Parent Mentoring Program

2008 - 2009 Parent Handbook

A Day Parade Diagram & Tips
(map correction from Handbook)

Join Plebe Net Plebe Net will open for 2012 parents in June. Until then, Prospective Net is the correct listserv for candidates and parents.

Routes to West Point

Plebe Parent Weekend Activities

Plebe Parent Weekend is a wonderful time, but expect to be pressed for time, and also expect your interests to conflict with those of your cadet. Having experienced this twice before, our best advice is to remember that this is primarily for the Parents. You will be able to see and do things at West Point on this weekend that will not be repeated. So, listen to your cadet, but their desire to vegetate in front of TV at your hotel room is not the best choice.

Choices

The weekend will be filled with conflicting choices. It might appear that the schedules are intended to conflict and make it impossible for you to decide. Just remember that there is a tremendous agenda to cover in a very short period of time. You won't be able to do everything, so spend some time analyzing the schedule and prioritizing your choices. We strongly recommend that you don't ask your cadet what they want to do. They won't want to do much of anything!!! So make your choices and engage in that lifelong parent's role: selling you child that what you want to do is really what they want to do!!!

Must Do Activities - scheduled events vary from year to year

There are a few activities which you should not miss, as you won't get another chance while your cadet is at West Point.
Cadet Uniform Factory, Building 687; this is a great tour which is offered at no other time; at the end you can purchase Cadet Parkas and Blankets for very reasonable prices; don’t miss this great tour.
Department of Physical Education Demonstration
Superintendent’s Welcome and Q&A Period
Plebe Parent Review, The Plain

Recommended Activities

Briefing, "Educating Army Leaders", Q&A
Briefing, "Core Engineering Sequence, Fields of Study, Majors", Q&A
Superintendent's Quarters Tours, Quarters 100 This is a great tour, and you won't have another chance to do this until graduation week; have your cadet check on the process for signing up and getting scheduled for this.
Academic Department Open Houses - Check schedules for buildings and times Visit the departments your cadet shows some interest in.
Bedrock Values Orientation
Plebe Parent Hop, Eisenhower Hall

Meals

Meals are available in the Cadet Mess, Washington Hall. YOUR CADET must purchase tickets for these meals, including the Plebe Parent Weekend Banquet. You should have a meal or two here, but expect your cadet to want to get as far away as possible.

This is a great weekend. Plan your itinerary ahead of time. Do schedule some time for your cadet to veg out in front of the TV, but make sure you schedule the things you want to do. Bring good walking shoes (as always) and be prepared for any kind of weather. Also, bring some of your cadet's civvies and their favorite music for the hotel. Get plenty of rest ahead of time, because you will leave West Point exhausted.
Contributed by former Plebe Parent Mentors (and Alumni Members) Bill and Terri Taylor