understanding how jamborees work

We are excited to welcome you to the world of development swimming! As a new parent, you may be wondering what to expect at a Jamboree. To help you feel confident and prepared, we've put together this guide on how a typical meet runs.

1. Meet Format

• Swim meets are typically divided into different age groups and gender categories (e.g., 8 & under, 9-10, 11-12, etc.).
• Events: Swimmers are assigned to different races (also called events) based on their age and ability. Each event consists of several heats (groups of swimmers).
• Heat Sheets: The meet will have a heat sheet available that shows the schedule of events and the swimmers’ lane assignments. This is a valuable resource to track your swimmer’s races. At Jamborees, depending on the host team, to keep paper use at a minimum, they only offer heat sheets for purchase or through a QR code. At our In-House Jamboree, we only offer copies of the heat sheets to timers and coaches, and post heat sheets around the walls of the pool. 

2. Arrival & Check-In

• Time: Jamborees often start in the early afternoons, so please check the meet schedule via the meet package posted on the event page for your swimmer's first event time. Arrive at least 15 minutes to 30 minutes before the meet starts.
• Check-In: When you arrive, you will need to check in your swimmer with their coach at the team designated area. Depending on the size of the facility, this can be in a gym or on-deck. This is where swimmers confirm their attendance and receive their race assignments if not beforehand. 
• Meet packages are important information for swim families to read through. We post any information we receive from the host team before sign-up closes. 

3. What to Expect During the Meet

• Warm-Up: Before the meet starts, swimmers participate in warm-up sessions to get ready. Warm-ups are led by coaches and are important for performance.
• Racing: Each event will be swum in heats, with each swimmer competing in one heat per event. Swimmers will race in their assigned lanes, and after each race, there will be a brief rest period before the next heat.
• Timing & Results: Swim meets are timed, and results are often posted on a board for families to see. The times indicate how long it took a swimmer to complete the event.
• Swimmers competing in the 200 Meter Individual Medley event are trying to get under 4:00 minutes. This means that they can move-up into the next group. At Orca, this is our Regional group. The sound level in the facility gets the loudest during this event due to the excitement of this accomplishment. 
• Meet Fees: This is a flat amount charged by the host club to help cover the costs of running the meet. Every swimmer attending the meet pays this fee once, regardless of how many races they enter.
  • It typically goes toward: Pool rental and lifeguard staffing
  • Timing equipment and officials
  • Heat sheets, awards, and administrative costs
• Entry Fees: Each event your swimmer enters (for example, 50 Freestyle, 100 Backstroke, 100 IM, etc.) has a small entry fee, usually $8-10 per race.
  These fees go directly to the host club and help offset costs for meet management and the officials who run each session.

Why These Fees Matter

• Hosting a swim meet is a big undertaking! The fees make it possible for clubs to provide safe, well-run, and fair competitions.
• They also help maintain access to competitive opportunities for all swimmers — from first-time racers to seasoned competitors.

4. How to Support Your Swimmer

• Cheering: It's important to cheer on all the swimmers, not just your own! Positive encouragement helps foster a supportive environment.
• Post-Race: After each race, swimmers usually exit the pool and receive feedback from their coach. Make sure your swimmer stays hydrated and takes time to rest in between events.
• Benefits for attending an event like this: It’s like their ‘game day’ for any other sport. 
  • Builds confidence and resilience
  • Encourages goal setting
  • Sense of belonging
  • Helps them learn to manage nerves
  • Teaches kids to celebrate effort, handle disappointment, and support others
  • Provides a milestone moment for families! Parents get to see their’s child’s progress in action and share in the excitement of accomplishment, no matter the result. 

5. Awards

• Many meets offer awards for top finishers in each event, typically for the top 8 swimmers in each age group. These awards may be handed out after the event or at the end of the meet. Jamborees award ribbons to the top 8 swimmers in each age group of every event. The events are mixed and divided up into age groups of 8&Under, 9-10, 11-12, 13&Over. 

6. What to Bring

• Swim Gear: Swimsuit, goggles, cap, and towel (multiple towels are recommended).
• Team Apparel: Wear your team’s gear to show support and build team spirit.
• Snacks & Drinks: Swim meets can last several hours, so be sure to bring snacks and drinks to keep your swimmer energized.
• Comfort: A foldable chair or blanket for seating. Some facilities don’t allow extra chairs on deck and will provide seating. Keep in mind that some pools cannot accommodate seating for all spectators. As swimmers move into our Regional group, Jamborees are called swim meets and they’re hosted at larger facilities to better accommodate the size of the event. 

7. Etiquette & Best Practices

• Be On Time: Always make sure you arrive on time for check-in and warm-ups.
• Respect the Coaches and Officials: Coaches and officials work hard to ensure the meet runs smoothly, so be respectful of their time and decisions.
• Stay Positive: Swimming is a fun, competitive sport, and your encouragement goes a long way in making it a positive experience for your swimmer.

We know the first swim meet can seem a bit overwhelming, but with this information, we hope it will feel much more manageable. The most important thing is to have fun, support your swimmer, and enjoy the experience!

If you have any questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing you at the Jamboree!

8. How to register for a jamboree on our website

Select the Calendar Tab a choose “Meets & Events”

1. You will then be able to Accept or Decline your swimmer for the specific Jamboree event. Make sure to check the details on the event page before registering. 
2. Details listed on each event page will be something like this:

4. Declaration is the time period you have to sign-up for each event. These deadlines are strict as it is in respect for the host team to receive entries in a timely manner. There are clubs that may charge for late entries.
5. The meet package including details of seating, fees, safe sport rules etc. will be attached to the event page as soon as coaches receive it.