In AYSO Schoolyard Jamboree, 4-5 year-old children get to play soccer in an age-specific program, and you, the parents, get to participate with them!

In Jamboree, each team is comprised of three players and each player has a parent (or other adult) with them on the field. The children learn soccer skills like kicking, dribbling, and throwing in the ball, but in a low-pressure setting. Jamboree is about exposing children to soccer as a game, without the pressure to win.

Parents help take turns organizing the teams, setting up fields and supervising the program. While their children are playing, parent volunteers keep time, but interfere with play as little as possible. There are only a few reasons to stop play in Jamboree games. If a child is not playing well with others, or if play must pause for injury, substitution, confusion, or to watch a flock of birds fly by, parents can quickly direct attention back to the game.

In Jamboree, goals are not counted to determine who wins – every player is a winner. Young players need to get a feel for the ball and the field, so even though there are adults all around and many opportunities to offer instruction, the emphasis is on fun and play. It’s a different kind of game in 5U, but the children still wear jerseys or pinnies, cleats and shin guards. Best of all, they find out that soccer is something they can do!