Jump Start Program

Time to Jump right in...

Sign up your team to jump six hoppers!
Family, friends, and organizations are welcome.
We’ll provide fresh frogs, show you how to handle and jump them, and review the official rules with you.
The rest is up to you and your frogs.
Our Jump Start frogs have been among the top 50 jumpers who qualified for the Grand Finals on the last day of the Fair the last three years!

Jump Start Program

Now everyone can leap into action with an official frog jumping team. Friends, family, coworkers and organizations can compete with other official teams at the 2019 Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee on May 16 to 19 at Frogtown in Angels Camp.

It’s Easy to Form a Jump Start Team

For an entry fee of $75, each team rents six fresh bullfrogs, which come in an official frog box. You will meet with an expert to review the official rules, jumping techniques and proper frog handling. There are two dedicated jumping times — Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, from 10 to 11 a.m. We have special Frog Bullpen training on Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m., so you can get more tips. Frogs and the frog box must be returned immediately after your team jumps. We will set aside any frog whose jump may have qualified for our Grand Finals on Sunday, May 20th.

Jump Start Team Basics

You can enter a team prior to the event by obtaining an entry form online at www.frogtown.org. You can also request an entry form by mail or email by calling the Fairgrounds at 209-736-2561.

On the entry form you will designate a Team Captain (age 21 and above) and “Frog Jockeys” who will help jump the frogs. Teams may have from two to six members.

Six frogs are provided to each Jump Start Team, as well as a frog box to hold them. You will also name your six frogs so we can record their jumps individually, just like every other team.

Each team receives an orientation on frog handling and jumping. Our focus is the frogs’ welfare.

Jump Start Teams follow the same rules as the other teams for timing, frog placement and team behavior on the Main Stage.

Any frogs qualifying for the Grand Finals from Jump Start Teams will be identified and held over for the Grand Finals providing the team agrees to return for the final jump-off competition on Sunday afternoon.

Jump Start Teams Qualified for the Grand Finals

How good are our frogs? In 2014, 2015, and 2016, Jump Start entries qualified for the Grand Finals, where the top 50 frogs jump for trophies, cash, and to beat the World Record of 21’ 5 3/4” set in 1986 by Lee Giudici and his frog “Rosie the Ribeter.” The 2015 Frog Jump Winner Riley Kitchell got his frog from the same group of rental frogs as the Jump Start Teams!

Our Primary Focus Is the Welfare of the Frogs

Designated representatives of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee can deny a team jumping for the team’s personal behavior and/or treatment of the frogs.

Contact the Fairgrounds at 209-736-2561 or email info@frogtown.org. You can also contact Jump Start Coordinator Bob Lema at robert.lema@gmail.com.

Entry Form