SMU’s “Summer Spirit Camps 2002” are breaking all records as the cheerleading camps attract the largest group in its 54-year history.
From May 30 until Aug. 4, seven camps succeed one another, welcoming cheerleaders from grades 1-12. The second camp, held June 6-9, was the largest in SMU history, with more than 1,400 cheerleaders and 70 staff members in attendance.
Piper Stickney and Tim Moore, who run the camps said that one reason for its success is that SMU offers inside facilities compared to other camps that are only outside.
SMU has also had its fair share of cheerleading celeberties.
“Lawrence R. Herkimer, the founder of the National Cheerleading Association, cheered at SMU in the late 1940s,” Stickney said.
The cheerleading camps at SMU are available to cheerleaders of all abilities and each squad is under the guidance of one or two coaches.
“The camps are set up to fit whatever level you think you’re at,” said Debora Jryder, coordinator for the NCA of Garland.
Jryder uses words like “athletic, outgoing, positive and enthusiastic” to describe good cheerleaders.
“[She is] somebody who is dedicated to her team and enthusiastic about cheerleading in general,” Jryder said.
During the camps, students are taught cheers, chants and spirit dances that they will take back to their schools.They also learn new techniques and squad bonding, during which they get together and figure out their teams strengths and weaknesses.
The advisors and coachs come to camps to be taught by NCA coaches how to handle injuries, train students to be more athletic and improve skills of the squads.
Several competitions, evaluations and spirit contests are scheduled on the second day of camp.
The third day is composed of the try-outs for the “All American cheerleaders nomination.” The winning cheer groups get to perform at the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami or the Hula Bowl in Maui, Hawaii, Jryder said.
On the last day, the ‘most spirited’ cheerleaders receive awards after competitions. .
The cheerleaders come to SMU from Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and all over Texas. Other places that hold cheerleading camps are Boston, Washington, Indiana, Guam and Puerto Rico.
