Jamfest Kansas City Nationals

It’s a busy couple of weeks at KC Cheer.  All teams will be competing at Jamfest Kansas City Nationals on February 18 and 19, 2017. The event is held at The Kansas City Convention Center, which is a different location than all of the Kansas City competitions we've been to this year. It's the one inside the actual convention center, up the escalators to the event. (If you've ever been to the KC Holiday Mart, it's in that same location) 

Admission for spectators is $15 for one day or $25 for both days. Military (with ID), Seniors 65+ and Children 4 and under are free. Admission is cash only A complete list of performance times and venue information can be found on the Jamfest website.

General Reminders

It is so important that all athletes are on time. These competitions will not hold our practice times, so if we are without someone at check-in, we lose our chance to warm up and practice.

This is our chance to have our hometown crowd there to cheer on our teams. Be sure to get your light up sticks at the pro shop so we can light up the arena when our teams perform. Let's really show them our KC Cheer spirit and crowd support!

It is required that all athletes be at all KC Cheer performances (unless specified below) to cheer loudly for all our teams. Please pay close attention to the schedules below to make sure you are in the arena at all of the listed performance times. It is unacceptable to miss a performance because you're eating a meal or getting ready to meet your coach. All of these activities can and should be planned around performance times.

Our athletes love to perform for a cheering crowd! We love to have you there to watch, but remember to make some noise too! Bring on the loud voices, lighted signs, noisemakers and cowbells to support our teams.

It is super exciting to be competing against teams from all over the country right here in our city. Remember to show great sportsmanship (cheerleaders AND parents), and hospitality so teams want to return to KC for future competitions.

Saturday, February 18

Saturday Arrival Times

Considering the length of the day, we are dividing up arrival times for the sake of our athletes. Obviously everyone is welcome and encouraged to be there to cheer on the teams all day, but only Fortune, Ferocious, Fierce 5, Fearless and Fame are required to arrive at 8:00 a.m. for the First Ladies Performance at 8:21 and Fantasy at 8:48. First Ladies will arrive at 7:00 a.m. and Fantasy will arrive at 7:30 a.m. dressed and ready to go to meet their coaches. All of these teams may leave after Fame at 12:47. Fiesta and Flawless will meet their coaches at 1:00 p.m., and all other teams will arrive at 1:45 p.m. in time to be in the arena to cheer on Fiesta and Flawless. These teams may leave after Flippers at 6:12.

Teams should plan to meet their coach in the main entrance of the convention center.  Coaches will instruct team parents on where parents can meet their cheerleader following each performance.  Please be sure you are dressed and ready at the time you meet your coach.  This means hair done, lipstick and make-up done, and give all belongings to a parent or someone that can hold them until you are finished.  

Remember: Coaches may call extra practices after your teams' performances on Saturday.

Saturday Uniform/Apparel

Teams should be dressed in red gym tank top and black pants or warm ups when not in uniform. Remember that you must always have your tank top or warm up jacket on to cover your midriff if you are not in the practice room or performing. Everyone will wear the white bow on Saturday.

Saturday Schedule

Listed below are the times to be dressed and ready to meet your coaches. It is very important that everyone is dressed and entirely ready at the times listed below. 

Team	Arrive	Meet Coach	Report	Practice	Perform
First Ladies	7:00	7:00	7:36	7:51	8:21
Fantasy	7:30	7:30	8:03	8:18	8:48
Fortune	8:00	8:30	9:06	9:21	9:51
Ferocious	8:00	10:15	10:50	11:05	11:35
Fierce 5	8:00	10:30	11:08	11:23	11:53
Fearless	8:00	10:30	11:14	11:29	11:59
Fame	8:00	11:15	11:52	12:17	12:47
Fiesta	1:00	1:00	1:29	1:44	2:14
Flawless	1:00	1:00	1:32	1;47	2:17
Fever	1:45	2:00	2:33	2:48	3:18
Force	1:45	2:30	3:00	3:15	3:45
Fiercelings	1:45	3:55	4:27	4:42	5:12
Flippers	1:45	5:00	5:24	5:42	6:12
2 Fierce	5:45	6:00	6:27	6:45	7:15
Fierce Ones	5:45	6:15	6:42	7:00	7:30

SATURDAY POST-PERFORMANCE

Flippers, 2 Fierce and Fierce Ones will have their awards ceremony at 7:40. Teams should meet coaches to go to awards at 7:35.

Each team will meet their coaches after announcement of standings to review scoresheets and make any changes necessary for Sunday's performance. 

