COST OF CHEERLEADING

Tamara · cheergyms.com Master Poster

RE: COST OF CHEERLEADING

Date: Sat Jun 21 5:40 AM, 2008

I keep reading that this 'recession' is supposed to be short term, but who knows. If you have to putll them, but can keep them in tumbling, they will still have their skills. Our family life is also structured around cheer, so I can imagine how this is affecting you. We had a family of three who had to make the decision of pulling their kids. For what it is worth, when I see the mom in the gym during the kids tumbling practice, the whole family dynamic is more relaxed. She said that it was hard at first, but they settled into a new routine and the kids grades which were okay, shot up. I hope you can stay in cheer, but my point is that there were things that were positive about quitting...more family time, less stress in the uncertain times etc. THey (PAUSE) have family dinner together!!!!!!!!

Date: Sat Jun 21 6:39 AM, 2008

It was either cheer this year or keep my RANGE ROVER...RANGE ROVER BABY

Date: Sat Jun 21 6:40 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

It was either cheer this year or keep my RANGE ROVER...RANGE ROVER BABY

And NO, I'm not going to trade it for a TOYOTA

Date: Sat Jun 21 9:53 AM, 2008

We took one year off. My daughter had one private and one tumbling class, nonstop, for the enitre cheer season. She maintained her skill level and, surprisingly, managed to increase her tumbling strength. She did not, however, excel beyond her prior skill level - which was ok because I do recognize the added benefits that practicing/tumbling with the team brings (in addition to privates). She did just fine and my family could suddenly breathe again. I could clean my house, we could work in our yard, we could REST! (THAT WAS INCREDIBLE) and do things as a family. Heck, I could even lounge if that's what I chose - and since I didn't know how long this break would last I chose to lounge often. aww

The financial commitment was lifted for a short while which felt sooooo good. I hadn't realize how tired, stressed, and sleep deprived I had become. I love the adrenaline rush that comes with the cheer season but I hadn't realized how often I was cheating my body and mind (and family -poor hubby) of rest. We're back this season and taking it one season at a time. It's still financially straining but that breather helped. I hope that everyone can make the best decision for them. Taking a break may be the last resort for many, but many may find that it may be the best decision for you and your family as a whole. It won't be the end of the world and you may find that you enjoy the sweetness of participating in this luxury that much more after taking time off. I know I do! aww

Date: Sat Jun 21 11:33 AM, 2008

We sat diwn as a family and seriously looked at our options for our daughter. She is now entering the wonderful teenage years and it is so imprtant to keep them active in something.
So we sat down the hubby, myself and even the siblings to brainstorm. After weighing out the options we chose to stay in cheer. So we made some changes and we are implemnting them over the summer to get into the swing of things so that once the season gets in full swing of things we will be well trained.

We purchased a smaller vehicle for mom transport her in. Man gas is high but why does $50 dollars to fill up sound better than the $130 I was spending with less gas mileage (sad huh).
We use to have family night out once a week, but we know only go out for dinner once a month as a family and we have family night at home. Movie rentals from comcast(dont have to drive), make something fun at home like homemade pizzas, tacos etc.... and we hit the wii often. We swim, play board games or have people over and everyone brings a dish.

We keep the lights off during the day and open up those blinds. Now that its hot may have to reconsider that option.
Everyone plans out their commute. We dont just get in the car like we use to do and go! That was the hardest thing to change. planning our routes. Boy did we take that for granted.
I cant live without my cleaning lady, but we have her come every two weeks instead of once a week. Mom said no to getting rid of her lol
Dinner at home every night. Boy has that helped the budget.
Our daughter was made aware ahead of time. We will get a sweatshirt or tshirt from the gym she cheers at, but nothing extra at competitions. We may allow something special at nationals if the budget allows.
Birthday parties are limited this school year. That adds up over the months...

it is definitely hard on everyone. I hope that we all can make it through this crunch and keep our children involved in the sport they love. It is such a healthy place for them and we parents love it too.

I think most of the gyms have recongnized the state of the economy and have lowered prices and chose local competitions. Our gym has and evey little bit helps. But we also know the gyms have to make money too. But its been nice knowing that they gyms are taking our finacial struggles into considerstion.

Date: Sat Jun 21 1:46 PM, 2008

This is such a sad subject, the thing is, everyones tuition has gone up as well, if this was a sport out of the love of it, why do the coaches and owners continue to raise the cost. Couldn't you just maybe give everyone a break, give your time for the meer love of it? I understand overhead and such, charge what you need, why try to make it harder on everyone else?

And all these sorry fundraisers, can't you come up with something other than candles, cookies, candy and jerky? There is only so much of this crap I can sell and people get sick of looking at me coming at them sideways with the stuff!

