Cost of bay area programs?

Date: Thu May 11 7:43 AM, 2006

RE: Cost of bay area programs?

Date: Thu May 11 8:48 AM, 2006

This it to "Tell the truth with the pink cost" My daughter has been with the pink for several years...I never once was charged one penny more than the stated amount. I have done my homework and they are the least expensive. We go to 8-10 competitions per season and travel out of the area once or twice. This season we did recieve pratice shorts and a t-shirt in fact they had extra shorts and kept trying to get rid of them, but we were never charged for all the make-up. a bow for every competition, and the stars...So yes the pink is the least expensive and there is NO hidden fees and NO extra money being asked for!!! R u sure you did your homework!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????

Date: Thu May 11 10:33 AM, 2006

tell the truth about the pink cost wrote:

As you seem to have done your homework you are not telling all the story on the pink. I hear that you do pay a monthly fee but you move from two differnt locations in one year and you paid for pratice clothes and never got them and never got a credit. That is being UPFRONT!
And then you obviously get what you pay for, or maybe not!

Well I don't know what issues you had, I know we moved once in the middle of the season which definitely benefitted the girls as it gave them access to every piece of gymnastics equipment known to man. I'm not exactly a well-trained eye but even I could see a huge difference in their tumbling after we moved. I don't know the reasons we moved, I suspect it was overhead, and that's fine. As another parent said, the economy is not great right now and people are losing jobs left and right and for some families, cheer is not their priority. I see that two cheergyms gyms have closed and that just backs up the fact that youth sports are hurting in general, especially the ones that cost big-time. People are just more concerned with feeding and clothing and housing their families right now. My son's youth hockey league also combined some teams because they just aren't getting all the kids they used to, and rent and ice time are expensive! I'm perfectly content that they were up front with us rather than just closing the doors, which is a story we have heard played out more than once, where gyms just lock their doors with no warning. They were honest with us, we gave them our full support, and in the end it was great for the girls because of all the equipment available to them.

Money-wise (since this is the topic being discussed), I like knowing exactly what I pay each month. It never changes, I'm never asked for more money for any reason.

As far as practice clothes, you must be someone who either never came to practice, or else quit, because my daughter got hers and wore them all the time. In fact, she wore them to tumbling last night!

And as far as winning and losing. If my daughter is that concerned about winning, then I've failed as a parent. My daughter was a junior diva last year and was just as happy with their first place in Vegas (in the senior division!) as she was with 2nd or 3rd any other time. If she did her job, she was a success in my eyes and that is how I've taught her. I don't want a monster-child that can't appreciate a good performance because it doesn't have a first-place trophy attached to it! That's a philosophy of life that I'm sure can be debated til the end of time, but I know where my morals are and where I want my childrens morals to be and it's not based on the size of a trophy.

Anyway, this discussion has sort of strayed from the original topic, which was gym cost. I just wanted to put in my two cents in that the research done by some others here matches up with my own, but then got pulled into the other discussions going on. I think this topic is really interesting and I wish we could have these sorts of discussions more often without all the teenagers chiming in with their mudslinging. Being smart consumers, whether shopping for a new car or a cheer team, benefits us all! It's silly that the cost of these programs comes off like a big secret - if we all make the phone calls, we'll all find out the same things. Comparing notes makes us smart consumers :)

Date: Thu May 11 10:52 AM, 2006

Being in the position of looking for a new gym I've been doing my homework on the cost of the different gyms myself. We were with Cheergyms, but since our gym closed we needed to find one that was closer. What I liked most about Cheergyms was I knew all the cost up front. There were no supprises. In Nelsons post above he mentioned that Cheergyms has a summer camp. After doing the math one of the differences in price was due to the camp costs. My daughter loved attending camp so the extra money was well spent. Never once were we asked for any additional money. I felt like I was paying for a quality product and was very happy with the whole organization. I'm glad that there are choices available to everyone. There are a lot of good gyms. It's just a matter of finding the perfect fit for you and your child. Good luck to everyone this year and we may not be apart of Cheergyms anymore, but we will be cheering for you.

Date: Thu May 11 12:17 PM, 2006

HUMMM SOME HAVE TO WONDER wrote:

..yes people please do your home work. You have to remember one thing ..you get what you pay for. because I can tell you one thing, it's not a pretty picture when your child continuiosly comes home from a competiton to have been let down once again rarely if ever taking home a 1st place trophy. I know the trophy is not the most important thing to me, but to a young adult/teenager it may be. All the hard work that is put into the program all year to be let down..not a pretty picture. So when you are considering a gym for your child look further into the program, see what they have accomplished and how well they work together as a team.

1st place is important, but every team can't get 1st. If everyone had that attitude then there would be very few gyms and 1st placed wouldn't feel great if you didn't work to get it. I think its great working to get 1st and staying competitive.

Date: Thu May 11 1:05 PM, 2006

new gym wrote:

But the post said the new gym would give no information regarding cost. Not a good way to start off the season.. don't you think? I'm always suspicious of gyms that don't tell you anything upfront. Just a thought.

