Welcome to the website for

the Northern Illinois Parents Club!

Having a cadet at the Academy is challenging for the Cadets and their families.  This club is dedicated to the support of our Cadets and their families.  Anyone residing in Northern Illinois with a Cadet candidate, Cadet or graduate of the United States Air Force Academy is eligible for membership in the USAFA Northern Illinois Parents Club.  We have 64 member families and would love to have you.

CURRENT INFORMATION CENTER

This time of year much information is sent from USAFA regarding the many events, functions, Cadet travel, etc.  Many of these emails are forwarded to the NIPC members but it is hard to pass them all.  To make it easier this information will be posted here so it is available 24/7.

Class of 2013 Stats - Everything you want to know

Great NY Parents Club Fundraiser

Rando Cadet Humanitarian Fund

Air Force Academy Commercial

The New Academy Experience - A video

4-degree Year - A Video summary

100's Nite -  This is President's Day weekend and the Doolies destroy the rooms of the Firstie's. 

Recognition - A Video summary of what happens in March prior to being recognized as human again.

Winter Fun

Best Part of Waking Up

Summer Leave

DATE: Saturday August 21, 2010, Rain or Shine (We’ll be in the museum at Clow International Airport!)

TIME: 12:30pm - Picnic

LOCATION: Illinois Aviation Museum,

BRING: ONE SIDE DISH/ SALAD OR DESSERT AND A RAFFLE PRIZE PER FAMILY

NOTE:  When attending the event, there will be signs pointing where to go, but note that it is basically behind the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse on Weber in Bolingbrook.  The Museum is the farthest hanger on the North side of the airport.

DOOLIE DAY PICNIC

For 3 years in a row we've had wonderful weather, great venue and a fun time.  This year's Doolie Picnic was hosted by Bruce & Terri Lanphear.  While their home may take a little work to get to, the location is secluded, provides 5 acres of peaceful surroundings and promotes a good time.

The pool has gone unused for the last 2 years, although the offer was there for its use.  This year we had the Paul & Anna Adam, both USAFA ALO's brought 2 of their children, and they came to swim !!!  It was fun having them there and they provided much needed entertainment.  Kinda makes one wish they could have kids again . . .  nah, we'll enjoy any future grandkids!!

Prior to the starting time the area was set-up.  Bruce is recovering from back surgery and not only was there set-up help, there was clean-up help as well.  Thanks to everyone for the help.  When everyone arrived we started with the Pledge to the Flag, then we had lunch.  After lunch we started the meeting.  There were several desserts, but the highlight was the USAFA cake, which was excellent in both presentation and taste.  The cake picture is included in the banner above.

We had a great turnout with over 40 NIPC members.  The sharing of information, updating of cadets summer activities and Doolie parents summary of their phone calls, was all fun and made time fly.  Before you knew it an hour had gone, then 2, then 3 and bingo, it was 5 o'clock.  It is a very nice way to start the 2010-2011 year, we just wanted to hang around and share.  You can tell by the smiles on the faces the good time that was enjoyed.

Presidents Tom & Mary Kashul headed up the event, but Mary could not be there due to family obligations with one of their younger children.  That was fine and everyone understood.  While the emphasis of the Doolie Picnic is for information to be shared so that the first year parents become acquainted with what to expect, there were some club items to discuss.

• All Academy Ball, December 29, 2010.  The AFA is the lead club this year and we need to have a good attendance.  Jeff Lutz is heading up the Ball along with Terri Lanphear.  If you are in any manner interested in helping with the Ball, please contact Jeff, at 630-264-9941.  You can pick your level of involvement, but it is very important that the burden be shared.  At the picnic, the Alumni parents said they would take care of the Raffle Table at the Ball, which takes that off the table for Jeff.  It is that kind of "can do" spirit that will make this an enjoyable ball.

• Parents Weekend, Sept 3 - 6.  The NIPC will have seats for the football game reserved once again.  We'll post the ticket information on the website as soon as it is received.  Don't hesitate as we have reserved 100 tickets, so get it early.  Also, start reserving your rooms.  Although getting rooms is not hard, some have found that using Hotwire provides a great price.  It is up to you, but rest assured wherever you are, there will be plenty of other USAFA parents there, so you'll never feel alone (sorry, your cadet will want that feeling, ha).

