Gymnastics parents, or anyone.....would this bother you?

[mhsjax]

If it doesn't add to their gymnastic learning I would be mad. Sometimes at DD's riding lessons, they clean gear or stalls....but it's part of a lesson on horse management so I don't have a problem with it. Cleaning a foam pit doesn't add anything to the gymnasts. So if you are paying for her to do it, I can see how you would be angry. A better way to do it would be to have a volunteer "cleaning party" and give a free lesson to everyone that participates.

That is a great ides.

I also don't have a problem with kids working and maintaining, but that needs to be scheduled in. My daughter does tumbling and cheer, they have never once required to to clean equipment for tumbling but at cheer, they have mat duty which consists of the girls rolling our and putting up the mats. THis is scheduled, and they come early and stay late. The coach knows that you shouldn't cut into cheer practice time. These mats are extremely heavy so yes it does provide a little conditioning, but it is done after the instruction, so you still get what you pay for.

 

[mhsjax]

I can't think of any activity my kids have been involved with where they HAVEN'T had some responsibility for maintaining equipment and keeping things clean. It is part of learning the sport/activity. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest AND it might teach the kids to use a waste basket vs the foam pit.

They way those gils hit the foam,bandaids some off. Food I can't explain, Oh yes I can, birthday parties. So I bet the girls that are serious about their gymnastics are taking care of it. In our gym you can't even have food in there, but birthday parties where anyone can rent, yep you can. I have never seen a child throw anything into the foam pit EVER, and I am up there a lot. So I don't think the jumping to gun and accusing the girls of not taking care of the gym is accurate.

 

[tiggger1]

If it doesn't add to their gymnastic learning I would be mad. Sometimes at DD's riding lessons, they clean gear or stalls....but it's part of a lesson on horse management so I don't have a problem with it. Cleaning a foam pit doesn't add anything to the gymnasts. So if you are paying for her to do it, I can see how you would be angry. A better way to do it would be to have a volunteer "cleaning party" and give a free lesson to everyone that participates.

cleaning a foam pit is part o gymnastics management, just like cleaning a stall is part of horse management. The barn I ride at has the "barn rats"(the kids that are dropped off there 3 times a week for lessons..) clean the barn every Saturday. Its part of the program. There are 6-8 kids who get there at 8/9 am and there is a list of chores that needs to get done before they leave at 3. The list rotates so some kids have to wash buckets, some clean paddocks, some clean stalls, someone might have to clean the tack room or the trailer. When its time for there lesson, they get to ride but then they have to go back and finish the chores..Some people think its horrible that they are made to work but these kids dont have to be dropped off the 3 times a week and only have to pay for 1 main lesson, the other 2 group lessons are free..plus most of the kids either own or lease a horse so they are there anyways...

Same with our gymnastics studio..., the team kids do alot for the studio, they help keep it clean, they clean the pit...they set up for the rec classes, they help decorate, they help at other studio functions... its just part of the team...

 

[mhsjax]

cleaning a foam pit is part o gymnastics management, just like cleaning a stall is part of horse management. The barn I ride at has the "barn rats"(the kids that are dropped off there 3 times a week for lessons..) clean the barn every Saturday. Its part of the program. There are 6-8 kids who get there at 8/9 am and there is a list of chores that needs to get done before they leave at 3. The list rotates so some kids have to wash buckets, some clean paddocks, some clean stalls, someone might have to clean the tack room or the trailer. When its time for there lesson, they get to ride but then they have to go back and finish the chores..Some people think its horrible that they are made to work but these kids dont have to be dropped off the 3 times a week and only have to pay for 1 main lesson, the other 2 group lessons are free..plus most of the kids either own or lease a horse so they are there anyways...

Same with our gymnastics studio..., the team kids do alot for the studio, they help keep it clean, they clean the pit...they set up for the rec classes, they help decorate, they help at other studio functions... its just part of the team...

Yes, but do they do it during their scheduled class time? That is my problem. I am talking about gym not the horses. Plus as you stated for the horses, 2 group lessons are free, my only problem is working during the time that I paid for instruction.

