Anyone can attend.
We had a group of 26... plus one little pup that was not to be left behind! (in retrospect, we should have arranged for a sitter at home, but you live and you learn!!) Anyway, our little Annabelle proved to be the most comfortable of our group---she stayed nice and comfortable in her (air-conditioned no less!) stroller...while the rest of us melted in the heat and humidity!!! She even made the front paper of the Capitol dressed in white works of her own!!!!
Discounting the pooch, the youngest in our group was 12- not sure how anyone younger will fare, but would give second thought to the heat and humidity and take that into consideration when making the guest list!
Some things we found helpful for managing our group:
-small bags packed with water (2 bottles per), granola bars, life savors, peanuts, chips ahoy cookies, etc....provided for everyone- and be sure to include some sun-screen wipes!!!- easier to apply than the bottled stuff! We had the bags distributed the "morning of " at the hotel- who were very accomodating in freezing our water bottles for us, allowing them to "melt" as we carried them and kept everything nice and cold! We put one of those insulating jackets on the bottles (which we purchased on a previous trip to the yard)- it worked out well despite the heat!
-we included a listing of the day's schedule, and starred the ones we would be attending
-we also included a "personal fan" in each bag.. a little battery operated thing that hung from a string from around your neck- and with a little spritz of water from a spray bottle that we brought, (scented with a little lavender) -when used with the fan it provided a lovely cooling and refreshing mist!!!
-we included a ticket for a tour of the academy for first-time visitors (which some opted to do the day prior to I-Day, some the day-of) (with a group our size, I was able to book ahead to get our own tour guide and a discounted rate!)
-we also included a map of annapolis and a map of the yard. On the former we circled the location of the hotel and where to get the shuttle bus to-and-fro (it allowed us to skip the stadium parking all together!)--- and on the latter, we marked restroom locations as well as "cool spots" for a reprieve from the heat (dalghren, the museum- closed for now, the chapel, etc), as well as a noon meeting spot (for lunch) and notation where to meet on Stribling after the oath - even though we were all seated together, exiting T-court can be crazy!
-we also included a disposable camera for everyone.....and got some great shots of our plebe from all different parts of the day.... his sister even managed to get one from outside Alumni Hall where he was learning to salute!!!
-most importantly, we went over the "protocol" with the group at the "last supper".... meaning, "no signs of recognition" under any circumstance, no "calling out of his name," no waving, etc, etc, etc..... we stressed the importance of not singling him out under any circumstance, and the group took this to heart!
-we booked lunch in town for the "day before," a "last supper" for the night before, and dinner for the "night of". If I had to do it again, I would have scrapped the last dinner after the oath of office and opted for take-out at the hotel we booked for everyone--- after the emotions of the day, the heat and the walking, everyone just wanted to kick off their shoes, take a cool shower, and sit back with some good company and a nice glass of wine!
-during I-Day itself, the group split up- some to the Midstore or gift shop, some of the younger cousins keeping vigil with the gf outside alumni hall to catch a glimpse.... others sitting outside bancroft hall for the same....(everyone texting everyone for any and all sightings!)
-on that note, be sure to include (in the bag) a listing of everyone's cell phone number..... you would be amazed at how many "sightings" we had reported during the day, from our group scattered all over the place!
-grandma (we had 2) reserved seats early in T-court....and managed to find 26 of them in the very first row! (if you opt to do this, then pack an umbrella- the heat and sun reflecting off the bricks and buildings gets intense).... thanks to Nana (who was determined not to miss spotting her #11 grandson) we had great seats and on the "correct side" of T-court!
-speaking of grandmas.... if you are taking elderly parents, do consider providing a wheelchair for them--- the walking and heat gets to be a bit much...just make sure you have a few "designated drivers" for pushing those things around, as well as a few relief hitters!!
-as a "final thankyou" to our guests, we had a picture of each group (aunts and uncles, gf, sister, cousins, grandma's) etc... take a picture with our newly minted plebe, which we framed and sent as a "thank you" for sharing the day with us. We hope to do the same come commissioning- God willing!
Having said all of this-
this is what worked for 2010.
It was a very different environment on the yard- families were welcomed, and there were even bleachers set up outside alumni hall for those wishing to wait.
Things are very different now, and it is hard to say what will be set up, if anything. The best advice that we shared with our group was to use discretion....and that I would pass on to anyone attending this year as well.
Best of luck! What a day!!!
oh... we also packed a big box of tissues.
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