• Annual Picnic, August 21.  The Annual Picnic will be held on Saturday, August 21 at the Illinois Aviation Museum at Bolingbrook.  We held it there last year and the attendance was excellent.  It provides a venue where we are surrounded with an aviation them but if the weather does not cooperate we can go inside and not skip a beat.  Excellent and make plans to reserve that day.

After the comments, the parents from each class were asked to give a summary of their cadet's year.  The Alum parents started with the 11's, 12's, 13's and Doolies finishing up.  It was both encouraging and amazing to hear the stories of the '10 parents as it doesn't seem possible that they are Alums now.  Time does fly.  There were many updates and the Class of 2014 parents had some encouraging reports.  It seems the basics are prepared for what was coming.  Those parents who attended the In-processing and the swearing-in ceremony were glad they went and actually saw their basics on both those days.

The next meeting is the Annual Picnic August 21, just 10 days prior to Parents Weekend, so time is going quickly.  Some 2014 parents are going to try to make it to the Acceptance Parade and share that special time with their Doolie and feed them as much as they can prior to their starting their academics the following day.  Thanks to all who cam and we are so encouraged about the upcoming year and the good things that are in-store.

For those who could not attend, the Lanphear's home and pool provide a great meeting place.  They have a pool, a pool house and a huge yard for parking and for strolling.  Bruce also has a great Man's garage, well, not only a garage but some big-boy toys also.  No job is too big at this point !!!

For you enjoyment, there are more pictures for you to enjoy.

2010-2011 NIPC YEAR

As of June 1, 2010 we have entered another year for the NIPC.  That means we must renew our memberships again and we must do a few things to update our website and information.

Membership Renewals:  There are 2 ways to do that.  First, you can print the Registration form here, complete it and send it in with your check to Elvin & Sara Harms.  You can also renew on-line via the On-Line Registration & Payment link on the left.

Cadet Profiles:  We would like to have the Cadet Profiles current & updated.  If your Cadet does not yet have a profile, please complete the on-line Cadet Profile form.  You can send pictures separately to gprimm@comcast.net.  Please make the information informative and you can send whatever pictures you like.  The upperclass cadets sometimes visit the profiles so they can see "their" Illinois cadets.

Those with Cadet Profiles already, please update the information with Cadet Squadron assignments and any other info you would like.

Newsleters:  The newsletters are sent out 6 times a year.  They are mailed to current members and also posted on this website via the NIPC Newsletters on the menu on the left.

Website:  Make it a habit to check this website out on a regular basis.  It is updated multiple times each month and it is the best source of current information.  There will be links to USAFA articles that include NIPC cadets,

Class of 2014 Information Center

A very exciting, emotional, challenging, stressful and unbelievable week of events is about to take place.  Strap in for the ride.  This roller coaster ride will last for all 4 years and during that time you and your cadet will experience many ups & downs.  This is the nature of the beast...everything at the AFA can change at any given moment, for no apparent reason.  One thing that is consistent at the Academy is CHANGE.

This opportunity can be viewed in two ways.  First, the culmination of years of hard work, anticipation, diligence, and perseverance.  Your "Cadet" has reached a place that he/she has dreamed of for a long, long time.  Secondly, it is the beginning of a challenge matched by no other.

The coming weeks will be a hard; mixed with emotion and the realization that the son/daughter you are sending out to Colorado Springs, the Basic Cadet, will not be the same person you will see at Parent's Weekend. The Cadet that will hug you the next time you see him/her will be a confident, disciplined, young adult who has learned plenty and will look incredibly mature standing in front of you in their service dress.  Our thoughts are with you.

This section is for the benefit of the Class of 2014.  The coming year will go quickly and there will be much going on.  This database will continue to grow as information is received, organized and posted.

Class color:  Red. The Class of 2014 is taking over for the Class of 2010, whose color was Red.  There are four class colors, Red, Gold, Blue and Silver.

Parent Guide:  All the basic information you can use is contained in this information.

In-Processing/ Swearing-In.  The last Thursday of June.  If you are taking your Basic Cadet, here is information for that day.  Also here are some Tips that will help you through this day and the Swearing-In ceremony.

Knowledge Testing:  It is best if your Basic Cadet knows the attached prior to arriving.  It will make things much easier.  Know the 7 Responses.