Skills camp is usually held at the beginning of the cheer season, and it’s a great time for the team to connect with each other, connect with their coaches, show off their skills, and learn new ones. High School skills camp and All Star skills camp might look a little different from each other, but the overall goal and impact are basically the same.
At skills camp, cheerleaders learn proper technique, improve their flexibility and strength and gain a deeper understanding of teamwork. But it’s not just about the physical aspect. Skills camp also instills important life skills in our cheerleaders. They’ll learn about dedication, perseverance, and the value of hard work. Plus, they’ll develop lifelong friendships with other athletes – both on their team and from other teams.
Skills camp is very much for the athlete and their teammates, but this blog post will break down some of the aspects of this event that cheer parents might find interesting.
Don’t forget to pack all the essentials your cheerleader will need to make the most of this exciting experience! We have a free checklist for ya, so you don’t miss a thing.
High School Cheer Skills Camp
Both high school and college cheer teams attend skills camp for 3 to 4 days, and athletes will spend the night at a local hotel or college dorm room away from home. School teams typically either attend NCA Cheer Camp or UCA Cheer Camp, which are both owned and run by Varsity Spirit. Camp is a big deal for high school cheerleaders because it offers them a chance to be together as a team, meet other teams from their state or region, and learn sideline cheers and stunts that will be relevant to them throughout the entire season.
These camps are extremely high-energy, and create a unified atmosphere among all athletes. The camps usually do games like tumbling and stunting contests and the staff hands out awards for sportsmanship and spirit. This is also where athletes can apply for and earn All-American cheerleader status, which gives them the privilege of being invited to perform in specific events throughout the year, like parades or Bowl games. Perhaps the most notable and widely-held tradition at school camps across the country is the “Top Banana Award.”
Most high school cheer camps will host a time when parents can come to watch the athletes perform what they’ve learned while at camp. School teams will perform for one another, and individual awards will be handed out.
The energy and spirit at these camps is contagious, and a highlight for all school athletes. It’s an unforgettable experience that bonds athletes, and brings them together with their coaches and teams in the area in a celebration of hard work and anticipation for the year ahead.
How cheer parents can help with high school skills camp
- Offer to provide snacks and drinks for the team. Meals are not typically provided at these camps, so food is more than welcomed by both athletes and coaches alike!
- Depending on your school district and cheer team budget, transportation may or may not be provided by the school. Offer to carpool or collect donations from parents to pay for a charter bus.
- Make sure your athlete is properly hydrated throughout skills camp. They work hard for many hours a day, and late into the night, so proper hydration and nutrition are essential!
- Skills camp is a time for the cheer team to show their unified team spirit. Most teams will wear matching shirts to camp, and even have a different shirt for each day. If you are crafty, offer to help design the shirts and have them made in advance of camp.
All Star Cheer Skills Camp
While there are some camps for all star cheer athletes on an individual level, most gyms host their own skills camp for their teams. All star skills camp is usually held for a few hours over several days in June or July, and it’s the first mandatory event of the season, where all athletes (even the minis!) are required to be present. This is often the first time that stunt groups are doing skills together, and it’s when coaches and program directors teach teams proper technique, and review level-appropriate stunts. Skills camp also helps the coaches and athletes set realistic stunting goals for the season.
Don’t miss a thing when you pack your athlete up for camp. Download our free skills camp packing list:
D1 programs might host gym-wide skills camp, or split the teams up into two different sessions. There might be a theme day, or athletes may receive a special skills camp t-shirt. Coaches also conduct contests between athletes for things like best dancer, best stunt group, best jumps and more. Skills camp might also be the time when gym leaders reveal the word or theme for the year, and give a motivational talk reminding athletes why their team is important.
Unlike the school camp event, all star skills camp will not have a parent day. Don’t worry, Mom – they were mostly just running drills anyway. You didn’t miss much!
How cheer parents can help with all star skills camp:
- Provide snacks and drinks for the team
- Offer to provide meals for the coaches (most of the time, they’re there for 12-14 hours each day!)
- Help with carpooling kids, especially if you have a flexible schedule. Most of these camps take place during the day, which makes it difficult for parents with jobs outside of the home.
- Don’t plan a vacation during skills camp. This is an important time for the athletes to bond with one another and their coaches, and if your athlete misses, it may cost them.
Whether your athlete is a school cheerleader or an All Star cheerleader (or both!) skills camp is the foundation that will launch them and their team into their season. Remind them to have fun in the process, too!
