Hawkes
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Post by Hawkes on Jun 14, 2011 11:58:37 GMT -4
I would have everyone pay in advance, so we knew what kind of money the committee had to spend. Knowing that 182 people were coming would have changed a few things. If you want to separate groups by an hour you need more guides, can't have more guides without more money. The guides aren't really getting in for free, they drove to their trail at least twice before the Jam, and risk losing a wheeling day helping with breakdowns, and are not included in the prizes. For some it costs more than the entry fee, they are doing it because they want to. Everyone on the trail can help with spotting or winching, it doesn't have to be a guide, but they are there to help you. The Jam co-chairs spent their own money running around, I know for sure Luc spent hundreds in gas going to coffee nights, picking up prizes, making arrangements etc. The Jam committee meet in the middle in Windsor, we pay for our own gas and meals. I'm trying to think how to manage a trails only deal, what's stopping someone from paying for trails only and pitching their tent in the field? I don't think Fox mountain has the manpower to manage that. The Saturday night meal caused the mud pit to start later, if you were cooking your own meal or driving to town to eat would that really solve anything? Starting supper an hour earlier would help. (I have no power to change the program, just thinking out loud.)
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Big G
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Post by Big G on Jun 14, 2011 12:00:58 GMT -4
So Glen, does this mean your filling a spot on the committee this coming year?? I guess this is what happens when Angie's not around to sensor me. I can probably kiss my spot guiding next year goodbye. LOL
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justajeep
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Bear River, NS
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Post by justajeep on Jun 14, 2011 12:02:48 GMT -4
where did yo here the Jamboree Makes Money?? we break even every year. Well, I must have misunderstood. I remember at each AGM hearing that Jam made $3-$5K... and this year trail guide passengers were charged , the "break even cost". Where's the difference going if jam's just breaking even each year? Perhaps showing us the breakdown of camping/ food/ t-shirt/ tent/ etc would help us understand the cost. Also, this might be a sensitive topic, but how many free passes are given out to sponsors? I had to guide to be able to afford to go, but I heard lots of people saying they got free passes that had SFA to do with the sponsors. Is that fair? I would think that the cost of those passes are being carried by other participants. The prizes aren't really free if that's the case. I don't mean to stir up controversy or seem un-apressiative... but I have also heard of people not attending due to cost, and would like to throw out ideas to help this situation... or at least understand why. The first NSJC Jam started off with that much money left over from the Jeep Jamboree's (Chrysler event), so if they have that much left over each year to get the next year going, they are not making any money. Sponsors don't get a bunch of free passes, and what they do get is plenty fair for the great prizes they give. Some sponsors buy extra passes to give away.
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Big G
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Post by Big G on Jun 14, 2011 12:04:14 GMT -4
Good enough on those points. My misunderstanding. Thanks for the clarification.
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Hawkes
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Post by Hawkes on Jun 14, 2011 12:13:00 GMT -4
Well, I must have misunderstood. I remember at each AGM hearing that Jam made $3-$5K... and this year trail guide passengers were charged , the "break even cost". Where's the difference going if jam's just breaking even each year? Perhaps showing us the breakdown of camping/ food/ t-shirt/ tent/ etc would help us understand the cost. Also, this might be a sensitive topic, but how many free passes are given out to sponsors? I had to guide to be able to afford to go, but I heard lots of people saying they got free passes that had SFA to do with the sponsors. Is that fair? I would think that the cost of those passes are being carried by other participants. The prizes aren't really free if that's the case. I don't mean to stir up controversy or seem un-apressiative... but I have also heard of people not attending due to cost, and would like to throw out ideas to help this situation... or at least understand why. The first NSJC Jam started off with that much money left over from the Jeep Jamboree's (Chrysler event), so if they have that much left over each year to get the next year going, they are not making any money. Sponsors don't get a bunch of free passes, and what they do get is plenty fair for the great prizes they give. Some sponsors buy extra passes to give away. I'd hazard a guess there was $10,000 in prizes there, or close to it. The gear that CVO brought took hours to load and unload, and I'd put a $100 bet that every one of those employees got paid for Friday. Just their fuel bill to attend was probably high hundreds. Alan is right about the sponsor passes, the sponsors might give them away but they are not free. The sponsors are the backbone of the Jam.
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BILL
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Post by BILL on Jun 14, 2011 12:19:12 GMT -4
id say we hit that $10 000 easy in prizes
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beth
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Bouncy & fun
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Post by beth on Jun 14, 2011 12:55:08 GMT -4
If it were possible I'd like the trails only option. We brought a lot of our own food anyhow even though we'd already paid for the meals provided with the registration fee. Convenience aside, there are some of us with dietary restrictions that don't have the option to eat some of what is provided. No matter if it is paid for... if I cannot digest it, I cannot eat it!
As a female participant, I was thrilled last year to have the ladies-fitted shirts! I love my 2010 Jam shirt! That being said, I will likely wear my unisex 2011 Jam shirt until it finds its way to the rag bin. I also really like the choice of shirt colour for this year!
You can't control how late a meal will take to get served and I know that the start time for the mud pit was out of everyone's control, but it was a bummer that it got dark before many rigs had their try.