 

[BELLE1109]

IMO, they are a for profit business and should not use the customers for free labor.

 

[Nette]

If it doesn't add to their gymnastic learning I would be mad. Sometimes at DD's riding lessons, they clean gear or stalls....but it's part of a lesson on horse management so I don't have a problem with it. Cleaning a foam pit doesn't add anything to the gymnasts. So if you are paying for her to do it, I can see how you would be angry. A better way to do it would be to have a volunteer "cleaning party" and give a free lesson to everyone that participates.

Actually... as the foam gets landed on more and more it starts to compact. And when it compacts it's not nearly as safe to land on (especially if you are landing on your head). So every so often it is necessary to "fluff" the pit. The only way to do that is to pull all the foam out and put it back... if the coaches took the opportunity to pick up the trash and single socks (the pit is the sock monster) then I think that is a good thing.

I'd let it go... Unless they are doing it all the time it's not worth your effort to be upset. But you said this is the first time in FOUR years that they have done this... Gymnasts work HARD, taking a break by cleaning the pit is fun and probably improves morale because they are working as a TEAM (in a sport that is largely individual).

However, if your coaches do hold your daughter back because you said something, then this isn't the gym you want to be at anyway. Her advancement should be based on nothing but her own accomplishments.

 

[mhsjax]

Actually... as the foam gets landed on more and more it starts to compact. And when it compacts it's not nearly as safe to land on (especially if you are landing on your head). So every so often it is necessary to "fluff" the pit. The only way to do that is to pull all the foam out and put it back... if the coaches took the opportunity to pick up the trash and single socks (the pit is the sock monster) then I think that is a good thing.

I'd let it go... Unless they are doing it all the time it's not worth your effort to be upset. But you said this is the first time in FOUR years that they have done this... Gymnasts work HARD, taking a break by cleaning the pit is fun and probably improves morale because they are working as a TEAM (in a sport that is largely individual).

However, if your coaches do hold your daughter back because you said something, then this isn't the gym you want to be at anyway. Her advancement should be based on nothing but her own accomplishments.

Shows how well I can read before 2 cups of coffee. I didn't see the first time in 4 years. So nope no problem with me either actually. If they continue, yes I would have a problem.

 

[lucky978]

My girls did this at their gym over the summer. The team kids were asked to volunteer and come in for 4 hours one Friday night if they were around. The cleaned out the pit, washed up, then were treated to pizza party. I never asked my kids if they wanted to go - they asked me if they could do. It was an opportunity for them to bond and hang out with the team and have some fun. I fully supported it.

I look at it as a bonding experience, a time to have some down-time and fun, and for them to learn to take care of the equipment at "their" gym.

Also, they have been on team for about 4 years now - and this was the first time they were asked to do this (in my opinion it should be done yearly - gross).

 

[npmommie]

It has nothing to do with "It's not my job" At our gym the parents pay big and I mean HUGE amounts of money for this time. Cleaning shouldn't be a part of it. No way no how. If they want the girls to clean fine, set up a "clean day". I would be furious paying what these parents pay and having my DD use .5 hour of a 2 hour session to clean.

I know kids on team, OP I don't know if yours is on team or not, but they spend including leos, fees travel stuff like that upwards of $20,000 per year. Now these are girls that are truly gifted and maybe olympic bound but still.

When they quote you a fee, it is for instruction time, I have never in my gym seen any of the girls clean during a training session.

If they want the girls to clean fine, take 30 minutes worth of the fee off of your payment. It isn't about being a team, it is about getting what you are paying for, they charge enough they have people to clean the gym, not the girls job.

this how I felt

I would have been upset if the girls were expected to pick up used bandaids without gloves, but as long as the coach was the one to handle anything like that, I would have been glad they were teaching the kids the importance of taking care of the equipment, and to really appreciate it.

I do not think you have doomed your daughter to non-advancement by asking about it, though!

I hope you are right! LOL
my dh claims I doomed her!

