Treat for overnight visit host

[Hoosiermom18]

My son is staying the night on campus with someone so he can do the morning run with them and get a feel for the program. I saw in another forum that people bring gifts for hosts, but I can't even guess what sort of gift to buy a kid I've never met---however I'm open to suggestions here. So I thought I'd bake cookies and then my son's friend that is NROTC said, "You can't send him to the army with cookies." Is that true? They are college students and they're working out like crazy so I'm assuming they're always hungry and might like something homemade. If you can't have cookies in the ROTC then I'm surprised anyone signs up at all!

 

[rotcadet2021]

I can't say I've ever heard of bringing a gift for a host, but I am a college student, and would certainly appreciate cookies.

 

[billyb]

Of course you can have cookies. Something homemade is the perfect gift for someone that is hosting your DS/DD for the night!

 

[eljay60]

If he were going to Basic training, no, don't send cookies. If he's going to a college campus, to hang out with a bunch of dorm-steam-table fed students, send a couple of dozen!

 

[brob]

The school where my DD was hosted overnight has a Starbucks on campus and a $25 gift card and handwritten note was greatly appreciated by the student host. I think cookies are a great idea, too, though!

 

[MohawkArmyROTC]

Cookies or a Starbuck's giftcard would be greatly appreciated by an ROTC cadet host.

 

[FastFood44]

Any gift (literally anything) that involves food would be super appreciated by any college student!!

 

[Herman_Snerd]

Last week my DS and I visited two schools and he shadowed/ had overnights at each. In talking to each young man he shadowed, we learned a bit about each of them and when we left, we thanked them and like the poster who gave a 25.00 card, I just gave them each 25.00 cash said please put this toward your next ___ (lure or whatever for the kid who LOVED fishing, and dinner out with your girlfriend for the young man that was sweetly over the moon in love). I got a call yesterday from the PMS from the second school - I guess it got back to him that we shared a gift, and he raved about how no one had been that thoughtful or generous in the last 10 years of his working with ROTC and that most people don't really do anything for these kids who give up hours of their time. The kids were definitely appreciative too (what college kid doesn't need a little extra cash), so I know it's unoriginal and I do think it's the gesture and that anything homemade is very cool too - just passing along details in case it helps future readers thinking about this for themselves. If money is tight, then honestly just a nice card and even a 3.00 large candy bar or something would I think also convey your appreciation - glad folks are thinking about this and thanks to the other posters who shared some guidance on this topic.

 

[18Hopeful]

My son is staying the night on campus with someone so he can do the morning run with them and get a feel for the program. I saw in another forum that people bring gifts for hosts, but I can't even guess what sort of gift to buy a kid I've never met---however I'm open to suggestions here. So I thought I'd bake cookies and then my son's friend that is NROTC said, "You can't send him to the army with cookies." Is that true? They are college students and they're working out like crazy so I'm assuming they're always hungry and might like something homemade. If you can't have cookies in the ROTC then I'm surprised anyone signs up at all!

My DS visited during CVW in the fall. I made a care package for his plebe and included homemade cookies, brownies, and then added protein/granola bars and individual packs of snack crackers. I also included 2 small value Starbucks gift cards. I made the box large enough to share and it was a huge hit with the kids. What kid doesn't like a surprise and a snack?

 

[5centsmom]

Given the amount of calories these young men & women are burning... there are NEVER enough cookies!

 

[kinnem]

My DS has been on active duty for 3+ years now. We still send care packages of his favorite foods and also send along enough for his platoon to share. They are devoured and appreciated. Nothing like a taste of home, even if it's not your own home. I vote for cookies. Lots of cookies.

 

[hokiesfan]

Absolutely nothing wrong with cookies or other homemade treats. Another option is to see if there’s a local place that delivers fresh, warm cookies and such to students. I know there are a couple such places in Blacksburg (Campus Cookies, Insomnia Cookies) and they do a brisk business in the VT cadet dorms.

 

[Dckc88]

My non-ROTC daughter did an athletic visit recently and stayed in a players dorm room. Literally buying her host a smoothie and protein bar on campus when I met up with them before meeting with the coach made her day! I agree with everyone above, absolutely anything (especially food) will be appreciated!