For all of you talking about the "new gym", and we ALL know who you're talking about, I tried out for them and I loved it! I think the reason why they're not releasing any information is because I think they're trying to make everything as cheap as possible for all the members, and they don't want to release any information until they're sure of what the cost will be.

I tried out for their team, I only paid $10 and I got a free TeeShirt for trying out. I mean... come on!!! I've tried out for other teams/programs throughout my cheer career and I've paid even more just to tryout without any free stuff at tryouts. So I'd give them the benefit of the doubt, and stop being "suspicious" Parents know that they are able to remove their child from a program at any time, once you're child is on the team and you figure out that the cost is too much for you, then leave to another program, if your child is TALENTED, ANY program will be willing to open their gym to them.

Please dont no one take this offensively, but I just thought I'd put my two cents in regarding this "new gym" that a few are talking about, and a parent that posted a paragraph about info. she got on their previous program. Not many programs up here recently made those changes, that I know of, so I figured ya'll were talking about the program I tried out for.

Cheers & Blessings to all!

Date: Thu May 11 1:10 PM, 2006

My philosophy is you get was you pay for... I've also checked out various gyms on the Peninsula and am pleased we have joined cheergyms. Many of the other gyms have a low monthly tuition but then they nickle and dime you to death throughout the year. I like being told what it costs up front and everything being included in that price and spread out over the year. I also didn't like that my daughter would have to travel with the team. Since they usually take the cheap route and travel by bus that would mean extra days out of school plus I don't like leaving my young daughter with a couple of adults that has 20+ kids to watch over. My main concern with these less expensive gyms is safety. I personally know that the instance of injuries is much higher at one of the less expensive gyms because one of the mothers asked if we had the same frequency of injuries at our gym. I couldn't believe it??

Date: Thu May 11 1:13 PM, 2006

Another Happy Cheerleader wrote:

I tried out for their team, I only paid $10 and I got a free TeeShirt for trying out. I mean... come on!!! I've tried out for other teams/programs throughout my cheer career and I've paid even more just to tryout without any free stuff at tryouts. So I'd give them the benefit of the doubt, and stop being "suspicious" Parents know that they are able to remove their child from a program at any time, once you're child is on the team and you figure out that the cost is too much for you, then leave to another program, if your child is TALENTED, ANY program will be willing to open their gym to them.

Actually, two questions I guess. 1) You paid to try out?? Maybe I'm just old, but I've never had to pay money to someone to see if I could have the honor of giving them my money later on. I've never heard of this before, is this a California thing? 2) Do you know what team you are on yet? And if not, when will you know? Will it be after you've already put a bunch of money in, only to find out you aren't happy and it's too late to do anything about it? If I were an intermediate level cheerleader, I'd be apprehensive if I were looking to make a level 5 team and have no idea all summer where I'd end up.

Date: Thu May 11 1:34 PM, 2006

Good question. Did you have to sign a contract before knowing what team you'll be on? If so, is there a way out?

Date: Thu May 11 1:36 PM, 2006

Question wrote:

If I were an intermediate level cheerleader, I'd be apprehensive if I were looking to make a level 5 team and have no idea all summer where I'd end up.

Hate to sound harsh, but better brush up on those skills. Coaches have to be certified at a certain level if they want their team to compete that level (i.e., if they want to compete level 4, they have to be certified level 4). For insurance reasons, we are not very far off at all for this to take effect for cheerleaders as well (want to compete level 5? better have level 5 skills).

Nelson

ps Off topic here, but as glorious as level 5 teams are you can get just as much from every other level. Yes the glory is in level 5, but I don't do this for my own personal glory. In fact as I told my kids, my Senior Level 2 team from last season was one of my greatest coaching accomplishments. Yes, even more than taking a team to Worlds.

Date: Thu May 11 1:55 PM, 2006

Question wrote:

Actually, two questions I guess. 1) You paid to try out?? Maybe I'm just old, but I've never had to pay money to someone to see if I could have the honor of giving them my money later on. I've never heard of this before, is this a California thing? 2) Do you know what team you are on yet? And if not, when will you know? Will it be after you've already put a bunch of money in, only to find out you aren't happy and it's too late to do anything about it? If I were an intermediate level cheerleader, I'd be apprehensive if I were looking to make a level 5 team and have no idea all summer where I'd end up.

I sure did pay for tryouts, I think I've paid as much as $25 for a team in southern cali, and yeah perhaps back in the day cheer gyms didn't charge. I'm not saying all gyms charge, though. You said "giving them my money later on" It's not like you're just handing your cash to them hahaha, you're paying for services rendered.

I think that If I was an intermediate level cheerleader I would work my butt off to get the skills that I needed to make it to the team that I want to be in (if that was a level 5), and if my skill level wasn't good enough for a level 5 team, then I would compete in the level where I do belong and where my skill is needed, but I wouldn't expect to make a level 5 team if I knew all I had was a standing handspring and round off handspring. It's common sense I think. You can't expect to buy a house from a McDonalds Job income alone.. lol

I think throughout my years I've learned that it's about growing with a gym, not just competing in LEVEL 5, because I know when I was younger and less skilled I didn't deserve to be on a level 5 team, but that didn't stop me from being with the gym that made me happy.

