Swingout Northwest 2004 - Feedback

Pre-camp (Web site and other info, etc.)

• We needed more volunteers to step up and help out for pre-camp planning. Please remember that this camp is an all volunteer run camp, and when there isnt enough help, it gets hard to get it all done. So next time, think about sharing your passion for dancing, by helping out events like this. And thank your volunteers :) -terisa
• 
  

• Reg/Checkout was easy and swift, even if somewhat off schedule.
  

• Amount of instruction
  
  • I found it a bit overwhelming. I was used to Herrang's 3-classes-per-day. [Adam L]
  • more Steven's jazz plz! thanks - terisa
  • extra tap classes (tap 1, 2, 3, like we had with balboa?) - Adam
  • The amount of instruction was perfect for me! I was just sad I couldn't always make it to the morning classes. - Bryn
  • I LOVED the amount and the intensity of classes. Being in perpetual motion for 2-12 hours then taking Elliot's and Cat's class, talk about a workout! I was starving at every meal (i think Adam has a pic) and wouldn't have it any other way. Joe Morgan-Steiner
  • Also, it was very cool, and much appreciated how accessible the instructors were. They were all willing to answer questions at meals, even dances, which made aquiring the skills all the more easier.
  • Too many classes per day/track - Mark K.
    
• Quality
• I was really pleased with the variety and content of instructors and classes! - Adam
• of course the instruction was great quality! I like to be challenged, so it could have been even harder. More sweat and heaving breathing plz! :) -terisa
• The quality of the instruction was fantastic. I agree with Terisa that it could have been more challenging, but it was always a lot of fun and I certainly took back a few new things. - Bryn
• Since camp I have had follows tell me, and other people how "amazing" the difference is. One simply looked at me and said "wow, that was so good." Steven and Virginie's awesome class gave me a good connection which allowed me to flesh out my dancing with speed and character. Incredible teachers, all of them. Joe
  

• even though the day was action packed and wasnt able to make it to all, I really liked all the options. I loved the discussion with Paul and Sharon on "how to build your dance scene". great feedback. -terisa
• everything fit together really well i thought, light days (movie night, storytime) were on the days when my body needed to recouperate a little However, I didn't like some of the choices i had to make between electives, on one day i had to absolutely force myself to pick a class, while on a couple of others there were two or three classes I really wanted. Overall scheduling was done really well. joe

• did we luck out on the weather or what?! It was gorgeous!
• I liked how the classes were all close to one another. Getting out to the Fairgrounds is no easy task. What do other people prefer? Class at fairgrounds or not? -terisa
  • No reason to have classes at the fairgrounds, I think. Speaking of the fg, I was impressed how smoothly rides to and from went. People really pitched in! - Adam
• I loved it... I only wish I'd had more time to go explore! - Bryn
• I absolutely loved the fairgrounds! The USO floor felt like tarpaper, but i really enjoyed the other class and dance venues. Joe
  Meals (food, service, etc.)
  
  • So, the Commons was not giving us all food poisoning. Actually, the SONW flu (a stomach bug) wa getting spread through camp. Luckily, I did not get this bug during camp, but intead I found myself pretty suck on the Sunday after camp. Anyone else get the bug after camp? - Shivani
    • As much as I dearly loved the food, I was actually suffering from some minor, uh, gastrointestinal issues, and many of my friends were, too. Not sure if it had anything to do with food or water, or how we'd ever know for sure... - Adam
    • that was the bug! I didnt get sick til after camp. Cleaned me out.
    • I was run down after camp (Monday/Tuesday) and I experienced illness Monday night, but I don't know whether or not that was the SONW flu. My immune system was so low from not sleeping all week. - Bryn
      
  • I ate better and more at camp than I do in my ordinary life due to my hectic schedule. Isnt that sad. Thanks Erin for getting us the food! It was 300% better than last years food. Thanks to the fort too, for the new facility. - terisa -- and a hearty me too from Adam!
    
  • love having meals with the instructors and hearing/seeing their crazy antics - terisa
    • That was one of my favorite parts of camp... getting to chat with instructors over meals, along with just hanging out with everyone else and getting to know people beyond dance stuff. - Adam
    • Our instructors were fun and interesting people
  • Great food. I would have loved having meal options later at night for staff, at least. The late night food was great but not substantial enough -- I needed protein! I also really loved getting to chat with instructors during meals. - Bryn
    
  The dances (bands, floors, music, snacks, etc.)
  
  • Barbara Morrison send us some great feedback! Here is a quote from the email Barbara sent to Jason: "I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful time I had with SONW. Everyone was so nice to me especially Penny. Your team is wonderful and respectful. I hope I get to work with you guys again. What a CLASS ACT! It's going to be hard for the other swing organization to top your groove. The Band was the best I've ever worked with while doing these swing gigs. They are TOPS in my book. I mean everyone of them. Thank everyone for me and lots of love. Sincerely, Barbara Morrison" - Shivani
    • Oh man, I think I speak for many folks in saying we love her, too! Definitely a camp highlight! - Adam
    • Barbara's my goddess!! And now she knows it, too. - Bryn
  • I have to commend Terisa for going completely above and beyond when it came to creating atmosphere at the dances.
  • except possibly sunday night at the USO (tarpaper floor), I loved every dance. It's that simple, I was high on lindy every night. - Joe

  Cabaret

  • I laughed so hard, my gut hurts just thinking about it. I just about passed out during "I am not Daniel" and Paul's Simon Cowell impression was so dead on it was just plain scary. -Joe

  Housing
  

  • At camp
    • 
      
  • For the blues weekend (after camp)
  • I was lucky to end up with a fab host (hi Jenn!), but I was a bit stressed about not getting a housing assignment until the last day of camp. [Adam L]
  • I was extremely sick after camp and unfortunately unable to go to the Blues weekend :( sniffle. my apologies to my guests, but trust me ya didnt want the bug. - blah & ralph - Terisa- lets plan another blues weekend!!
  • Had a fantastic time with my host (yay Jenn!) and fellow hostees. And when it came to dance time, I was in blues heaven. Instruction the first night was great. House parties were fun but, of course, crowded. It was neat having two houses the second night but it also made it difficult to find the people you were looking for. - Bryn
  • It got Hot up in there! Every house was literaly steaming, and the walls and windows were covered in condensation. Good times!
  Other (costs, rules, etc.)
  
  • Costs
    • I felt that camp was very reasonably priced, given all the events and the fine accommodations and food and such. [Adam L]
  • Misc. I learned something new about my self at camp. I had absolutely no idea that i snored. Appearantly I snore a little bit. -Joe