Membership
in a West Point Parents Club offers valuable opportunities for mutual support, fellowship
and access to useful information about the academy and cadet life. Although each club is an independent, autonomous
organization, clubs are all officially recognized and supported by the academy.
The parents club
network offers a dynamic line of communication between the academy and cadet parents. The Parents Club Coordinator at West Point passes
on current information to club presidents, who then communicate with their members through
e-mails, newsletters, telephone chains, etc. Typical
club activities are meetings, informal get-togethers, tailgates, holiday balls, new cadet
picnics, luncheons or dinners and other events at which cadet families gather.
Parents clubs are
not a substitute for formal communications between you and your cadet’s Company
Tactical (TAC) officer. Specific concerns or
information regarding your cadet should be referred to the TAC.
Many parents clubs communicate and interact with
West Point societies and members of the USMA Admissions Field Force in their local areas. Through this networking, these groups are able to
gain a broad perspective on the academy and to assist in telling the West Point story
across the country.
Some clubs are
becoming more involved by working with the Admissions Office in spreading the word about
USMA to their local communities. Many work with the West Point societies by assisting at
away football games and Founder’s Day activities.
There are West
Point Parents Clubs in most states and in Europe. To join a parents club near you, simply
locate the club in your region on the Parents Club Roster and contact the president. (Please note the roster reflects club presidents
as of March 2001.)
If there
isn’t a club in your area and you would like information about forming one, please
call the Parents Club Coordinator at (845) 938-5650 or
write the Public Affairs Office, Building 600, West Point, New York 10996 or e-mail
yd2883@usma.edu.
The Public
Affairs Office also maintains a list server that posts official updated information
through e-mail.
To sign up for
this free service go to USMA’s homepage at www.usma.edu then News
then West Point Parent’s Club and USMA News mailing lists then WPPC-NEWS then Join
(or leave) the list. From there follow the directions listed.