Wonder what the Festival is about and what it means to PIPs and PoPIPs?
Then read what some of them have to say about coming to the PIP Festival:
We have bought our plane tickets, booked rooms, rented cars, ordered Festival shirts, and sent in the registrations. I bring kids all the way from New York every year to Festival so my PIPs get to have the ULTIMATE PIP EXPERIENCE. Festival celebrates the best part of being a PIP!!! There is nothing like the feeling of seeing PIPs doing their best and knowing how proud all the coaches and parents feel.
Festival is about kids who work hard to get beyond what is easy. Festival has always been the highlight of every PIP season! Every New York PIP who has traveled from Buffalo to Texas left the Festival better for the experience. We never want it to end!!!
—-PIP Coach Paula Singleton from New York
You have to experience it to get it, to get the whole program. The energy and attitude at Fesival is amazing. No one has to be there, working or participating, they are there because they want to be there. —-Jason, Parent/Coach/WannaBe Old Timer
Festival is so cool that even my parents, who live 3 hours from [Festival location], drive up and spend the weekend just to watch the boys compete and perform. They enjoy watching other groups perform, as well. They are always touched by the personal stories that are brought with each child or group, and they are AMAZED at the talent these kids have. If you can go….. by all means…. GO! You won’t regret it! — mom of PIP from Texas
I can tell you from a parent stand point that going to festival is a GREAT experience for your child not only is everyone friendly and welcoming this allows your child to shine as an individual. This event is great and it is very motivational and has been a positive impact on [my daughter] and for all the kids plus a good time to meet people/children from other towns. If you have not had a chance to go to the website just look and see that the “EVERYONE IS A WINNER” starts from the top. — mom of PIP from Texas
I know that we will be there if you are unable to make it but your child would like to go please allow them to even if it is with [my husband and] myself or someone you know that can take them because it is lifetime memory they will not forget. — mom of PIP from Texas
I have been 6 years and never not had a great time! Everyone there, national coaches, old timers, and other pip groups are all so friendly and welcoming. The moment you walk in to check in at festival you will know you made the right choice to go. — mom of PIP from Texas
Since the very first time [we] just took two pips it has been great. We didn’t have any idea what we were up for that first year but we jumped right in and had a blast. Festival is a chance for you and your PIP to actually get a hands on feel of what PIPS is about it all comes full circle and you come to have an understanding and passion for what the Land family has given to our children. Good old fashioned family values, sportsmanship, competition, recognition, belief that if you give it your best you will succeed and you as an individual and as a group are special and unique. You will have fun and make lots of friends. [My daughter] has so many oldtimer friends that she keeps in touch with all year and can’t wait to see at Festival.
As an oldtimer [she] looks forward to Festival from the minute we leave the current one, we usually make our room reservations very soon after we get back home, she loves it. And from the moment we drive in she and all the other oldtimers work to help with set up, registration, making shirts, judging events, decorating, fun day, I can’t name it all but if it happens at festival the oldtimers are somehow involved and working their tails off and guess what “they like it” that in itself says to me that this program has instilled a very strong work ethic and strong values in these young people. And then at night when all the festival “work” is done they practice to the wee hours of the morning for their performance and again no whining or complaining. I am proud to say that my daughter is a PIP Oldtimer.
—Cynthia, OT mom from Texas
The entire Festival was an amazing experience for the both of us. Although I was hoping for a more humbling experience for [my son], I am certainly proud of his accomplishments and PIP is the reason…..The message that PIP sends, especially at the Festival, is something that these kids can take with them for life. I wish we could get more parents to understand the value of this program.
—-PIP Dad from Idaho