend either of their summer programs so I'm not sure, but I know USCGA picked up attendees from the local train station in addition to the two closest airports.
 
NCA said:
Actually, I think WP may provide ride from and to EWR airport for SLE. If that’s the case, traveling from BWI to EWR should be straight forward.
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I was thinking the same thing. Take the USNA bus to BWI (or an Uber if you have to leave early) and then use the USMA bus to West Point. I just checked the USMA SLE website and they do have transportation between EWR and West Point.
 
Herman_Snerd said:
This site outlines overall costs, timing options that you may find useful. I would also contact the program coordinators to confirm options to get to the train station near BWI if that is a route you wish to explore. *I do not work for or endorse any specific route - just info sharing.
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There is a free shuttle that runs between BWI air terminal and the BWI Amtrak Station. If USNA provides transport to the air terminal, he can then hop on the shuttle to the train station, about 5 minutes away
 
I stuck my 14 year old on a flight in DC to fly alone to Hawaii not knowing if Dad’s ship was in fact going to pull in as scheduled after 9+ months deployed, but had friends of friends ready to collect him at the airport if not 🫣. But all worked out fine and he had the time of his life on that 6 day Tiger cruise to San Diego. In fact describing what he saw from the deck of an aircraft carrier while sailing past the USS Arizona Memorial was the opening paragraph for all of his “why I want to join the Navy” essays. In this age of cell phones, gps tracking, instant contact etc, sometimes the risk is worth the reward to let them spread their wings! They are very capable! And I say this with the kid who will still be 17 for the first day of college classes no matter where he is, while we’ll be living on a different continent by then 🥺. He can’t wait lol
 
Capt MJ said:
There is a free shuttle that runs between BWI air terminal and the BWI Amtrak Station. If USNA provides transport to the air terminal, he can then hop on the shuttle to the train station, about 5 minutes away
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Adding to this - if one takes Amtrak from BWI AMTRAK Station to Newark Penn Station, there are connections from there to the Airport where one gets the West Point bus to SLE.
 
BWI Air Terminal Free Shuttle to BWI Amtrak Station
www.bwiairport.com

BWI Marshall Airport: Your Gateway to the Baltimore-Washington Region

Low Fares, Convenient Parking, Modern Terminal and an “Easy Come, Easy Go” Reputation Make BWI Marshall Airport Your Best Travel Choice.
www.bwiairport.com www.bwiairport.com

Do NOT book Amtrak from Baltimore station. BWI Airport Station is the closest to Annapolis.
 
One more question - NASS Session 1 ends on 6/8 and SLE Session 2 starts on 6/10. That leaves two nights where my son will have to find a place to stay. I checked the airport hotels in BWI and EWR, but the minimum age required for check-in is 21. I have no relatives or friends in Baltimore or NY/NJ areas... Any suggestions?
 
NCA said:
One more question - NASS Session 1 ends on 6/8 and SLE Session 2 starts on 6/10. That leaves two nights where my son will have to find a place to stay. I checked the airport hotels in BWI and EWR, but the minimum age required for check-in is 21. I have no relatives or friends in Baltimore or NY/NJ areas... Any suggestions?
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From experience, if 18, he can find NJ/NY hotels that will allow. Search for legit hotels/Airbnbs using 'hotels for youths.' Church affiliations sometimes work also. Sponsor families are another option.
 
One summer, I took 16-year-old DS on a two-week business trip to Asia. We had stops in Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo and Taipei. In each city, he had a couple days to himself while I was at the office. So we worked together to plot activities (thank you, Trip Advisor) that he could do with a guide and/or groups. To get to these activities, he needed to navigate public transportation, city streets and unrecognizable languages.

At first he was nervous. I escorted him to the first day’s rendezvous point, via subway and foot, assisted by Google Maps. From there his confidence soared. It wasn’t always easy, he had a couple hiccups, but in the end he pulled off multiple excursions. I was so proud of him. More importantly, he was proud of himself.

