Questions about Parents' Weekend

2Leashes · May 2010

What activities generally happen on Parents' Weekend? And, are they on both Saturday and Sunday? I read somewhere that Friday's activities were TBD. I'm wondering if I should book a hotel room for both Friday and Saturday, especially if the events begin early on Sat.

An employee from one of the hotels I called said that they now charge for the campus activities for parents. I didn't understand what she meant. Maybe she was talking about concerts or something? I'm still trying to figure what they might have planned to keep us busy for the whole weekend.

Maybe some of you current parents can enlighten us.

Thanks!

momomom · May 2010

We flew in from out of state to visit our daughter and don't recall there being many events that we wanted to attend. There was a football game, concerts, etc that you paid for individually. We had a great time just spending time together in SLO and beach towns. We went shopping out at the Outlets in Pismo. The weather was fabulous and it was so much fun to spend time with her in her new state/town. Because we didn't attend the events, we actually thought it would have been better to choose a different weekend because the hotels had jacked up the prices that weekend and restaurants etc. were all so crowded.

2Leashes · May 2010

^^^ I can definitely see the advantage for choosing another weekend when it comes to hotel prices. They do tend to go up, don't they? I'm finding that out as I call around. Since we're only 2½ hours away, I'm wondering if it will be necessary to stay Friday night, as well as Saturday. I just didn't want to have to drive super-early on Saturday morning if there was a planned event specifically for parents that started at 9:00 AM, for instance. If things don't under way until later in the morning or even the early afternoon it might make more sense for us just to drive down Saturday. Just trying to save a few dollars.

Are the football games usually on Friday or more often on Saturday?

I hope our daughter will even want to spend time with us!

It might be different when you're coming from OOS. Of course, if there's an opportunity to shop.....:)

Thank you for your tips!

momofmv · May 2010

What did you end up doing 2Leashes? I am looking into booking the Holiday Inn Express right now. It works out perfectly for us to go that weekend because our son turns 18 on Oct 28th. We can celebrate his birthday too! I think we will probably just leave really early Saturday. i just hope it isn't too hard getting onto campus with the crowds. We could also stay over on Friday if needed. I hope to hear more about the schedule from some parents who have been there. (thanks!)

2Leashes · May 2010

I went ahead and booked two nights at La Cuesta Inn for $119 a night. I've been chatting with this one woman there and I feel like I know her already! The nicest lady. We talked about our kids and the "empty nest". I just booked a night there for SOAR, as well.

I'm going to wait to see what the activities will be for the weekend and see if we need to come Friday night. I figure I might as well book it and cancel later if I have to.

That will be fun celebrating your son's 18th birthday while you're there!

momofmv · May 2010

How did you book for SOAR without knowing the date you will get? Did you just book the date you hope to get and then you can change if needed? We are hoping to try for the Aug. 2nd date, but it may be too popular since it is the first date for Engineering and Business, plus the athletes have to go then.

So, you did Saturday night for SOAR and Friday and Saturday for Parent's Weekend?

Thanks for the help!

2Leashes · May 2010

I booked both dates and the lady on the phone said just to call back and cancel within 24 hours. So I have the 9th and 16th booked (Aug. 10 and 17 SOAR dates). I wanted to go ahead and do it before they fill up or raise the rates.

SOAR is on a Tuesday for us, so I booked the Monday night before. If yours is on Aug. 2, would you book the Sunday night before?

The other date for Math and Science is Aug. 4, but that's a day after my daughter's birthday and also for athletes, I noticed.

I booked Friday and Saturday night for Parents' Weekend. After I find out more about the activities I'll decide whether to keep the Friday date. On the other hand, it might be a fun little 2-night get-away for us! Beautiful time of year! I hear that some parents don't necessarily stay on campus for the planned activities. There's so much to do in the area!

Frenchmani · May 2010

When is parents weekend? Is it worth a 6 hour drive for the activities? Or should i go to see my son the weekend before or after?

2Leashes · May 2010

^ Some parents have mentioned visiting an alternate weekend when it's less crowded and hotel rates aren't jacked up. Makes sense. But, I guess I like the idea that we have our weekend, for whatever it's worth.

momofmv · May 2010

My thought is that so many students will have parents there. I'd hate for my son to feel left out! I like the excitement of the other parents being there. It makes it special. Plus it is the weekend before my son's birthday, so I'd want to see him anyway.

2Leashes · May 2010

^ This is how I feel. It's a weekend especially geared around the parents being there. I'm looking forward to it! Plus, we can meet our daughter's roommate and her parents.

momofmv · May 2010

I'm sure you will meet them on move-in day, but it will be nice to see them again on Parent's Weekend. I figure that this first year it will be really important for us to go. The years after that, well...we will see. I'll let my son decide on that and see how crazy it is on this year's Parents's Weekend.

I guess SOAR registration will begin in June since today is the last day of May and no word about it.

2Leashes · May 2010

^ Sheesh, I didn't even think of that! Of course! Well, maybe by then, we'll have a chance to get to know her after they've roomed together for over a month.

I wonder why they keep moving the date for SOAR registration. It was originally mid-May, then the last week....and now like you said, tomorrow is going to be June.

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