Graduation Week is a very exciting time for each cadet and their family and friends. It can also be a very exhausting and emotion filled week. With everything going on leading to Graduation Week and during, the parents of USAFA alumni/alumnae have provided the below guidance and a planning timeline.
**IMPORTANT: Stay up-to-date on event times, ticket requirements, etc. using official sources of information. Changes do happen, so communication with your cadet is very important. Use the link below to the Academy's official Graduation website.
GRADUATION PLANNING TIMELINE USING THE KISS PRINCIPLE
Some prefer to dive in head first and enjoy the organizing, planning, and all. It is highly recommended to follow the KISS Principle for this week!
These are simply guidelines and timelines for your convenience. Use your judgment and adjust them accordingly.
It is imperative to stay in close contact with your cadet and your Parents Club during this time to stay abreast of expectations and schedule changes. Link below.
9-12 Months Out
-Reserve hotel rooms/rental homes (VRBO & AirBNB). Be very wary and only rent from valid or proven hosts. Be cautious before committing as the cost of lodging during graduation week is hefty. Many people are reverting to traditional hotels these days.
-Reserve car rentals (at DIA or COS)
4-6 Months Out
-Determine the size of the guest list (might need this earlier if you plan on having all your guests in one rental home.)
-Notify guests and asked them for RSVP for planning purposes.
-Make plane reservations
-Make list of Names and Addresses for Graduation Announcements
-Order anything you might want special for your cadet, such as graduation gifts.
-Download the graduation itinerary from the USAFA Parent site when available.
4 Months Out
-Order announcements (get extras)
-Order pictures (REMEMBER ENOUGH FOR GRADUATION NOTICES) (get extras)
-Make a plan for meals. Restaurant reservations once you are there can be challenging, so best to plan well ahead for reservations.
-Order Party Platters from the grocery store, or any other catered food for the after-graduation party. Order cupcakes and desserts for pick up, if desired.
-Arrange for any special requirements, such as, wheelchairs, handicapped parking permits, or dog/babysitting.
1-2 Months Out
-Address invitations and announcements
-Finalize all details with rentals
-Consider any special needs of your guests attending.
-Finalize travel details.
-Send out the USAFA itinerary so guests are aware of what is going on
-Confirm reservations and arrangements that have already been made - just in case.
1 Week - 1 Day Before
-Plan for the altitude!! Some things to remember: stay hydrated (powdered packets of LiquidIV are invaluable to add to your water). Start hydrating well before you get on the plane. "Canned" oxygen can be purchased once in Colorado; this is especially helpful for the elderly.
-Pack suitcases. Ensure you plan for A LOT of walking. Forget fashion and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Wear layers.
-Ensure you have your tickets/parking pass/etc. Make extra copies of passes, airline tickets, agendas, phone number lists, etc.
Week of Graduation - There are events throughout the week that you may be invited to based on what your Cadet has been involved in or received recognition for. Check with your Cadet periodically as to what you may be attending.
Move Out of Room - Last, but not least - each graduating cadet will need to move out of their room by 5:00 pm MT the day of graduation. Depending upon what the next step is for your cadet will determine what should be done with their belongings, i.e. places in the designated location for the Air Force to move them to their next destination, placed in storage on campus if returning to work their, etc. Again, discuss what need to be done with your cadet. Be careful after move out - in recent years, theft has become a problem. This is a well-publicized event, and sadly, criminals are on the prowl for cars stuffed with a cadet's earthly possessions. Do not leave packed cars unattended - even in neighborhoods.
Click on the USAFA Graduation link for more information.
**IMPORTANT: Stay up-to-date on event times, ticket requirements, etc. using official sources of information. Changes do happen, so communication with your cadet is very important. Use the link below to the Academy's official Graduation website.
GRADUATION PLANNING TIMELINE USING THE KISS PRINCIPLE
Some prefer to dive in head first and enjoy the organizing, planning, and all. It is highly recommended to follow the KISS Principle for this week!
These are simply guidelines and timelines for your convenience. Use your judgment and adjust them accordingly.
It is imperative to stay in close contact with your cadet and your Parents Club during this time to stay abreast of expectations and schedule changes. Link below.
9-12 Months Out
-Reserve hotel rooms/rental homes (VRBO & AirBNB). Be very wary and only rent from valid or proven hosts. Be cautious before committing as the cost of lodging during graduation week is hefty. Many people are reverting to traditional hotels these days.
-Reserve car rentals (at DIA or COS)
4-6 Months Out
-Determine the size of the guest list (might need this earlier if you plan on having all your guests in one rental home.)
-Notify guests and asked them for RSVP for planning purposes.
-Make plane reservations
-Make list of Names and Addresses for Graduation Announcements
-Order anything you might want special for your cadet, such as graduation gifts.
-Download the graduation itinerary from the USAFA Parent site when available.
4 Months Out
-Order announcements (get extras)
-Order pictures (REMEMBER ENOUGH FOR GRADUATION NOTICES) (get extras)
-Make a plan for meals. Restaurant reservations once you are there can be challenging, so best to plan well ahead for reservations.
-Order Party Platters from the grocery store, or any other catered food for the after-graduation party. Order cupcakes and desserts for pick up, if desired.
-Arrange for any special requirements, such as, wheelchairs, handicapped parking permits, or dog/babysitting.
1-2 Months Out
-Address invitations and announcements
-Finalize all details with rentals
-Consider any special needs of your guests attending.
-Finalize travel details.
-Send out the USAFA itinerary so guests are aware of what is going on
-Confirm reservations and arrangements that have already been made - just in case.
1 Week - 1 Day Before
-Plan for the altitude!! Some things to remember: stay hydrated (powdered packets of LiquidIV are invaluable to add to your water). Start hydrating well before you get on the plane. "Canned" oxygen can be purchased once in Colorado; this is especially helpful for the elderly.
-Pack suitcases. Ensure you plan for A LOT of walking. Forget fashion and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Wear layers.
-Ensure you have your tickets/parking pass/etc. Make extra copies of passes, airline tickets, agendas, phone number lists, etc.
Week of Graduation - There are events throughout the week that you may be invited to based on what your Cadet has been involved in or received recognition for. Check with your Cadet periodically as to what you may be attending.
Move Out of Room - Last, but not least - each graduating cadet will need to move out of their room by 5:00 pm MT the day of graduation. Depending upon what the next step is for your cadet will determine what should be done with their belongings, i.e. places in the designated location for the Air Force to move them to their next destination, placed in storage on campus if returning to work their, etc. Again, discuss what need to be done with your cadet. Be careful after move out - in recent years, theft has become a problem. This is a well-publicized event, and sadly, criminals are on the prowl for cars stuffed with a cadet's earthly possessions. Do not leave packed cars unattended - even in neighborhoods.
Click on the USAFA Graduation link for more information.
The USAFA Georgia Parents Club is a 501(c)(3) organization.
This website's content in no way reflects the opinions, standards, or policy of the United States Air Force Academy or the U.S. government.
This website's content in no way reflects the opinions, standards, or policy of the United States Air Force Academy or the U.S. government.