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The pancake toss game problems are partially my fault. I found out we didn’t have someone to run the game, but was unable to reassign a volunteer to this task because we were scrambling early in the morning just trying to get enough food prepared for everyone.
I think the main problem was this was a brand new activity and there were many unknowns (and therefore the rules had to be flexible). How far away should the game board be? Should kids be given a break and throw from a shorter distance? Would it be way too easy and everyone would win a prize, or frustratingly difficult to win a prize? What point values to assign the prizes? How many prizes to offer?
I think if we’d offer the pancake toss again, we could do a better job and have fewer complaints. But maybe switching to a less competitive activity during the breakfast as Shane suggests would be better.
Jeremy, I don’t think you should feel that the problems are partly yours….as Shane said, our culture in general has made anything competitive seem to be a Big Deal. You can’t control what others say. People have asked for kids’ activities at these events and folks, especially Shane and his family, have tried to make that happen. Kudos to all of you and I’m sorry that some folks feel that complaining to people who *volunteer* their time to provide events is okay. It is not okay. It’s not the “Amazing Race” with big prize money and appearance contracts, it’s a silly game which should be enjoyed in that spirit. From where I was sitting, it looked like the kids were laughing, which should be the real prize here. And…..I’m sorry… Real pancakes? When there are people who’d love a bit of food? You’re kidding, right?
Many, many people… from the citizens of West Bend to countless volunteers from around the state…. offered their time to give us a fun weekend. From most accounts, it was a fun weekend. I am not speaking as a member of the Board, but someone who tires of petty complaining about things that don’t matter when there are so many more in this world that do.
Count Trekkin’ and myself among those who applaud what everyone who was any part of this fun event did. Of course there are always things that can improve, but Trekkin’, who has been to all three, says the event gets better every year. Thank you to each and every one of you.
@jeremy wrote:
The pancake toss game problems are partially my fault. I found out we didn’t have someone to run the game, but was unable to reassign a volunteer to this task because we were scrambling early in the morning just trying to get enough food prepared for everyone.
I think the main problem was this was a brand new activity and there were many unknowns (and therefore the rules had to be flexible). How far away should the game board be? Should kids be given a break and throw from a shorter distance? Would it be way too easy and everyone would win a prize, or frustratingly difficult to win a prize? What point values to assign the prizes? How many prizes to offer?
I think if we’d offer the pancake toss again, we could do a better job and have fewer complaints. But maybe switching to a less competitive activity during the breakfast as Shane suggests would be better.
I certainly was not saying you did anything wrong Jeremy. In fact you designed a very nice game and if you built it, you did a great job. Like I said, we tried our best to please as many as possible by taking early feedback as constructive and adjusting. We did have 3 different throw distances based on age and allowed people to re-play over again until they won or decided to stop playing.
I don’t want you Jeremy to feel like I am criticizing you. We never felt that you let us down or anything. We took what you created and ran with it.
For what it’s worth my son thought the pancake toss would be like a water balloon toss where partners in a line play catch using a real pancake. Perhaps a thought for a future breakfast?
Someone also mentioned throwing pancakes at me and trying to stick them to me. Some tried to keep the game fun for those of us. Thanks for that 🙂
My post was meant to be taken for consideration and opportunity for improvement since we may do future pancake breakfasts and think about activities. I would think twice about doing a future competition-based activity and will not volunteer to run one.
Now it’s time to start getting ready for the picnic so I’m done thinking about this.
Wow, sorry to hear that people complained, very sad. We thought the game was fun and fair. My 3 kids and I played the game and had fun. Once my daughter and son won, they didn’t play anymore. My other son just tried 2 times, but still had fun.
If you’re doing this game next year, please don’t change anything. The board was cut perfect, the value of the prizes and the distance were fair. My kids are ages 9-14 and agreed with this.
This was our first year to an event, now knowing what goes on and meeting many people, we would like to volunteer next year 🙂
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