ROCKFORD NINJA WARRIOR
VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
2016
THANK YOU! We could not put on this event and have grown without the support of 100’s of volunteers like you.
You are about to serve in THE largest community Ninja Warrior event in the WORLD!
WHY RNW?
The Annual Rockford Ninja Warrior brings 10,000+ adventure-seekers together for another year of obstacles that
push participants to the edge of their fitness and determination, in a spirit of community and radical potential. The
week long activities include an Adult Camp to complement our popular Youth Camp, a revised professional course
with more obstacles for adults and multiple youth courses.
Originating as a community outreach presented by BridgeWay Community Church, the event continues to bring
communities together for holistic health against bold barriers, including one seriously warped wall.
We put on this event to bring people together in Christ. It is our goal to show compassion, servant leadership, and
be the hands and feet of the Lord. Please keep this in mind when you are interacting with the people you will be in
contact with. We are here to serve the community and glorify God!
This overview is about reviewing basics and you will get additional training on site as needed
Above all things we want to delight the spectators and participants in any way we can, within reason of course.
Please try to make all guests feel welcome and accommodated – you are basically empowered to do what you
think it takes to make a guest happy. If you see a need, fill a need. If you have any questions, contact any of the
Leadership team members and we will assist.
You may be the only Jesus some people ever see!
Please remember this is a FUNdraiser. Proceeds do not go to Bridgeway. We have designed this event to promote
Health and Fitness. We invest the proceeds into programs promoting healthy youth, such as Developing Healthy
Kids and D.A.R.E. programs. For more information please check the FAQs on the website or ask.
FORMAT FOR EVENT
(BRIAN PANKRATZ – EVENT MANAGER/RNW LEADERSHIP TEAM/BRIDGEWAY STAFF AND ELDERS)
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Top of each hour
Announcements, Updates (Pastor Ron, Pastor Jeff, Brian etc.)
One of the Ninjas will either Demonstrate a single obstacle or run the entire course
Ticket packages (kids course, single obstacle)
All participants will purchase tickets for running the Kids Course
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We have designed Ticket packages to be family friendly so they can buy a 3 or 5 pack and get a
break on each package
 Kids course: 1 ticket = $10, 3 tickets - $25, 5 tickets - $40
 Allows families with multiple kids to save and allows families more flexibility in
distributing tickets to kids with different interest levels
Communication
The Leadership and key Volunteers will have Radios
You will be provided a list of contacts with cell phone numbers
 This list will also be available at each station
Money handling
With the new Ticketing system there will be fewer areas that will have to deal with cash
Every hour there will be someone coming by to collect cash – there should be two individuals
at all times at cash pick-ups – typically there will be an Elder, Staff Member or a member of the
Security force (I.e. law enforcement)
Anyone handling cash must have a background check – DO NOT give Cash a single person there
will always be two collectors.
Credit Cards/Debit Cards can also be used
 RNW uses Square Register - training will provided to those who need it onsite.
Media/PR
If approached by Media please contact Suzette Garvey (PR) or Brian Pankratz
VOLUNTEERS: (DAWN SIMPSON)
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This event is very large and we need everyone to be open to move as needed. Please be flexible…
Reporting for duty
Stop in to the Volunteer check-in Tent first – or regular checkin station at Kids Camp
 This will be located on the West side of the building (near the metal structure)
Please be sure to report 15 minutes before your shift for any specific training etc.
You MUST wear your STAFF shirt at all times when volunteering – no badges will be distributed.
Parking
Parking for volunteers will be designated on site, but limited
 Some parking will be available behind the building – please use caution when driving to
that area as there may be people walking
Park at the High School and take the shuttle if possible or carpool from there
Perks
Meal coupon (Weekend event only) – each Volunteer will receive a ticket to use at the
Concessions stand – when you check in (meal and drink)
T-Shirt – please keep your shirt clean and don’t wear before your shift
Sunday, August 13 - Volunteer Appreciation event
 We will have a meal at the church after the 2nd service
 Then head over to the Childsdale Campus to start cleanup
 At 2pm Adults who volunteer and assist with cleanup run the course for FREE (Waiver
required)
 Please Note: for safety reasons we have had to make this slight adjustment. Contact a
member of the Leadership team for more details
YOUTH CAMP (ANDY RIMBEY/DAWN SIMPSON)
No one is authorized in the protected area unless screened (i.e. Background checks are required for anyone 18 and
over working with kids or money)
Check in and check out procedure:
 Parents must stay behind the gate and outside of fenced area, unless they are
volunteering
 Each child will get a wrist band and the parent gets a stub with a corresponding number
or a duplicate wrist band
• Parents/Guardians must present a matching number when picking up their child
Bathroom procedure
 2 people outside the porta-potty per child – Children first grade and up may go together
with another child as long an adult is aware and watching the children
 No-one may assist a child inside the porta-potty (children must be self-sufficient)
 Use common sense and be aware of gender rules
Appropriate touching/helping
 Please be mindful where your hands are
• No buttocks – please steady children on the small of the back or using a hand
or foot to steady or brace
• No embraces, do not place arms around the body
We need to keep moving kids through. No hold-ups
Autographs
Pens are available for Ninjas to autograph Shirts
 Silver for dark shirts
 Black for light shirts
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SECURITY, EMERGENCIES (ANDY RIMBEY)
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In case of emergency…Please contact Andy Rimbey ASAP
There will be medical personnel on site
First Aid kits are available for small injuries
Please be sure to report all injuries as soon as possible
 We will need to complete Incident Reports
Security
There will be Law Enforcement on site
PARKING (STEVE WALDVOGEL)
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General Parking is available onsite and at Rockford High School
 Busses will be available to shuttle people to and from the High School on Friday and
Saturday
 Bus Drivers need appropriate licenses
Volunteer parking is available behind the building
 Please use caution if planning on this option
Please consider parking at the High School and shuttling over using the Bus
REGISTRATION, CHECKIN, MERCHANDISE (JAKE PERRIN/KIM KORHORN)
REGISTRATION GENERAL
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Find the name on the list and check that they have arrived
Waivers
All participants must sign a waiver
All minors must have a waiver signed by an adult
 They can bring one already signed or sign onsite
 Mark kids hand after receiving the waiver so we know who signed one
Bag Check Available
Adult competitors may check their gear at the registration table and get a ticket for pick up
MERCHANDISE:
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All items are inventoried
Merchandise will be sold at each kids camp and event
Cash and Credit/Debit cards accepted
 Square register training will be provided onsite
Pens are available for Ninjas to autograph Shirts
 Silver for dark shirts
 Black for light shirts
CONTACTS
Event Coordinator
o Brian Pankratz 616-581-3078
Bridgeway/Spiritual
o Ron Aulbach 616-340-3754
o Jeff DeRyke 616-690-6543
Volunteers
o Dawn Simpson 616.813.0700
Merchandise
o Kim Korhorn 616-540-8356
Money Handling
o Dave Kasper
Social Media/Communications
o Justin VanRhee 231.715.1016
Announcements/PA
o Blake Adams 616 836 5538
Kids Camp &
Medical/Security/Construction/Emergencies
o Andy Rimbey 616-745-5746
Parking
o Steve Waldvogel 616-443-1551
Registration
o Jake Perrin 616-262-6403
Media Relations/PR
o Suzette Garvey 616.901.8566
Concessions
o Ed Nault 616-581-4022
o Dan Korhorn
Grounds Maintenance
o Dan Korhorn 616-682-4589
o Janice Bunn 616-240-5673
(trash and clean-up during event)