Thurston Rec Cheer 2023-2024 Competition Team Season 

Info Packet

 

Welcome to the start of our 2023-2024 Competition Season! If you are looking through this packet then it means you are interested in competitive cheerleading! Below is the information needed to make the decision to commit to our competition season,and is broken up by team. Please find the correct team(based on the athletes grade level next fall) and read through the information provided. Our staff will be hosting a live Google Meet call on Tuesday, May 2nd from 4-6pm, to be available to answer any questions about the season. If you cannot join us during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via phone or email to have your questions answered! We look forward to having your athlete for our upcoming competition season! 

Google meet code:  https://meet.google.com/xyt-serr-rmv

 

*Minis Competition Team: 

(Entering Kindergarten-2nd grade in Fall)

• Season Runs: August - February

• Practice Schedule: Tuesdays (5-6:30pm) and Thursdays (5-6pm)

  • Tentative Uniform Fitting: Friday June 16th(MANDATORY) 

  • All practices are MANDATORY. Planned absences can be discussed with the head coach. 

  • Competitions are held on Saturdays beginning in December. This team will do approx 6-8 competitions and other performances are likely to be added. 

• Some travel is required. Examples: Roseburg, Portland, Salem, Bend, etc. (minis do not travel out of state)

• Season Fees: 

  • Registration: $100 for new members/ $20 for returning Showcase members 

  • Tuition: $100 per month per athlete (billed August-February)

    • We offer a $20 multi athlete discount and classes can be combined for discounted price(such as, stacking tumbling with competition team) 

  • Comp Fee: An additional $50 fee will be added to your November Invoice to cover your athlete(s) fee to compete.  

  • Uniform Cost: Can range between $250-$350 FOR EVERYTHING! Includes: competition uniform and bow, competition shoes, Practice Gear, and Backpack.

    • Returning athletes are not required to purchase new and may reuse pieces from the previous year!

  • If you pay tuition in full at the beginning of the season you will receive one month free! 

• Fundraisers are offered and available throughout the season to help cover costs of tuition and uniforms! Many families are able to pay for multiple months or their entire uniform with just one fundraiser!!

• Payment plans available.

 

*Youth Competition Team: 

(Entering 3rd-5th grade in Fall)

• Season Runs: August - February 

• Practice Schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays (4:30 pm - 6pm)

  • Uniform Fitting: Friday June 16th (MANDATORY)

  • Skills Check: 26th-28th (MANDATORY) 

  • ALL practices are mandatory. Planned absences can be discussed with the head coach. 

• Following Skills Checks, the youth team will be split into two competition teams (based on registration numbers and range of skills across athletes) 

• BOTH TEAMS WILL COMPETE! 

  • Teams will consist of a Traditional Competition team and a Game Day Competition team. Athletes will be placed on a team based on their performance during the 3 day skill check process. Athletes will be judged on: coachability, spirit, attitude and skill level on dance, motions, face/voice, jumps, tumbling and stunting. 

• Competitions are held on Saturdays and begin in December. Our youth teams will compete in approx 6-8 competitions. Additional performances are likely to be added. 

  • Some travel is required. (Example: Roseburg, Portland, Bend, Salem) All competitions are one day and no overnight stays are required. 

• Season Fees: 

  • Registration: $100 for new members/ $20 for returning Showcase members 

  • Tuition: $125 per month per athlete (billed August-February)

    • We offer a $20 multi athlete discount and classes can be combined for discounted price(such as, stacking tumbling with competition team) 

  • Comp Fee: An additional $50 fee will be added to your November Invoice to cover your athlete(s) fee to compete.  

  • Uniform Cost: Can range between $400-500 FOR EVERYTHING! Includes: competition uniform and bow, competition shoes, Warm Up Set, Practice Gear, and Backpack.

    • Returning athletes are not required to purchase new and may reuse pieces from the previous year!

  • If you pay tuition in full at the beginning of the season you will receive one month free! 

• Fundraisers are offered and available throughout the season to help cover costs of tuition and uniforms! Many families are able to pay for multiple months or their entire uniform with just one fundraiser!!