They were not picking stuff up, but they were stepping all over dirty bandaids, etc
yes she went right in the shower when she got home

They way those gils hit the foam,bandaids some off. Food I can't explain, Oh yes I can, birthday parties. So I bet the girls that are serious about their gymnastics are taking care of it. In our gym you can't even have food in there, but birthday parties where anyone can rent, yep you can. I have never seen a child throw anything into the foam pit EVER, and I am up there a lot. So I don't think the jumping to gun and accusing the girls of not taking care of the gym is accurate.

even birthday parties at this gym do not allow food into the gym, the area for the parties is in a room right outside the gym. no food goes into the gym.

cleaning a foam pit is part o gymnastics management, just like cleaning a stall is part of horse management. The barn I ride at has the "barn rats"(the kids that are dropped off there 3 times a week for lessons..) clean the barn every Saturday. Its part of the program. There are 6-8 kids who get there at 8/9 am and there is a list of chores that needs to get done before they leave at 3. The list rotates so some kids have to wash buckets, some clean paddocks, some clean stalls, someone might have to clean the tack room or the trailer. When its time for there lesson, they get to ride but then they have to go back and finish the chores..Some people think its horrible that they are made to work but these kids dont have to be dropped off the 3 times a week and only have to pay for 1 main lesson, the other 2 group lessons are free..plus most of the kids either own or lease a horse so they are there anyways...

Same with our gymnastics studio..., the team kids do alot for the studio, they help keep it clean, they clean the pit...they set up for the rec classes, they help decorate, they help at other studio functions... its just part of the team...

yes the girls always clean up after practice, setting the equipment back up for the rec classes in the morning.

Actually... as the foam gets landed on more and more it starts to compact. And when it compacts it's not nearly as safe to land on (especially if you are landing on your head). So every so often it is necessary to "fluff" the pit. The only way to do that is to pull all the foam out and put it back... if the coaches took the opportunity to pick up the trash and single socks (the pit is the sock monster) then I think that is a good thing.

I'd let it go... Unless they are doing it all the time it's not worth your effort to be upset. But you said this is the first time in FOUR years that they have done this... Gymnasts work HARD, taking a break by cleaning the pit is fun and probably improves morale because they are working as a TEAM (in a sport that is largely individual).

However, if your coaches do hold your daughter back because you said something, then this isn't the gym you want to be at anyway. Her advancement should be based on nothing but her own accomplishments.

Yes I am going to let it go. and this is the first time we have been involved, unless they did it on a different practice night and we just missed it until this year.

oh and my dd said ......her words " It was totally gross, but fun!"

 

[npmommie]

My girls did this at their gym over the summer. The team kids were asked to volunteer and come in for 4 hours one Friday night if they were around. The cleaned out the pit, washed up, then were treated to pizza party. I never asked my kids if they wanted to go - they asked me if they could do. It was an opportunity for them to bond and hang out with the team and have some fun. I fully supported it.

I look at it as a bonding experience, a time to have some down-time and fun, and for them to learn to take care of the equipment at "their" gym.

Also, they have been on team for about 4 years now - and this was the first time they were asked to do this (in my opinion it should be done yearly - gross).

I think that is a great idea, and I am sure parents would feel better about it being done that way.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My girls did this at their gym over the summer. The team kids were asked to volunteer and come in for 4 hours one Friday night if they were around. The cleaned out the pit, washed up, then were treated to pizza party. I never asked my kids if they wanted to go - they asked me if they could do. It was an opportunity for them to bond and hang out with the team and have some fun. I fully supported it.

I look at it as a bonding experience, a time to have some down-time and fun, and for them to learn to take care of the equipment at "their" gym.

Also, they have been on team for about 4 years now - and this was the first time they were asked to do this (in my opinion it should be done yearly - gross).

I'm sure it is the first time they were asked, not the first time it was done in 4 years.

 

[HM]

My kids are not in gynmastics, but I look at it this way: My kids play tennis. Part of each paid for lesson is going around and picking up the balls all over the court. They aren't learning anything during those periods of time, but it's necessary to the lesson. I think that having the gymnasts help in keeping their equipment in order once in a while isn't a bad thing. It might have been better to ask for volunteers to do it off-hours instead of during the lesson, but maybe they have the experience that no one (or not enough) people would volunteer and they do it this way for ease and quickness. I'm sorry it bothers you.