Along with what a few others have said, I like the idea of letting some of the bigger rigs have a go at the mud first pit to churn it up so that a solid wall of muck and rocks doesn't get built up. I also heard that the fella who dug the mud pit made the end really deep (12 feet is what I heard) and I am curious how the depth is necessary to the challenge of crossing the span of mud.
All in all, I really enjoyed NSJC Jamboree 2011 and I am already looking forward to next year!
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Post by soxamalox on Jun 14, 2011 13:04:11 GMT -4
I think that this thread was started to help make an already awesome event even better!!! The committee does an amazing job and so do all of the trail guides and those behind the scenes and no one is questioning that. I can see the spirit in which Dugie started this thread. I believe that it was started to create a brainstorming session for those who are unable to give their time to help out but really would like to. We all have committments and as with anything in life, those that want to help, always will. It is difficult to suggest ideas, ask questions, or want to get involved on the committee if people are intimidated or others are assuming that the questions/ideas are coming from a negative place. I think most people on here genuinely want to have an awesome event and are just making suggestions not trying to be critical. As with anything on the internet, it is hard to see the emotion behind someone's words. Anyways, I agree with looking into the idea of having different "packages" for jam with and without food. I believe it will help attract people who may not be able to pay the full cost as it gives them a cheaper option. I think that the meal choices (ie healthy vs. not so healthy breakfast ) this year were fantastic and would like to see that continue. Once again, thanks for a great event and I hope that all of the ideas in this thread are looked at with an open mind. Thank you, Ange
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Post by Truro Offroad on Jun 14, 2011 13:11:39 GMT -4
To me, I dont think its a $400 + gas etc for a weekend for the wife and I.
And I sure as hell would not pay $65 for my brat to go..not at the age she is at now.. maybe if she was 5 under 5 should be free
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Post by crazyfrog on Jun 14, 2011 14:12:54 GMT -4
I know a lot of you have trailer with a full Kitchen and the like and want to cook on your own, but the price we charge is actually cheaper than if we cut the meals out. last fall I went to fall crawl all campground are closed for the winter, so hotel and meal plus gas and registration 600.00 one day of wheeling, I had a ball going again this fall.
keep the good comment coming we are going to look at all of it for next year .
Luc
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dan
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Post by dan on Jun 14, 2011 14:17:49 GMT -4
there is only one thing that I can think of that would be worth making a big change to. I was told that there were 3 (yes, three) instances during the course of one run in the Mud pit by a certain driver, where lives were greatly put at risk, AND that said person may have been inebriated. I feel the rules should be the same on road or off road. there should be no drinking and driving. I don't feel the need to go into much detail about it, but I feel it is worth mentioning.
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Post by Cherokee Chief on Jun 14, 2011 14:39:51 GMT -4
I myself would like to see the price be lowered. For myself a family of 5, at $585.00 if registered early its too expensive for all of us to attend. this is not including my gas and optional food/snacks for the trail and afterwords. For my kids $65.00 for a bowl of cereal and a sandwich and the t-shirt seems a bit much, especially where they are not included in the prize draw. I would like the option for no food as well.
I also have friends from other forms that will not attend due to the price. I attend due to I love the sport and comrottery of my fellow Jeepers. It is a awesome time and I will keep attending as long as I can. I opted to be a trail guide from the very first jam I attended but I had to wait until this year to be trail guide. I have chosen to be a guide because I have mechanical experience to help out on any situation needed. And don't get me wrong getting to go for free is a good trade off in my opinion but really it wasn't free, I did the pre runs required and then some, I also went Friday night to help repair a YJ broken down on the trail, yes I could of said no and stayed back and drink beer but I chose to help because someone asked for it and I was gladly eager to go to help out. Yes the mud pit run should be earlier but when can it be? we run out of time as it was. The supper Sat night should be started earlier. Maybe if the PEI crew join up and the NB get on board that would bring in more sponsorship we can lower the prices. This is something that should be looked into further I know the PEI crew want to but I don't know about NB.
Thanks for all the Committee members making this happen I know its a joint venture but it wont happen without you guys as much as the participants.
Darren
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Post by HardRox on Jun 14, 2011 16:10:26 GMT -4
i didnt go to jam but really wanted to if it wasnt for the price $460 ish plus gas snacks drinks etc etc for me and my women to go wheelin seemed kinda steap,....... ever consider a diffrent camp ground? back country club holds theirs for $30 per person and thats 2 nites of camping and 1 supper saturday night < pig roast i do belive > feed ur self the rest of the weekend ............and mud pit sunday during the day .....if you had 178 ppl this year at the cost of $230 imagine how many u could get with out the meal charge i bet ur numbers would double with in a few years ... but anyway im saving my pennies for next years jam like to make one at least
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Big G
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Post by Big G on Jun 14, 2011 16:18:06 GMT -4
there is only one thing that I can think of that would be worth making a big change to. I was told that there were 3 (yes, three) instances during the course of one run in the Mud pit by a certain driver, where lives were greatly put at risk, AND that said person may have been inebriated. I feel the rules should be the same on road or off road. there should be no drinking and driving. I don't feel the need to go into much detail about it, but I feel it is worth mentioning. Breathalyzer. No blow, no go. Does it seem like a PITA? Yes. Would we wish we had done it if someone gets hurt or worse? Absolutely.
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Post by soxamalox on Jun 14, 2011 16:29:49 GMT -4
Possibly another reason to run the mudpit in the daylight hours. Say Sunday morning?
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