All-star cheerleading - any cheer moms out there?

[Disney Princess 6]

I'm wondering how your DDs like all-star cheer. I'm currently searching for gym near us with such a program. Personally, I think it is such a great idea.

I don't think I'd ever seriously encourage my child to be a school cheerleader - but I love the all-star idea because the girls are doing it for themselves and not cheering for someone else. It's a sport in itself, and it looks to me as if it requires much training and ability. I think it looks like a real self-esteem builder. Am I right?

 

[powellrj]

we did this last year because my DD's friends were all doing it. It was very expensive by the time you bought the pon-poms, t-shirt, shorts and other fees and fundraiser. There was one instructor for 40 girls and my DD quit after the 1st group of lessons were over. She had no interest in going to the next group because there were just too many girls and they spent most of their time just standing around. She has learned much more at the one day clinics held by the high school cheerleaders over the years. Each area is different so maybe others have had a better experience than we did. I think a lot depends on who is running the program.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

Perhaps the teams aren't as organized as I thought? I wonder what other moms have to say? We have a couple of huge powerhouse gyms around here that seem to have very detailed programs.

 

[LittleMissMickey]

I loved All Star Cheerleading! I did it my senior year of high school, and only for a year. I wish I would have discovered it sooner! Where do you live? There are great gyms almost everywhere nowadays it seems. We did a lot of fun things, and I learned so much. I also started a competition squad at my high school that has been doing well as of late. It's amazing what these kids can do!

Definitely give it a shot. It's expensive, but a lot of fun. Make sure the club you go to isn't too rigorous or too lax. You don't want your daughter standing around, but you don't want her to get old before her time, either. I know htis happened with some of the younger girls on the teams.

Good luck!
Ashley

 

[jennyanydots]

I don't know what the schools are like in your area, but around here the high school cheerleaders do cheer for themselves as well as for the school teams. my dd is on the competition team, they'll be competing against other high schools and may eventually go to regional and/or national competitions.

the high school team had a one-week cheer camp this summer at an "all star" gym, and the girls are encouranged to sign up for classes at the gym -- but they don't have time to join an all star team, their own practices are every day.

younger dd is in the middle school cheerleading squad. they don't train intensively, they only cheer at football and basketball games. some of the girls on her squad are also into all star cheering.

 

[Regina]

My DD was a cheerleader while in school. There were girls on her squad who were also on All Stars. There were some competitions where these girls were running back and forth, and changing their uniforms as they were competiting for both squads. (There was no conflict of interest since schools competed against one other, and All Star squads did the same.)

The coach ended up telling the girls that they had to choose one or the other. These competitions are tough and she didn't feel that they were fully committed to the school squad.

I don't know how old your daughter is. If she is interested in cheering at school at some point, she may find herself in a similar predicament.

Also keep in mind that injuries are not uncommon when it comes to stunting. I'd look into their safety record.

Good luck!