The Academy Families Travel Network: A Supportive Community for Service Academy Families

As a parent of a United States Naval Academy Midshipman, you know that supporting your child's journey often involves frequent trips to Annapolis. Whether it's for Parents Weekend, Commissioning Week, or other special events, these visits can quickly become a significant financial burden. But what if I told you we're trying to build solutions that will make these trips more affordable and even more meaningful?

Enter the Academy Families Travel Network, an incredible initiative created by and for service academy families.

This network offers a unique opportunity to connect with other academy families across the country, providing free lodging and support during your travels.

What is the Academy Families Travel Network?

The Academy Families Travel Network is a volunteer-based system where families associated with any of the U.S. service academies offer to host other academy families, midshipmen, or cadets in their homes. This network spans across the country and even internationally, creating a supportive community that extends far beyond the academy walls.

The Academy Families Travel Network is not officially a part of Academy Insider.  This was started and is ran by two service academy mothers, Marni Kelsey and Paula Treece!  I simply wanted to highlight their efforts and help spread the word!

How It Works

• Email [email protected] to request access to the network.
• Provide your service academy affiliation and some basic information.
• Receive a list of available hosts in your desired area.
• Contact potential hosts directly to arrange your stay.

Hosting Opportunities

If you're interested in giving back to the academy community, consider becoming a host family yourself. You can offer as much or as little as you're comfortable with, from a spare bedroom to simply being available for emergencies.

They are looking for more host families in the Annapolis Area.  If they can build a list of hosts in the Annapolis Area, they will be able to provide support to Midshipmen families coming to Annapolis.

To sign up as a host, email [email protected]. You'll be asked to provide some basic information, including your location, service academy affiliation, and any specific hosting preferences or limitations.

You do not need to leave the house.  You can open up a guest bedroom or a basement or anything you can to support families who cannot afford lodging.  You can also specify availability for only special event weekends (Plebe Parents Weekend, 2/C Parents Weekend, Commissioning Event, etc).

A Community of Support

The Academy Families Travel Network is more than just a lodging solution - it's a testament to the strong, supportive community that exists among service academy families. By participating, whether as a guest or a host, you're contributing to and benefiting from this incredible network of support.

As you navigate your Midshipman's journey at the Naval Academy, remember that you're not alone. The Academy Families Travel Network is there to help make your travels more affordable, more comfortable, and more connected to the wider academy community.

So the next time you're planning a trip to Annapolis or any other academy-related destination, consider tapping into this amazing resource. Not only will you save on travel costs, but you might just make some lifelong friends along the way.

If you want to learn more about the program, watch the full interview here!

Or listen to the audio podcast here!

--
Founder of Academy Insider and Podcast Host Grant Vermeer 

Grant Vermeer is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four-year member of the varsity basketball team.

He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community with nationwide consulting and connection.

Connect with Grant Vermeer, The Academy Insider here:

• https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/in/grant-vermeer/
• https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/academyinsider/
• https://www.instagram.com/academyinsider?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• https://www.youtube.com/@academyinsider
• https://www.academyinsider.com/
• https://www.academyinsider.com/newsletter