Hey Caitlin!
Good question...glad you're planning on doing AOC. It's a great time and an awesome way to meet lots of new classmates (and you get to move in early!!!).
Speaking of - NO, it is not "required" for parents to attend the parent programming that is offered during Welcome Week. Obviously you will have already been here a while and moved in - so your parents probably won't be around. No worries there. Not sure where you're from but if it's close enough they are certainly welcome and encouraged to come back on that Sunday before classes start (Aug 24th I think) but by no means is it mandatory for them. The planned activities are pretty fun and informative.
Hope you're getting excited and starting to pack things up!!
chris