We may call a few practices if necessary, so please be prepared. Be sure your team mom has your cell number so that she can communicate any additional information throughout the day.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

SUNDAY ARRIVAL TIMES

Teams competing between 9:00 and 12:00 will be allowed to arrive at 9:00 (or their meet time if it's earlier) and leave following their awards ceremonies at 12:00.

Teams competing from 12:30 to 3:30 will be allowed to arrive at 12:30 (or their meet time if it's prior to 12:30) and leave following their awards ceremonies at 4:15.

Teams competing between 4:55 and 7:00 will be allowed to arrive at 4:30 (or their meet time if it's earlier) and leave following their awards ceremonies.  

SUNDAY UNIFORM/APPAREL

Same rules as Saturday, but teams will wear red bow and Black and Gold gym shirt on Sunday.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Team	Arrive	Meet Coach	Practice	Perform	Awards
First Ladies	8:15	8:15	8:5	9:21	12:00
Fantasy	8:30	8:30	9:18	9:48	12:00
Fortune	9:00	9:30	10:09	10:39	12:00
Ferocious	11:30	11:30	12:19	12:49	4:00
Fierce 5	11:55	11:55	12:40	1:10	4:00
Fearless	11:55	11:55	12:46	1:16	4:00
Fame	12:30	12:30	1:07	1:37	4:00
Flawless	12:30	2:00	2:43	3:13	4:00
Fiesta	12:30	2:00	2:46	3:16	4:00
Fever	3:45	3:45	4:25	4:55	7:15
Force	4:00	4:00	4:40	5:10	7:15
Fiercelings	4:45	5:15	5:49	6:19	7:15

AWARDS

There will be awards ceremonies throughout the day on Sunday (or Saturday, for Flippers and Cheer Prep) as each division finishes. Everyone must be in full uniform when they go to their awards ceremony. This means no backpacks, no warm ups, no shoes other than cheer shoes. You should look exactly as you look when you take the mat. FULL. UNIFORM.

Extra Practices for NCA

Most teams that are traveling to NCA Feb. 24-27 will have practices in addition to competition this weekend.  Coaches will inform teams of their  practices times this week.

Good Luck to everyone! We know you have worked very hard, and the coaching staff is very proud of you!

JAMfest Super Nationals 2017

We're excited to start our busy Nationals season with JamFest Super Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana! This is a huge competition full of outstanding teams and it is a ton of fun. We are very excited for our teams to compete with some of the best in the nation. Below you will find many travel details and guidelines for the upcoming weekend. Please have this information handy to refer to throughout the weekend. 

Our main goals for this weekend are for cheerleaders to perform to the very best of your ability, and you support all KC Cheer teams by cheering them on at each performance. We also ask that you conduct yourselves in a responsible and respectable manner. We'd also like for our parents to help us monitor our athletes this weekend. Please give them support and guidance when they need it. Bring your loud voices, noise makers and KC Cheer spirit to each and every performance. (See very old Jamfest photo at right for spirit inspiration. Can you spot some familiar faces? :) )

Before We Go

Extra Practices

The KC Cheer Staff reserves the right to call extra practices on any night of the week prior to a major competition. If it is decided your team needs extra practice, your coach will let you know immediately so athletes can make proper arrangements. Please remember that all practices leading up to 2 weeks before a competition are mandatory!

Important Reminders

• You are representing KC Cheer! Please be considerate of others in the hotel, show great sportsmanship on and off the floor and follow all curfew rules. 
• KC Cheer team members are required to be at all KC Cheer performances. No exceptions. Staff will take attendance randomly throughout the day. Schedules are all listed below for you to reference all weekend. We suggest screenshotting them so you have them in your phone
• No swimming is allowed during the competition. If you are staying Sunday night and choose to swim after all competition is complete, that is fine.
• This is not a vacation. Remember that you are here to compete. That means your first priority is your team, your gym and all performances and practices that go with being part of this group. Please do not make plans for the girls to go shopping while in Indy, as chances are it will probably interfere with other teams' performance times that they're required to be present for.
• Do not make plans that will interfere with any practice or performance. 
• All cheerleaders should make sure they have their phones with them as team parents will be sending text messages to notify people of last minute instructions. At a competition this large, it's important to be in constant communication.
• Please do not allow your child to travel between the hotel, mall and arena alone. These areas are open to the public and will be very crowded this weekend.
• On the "crowded" note, it might be a good idea to bring a small cooler with breakfast foods inside: muffins, fruit, bagels, juice etc. Breakfast will be important to most of our team members, so please come prepared.
• KC Cheer has a team room in the convention center. The room number is 106. Please understand that teams will be using this room throughout the weekend for a meeting place and any practices we may need. Do not leave your valuables in this room, as it will not be locked.

