Any Cheer parents? A few questions

[kidzmom3]

Hi my 2 DD's age 8 and 10 have been asked to join a competitive cheer team.
There will be practices 2 evenings a week (2 hrs) and an 2 hour tumbing class on the weekend. After Christmas, I think, they will start some competitions. They have never done cheering, but they have done gymnastics and it was their teacher who recommended them to the coach. Here are my questions.

Do your girls like it after the novelty of the uniform wears off?

Do you think its a safe sport?-the coach is part of an association and stressed safety but a young cheerleader died this past year, so do you think its inherently dangerous?

Is this expensive? $100 a month per girl

Are these fees normal/average? not included in $100 per month
25.oo music fee per cheerleader
50-75.00 choreography fee per cheerleader
$100 coaches fee
Uniform package-$200 + tax and shipping
includes shell,skirt,briefs,socks,sneakers,bow,warm-up, body suit

other items estimated
practice uniform $20
Sweatshirt: $25
Bag $25
Cheer Curls $25 (what is this)

then the disclaimer: these fee's do not include traveling competitions

 

[kidzmom3]

bumping because I have to decide by tommorow 9/14/06

are there any cheer discussion boards?

 

[L107ANGEL]

Youngest DD has done it for years and loved it.
I can't comment on the cost as our organization was very different. It does sound pricey but again, different organization than I am used to.
Most girls get the bug after the first competition and are hooked!! It was a rarity to have a girl drop out.
As for the safety, that depends on the coaches. We were always teaching the proper techiques to ensure safety all around. Sounds like you have the right type of coach.
I hope that helps.

 

[kellyg403]

Yes, those numbers sound about right for their age group. Cheer and gymnastics once they get to competition level can get very expensive. I was amazed at how much it cost for dsd to become a jv cheerleader at the High School. $700 one time fee. And that is a public school. Does not include any competitions. This is in addition to her gymnastic/cheer classes on the side at about $200 a month. My dsd goes in spurts, loves it and hates it depending on time of year and what she wants to do. But she understands once I write the check there is no going back and she has made the committment.


I have always thought that it was a little bit on the dangerous side. My dsd is a flyer so she is always at the top of the pyraminds/stunts. She has fallen or accidently dropped at least 4 times. But, she fell off the balance beam and sprained her wrist too. So these types of sports are like the others I think, there is a always a chance for an accident.

I hope your dd's enjoy their experience. It is fun, even for the parents!

Kelly

 

[kidzmom3]

thanks guys! Its a big decision, and if I write the checks they would have to stay in it. Because they have never cheered before it seems risky to go for it, but they are both soooo excited.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Sending you a PM.

 

[grlzmom]

Four of my dds cheer competitively and have been for five years.

It can be very expensive. There is also a risk of injury even with the most safety conscious coaches. My girls are also flyers and have on occasion been dropped.

Cheer is also very time consuming (competitions) and the competitions can be expensive.

That said, my girls love it and we are back at it again this year. We have moved and are now in a place with a much more laid back squad and my girls are actually enjoying it alot more.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[momma leaps]

Hi my 2 DD's age 8 and 10 have been asked to join a competitive cheer team.
There will be practices 2 evenings a week (2 hrs) and an 2 hour tumbing class on the weekend. After Christmas, I think, they will start some competitions. They have never done cheering, but they have done gymnastics and it was their teacher who recommended them to the coach. Here are my questions.

Do your girls like it after the novelty of the uniform wears off?

Do you think its a safe sport?-the coach is part of an association and stressed safety but a young cheerleader died this past year, so do you think its inherently dangerous?

Is this expensive? $100 a month per girl

Are these fees normal/average? not included in $100 per month
25.oo music fee per cheerleader
50-75.00 choreography fee per cheerleader
$100 coaches fee
Uniform package-$200 + tax and shipping
includes shell,skirt,briefs,socks,sneakers,bow,warm-up, body suit

other items estimated
practice uniform $20
Sweatshirt: $25
Bag $25
Cheer Curls $25 (what is this)

then the disclaimer: these fee's do not include traveling competitions

My DD does cheer. But not on the competitive level. She cheers for our local youth football team and loves it. This is her 3rd year and she is 10.

