A Top
10 List
Things
to Know About the USAWC
by Sarah (with a little help from my friends)
by Sarah (with a little help from my friends)
10.
Make Friends Quickly
You will need a local emergency contact for your kids
immediately upon arriving at Carlisle Barracks. During the
first or second week of class, there are spouse briefs that
you will want to attend. If you have kids, this is quite
challenging. Get a friend and swap off babysitting, or
even better find a friend that has babysitting aged kids!
There has been talk about the staff understanding this is a
hindrance to those first briefings and there might just be
a solution by the time your class arrives, but just in
case, make friends quickly!
9.
Download Google Translator on Your Phone
There
are 73 international students here this year, about three in each
seminar. Some of the spouses speak little to no English and Google
Translator has become a great way to communicate. Enjoy these folks!
They add so much to the seminar and to the experience here at the
AWC.
8.
Don't Miss the County Fair
When
you get here, you will see advertisements for the County Fair. This
is a can't miss! Area businesses will be here to advertise. It's a
great time to see what is here locally and find a new hair dresser!
7.
Youth Services is AWESOME!
This
is another one for you, if you have kids. Youth Services and the
Child Development Center are great here on post. Youth Services
offers everything from Art Classes to Soccer and Basketball to Piano
lessons to Field Trips for 6-12 graders to dodge ball on Friday
nights in Root Hall gym. Don't miss out on dodge ball. It is so
good that it can be used to bribe kids to do just about anything. YS
also offers free tutoring in the afternoons, as well as an after
school program. Take advantage of this. It's a great thing that is
available.
6.
USAWC Wardrobe Basics
One of the first
weeks you are here, there is a class called, “Dressed for Success”.
Go. It's fun and informative, but deals with what you are expected
to wear as a spouse. Before you come to AWC, look for sales and
invest in a basic suit and lots of tops, including a cardigan or two,
to mix and match. You will be glad you did! There are many
functions where business dress is expected, especially at the very
beginning of the year and the NYC trip, but I have worn that suit
more than I expected I would. You will receive a name tag at the
beginning of the year. Wear it to all gatherings and if you are not
sure if you should wear it or not, stick it in your purse and see if
others are wearing theirs. Oh, and remember...right is right and you
won't ever forget which side to wear it on.
5.
Carlisle Restaurants are YUMMY!
For a small town, Carlisle has a great selection of local
restaurants. Don't miss the Pasta Bread at Carlisle Bakery or an ice
cream cone at Leo's. You have to try the Hot-chee dog at the
Hamilton, it's a local favorite that isn't even on the menu.
Marcello's on Calvary Road has yummy pizza, Stromboli and pasta.
Redd's on Hanover has great BBQ and you can't beat the selection of
wings at the North Hanover Grill. You can find it all. Hanover
Street and High Streets are great places to start.
4.
Go to FLAGS
There
are great classes that are offered to spouses here. One is FLAGS.
FLAGS is a workshop that really dives into who you are and to work in
groups and with groups. It uses self assessment tests and gave great
insight into why we are the way we are. When time comes for the
students to take electives, there are many courses that are open for
spouses to audit. Take advantage of this! Carlisle Barracks was
able to be “Virtual Members” to the AUSA conference and it was a
wonderful thing to be a part of. Take part in the spouse project, be
a part of a publication that reaches to all of the military
communities.
3.
Don't Just Sit There, Do Something!
There
are so many things to get involved with on Post. Spouses Club is a
great way to meet other spouses of students as well as permanent
party spouses. Go on a Touristas trip. Join a bowling league over
at the Strike Zone. Go to the Tiki Bar and meet new friends. If you
live on post, grab someone who doesn't and try one of Balfour
Beatty's classes. The fitness facilities on post are great and they
offer lots of classes...FREE! Check out the Chapel. Meet a friend
and walk around the golf course. The pool is a great place to hang
out if you get here before classes start. Take ballroom dancing
lessons that are offered right here on post! (Contact Frank Hancock
for info at fhancock@comcast.net) Check out the Spouse Share Page,
even before you come to see other things that are going on:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/USAWCSpouseShare/ Jump in. Make
friends. You won't regret it.
2.
Be a Tourist.
Like
history? Gettysburg is 45 minutes away. Philadelphia and DC are 2
hours away. Like amusement parks? See Hershey! You can be there in
under an hour. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is about four hours
away and free admission is offered to Military members and up to 3
dependents. Lancaster is a great place to see the Amish, eat great
food and shop. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is within a 2 hour
drive. There are so many things to do around here! Before you go
anywhere, check with LTS (Leisure Travel Services). They have
discount tickets to lots of different places and also offer trips
including tickets and a bus ride to the Army-Navy Game.
1.
Take Time to Relax
You
will have great time to relax with your family and with your spouse.
Weekends will be yours to do as you please and there are many 3 and 4
day weekends. Make a list of things you want to do and do them.
Before you know it it will be spring and you will be looking toward
graduation and packing and wonder where the year went to. Visit
historic places, try new restaurants, take a bike ride, Carlisle is a
fun place to spend a year.
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