The Bus

• Open containers are not allowed on the bus. All drinks must have a lid.
• You must share seats on the bus. (Unless you paid for a double seat) 
• Please remember the four seats in the first row of the bus are reserved for the coaches
• Cheerleaders should wear comfortable clothes on the bus. They may wear slippers on the bus, but must have real shoes to change in to for lunch time.
• The buses are equipped with TVs for movies. Please make sure your movies are age appropriate. 
• Cheerleaders are to ride their team buses. If you have cheerleaders on more than one team please inform the coach which bus your cheerleader will be riding if you want them to ride together. Cheerleaders under age ___ are required to have a parent with them on the bus.
• Absolutely no switching buses halfway through a trip. 
• If you are going to make different arrangements to get home from Indianapolis, please inform the person who is in charge of your bus before Sunday night.
• Cheerleaders must clean up after themselves. If a bus is left dirty, the team responsible will condition at practice in the future!
• Do not leave items on the bus, as they may not be there on Sunday when you get back on.

Packing

Please see below for a list of things you'll need for this weekend. Athletes are required to be in the designated attire for that day, so it is important you pack all of the items on this list.

Jamfest Super Nationals Packing List

• Uniform top
• Uniform bottom
• Socks
• Cheer shoes
• Makeup
• Hair spray
• Red Bow
• White Bow
• Sparkle Practice Wear
• Infused practice wear
• KC Cheer warmup (black pants or black leggings if you don't have a warmup) 
• KC Cheer team t-shirt
• KC Cheer red tank
• Hair clips
• Straightener/curling iron
• Medications (if needed)
• Pillow and blanket for the bus
• Snacks for the bus
• Cell phones/chargers
• Camera
• Money for meals

Attire

• All cheerleaders should wear the outfits outlined for each day when not in competition uniform during our stay in Indy. Do not leave your hotel room in a sports bra and spandex. 

• Cheerleaders are always allowed to be in warmup jackets and black pants or warmup pants when at competitions. 
• The gym shirt is an item that every cheerleader must have. All cheerleaders were given one. If you lost yours you need to purchase a new one, because it is required attire for the weekend. 
• Cheerleaders must be dressed in gym shirt and black pants or warmup when not in uniform. No PJ pants, jeans or other street clothes!
• Cheerleaders must be in full uniform for awards ceremonies. They will not be allowed on stage if they are not in full uniform.

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Friday, January 20

Traveling

Attire: anything comfy

• All athletes are required to ride the bus to Indianapolis. The buses will leave from the KC Cheer parking lot at 6:30 a.m. This means everyone should be on the bus by 6:15 so we can leave promptly at 6:30.  
• Please try to carpool to KC Cheer that morning or have your athlete dropped off so there is enough room for everyone to park. Do not park on the street or in front of other businesses or their garage doors.
• If you are staying at the JW Marriot, please be sure your luggage is in the first luggage bin of the bus. We want everyone staying there to have their luggage together so we can get everybody off the bus in as organized of a fashion as possible.
• The bus will only be stopping for cheerleaders to get off for food and drinks one time, so please make sure your cheerleader has snacks and drinks for the entire 9 hour trip, as well as money for lunch when we stop. We will also be making a few "stretch" stops for the drivers, but cheerleaders will not be allowed off the bus during these stops.
• We will hand out room keys on the bus in Indianapolis. We are staying at the Westin and the JW Marriott - Downtown Indianapolis. We will stop first at the Westin to unload and then the JW Marriott. 
• Rooms at the Westin will be pre-keyed but those at the Marriott will not. The buses will unload one at a time to avoid mass confusion in the lobby. It is extremely important that you be patient once we arrive, as you will be asked to remain on the bus for a short period.