$100 a month. Is that per child ?

That is alot. We paid $75 to register her and we have mandatory fundraising thru out the season. Also, her sneakers were $30. Everything else is supplied for them.

If it wasn't your dd's idea I personally wouldn't do it. That seems really really costly. To me anyway.


Good Luck to you .

 

[VioltePrincess]

my younger dd tried all-star cheerleading when she was in 5th grade. before that, she had taken gymnastics and dance. she didn't like the coach for the cheer program and dropped out very quickly. she went back to dance. she did sideline cheering in middle school. she's in high school now and on the dance team.

older dd took dance and gymnastics. she did sideline cheering in middle school and joined the JV high school team. she dropped dance in favor of cheering and took additional tumbling classes. now she's on varsity. she's a flyer but can also "base" if need be.

the expenses for my dancer are higher than the expenses for my cheerleader. but both teams do competitions -- both girls will be going to florida for competitions this spring. $$$$$

I think your girls will enjoy the cheerleading. and if they don't, they can try something else next year, right?

 

[ntburns22]

My DD does competive cheer in a small town so we are not the norm. The coach has even turned her basement into a dance studio. We pay $35 a session sessions are about 8 weeks and that is basically to cover the insurance. We go to competitions and and don't always place. But that being said uniforms are expensive and so are competitions. My DD almost 7 loves it. SHe loves to perform infront of others. We will support her cheering as long as she wants to do it. Just beware of the stage moms.

 

[jajuan]

My dd11 cheers on an all star team. I swore I would never allow it, but she worked her bottom off before try outs and made the team (I didn't think she would because she had never cheered before). The main reason I would not allow it is that the cost is over 300 a month plus travel and uniform and team clothes along with camp. This is her second year and she LOVES it. She has so much confidence and we have a great time. Competitions are a lot of fun and it is a great bonding time for us to travel together. Sorry if I am rambling...lol.

 

[VioltePrincess]

LOL, there are stage moms in cheer, dance, gymnastics, figure skating...not to mention, soccer, tennis, softball....

 

[luvflorida]

My daughter, 16, dances competitively and competitive cheering sounds similar. She got into dance at a relatively old age, 13. Well, that's old for dance anyway.

She took one hip hop class for a year, and the dance instructor and the studio director asked daughter if she would be interested in auditioning for the dance competition team. She auditioned and got on the team and has never looked back. She loves it! And she must have a natural ability because she is now dancing with girls that have been dancing for 10-15 years.

I pay $240. a month for classes, plus an additional $60.00 a month for her solo practice. This is the first year that she's doing a solo in competitions. Costumes average about $75. each, and since she is in so many numbers, that comes out to roughly $750. a year. The warm-up suit costs $160. Competition and convention fees average $180. each, and they attend 3/4 competitions a year. That fee does NOT include hotel and travel expenses. We purchased a garment bag for $70. and a dance bag for $40. Then there are the dance shoes. She goes through at least three pairs of Pointe shoes a season, ($70. each pair), and we buy shoes for hop hop, jazz, tap, Ballet, and dance paws/foot undies for lyrical/modern. There is also the cost for dance clothes, (sweats, tights, leotards, sports bras, tank tops), and the list goes on.

As far as safety, the dance instructors are very good about making sure everyone is covered or spotted if there are any type of stunts being performed. My daughter is the one that is usually being picked up or caught when it is part of a routine since she is small for her age. Last year, I did have a concern about one number where my daughter was actually tossed up in the air and caught by several girls. It concerned me because these girls haven't been formally taught that type of skill. It was more of a cheerleading move. In the end, they scrapped it, (whew!), because it just wasn't flowing with the rest of the number.

Like cheering, it's expensive, and safety can be an issue, (though I would think cheering would have more of the flying), but it's my daughter's life and I can't imagine her not doing it. I'm happy to be able to support something she loves so much.

