I just wanted to take the time to say we LOVED Jamfest! This is why: Free entry We got to hug our cheerleaders and feel a part of all the excitement--they were NOT put into a section where they were treated like prisoners. They made it FUN for all We got to take as many pictures as we wanted The award ceremony was to the point and entertaining at the SAME time!! All around it was great and we hope cheergyms will continue to attend venues with the above agenda. Thank you Jamfest for a wonderful weekend!! Oh, the only negative was the music was to loud BUT if you sat in back it was not that bad and since it had a RAISED stage you had Great viewing anywhere you were.
I too enjoyed Jamfest. I loved the way they broke the divisions into small sections with more awards ceremonies which were quick and too the point. Free admission, videotaping and cameras allowed what more could you ask for??? Well as a short person I would have liked to have the staggered seating as viewing was a little difficult but was definitely tolerable. I too would like to go back again next year.
I actually found myself searching for thing I didn't like. It was that good. We'll definitly be returning next year as long as the dates work out.
Everyone be sure to email or call JAMFEST and let them know you were pleased. Or to let them know anything you'd like to change. I'm sure they'd love to hear your positive comments. It's a tough business and they do it well.
Jamfest 11221 Plantside Drive Louisville, KY 40299
We also really enjoyed Jamfest (it almost made me wish my two other kids were there, it was so family oriented!). It is funny though, I was able to take pictures and video tape (yeah) and yet I ended up buying the DVD (which I had not done at any previous competitions this year) and buying 10 pictures. Go figure! The whole atmosphere was stress free and organized. I loved the priority seating for the "fans" of the performing teams and the Jamfest store was full of cute things. The award ceremonies were also very fun. Loved everything about it and look forward to going year after year! Great job Jamfest....who would have thought a competition this great would be FREE!
"It is funny though, I was able to take pictures and video tape (yeah) and yet I ended up buying the DVD (which I had not done at any previous competitions this year) and buying 10 pictures. Go figure! The whole atmosphere was stress free and organized."
Because you had the option to purchase, or not to purchase...You were not left with the option of "take it or leave it". I also did what you did, personal cameras and made the optioned purchase afterwards....it was an enjoyable weekend and competition...
Right -- everyone at every competition should ALWAYS have the option of either purchasing their DVD's/pictures, or taking your own video/pictures. No exception. By the way, I'm still waiting for a DVD I purchased, I kid you not, over 12 weeks ago. The company keeps coming up with excuses as to why they're not done yet. The sad thing is, they frightened everyone with their threats of "no videotaping", so we don't have our own footage unfortunately. We're basically at their mercy. Sad.
I would like to thank everyone for their kind words! We know that you have many options when choosing a competition, and we are excited you were able to experience JAMfest Nationals with us!
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year. In the meantime, if you need anything, please feel free to contact me anytime. I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer!
Matt Moore JAMfest Events West Coast JAMcare Rep. Matt@jamfest.com 1-866-JAMFEST
Just a MINOR suggestion. With the "little ones" try and not say "who wants to WIN Nationals or a Nationals title!" We are sooooooooooooo trying to not make it a win or lose situation with our younger kids for now. We want them to enjoy just competing. They think they won and that's what we want. If a competition doesn't give out something, we try and get them medals. Something small. Thanks JAMZ for giving out medals. The little ones really really really love them since they don't keep the trophies.
And thanks for having the awards ceremonies in a seperate area. We didn't have to stop the competition every time there was one.
I also loved the Jamfest competition. In addition to all the great things already mentioned, I would like to add that I love knowing the scores. There are a few other competition companies that also announce the scores - thanks for satisfying my anal retentive side (I'm an accountant, I can't help it!).
Also, I don't recall anyone mentioning how great a job Jamfest did in keeping on schedule! Thanks for a wonderful weekend Jamfest!
I agree Lori, I like seeing the scores too. Also for those who don't compete against anyone, it gives them something to strive for (a high score posted for all to see). Jamz and USA are the only two I can think of offhand who don't post scores, and they really should.
To OC Mom -- I see what you're saying about not making it just about winning for your little ones, however, it's never too soon to teach them good sportmanship. It's okay to let them know they didn't win, but they did their best, right? Why try to shelter them. You're there to win a nationals title, I think it's fine for Jamfest to announce it the way they did, it got everyone excited. And it shows the little ones what to work towards.
We do try and teach them sportsmanship, but we have 4 and 5 year olds on our little team. Those are the ones who we are trying to shelter. They are still too little to lose. So shelter them we must. That is just too young to learn to lose. You must learn to be a team, work together and keep going all year long. That's tough enough to learn let alone to lose after months and months of working hard. Plus, "lose" is a word we don't use. They are all winners. We don't tell them that they WON, we tell them that they tried and did their best and we are proud of that. Losing isn't in our vocabulary yet. Ask any preschool and kinder teacher and you will see what is the correct way to deal with such young children.
We have even younger kids coming next year. The natural tendancy to try to win at that age is something they do already without our help. You always hear a kinder yell, "I got here first! I am the strongest! My toys are better than yours!" Instilling sportsmanship takes work since that doesn't come naturally. You give a 4 year old a new toy and then get them to share it.... hehehehehehehe THE BATTLE IS ON!!! So making them "win or lose" doesn't teach them that. It just teaches them that all that hard work didn't pay off. We are trying to avoid that in order to teach the sportsmanship you spoke of. But remember, I am only speaking of the LITTLEST ONES. We have very very little ones in our gym. Look at our photos of LB. You will see many young ones that aren't even in school yet! Some were only 3 when they started cheer!
We will worry about teaching them who won or not when they turn 7 or 8. By then they already know and you don't have to tell them. Believe me, they catch on QUICK.