I share this not to laud DS or brag about him, but to say: Let your child spread his/her wings. They’re capable of more than you — or they — may think. Give them space to learn, stumble and succeed. Help is always just a text or call away. 😉
 
NCA said:
Thank you. So that means:

USNA -> Uber/Taxi to BWI -> ACELA to NY Penn Station -> Walk to Grand Central Station -> Metro North to Garrison -> Uber/Taxi to USMA

Whew, that's a quite a journey for a 17yo by himself...
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This. I would add that there is a ferry from Garrison to South Dock at West Point. Normally this is only for military personnel and dependents, but you might be able to coordinate the ferry with USMA.
 
Trainer said:
From experience, if 18, he can find NJ/NY hotels that will allow. Search for legit hotels/Airbnbs using 'hotels for youths.' Church affiliations sometimes work also. Sponsor families are another option.
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This might be a good idea. If he takes the train to New York, then he'd have a couple nights in New York, and he could make his way back to the train station or where ever USMA picks up for their summer session. Or, if he wanted a bit more time in Annapolis, I bet a family would be willing to host him for those nights and then get him to the BWI Amtrak Station.
 
Same boat for here. Starting to have second thoughts on missing out on two weeks of school prior to finals. DS has visited USNA for STEM last summer, has an understanding of the campus and love for the area. Our quandary is this, possible final 11th grade issue based on missing out on two weeks of school, or attending both seminars? Leaning towards choosing just one. currently all paid up for session #1 SLE and #2 NASS. Still up in the air, travel between the two is rough on a 24hr turn.
 
beantownkid said:
Same boat for here. Starting to have second thoughts on missing out on two weeks of school prior to finals. DS has visited USNA for STEM last summer, has an understanding of the campus and love for the area. Our quandary is this, possible final 11th grade issue based on missing out on two weeks of school, or attending both seminars? Leaning towards choosing just one. currently all paid up for session #1 SLE and #2 NASS. Still up in the air, travel between the two is rough on a 24hr turn.
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take finals before leaving.
 
NCA said:
One more question - NASS Session 1 ends on 6/8 and SLE Session 2 starts on 6/10. That leaves two nights where my son will have to find a place to stay. I checked the airport hotels in BWI and EWR, but the minimum age required for check-in is 21. I have no relatives or friends in Baltimore or NY/NJ areas... Any suggestions?
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Hello @NCA
My DD traveled alone to both NASS and SLE last year. She did not have back to back sessions, however we are also from Northern California and the flight schedules lent themselves to her and another NorCal attendee flying in the night before SLE and spending the night at the EWR Marriott. It is possible to stay there for an unaccompanied under 18 year old.

First, I recommend that he take the provided bus transport from BWI to NASS and back to BWI. Then he can fly to EWR ... stay the nights and then take the West Point provided bus to/from EWR. The EWR Marriott is at the airport and they have a shuttle that runs very frequently from the terminal to the hotel. It also stops at the parking lot where the West Point buses pick up for transport -very easy.

There are two ways to make the hotel stay happen. The most transparent way is how we approached it. Rather than speaking to the reservations clerk who will tell you 'nope, not possible', I called the hotel manager directly who is able to grant exceptions, explained the situation, why she was there and that she was extraordinarily mature/responsible. He was very accommodating and asked us to email him a letter accepting all liability and responsibility for damages, her and anything that might happen. We also gave her a credit card on our account with her name to use to check in and for incidentals. Smooth as could be and everyone was aware of what was happening. I would recommend this route. The other route that some folks take is to make the reservation under their name and have your kiddo download the Marriott App on their phone for virtual check-in and the phone functions as the key - contactless with the hotel, but not transparent and potential for issues should the key not work, etc.

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions and very happy to be a resource for you as your DS and family navigate this and upcoming processes.
 
beantownkid said:
Unfortunatley not an option. Finals start the day after NASS ends. This would definitely negatively effect his GPA.
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I have experience with this. Schools can be flexible when all of the ramifications are explained. My own son had a similar
situation and again, he was allowed to take them early and he crushed them.
 
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