It has also helped her TREMENDOUSLY with boosting her self-confidence and in social and emotional aspects.

 

[Mom21]

I think it depends on the gym and how competitive they are. My dd (9--4th grade) started last year and loved it. This year...new owner that is very competitive. HE WANTS TO WIN AT ALL COSTS. DD will finish this year but not sure she will continue ...her decision.

Costs:
$110/month gym tuition
$1700 fee includes: workout uniform
cheer uniform
competition fees
choreographer
socks
warm-ups
shoes
bows
makeup
music fees
summer day camp for a week (required)
coach's travel
registration

Add in travel. We have 3 aways...2 nights each at 150 per night plus food and travel. Entry fees for the parents. Each is 25-50 per parent per weekend. We have 6 locals and 3 travels. DD is also taking a private per week at $40 and a tumbling class at $10 per week. they don't do tumbling at their practices. I am at the gym 4 days a week.

My advice.....RUN>>>>>>>RUN>>>>>>>RUN.

pS. Wiglets are those fake hair things that are so cute. DD's gym doesn't like them. She had them last year. http://www.cheer-curls.com/Aboutus.html

 

[Markiesgirl]

My DD does all star cheer and the prices you were given are pretty right on with what we pay. The price is shocking if you add it all up especially your first year with all the required uniform parts. Next year won't be so bad!
My DD is 10 and eats, breaths and sleeps cheer. The girls will have a great time....it really is fun!
The cheer hair is fake curls. Yeah I know....but they are wonderful especially when you're at a 2 day competition.

 

[NikiM20]

Hi my 2 DD's age 8 and 10 have been asked to join a competitive cheer team.
There will be practices 2 evenings a week (2 hrs) and an 2 hour tumbing class on the weekend. After Christmas, I think, they will start some competitions. They have never done cheering, but they have done gymnastics and it was their teacher who recommended them to the coach. Here are my questions.

Do your girls like it after the novelty of the uniform wears off?

Do you think its a safe sport?-the coach is part of an association and stressed safety but a young cheerleader died this past year, so do you think its inherently dangerous?

Is this expensive? $100 a month per girl


Are these fees normal/average? not included in $100 per month
25.oo music fee per cheerleader
50-75.00 choreography fee per cheerleader
$100 coaches fee
Uniform package-$200 + tax and shipping
includes shell,skirt,briefs,socks,sneakers,bow,warm-up, body suit

other items estimated
practice uniform $20
Sweatshirt: $25
Bag $25
Cheer Curls $25 (what is this)

then the disclaimer: these fee's do not include traveling competitions

This is what it costs us
We pay $300 uniform
$60 a month (they practice year round)
$515 competiton fee
$160 choreography /music fee
plus other small fees throughout the year clinic fee here, special shirt there etc

BUT DD7 eats, sleeps, and breathes cheer

 

[kidzmom3]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I think if it was just one I could bite the bullet and pay for it. I wish they had some sort of discount for two girls. I am still leaning towards yes, but the money aspect does worry me. Thanks again for all your feedback and input.

 

[maryssasmom]

dd is a cheerleader but not on the competitive level. she cheers for local football and loves it. she is also a flyer and they have dropped her a few times - thus the importance of paying attantion and not fooling around. this is somehting they do need to be serious as kids can get hurt. her first year she fractured her wrist and was cast up to her armpit and got her cast off days before the first game.
practices started 7/31 and were 2 hours a night, 5 days a week. now we have dropped down to 1.5 hours a night, 2 days a week. and games on sundays which some we travel to.
our costs are much less but it also requires a lot of us to volunteer for things. but dd really has a great time. as soon as I can post pics I will.

 

[kidzmom3]

I just wanted to say Thanks one more time. I bit the bullet and my two daughters are now on a competitive cheer team. This is all new and a little scary. They have done other activities and even a few sports, but none of the were ever competitive. I hope it goes well. I hope I fit in somewhat with the other moms (I just can't be a stage mom, its not in me)

I have to admit I can't wait to see them in their uniforms, they should be so cute.

 

[tinkersmama]

Aww That's great! post pics soon!