Date: Sat Jun 21 2:09 PM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

This is such a sad subject, the thing is, everyones tuition has gone up as well, if this was a sport out of the love of it, why do the coaches and owners continue to raise the cost. Couldn't you just maybe give everyone a break, give your time for the meer love of it? I understand overhead and such, charge what you need, why try to make it harder on everyone else?

And all these sorry fundraisers, can't you come up with something other than candles, cookies, candy and jerky? There is only so much of this crap I can sell and people get sick of looking at me coming at them sideways with the stuff!

Hold a raffle for free GAS CARDS biggrin

Date: Sat Jun 21 3:21 PM, 2008

OMG...you're a genius!!!! aww

I love this idea!

Date: Sat Jun 21 3:39 PM, 2008

It's a good idea except with today's economy most people are not exactly in a gambling mood, you know? If I had to choose whether to pay $5 (for example) for the CHANCE I might win gas, or put the $5 towards actually putting gas in my tank, I just can't afford to waste $5, I'll put it towards gas.

And people can't afford to be buying things they don't need, like candles and candy, and the other stuff mentioned in another post, I completely agree with that.

The best fundraisers are the ones where you work at events (concerts, sporting events, etc...), and then use the money towards your child's account. You're putting in hours, getting paid by businesses, and not asking your friends and family to buy useless items.

Just my opinion. It sure has been working great for us so far.

OC Mom · GURU

I just signed my little one up for youth cheer. I was laughing inside when the woman in front of me was upset to pay $300 for tuition and $60 for JAMZ camp. I'm not sure if it was a hardship for her or not, but she just has NO IDEA.

Of course I kept my comments to myself but it was rather comical to listen to.

Date: Sat Jun 21 9:38 PM, 2008

Tamara wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Sadly I am a parent struggling to pay for cheer, this will be my daughters third year, and I am so scared to stop her she is on a five team and progressing so well. After three years cheer is my kids whole life, I have looked for sponsors, fundraised, etc ( but with this economy everybody's broke) , so it's hard to sell anything or get sponsors for anything. Places that used to just don't do it anymore.

I need to pull them, but I just can't. (yes I am that parent in the gym that is behind two months) It is the worse feeling ever!!!!! I actually have two in cheer the youngest needs it because she has ADD and cheer helps balance her out without medication, (when we are off from cheer she is a mess, I mean bouncing off the walls) and my oldest is built like a powerhouse, I don't know what she would turn into without cheer.

I thought about just having them tumble for a year, but I have seen kids "take the year off" then when they come back they are like level two athletes. It's scary. So far my gym has been kind and they are giving me the opportunity to come up with the money, but there will be a point when I have to do something. Financially we have lost so much in the last two years, cheer was not just my kids savor, but mine and my husbands as well, it was the glue holding us together, we could not fight about anything and we pushed forward because the "next competition" was around the corner.

I just wished the cheer gyms and companies realized what this sport has meant and still does for so many families, and try to be more reasonable especially for those families with more than on kid in this sport.

Signed a Parent in Distress
(Still hopeful and praying everyday)

I am truly sad to hear that it's causing such a hardship for you. I hope you find something to help, it's touching to read that your gym is behind you.

That is just such a bummer. Does your gym ever hire their athletes and let them work off some of the fees? We hire our cheerleaders for different jobs and they do great! Did you go to businesses that you actually pay for services, such as dental, doctor, mechanics, hair salon, nail salon, businesses like construction people are some of the best to donate. Send letters to contractors. People that your children's grandparents do business with. I have a business besides the cheer gym and I pay a lot of money to different vendors. I tell my parents to hit them up. Instead of paying a cleaning service, we use our parents and exchange service for service. There is really so much still out there. If it is your childs sport don't give up. I wish you the best. Prayers for sure. Don't give up. Seriously.

Date: Sun Jun 22 1:02 PM, 2008

Thank you, I know it sounds dumb to some people but I refuse to give up, I know GOD has a plan, I am having a yard sale today, to raise more money and I will for sure hit up some construction companies, and vendors. I tried a lot of doctors, dentists and lawyers, figuring they were not feeling the strain of the economy as bad, but I think I was wrong. Anyway, I will keep on till I cant anymore, thanks for the prayers!!!!!!

Date: Sun Jun 22 3:27 PM, 2008

Don't give up. I'll pray for you too! Really, talk to your gym owners to see what they can do. They may be able to offer some assistance. And take the advice given above to see if you or your kids could volunteer some of their time at the gym to offset costs.

