West Point R-day 2021

[aa-ttention]

Is it that R-day this year will be June 26-28? Wondering any suggestions on lodge and logistics? Thanks.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

I assume you are driving?
Where you stay depends on what you want to do. Some people will come early and spend a few days in the city if that floats your boat.
You don’t need something really close, but probably no more than 30 minutes. You will only be able to drop off at the gate, then maybe have breakfast in HF.

 

[USMA 1994]

With everything that is happening I would suggest using the program that admissions usually sets up. You fly into Newark, they bus you to a local hotel and then bus you the next morning to West Point. In a typical year a family trip a few days early is a great idea but I am not sure there will be that much to do this summer.

 

[Impulsive]

Is it that R-day this year will be June 26-28? Wondering any suggestions on lodge and logistics? Thanks.

Congrats, as for arrival, unless things change between now and June it isn't worth parents driving you there (unless you live close by). There is no admittance to the Post unless you have "official business". Even Parents with Military ID have to drop off at the gate and turn around. OPP's for current cadets require pick ups be made at the Visitors Center. Not sure if they are "staggering" arrivals again or not, but for the past year, every time the Corps returns it is a staggered return for testing and quarantine. I am guessing here but it is probably going to be like last years R-Day, staggered arrivals with no visitors on post.

If the family wants to make the trip, Bear Mountain Lodge is a nice place with nice outdoor trails and not too far for morning reporting. Our son tells us many of the old standby stores and businesses in Highland Falls have closed because of Covid so plan on either crossing the river or going to Newburgh for decent food. Both are not far and have some good places to eat. It used to be (in the old normal world) that if you didn't have reservations early you were pretty far from WP and if the NCC had a early time to report it was tough to get breakfast first. Keep attention to emails and announcements from WP about R-Day, but with the restrictions in place for the Post there likely won't be any "parental" activities on post again this year. Drop off at gate and leave. Maybe things will change but I wouldn't bet on it, if you plan to drop off make sure any reservations are refundable.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

Congrats, as for arrival, unless things change between now and June it isn't worth parents driving you there (unless you live close by). There is no admittance to the Post unless you have "official business". Even Parents with Military ID have to drop off at the gate and turn around. OPP's for current cadets require pick ups be made at the Visitors Center. Not sure if they are "staggering" arrivals again or not, but for the past year, every time the Corps returns it is a staggered return for testing and quarantine. I am guessing here but it is probably going to be like last years R-Day, staggered arrivals with no visitors on post.

If the family wants to make the trip, Bear Mountain Lodge is a nice place with nice outdoor trails and not too far for morning reporting. Our son tells us many of the old standby stores and businesses in Highland Falls have closed because of Covid so plan on either crossing the river or going to Newburgh for decent food. Both are not far and have some good places to eat. It used to be (in the old normal world) that if you didn't have reservations early you were pretty far from WP and if the NCC had a early time to report it was tough to get breakfast first. Keep attention to emails and announcements from WP about R-Day, but with the restrictions in place for the Post there likely won't be any "parental" activities on post again this year. Drop off at gate and leave. Maybe things will change but I wouldn't bet on it, if you plan to drop off make sure any reservations are refundable.

Most Highland Falls businesses are back open as the Cadets are now permitted off post.

 

[JCSDVM1]

Was just up there a few weeks ago to walk through the visitors center and pick up some West Point swag and had lunch at The Place. It looked to me like most places were open and saw quite a few cadets walking around.