JUST FOR PARENTS

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The Handbook – Trainees may not seem interested in the Trainee Handbook, but it will be helpful for them to know the information that will help them prepare and succeed at the Victor Commander. You will have a better sense of what they will experience and how you can develop a dialogue with them about their summer program. 

Travel and Arrival – The cadre expects that trainees will arrive and feel disoriented because of the long travel time, jet-lag, and unfamiliarity with many new things. When you speak to them as they arrive, encourage them to remain strong, stay focused, and know they will have a positive experience.   

Connection with Chaperones – The professional chaperones selected by Victor Education are working in partnership with the staff at Victor Education, the Cadre of Victor Commander, the trainees, and the staff at the Massanutten Military Academy. They will be helpful in remaining in contact with Victor Education to ensure that parents and families are kept informed.   

Victor Education Emergency Contact – Victor Education will provide an emergency contact number in case of an emergency that needs to be communicated to a Victor Commander trainee. 

Reinforce the Goals of Victor Commander – Trainees are exposed to a rigorous Camp that has each block of instruction focused on achieving the goals of Victor Commander: Improve developmental balance; build trainee self-confidence; infuse honor, respect, strength, and teamwork; train to create constructive behaviors and embrace new and international experiences. As you speak to your trainee before they depart, it would be helpful to reinforce these points.   

Expectations when your Graduate returns – We expect that each graduate of the Victor Commander has had a developmental experience that helps them grow as an adult. They should understand how honor is a part of who they are, how respect is infused in every action, how the strength of character and body is key to development, and how being a part of a team is crucial to unit success. Remind your graduate that they experienced something special and that it should be a part of who they are and how they grow as an adult.   

Opportunities for Victor Commander – Victor Commander is a three-program Camp with opportunities for trainees to grow. This is not an experience for trainees to survive and endure, never to return. Victor Commander is a developmental experience for trainees to enjoy across all three programs. Even if a trainee comes to one program and wants to return the following summer, each year new events and instruction will be added to keep trainees interested and excited to return. Our cadre will develop a teacher/mentor relationship with returning trainees to help them grow and adapt to international environments.