“I love it, my favorite is the jumping,”said Audrey Stevenson. Stevenson was all smiles as she explained what she had learned so far at cheer camp. Her first year at the Youth Colt Football Cheerleading Camp Stevenson said she learned a lot and would be back again next year.
Youth Colt Cheerleading Camp was held in two sessions on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29 in the Clear Fork High School gym. The camp taught fundamental cheerleading skills in small groups at separate stations. Participants rotated between each station learning proper motion techniques, cheers/chants, jumps and a pep band dance.
Jennifer Stevenson from Bellville says she brought her two daughters, Audrey and Claudia Stevenson, to the camp because she believes it’s a good opportunity for the girls to see if they are interested and if they would like to pursue it.
“I think it’s nice that the younger girls have the opportunity to come out and try it,” said Stevenson. She added,”Self-confidence, social skills and exercise, everything you get out of being a part of something like this is great. Being on a team: the responsibility, and of course the fun, is what I want them to get out of their experience.”
“My goal is to build a strong program and to help recognize cheer as a sport,” said Jodie Flynn, Varsity Cheerleading Coach. After taking over the cheer program two years ago, Flynn has worked rigorously to expand on and build interest in the program.
Flynn resurrected Pony League last year after it had been absent for four or five years. A new event added this year was the first opportunity for girls attending the camp to cheer with the high school cheerleaders at a varsity football game.
“I want people to know that cheerleading is more than just smiles and pom poms, there is a lot of athletic skill involved,” said Flynn.
According to Flynn the experience of being in a program like this helps young girls build self esteem, confidence and social skills that may be applied in other areas as they grow up. She also said that the experience for the high school and middle girls who help coach the girls is invaluable.
“I hear the younger girls say how much it means to them to be included by the older girls. And the older girls feel really good about themselves by mentoring the younger girls,”said Flynn.
In her efforts to create interest in the cheer program, Flynn made it a point to add that the cheer program supports all sports and school events. “Cheerleaders are a part of the face of the community, they are at the fair and all kinds of events,” aid Flynn.
Flynn looks forward to working with the girls throughout the school year and hopes to see continued interest in the program.
“Being on a team: the responsibility, and of course the fun, is what I want them to get out of their experience,” said Jennifer Stevenson.
