John Macready and John Roethlisberger's Flip Fest

Flip Fest is the ultimate gymnastics camp experience. Campers ages 7 to 18 will enjoy safe and specialized training in a brand new, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned training facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparation for Camp

When should I register for camp?
You should register online as soon as you know the session(s) you want to attend. Our online registration process allows the parent to create their own “account” that they can sign in to then update personal information such as level change, address/phone change, etc, and make payments at any given time. Camp fills quickly, and we take no more than 180 campers a week to keep camp a smaller, more intimate experience. Registering is the only way to ensure your child’s spot in camp.

Can I make payments towards my child’s tuition instead of paying at once?
Yes, to help cut the bulk of tuition from hitting at once when due on May 1, 2008, if you initially registered online and paid your $200 registration fee, then you can log in to your account with your email address and password and apply a payment at any time.

If my first choice for a session is full, can you put me on a waitlist?
If a specific week is full, you may email or call us, and we will place you on the waitlist. We will notify you immediately if a space becomes available.

What is your cancellation policy?
Final Camp Payment must be postmarked by May 1, 2008 . If we do not receive your final payment by May 1, 2008, we may forfeit your spot to another camper. We will refund all payments except a $50 processing fee to campers who fax or postmark written cancellations BEFORE April 1, 2008. We will refund all payments except the $200 deposit to campers who fax or postmark written cancellations AFTER April 1, 2008.

NO REGISTRATION AND CAMP FEES ARE REFUNDABLE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF CAMPER’S SESSION. We will not give refunds to any camper who withdraws anytime after arriving. We do not give discounts to any camper who arrives late or departs early. All campers must be covered by their own insurance

What does my child need to bring to camp?
In your confirmation packet, we will place a detailed list of things to pack for camp such as a gym bag, grips (if needed), pillow, fitted sheet, sleeping bag or blanket, workout attire, personal products, swimsuit, sunscreen, beach towel, tennis shoes, pajamas, etc. Please mark all tags with your child’s initials in permanent marker.

Check In/Check Out

When is check in and check out?
Check in is from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each Sunday. Check out is 2:00 p.m. every Friday.

What will I expect at check in?
You will need to let us know your child has arrived, give the camp manager any medication, open a camp bank account for your child if you have not already done so, pre-order pictures of your child and the Olympians at camp that week, and help your child move in to his/her cabin.

How can I use express check in?
To eliminate having to wait in the check-in line, you can actually check in before arriving at camp. Once your child is registered, you will receive a confirmation packet (usually around April). In this packet, you will receive an invoice for your child’s remaining balance and an option to add money for their camp bank account online or by mailing in at least three weeks before your child’s session begins.. If you have opened his/her camp bank, returned the release form, and if your child has no medication, you can come to camp and just let us know you have arrived. However, if you have not opened a camp bank account and wish to, have not returned your release form, or if your child has medication, you are not able to do express check in. You will then need to go through the check in process upon arrival on Sunday.

What is a camp bank account?
You can open a camp bank account for your child to have during the week at camp. This money will be spent at the camp store on snacks, drinks, camp apparel (leotards, sweatshirts, t-shirts, etc.) and forgotten items such as disposable cameras, sunscreen, etc. This camp bank keeps the campers from holding onto cash during the week and prevents against theft or loss. When you receive and complete your confirmation packet after registering, you will then be able to set up you child’s camp bank before arriving. Average opening deposits typically range from $20 to $200. Any money not spent during the week will be returned at check out on Friday will be mailed out in a check the week following your child’s session.

What is check out for?
This is a time to sign your child out, show your ID, and receive medication from camp manager, if any.

Travel to/from Camp

If I send my child by plane or bus, how do I arrange pick up and drop off at the airport or bus station?
Nashville Airport (BNA) is approximately 1 ½ hours drive from camp. You should notify us as soon as you know your camper’s travel itinerary, and we will make arrangements. Campers must arrive by noon CST on Sunday, and depart after 4 p.m. CST on Friday. We charge a $35/one way or $70/round-trip fee for this service. parent must fill out a travel information form and submit to the camp office no less than three weeks before camper’s arrival. Contact Lacy at info@flipfest.com for more information.

If I choose to stay near during the week, do you know of any nearby hotels?
Yes, many hotels are located within five minutes of camp provide group rates for Flip Fest parents. If you stay anywhere in Crossville, you will be very near camp. Fairfield Glade, a golfing community/resort, is just seven miles away. Knoxville is an hour drive, and Nashville is just about the same. Many families drop their child(ren) off at camp and vacation for the week in the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg is only about 1 ½ to 2 hours from camp.

Meals

How are meals handled?
All meals are freshly prepared on site each day. As camp time draws nearer, a sample menu will be available for viewing.

Medical/Diet/Food

What should I do about my child’s medical restrictions on his/her diet?
If your child has a special diet due to MEDICAL reasons, you should bring these special foods with you to camp. We will also need you to speak with the camp manager upon arrival on Sunday to make him/her aware of your child’s situation. You should also make note of this on your child’s registration form. Our office staff will contact you regarding this as well. Although not required, Flip Fest suggests your child have a physical prior to coming to camp.

What about food for vegetarians?
We will always have an option for vegetarians at each meal. You should make note of this on your child’s registration from.

What should my child do with his/her medication?
Please turn over ALL medication to the camp manager upon check in. NO medication will be kept in the cabins.

Housing

How many campers are in a cabin?
Each cabin holds 16 campers per side, 32 total. Each cabin will have two chaperones or camp counselors as well. Each cabin shares a bathroom facility.

How can my child make a roommate request?
Please make all roommate requests in writing on your child’s registration form. We do our very best to meet all requests.

How are campers grouped in the cabins?
Most campers are usually grouped by age and/or team, if coming with a team. For those campers coming alone (not with a team) he/she will be roomed with other gymnasts attending camp without a team and also of the same age.

Multiple Session Campers

Is there an extra cost for the weekend if my child stays for more than one week?
No, the camp tuition covers this.

What will my child do over the weekend?
Since camp ends on Friday and a new session starts on Sunday, the break between each session is actually very short. We will assign a chaperone or camp counselor for your child and will have activities planned ahead of time depending upon how many campers are staying over the weekend.

General Gym Questions

How old do you have to be to attend Flip Fest?
Campers must be between 7 and 17. If you need an exception, please email us.

How advanced should my child be to attend camp?
Since the campers are grouped by level, we accept all ranges of gymnasts from recreational to elite level competitors. We will have athlete testing on Sundays when the campers arrive to ensure they are in the appropriate workout group.

What is the camper to coach ratio?
We have one coach for every eight campers.

Who are the coaches each week at camp?
We personally hire each staff member to instruct the campers. They vary from gym owners, college gymnasts, college coaches, private gym coaches, Olympic coaches and clinicians and Olympians. We also have four of our permanent staff members who will remain at camp the entire summer. They are John Macready, John Roethlisberger, Randy Parrish and Steve Butcher. You can view bios of these four as well as other past coaches on our staff page.

What Olympians will be present the week my child is coming?
Due to the Olympians’ busy schedules, we may not know their exact weeks until closer to camp time. However, as soon as we do know, we will post it on the website. We will have at least one female and one male Olympian each week.

Contacting/Visiting Campers

Contacting/Visiting Campers
Parents are welcome to visit camp on Sundays and Fridays. Your child will also have two land lines to call home from. If you would like for your child to be able to call home, please send him/her with a calling card or instructions to call collect. If you need to contact camp, please call 1-800-390-0821. NO CELL PHONES are allowed at camp. Any camper cell phones brought to camp will be taken and donated to charity.