• Payment Plans available.

 

*Junior Competition Team: 

(Entering 6th-8th grade in Fall)

• Season Runs: August - February 

• Practice Schedule: 

  • Traditional Team: Mondays and Wednesdays (6:00-7:30 pm), Thursdays (6-8pm)

  • Gameday Team: Mondays, Tuesdays (6:00-7:30 pm) and Thursdays (6-8pm)

  • Uniform Fitting: Friday June 16th (MANDATORY)

  • Skills Check: June 4th - 7th (MANDATORY) 

  • UCA Summer Camp: August 4th-7th

  • Stunt Skills Camp: August 8th and 9th

  • ALL practices are mandatory. Planned absences can be discussed with the head coach.

• Following Skills Checks, the junior team will be split into two competition teams (based on registration numbers and range of skills across athletes) 

• BOTH TEAMS WILL COMPETE! 

  • Teams will consist of a Traditional Competition team and a Game Day Competition team. Athletes will be placed on a team based on their performance during the skill check. Athletes will be judged on: coachability, spirit, attitude and skill level on dance, motions, face/voice, jumps, tumbling and stunting. 

• Competitions are held on Saturdays and begin in December. Our junior teams will compete in approx 8 competitions. Additional performances are likely to be added. 

  • Some travel is required. (Example: Roseburg, Portland, Bend, Salem) All competitions are one day and no overnight stays are required. 

• Nationals: 

  • Our Junior Traditional Team is planned to attend USA Spirit Nationals in Anaheim California.

    • Tentative Dates: 2/16/24 - 2/22/24

    • Athletes will fly to California, compete and visit Disneyland/California Adventure with coaches and chaperones for supervision. 

    • Athletes will be expected to participate in fundraisers throughout the season to cover the costs of the trip.

    • Additional Details to come! 

• Season Fees: 

  • Registration: $100 for new members/ $20 for returning Showcase members 

  • Tuition: $150 per month per athlete (billed August-February)

    • We offer a $20 multi athlete discount and classes can be combined for discounted price(such as, stacking tumbling with competition team) 

  • Comp Fee: An additional $50 fee will be added to your November Invoice to cover your athlete(s) fee to compete.

  • Camp Cost: A $100 deposit for camp will be required at Skill Checks. Remaining balance TBD.   

  • Uniform Cost: Can range between $400-500 FOR EVERYTHING! Includes: competition uniform and bow, competition shoes, Warm Up Set, Practice Gear, and Backpack.

    • Returning athletes are not required to purchase new and may reuse pieces from the previous year!

  • If you pay tuition in full at the beginning of the season you will receive one month free! 

• Fundraisers are offered and available throughout the season to help cover costs of tuition and uniforms! Many families are able to pay for multiple months or their entire uniform with just one fundraiser!!

 

We are in search of passionate, dedicated and talented girls and boys who want to grow in competitive cheerleading! If the information above seems overwhelming, PLEASE reach out! Our program is here to help and work with you to ensure a child never misses out on the opportunity to be a part of Thurston Rec Cheer and do something fun and challenging! 

 

Tuition scholarships are available for all teams, but limited! Please email: tjccoaches@gmail.com to inquire about a tuition scholarship for your athlete! 

 

-Thurston Rec Staff

 

​

 

Below you will find a copy of our Code of Conduct from last season. Please go over this form to understand the expectations and policies of our program for its athletes and parents. Every athlete/parent will be required to sign a Code of Conduct prior to participation. Violations of this contract during the season will be handled with the described/appropriate response. 

 

Thurston Junior Cheer Program Code of Conduct

Competition 2022-2023

 

Team Member Name: _________________________________________

1. Discipline

   1. Failure to follow the Thurston Junior Cheer Code of Conduct guidelines will result in a consequence deemed appropriate by the Head Coach. Consequences may include warnings,  being benched from a portion or all of an event or performance, a meeting with the athlete and their family, temporary suspension from the team, permanent removal from the team, etc.