 

[carone0318]

My dd's team does this - what bothers me the most is that they don't put on shoes before going into the pit; otherwise, it's part of being on team.

Most here would probably hate dd's gym because every Saturday they end 15-20 minutes early and clean the gym - vaccuum the carpet by bars (all that chalk), wipe down the area over by the stereo where their floor music is played. They have to straighten up the entire gym too. Last on bars, cleans the bar area up, puts all the mats back where they belong.

I'm not saying they are good at cleaning up, but while they are doing it, it gives them a social break too. Funny one about the vacuuming. The bars coach is OCD about the way they vacuum and if they slack off just the right amount, he will come over and take the vacuum and show them how to do it correctly. Next thing you know, he's doing the vacuuming and the girls are watching!!!

 

[npmommie]

My dd's team does this - what bothers me the most is that they don't put on shoes before going into the pit; otherwise, it's part of being on team.

Most here would probably hate dd's gym because every Saturday they end 15-20 minutes early and clean the gym - vaccuum the carpet by bars (all that chalk), wipe down the area over by the stereo where their floor music is played. They have to straighten up the entire gym too. Last on bars, cleans the bar area up, puts all the mats back where they belong.

I'm not saying they are good at cleaning up, but while they are doing it, it gives them a social break too. Funny one about the vacuuming. The bars coach is OCD about the way they vacuum and if they slack off just the right amount, he will come over and take the vacuum and show them how to do it correctly. Next thing you know, he's doing the vacuuming and the girls are watching!!!

LOL I didn't even think of that.
I agree, if they put shoes on maybe it wouldn't be quite as gross!

I kept hearing some of the girls shouting "mom I stepped on bandaids!"

I have never seen the team girls vacuum, I have seen the coaches. but they do straighten up their areas, and mats etc.

 

[superme80]

I remember doing this as punishment when I was a gymnast. If the class misbehaved we got stuck cleaning the pit. But I remember enjoying getting to fluff up the pit. The blocks do get compacted down and that is very dangerous.

 

[mom2rb]

The bars coach is OCD about the way they vacuum and if they slack off just the right amount, he will come over and take the vacuum and show them how to do it correctly. Next thing you know, he's doing the vacuuming and the girls are watching!!!

All coaches are OCD. It is the only way we can do our jobs. I made my girls do handstands on beam today for 30 minutes until they were perfect.

 

[mom2rb]

I remember doing this as punishment when I was a gymnast. If the class misbehaved we got stuck cleaning the pit. But I remember enjoying getting to fluff up the pit. The blocks do get compacted down and that is very dangerous.

About 15 years ago they started putting tramp beds under the pits. They are not super bouncy, but they do bounce the foam up enough to keep it from compacting. You don't have to fluff the pit but you do have to empty it and make sure the springs are in good working order every few years.

 

[mom2kazkids]

Heck emptying the pit is one of my DD favorite things to do at the end of the week at Lake Owen. Our gym does not have a pit, but we are planning on building a new one with pits in the next year, and the girls cannot wait.

 

[castleview]

Having been a gymnast, I've cleaned out and fluffed up many a pit. It's not a weekly or even monthly thing. Sometimes it just needs to be done, not just for cleaning but to keep the blocks from packing (not sure if this pit has a tramp underneath for fluffing).

If I were a coach, I wouldn't ask a rec kid who only comes once a week to give up half an hour of her lesson - but coaches don't always think. It's up to you whether you want to make it a big deal. It doesn't happen often so maybe it's not worth it. I have to say that sometime fluffing up the pit could be really fun - lots of foam block wars!

And no you didn't squash her career.

 

[talulabelle]

I don't have a problen with the the team being asked to help - but I would have a major problem with it being done during the 2 hr session that I was paying for to get instruction for my kid. If they asked for volunteers to come in at another time, or stay after that would be different. They are ussing the team as slave labor. The kids didn't even have a choice...and you are out what ever money a half hour of instruction cost. As far as the icky stuff in there,,, they shouldn't have to touch it, at least not without gloves and even then, no.