Friday Evening Practices

Attire: Black Sparkle practice wear and white bow, with red KC Cheer tank and warmup pants to walk to convention center

• When we arrive in Indianapolis, cheerleaders should take their luggage to their rooms and get ready for Friday evening practices. We will be practicing in the convention center from 7:00-9:00. The practice schedule is listed below. Teams will meet their coaches in the lobby of the Westin and will walk together to the convention center.
• We will be wearing our Black Sparkle Practice Wear and White Bow for Friday evening practices. Teams will wear Red KC Cheer Tank, warmup jacket and pants to walk over to the convention center
• Fantasy, Fever, Fiesta, Fortune, Force and Fame will meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00 p.m. to come over to the convention center
• Ferocious, Fearless, Flawless and Fierce 5 will meet in the hotel lobby at 8:00 p.m. to come to the convention center

Friday Practice Times:

TEAM	Fantasy	Fever	Fiesta	Fortune	Force	Fame	Ferocious	Fearless	Flawless	Fierce 5
Friday Practice Time	7:18	7:24	7:30	7:54	8:00	8:12	8:30	8:36	8:45	8:48

Curfew

• KC Cheer enforces a strict 10:00 curfew, as do both hotels we are staying in this weekend. All cheerleaders must be in their assigned rooms by 10:00 p.m. with lights out by 10:30.
• The KC Cheer staff and parents will be patrolling both hotels to enforce this curfew. There will be serious consequences for anyone found outside of their rooms past curfew. We have had to use these punishments before and have no problem using them again. You're here to do a job, and we need all athletes to be well-rested for the long days ahead.

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Saturday, January 21

Attire: Black Team Shirt (with the gold foil) and black pants when not in uniform, White bow.

All team members (with the exception of Ferocious) will meet in the hotel lobby at 9:15 a.m. to walk over to watch Ferocious perform at 9:48 a.m. For the zillionth time (in case you keep forgetting), it is required that all team members be at every KC Cheer performance unless they are in the practice room with their teams.

Team	Meeting Location	Meet	Practice	Perform	Hall
Ferocious	Hotel	8:00	8:58	9:48	I
Fearless	Room 106	9:50	10:55	11:45	I
Fierce 5	Room 106	9:50	10:58	11:48	I
Fame	Room 106	10;50	11;52	12:42	H
Fiesta	Room 106	1:30	2:34	3:24	H
Fever	Room 106	1:45	2:43	3:33	G
Fantasy	Room 106	3:55	4:53	5:43	H
Fortune	Room 106	4:15	5:12	6:02	I
Force	Room 106	5:15	6:14	7:04	H
Flawless	Room 106	6:10	7:06	7:56	J

We will have a gym meeting at 8:15 in room 106. Teams should plan to practice after reviewing their scoresheets sometime throughout the day. Coaches will have team parents communicate times to each team. We will be wearing red infused practice wear to these practices.

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Sunday, January 22

Attire: Black team shirt (gold foil) and Black pants when not in uniform. Red sparkle bow.

• Hotel checkout is at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.
• Make sure your cheerleader takes ALL needed items with her in the morning on Sunday to the arenas. We will load the buses with all luggage on Sunday morning. You will not be able to get to this luggage until the end of the day on Sunday when we load the buses. 
• Below is the performance schedule and awards schedule. Again, all team members must be at all team performances, even after their awards ceremonies are over.

unday performance schedule

Team	Meeting Location	Meet	Practice	Perform	Hall
Ferocious	Hotel	8:00	8:58	9:48	I
Fearless	Room 106	10:15	11:13	12:03	I
Fierce 5	Room 106	10:15	11:43	12:33	I
Fame	Room 106	10:45	11:43	12:33	H
Flawless	Room 106	11:45	12:40	1:30	J
Fever	Room 106	1:30	2:34	3:24	G
Fiesta	Room 106	1:45	2:49	3:39	H
Fortune	Room 106	3:40	4:36	5:26	I
Fantasy	Room 106	3:45	4:38	5:28	H
Force	Room 106	5:45	6:44	7:34	H

Sunday Awards Schedule

• Awards will be held in Champions Arena, which is Hall F. 
• Teams will meet coaches here in FULL UNIFORM for awards

TEAM	Ferocious	Fearless	Fierce 5	Fame	Flawless	Fever	Fiesta	Fantasy	Fortune	Force
AWARDS TIME	11:40	1:35	1:35	2:10	3:25	4:40	6:00	7:20	8:30	9:00

Traveling home

• The buses will begin loading as soon as possible after the final awards ceremony at 9:00. We will NOT be stopping on the way home for food, so please plan for this (drinks and snacks).
• If your cheerleader is not riding the bus home, please let your coach or team mom know before Sunday evening. Your cheerleader is still required to stay for all team performances even if he or she is not riding the bus home. 

Additional information regarding this weekend can be found here.

We are looking forward to an extremely fun weekend at Jamfest Super Nationals!