Date: Mon Jun 23 1:39 AM, 2008

There are lots of booster clubs out there that you can join, and offset your costs by working venus. Its fun and if you make time for them once or twice a month, it makes a HUGE difference. There are people that work more often and pay their entire tutition, travel, uniform. etc!! It's summer now, take advantage and do it now, then when the fall comes and kids are back in school, you have paid down, your cheer fees, youv'e seen a few great concerts, bingo, etc.

These venues are full of cheer parents, so join one and make it work for your family.....you are asking anyone for money, you are empower yourself to support your child

Date: Mon Jun 23 8:00 AM, 2008

Great Advice about the Booster Clubs. Yes, absolutely get involved.

What absolutely amazes me is that those that complain the most about the cost of cheerleading are those that have the largest cheer invoices, and it's those that don't want to take the time to work the fundraisers. They just sit back and complain and complain and wait for someone else to bail them out of their expenses.

Take the time to get involved. You might actually enjoy the experience and gain a few friends along the way.

Date: Mon Jun 23 8:48 AM, 2008

I personally am a middle class american that wishes i could afford for my children to cheer. It is just not going to happen. They enjoy the tumbling when I can get it to them. We made the choice to have a large family and $6000 + a year for them to cheer is WAY out of our budget. I dont smoke, my husband and I dont drink, our money and lives revolve around our children. Just becasue some people do not make enough money to cheer, they should not have the right to bad mouth the costs. JMO My children are well fed, well loved, and dressed to the typical standards. My son just got braces and that cost me over $6000.00. smaller payments and longer time to pay off

I think the boster clubs provided are great, however with all my children including a young infant a few months old, and a son going into highschool that would be difficult to pay for someone to watch while I work off cheer money.

I guess my point is, I think you all need to stop being so angry and enjoy life. My children are not devistated by this, there are many other things we can do. Now if I had one child even two only then I think for sure it would be possible to make it work. I think the gyms are great, the coaches are great and some people cannot afford it, and THATS OK.... Gee I wish I could buy a bran new 2009 BMW SUV but Im not going to call the company and tell them their prices are too high... give me a deal??? confused

Have a great week yal

Date: Mon Jun 23 9:25 AM, 2008

Anonymous wrote:

I personally am a middle class american that wishes i could afford for my children to cheer. It is just not going to happen. They enjoy the tumbling when I can get it to them. We made the choice to have a large family and $6000 + a year for them to cheer is WAY out of our budget. I dont smoke, my husband and I dont drink, our money and lives revolve around our children. Just becasue some people do not make enough money to cheer, they should not have the right to bad mouth the costs. JMO My children are well fed, well loved, and dressed to the typical standards. My son just got braces and that cost me over $6000.00. smaller payments and longer time to pay off

I think the boster clubs provided are great, however with all my children including a young infant a few months old, and a son going into highschool that would be difficult to pay for someone to watch while I work off cheer money.

I guess my point is, I think you all need to stop being so angry and enjoy life. My children are not devistated by this, there are many other things we can do. Now if I had one child even two only then I think for sure it would be possible to make it work. I think the gyms are great, the coaches are great and some people cannot afford it, and THATS OK.... Gee I wish I could buy a bran new 2009 BMW SUV but Im not going to call the company and tell them their prices are too high... give me a deal???

Have a great week yal

If you can't afford cheer then don't do it. There are good Youth Leagues available and also school, but that is not that cheap either. My daughter is in All Stars and yes we sacrafice certain things so she can continue doing something she loves. Is it expensive yes. Our gym is working hard to get fund raising going to help everyone offset the expense, but working full time and health problems will prevent me from participating as much as I would like. When a lot of us complain it's a way of sounding off. From the post above I did not feel like the mom was really complaining. She is admitting that it is getting hard and that it may not be possible for her to continue paying the high cost involve in cheer much longer. It's a tough decision to make when you know how disapointed your child will be, but you have to do what is right for your whole family and like my mom always said you can't always have everything you want. Also cheer is a luxury. The ecomony is tough right now and unfortunately you need to be realistic. My advice is quit and keep your daughter(s) involved in tumbling, until things get better financially. They will survive. There is no such thing as a free ride, and gyms are a business and need to make money to survive. I think Airborne is doing a smart thing by offering non-competitive and competitive teams to open up more options to those who may have a hard time with the high fees and traveling cost.

Date: Mon Jun 23 9:30 AM, 2008

Sorry I should have said non-traveling and traveling teams, not competitive since all the teams do competitions. It's still early thats my story and I'm sticking to it. :)

Date: Mon Jun 23 3:35 PM, 2008

I too like that Airborne is offering a non traveling team. Less time commitment and no far away competitions. Is anyone doing this as well?