Carolina Legacy Cheerleading??? (Cary, Clayton, Star: cliquey, how much, hotel)

[librarySue]

My 12 year old has a bee in her bonnet about cheerleading. We went to Carolina Legacy today to check it out and sign her up for tumbling next week.

But when I got home I realized my questions about fees had gone unanswered. On the phone they said we'd talk about it when we came in, when we were there, they said we could talk to soandso next week.

So if you have a kid on a team, I assume there is 'tuition', uniform, shoes, travel expenses for competitions....

Does anyone have any idea just how much we are talking about here?

This is my 'develop an intense interest and then drop it after a very short trial' child so I'm reluctant to commit a lot of money.

[hersheythecat]

While I can't comment on that particular place I can tell you it's expensive. We've been a part of two different places. Uniforms were $250, plus shoes, plus make-up. Competitions were between $75-100 each and you had about 6 a year. Last year I spent about $3K between uniform, shoes, competitions, team practice, tumbling and travel. That's the most I've ever spent and that was just for one team. If you can get at a place that travels less you will of course pay less. Our monthly tuition was around $100 and then you add on any tumbling classes or anything else.

Some places have cheerleading training without being on a team. There is a place in Clayton that does 1/2 year competitions so that if you don't have to commit to a full year.

[librarySue]

Thanks! I will call and pin them down...apparently the travel increases the more you compete and I have no idea what level she'll be back.

[RTPMom]

LibrarySue,

My daughter cheers at Carolina Legacy. Like you, I came here originally because my DD had a whim that she might like it, but we were unsure.

Because of that uncertainty and not wanting to shell out a huge amount of $ if she didn't like it, she participated on the non-travel team during her first year. This was great for us because it was less of a financial commitment and less of a time commitment as well. Plus we did not travel out of town (all competitions were local), and there were only 3 of them, with practice just once a week. I did not purchase the uniform (rented it) and used cheer shoes from Walmart.

Well, it turned out that my DD loved it and hasn't looked back. Here is a great resource put out by the Parent Action committee of the US All Star Federation for Cheer and Dance Teams: http://usasf.net.ismmedia.com/ISM2/P...arents_101.pdf

I wish someone had pointed in this direction when we first started as it would have helped me to really understand things in this "all star cheer world".

My daughter is now on 2 all-star travel squads. There is a big difference in cost, so the previous poster was correct. I spent about $3 ~ $4 grand per year, but this was for 2 teams, ...so 1 team may be about $2 grand.

Generally, you will pay for:

• Monthly tuition
• Cheer Choreography
• Cheer Music
• Choreography Camp
• Coaches fees
• Competition fees
• Uniform
• Shoes
• Practice wear
• Practice bow
• Competition bow
• Team Jacket
• Makeup

With travel teams you will pay for your hotel and any expenses relating to either driving or flying to the location. Also be aware that some competitions are 2 day (Saturday and Sunday) so you need to arrive on Friday night and will not leave until at least Sunday afternoon, maybe evening. The costs of travel all-star cheer are comparable to travel hockey, volleyball and AAU basketball and football teams...so definitely not cheap.

You may alternatively check out other cheer squads as well. We've done Pop Warner in the past, and they have a good solid program that runs from summer through fall only, and keeps costs very low (no more than $500). Your other alternative would be a "startup" cheer gym that is trying to establish itself and has lower costs to attract folks to join. In Cary there is Alpha Athletics, which is much cheaper. We opted not to go with that particular gym as I just wasn't interested in working through the growing pains But it may work for you and your family if you want to check it out.

Best of luck to you and your DD in this search. I feel fortunate to be with a great gym and program that works well for our family. Have heard some horror stories from other folks though that have been with different gyms and programs, so I'm just passing along to you the warnings that I was given to keep in mind no matter what gym or program you decide upon:

#1) ALWAYS make sure you AND your DD feel comfortable and that the gym owner and coaches RESPECT your child. Don't stand for a program that would ever humiliate or belittle the kids regarding their performance. I've witnessed this at cheer competitions and have been appaulled by the behavior shown by some coaches. If this happens...GET OUT. PERIOD - zero tolerance on this one.

#2) Make sure that the program and/or gym is professionally run --- ESPECIALLY financially. Keep a record of what you pay, when and how much it was for. Personally, I pay by check for everything as it gives me a great record of the transactions, vs. automatic drafts which could come out at anytime. If you buy a jacket, make sure you get that jacket, etc. Most cheer gyms and programs are run professionally, but there are a few out there that ARE NOT (recently a local gym closed due to financial hardship and the parents and athletes were out of $, time and committment that they made to those teams). If you see the signs, or something doesn't feel or seem right -- NEVER be afraid to call folks out on it, or leave and don't keep giving your money out.

#3) WATCH OUT for the "catty Moms"....you'll know who they are when you meet them. Unfortunately, these pop-up in all programs and gyms like dandelions in April. Stay away....don't give them ANY information about yourself or your child.....they always self destruct!

#4) Don't forget....HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN and HAVE FUN. As long as you your DD is enjoying herself and liking it and wanting to go back...then you know that you have found the right place. ENJOY!

CiCi

[Mayjune10]

I would advise against joining with Alpha. It appears cheaper due to the monthly fees, but you get hit hard with so many other hidden fees, you end up paying as much as you would at another gym. The owners are young and inexperienced, the program in general is poorly run. The gym is very cliquey and the owners and director favors certain parents and kids. Not a great experience, there are better options out there, they may seem considerably more expensive but in the big scheme of things they're not.