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. General Liability and Assumption of Risk

   1. Cheerleading is a vigorous, physical activity involving motion, rotation and height in a unique environment and as such carries with it a higher than ordinary amount of risk of injury. Be advised that serious, catastrophic injury, paralysis or even death could occur from aa athletes participation. Coaches are trained and updated annually on the most current safety practices and do everything in their power to keep athletes safe and free of injury. Like all sports, however, there is an assumption of risk when participating.

   2. By signing this contract, you voluntarily give consent for such participation by the student and acknowledge the inherent risks associated with such participation. You also release the coaches, volunteers and staff at Thurston Junior Cheer, the Springfield School District, and the OCCA, from any claims of negligence by you, your athlete, your heirs, from any liability arising from claims for damages for injury to your athlete and any claims for loss or damages to his/her property which may arise out of his/her participation in this program.

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Representation

   1. It is an honor to be part of the Thurston Junior Cheer program. Once a part of the program, whether in uniform or not, athletes represent their teammates, coaches, gym, community, cheerleaders everywhere, and are expected to be role models.

   2. Failure to follow these guidelines and represent the program in a positive manner may result in discipline actions as stated above.

   3. Athletes agree to represent TJC in a positive and respectful way with Coach supervision of athlete social media pages. If any inappropriate content is found of a TJC athlete on any social media outlets, program disciplinary actions may be used. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial______________

1. Respect 

   1. Athletes are expected to show respect towards coaches, teammates, non-team members, and themselves; this extends to the athlete’s social media presence, and when outside of the gym including: school, weekend or community events and non TJC functions. 

   2. Disrespecting, back talking, or talking poorly about a teammate, coach, or the program, through any medium, is not tolerated.

   3. Bullying of any kind will NOT be tolerated. This extends past the gym! If bullying is reported, program disciplinary actions will be used and will depend on the severity of the occurrence. 

   4. If any bullying is witnessed by an athlete it should be reported to a coach immediately. 

   5. Respect also includes the gym! Athletes are expected to respect the space and equipment by picking up after themselves, using the equipment in the manner it is designed for, throwing away trash, taking home their belongings, etc. 

      1. Failure to respect the gym may result in athletes' loss of privileges. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Drugs & Alcohol

   1. Alcohol and drug use of any kind is prohibited and will result in benching or removal from the program. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Attendance

   1. Athletes are expected to be at ALL practices and events, unless bed-ridden or contagious. 

      1. Work, appointments, parties or other extra curricular activities are never an excuse to miss, come late, or leave practice/events early.

      2. Do not schedule medical appointments during practices/events. 

      3. Summer practices are required when in town(excluding team placement practices, choreo days and uniform fittings, vacations should be planned around these days.) If any vacations are planned for ANY portion of the season, please fill out the attached absence request form. 

   2. In the event of an unplanned family absences, or illness requiring bed rest, PARENTS must notify the coach via BAND ASAP, so that coaches can plan accordingly for practices and events. 

   3. ALL cheerleaders are expected to be at practices beginning April 3rd 2023

   4. Planned absences may be requested to be excused by athlete parents, approved excuses are at head coach(s) discretion. 

   5. 3 unexcused absences will result in benching of the next event or performance. If unexcused absences continue to reoccur after the first benched performance further benching or disciplinary actions may be taken and are at the approval of the Head Coach(s). 

   6. An unexcused absence at the last practice before a competition or performance, even if it is not the 3rd, will result in benching of that event.

      1. Excused absence requests must be turned in at least one month in advance. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Fundraising

   1. Fundraising opportunities will be available throughout the year.  All money received from any cheerleading fundraisers will be deposited into the TJC cheerleading account and will then be reimbursed accordingly.

   2. All fundraising efforts must be pre-approved by the Program President.

   3. Any athlete on a scholarship is required to participate in ALL fundraisers held by the program. Failure to do so will result in forfeit of their scholarship. 

   4. ALL Junior athletes attending Nationals are REQUIRED to participate in ALL fundraisers. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Payments & Accounts

   1. Parents are responsible for all costs associated with their child’s participation in the Thurston Junior Cheer Program.

   2.  If necessary, a payment schedule may be set-up in order to pay off the total amount. Each athlete parent must make a monthly payment by an agreed upon date until the balance is paid off in full. In addition, a date will be made in which the total amount must be paid off.

      1. Failure to make a payment will result in the athlete not being eligible to compete/perform until a payment is received.

      2. Any athlete with a past due account MUST participate in ALL program fundraisers. 

      3. Money deposited for uniforms or tuition will not be reimbursed if a cheerleader quits or graduates from the program unless overpayment has occurred. 

   3. Immediate/Upfront Costs

      1. Registration Fee:: 

         1. Each athlete will have a registration fee due at the time of reg.

            1. Registration Fees are $100 for new members and $75 for returning competition members. 

         2. Registration Fees also cover your competition fee. 

         3. Monthly Tuition invoices will be sent out automatically via email. Emailed invoices will be sent on the 1st of the month and are due by the 25th of that month. 

            1. You may make payment via the online invoice, or by bringing a cash or check to the gym. 

            2. Billable months for competition are August-February 

            3. By signing this agreement you agree to the commitment to pay for your athletes tuition for the months above even if practices/events are missed or they quit. 

         4. Team Tuition Amounts: 

            1. Minis-$100 per month per athlete 

            2. Youth-$125 per month per athlete 

            3. Junior-$150 per month per athlete 

            4. There is a $20 multi athlete discount for any members with 2 or more athletes participating on our competition teams. 

      2. Uniforms

         1. Each Athlete will purchase their own competition uniform.

            1. Please note that you will pay for whatever you order and initial for. 

            2. Refunds will not be given for uniforms if your athlete quits after their uniform fitting. 

            3. Uniforms received after an athlete quits will remain property of TJC.

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

 

1. Communication

   1. BAND App is the preferred and expected method of communication between the coaches and families.

      1. Messages or calls after 8pm may not be checked until the following work day. 

      2. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

      3. Coaches hours are 9am-8pm Monday through Friday. We will not respond to communications from athletes or parents outside of these times or on weekends UNLESS we have an event or there is an emergency. 

      4. Emergencies needing immediate coaches attention should be notified via phone call. 

      5. Include the athlete's name, and the parent’s name, in all communications.

   2. Parents

      1. Allow the athlete to advocate and communicate for her/himself first before speaking to the coach. Even then, the parent must send a message via BAND to the coach. 

         1. Athletes should seek information from head coaches. If an athlete has a question or issue with a coach’s decision, they must schedule a time to talk to the coach in a respectful manner. 

         2. Parents should not call or text the coach unless it is an emergency. 

      2. If after emailing the coach and parent does not feel the problem has been resolved, then they may request a meeting with the Program President. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

1. Parent Expectations 

1. Parents are expected to be respectful to athletes, coaches and staff, and fellow parents at all times. Any disagreements with a coach or member of the staff should be discussed via a scheduled meeting agreed upon by all parties. 

   1. Questions or Concerns about the structure of the program should be addressed to the Program President via a scheduled meeting. 

   2. Disrespect to the TJC staff, its athletes or other parents will NOT be tolerated. In addition, rumors or any kind of behavior that may reflect the program in an untrue, negative manner may result in removal of parent and athlete from the program. 

   3. Misuse of the BAND app in regards to coaches or other parents may result in loss of privileges. 

2. Parents are expected to be respectful of our gym and neighboring tenants. 

   1. Parents should use the correct driveway entrance when picking up and dropping off athletes. 

   2. Parents should use the parent packing in the middle of the parking lot. 

   3. DO NOT park in front of the gym or other tenants' main or bay doors. 

   4. Parents should not remain inside the gym during closed practices, and should only enter the gym when a coach is present and has opened for parents and athletes. 

 

Parent/ Guardian Initial _______________ Student Initial_______________

 

 

 

 I/ We have read the guidelines for Thurston Junior Cheer. By signing below, I/We understand that he/she/I am/ is to follow these guidelines during the entire cheerleading season.  I understand and agree that he/she/I will be accountable for all things stated in the above guidelines.

 

_______________________________________________                                          ___________________

Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                            Date

 

_______________________________________________                                          ___________________