OH, and you asked if I know what team I'll be on, I know that with my hard work throughout the years I've earned a spot on a level 5 team. I have elite tumbling and I'm awesome flyer, so yes, I'd say I'm safe by saying I'll be competing with a level 5 team. I dont mean to sound arrogant, I'm just confident about my skills.

CHEERS & BLESSINGS TO YA'LL!

Date: Thu May 11 4:20 PM, 2006

To Another Happy Cheerleader-- don't make assumptions that we're all talking about the same "new gym", k? There are a few we could be referring to. But if someone calls and wants to find out prices, gyms should know this now, while people are shopping around. They had time to put this information together, if they are organized.

Do all organizations let you leave if you're not happy? Or are you stuck in a contract and forced to pay for the entire season whether you stay or go? I've always been curious about that. Our organization, as far as I know, has never made someone pay the entire cost if they left during the season. And we didn't have anyone leave last season, not one person. It was great.

Someone mentioned injuries and less expensive gyms, hinting that they go hand-in-hand. You would think so, but I was surprised to see how many successful more expensive gyms talked about the injuries they have had on their teams. Just saying you really can't go by that.

Date: Thu May 11 6:24 PM, 2006

At the gym I'm at, there is no contract and you dont have to pay to try-out. Our coaches always tell us that if you're not happy with cheer, thats okay, and that we should go look into another sport. They just want us to be happy. I would hate to be in a contract with a gym. My mom doesnt want me to go to a gym with a contract because she knows that I might decide to do something else. I think some gyms take it too far sometimes.

Date: Thu May 11 7:10 PM, 2006

ah yes, but, in a team sport like this, I do not want fellow cheerleaders to leave whenever they want, thinking there are no consequences. If you decide you want to do something else, do it after the season is over -- you have made a commitment to be part of a team. Or at least do us all a favor and don't join if you think it might not be something you want to do for an entire season. I think most would agree with me on this one.

Date: Thu May 11 7:20 PM, 2006

Another Happy Cheerleader wrote:

I think that If I was an intermediate level cheerleader I would work my butt off to get the skills that I needed to make it to the team that I want to be in (if that was a level 5), and if my skill level wasn't good enough for a level 5 team, then I would compete in the level where I do belong and where my skill is needed, but I wouldn't expect to make a level 5 team if I knew all I had was a standing handspring and round off handspring. It's common sense I think. You can't expect to buy a house from a McDonalds Job income alone.. lol

Oh I totally agree with you, and I think you are one of few cheerleaders who go at this from a healthy mentality. I think most girls think they should be on a level 5 team whether or not they deserve it. I know of girls who are truly level 2 cheerleaders who will go try out for every team in town each year to see which team they are put on, and go with whichever is the highest level. It's gotten ridiculous! There are girls I know who have NO tumbling, not even a decent round off, who really think they belong on a level 5 team. They are going to get a huge reality check!

And to Nelson (I can't figure out how to go back and add in your post from here now that I'm here), all this talk about the new USASF rules, there has been really no talk of it and how it will be applied or enforced. They were talking earlier this year about everyone having to be certified for their level, but they certainly aren't telling any of the gyms that. How exactly do they think they are going to enforce this rule, especially when I'm sure there are plenty of gyms who have never even heard of USASF, and there's really no means of verification. Don't you think we'd have heard something? It's not even on their website. It's just another thing in all-star cheer that's unorganized and unclear...

Date: Thu May 11 7:29 PM, 2006

I concur CA coach. It's kind of hectic now. But it's still new and it's heading in the right direction.

Although the USASF may be new and is still experiencing growing pains, let's all remember that without going in this direction insurance companies would cut all of cheerleading off and then *poof*...there goes cheer.

Date: Thu May 11 7:36 PM, 2006

Nelson wrote:

I concur CA coach. It's kind of hectic now. But it's still new and it's heading in the right direction.

Although the USASF may be new and is still experiencing growing pains, let's all remember that without going in this direction insurance companies would cut all of cheerleading off and then *poof*...there goes cheer.

Oh I agree something needs to be done. I just think right now, with no one knowing it, there's no way they can expect to do it this coming season. Competitions start in what, August, September, for some? That's like a 3-month ramp-up. I can't see them being ready to do this right now.

Date: Sat May 13 3:17 PM, 2006

All I can say is that at my gyms try outs, there were a lot of "pinks" looking to change their color =)

Also, if a gym can't make it by one name, why should I think they can make it under another?

Date: Sat May 13 4:19 PM, 2006

If they are leaving pink what color are they looking to wear next?

Date: Sat May 13 7:43 PM, 2006

Please keep in mind, new gyms mostly take MANY years to become large. For example cheergyms.com. So if a gym isn't making under a name and decides to change names, there is nothing wrong with that. Usually there is something behind them changing a name (new owner and much more). I've seen a lot of small gyms go out there and kick some butt against large gyms. Remember, it has nothing to do with SIZE. It amazes me when I see a team beat out all the large gyms. Usually the gyms become so large that the coaches can't give each team the amount of support, direction, and coaching as compared to a small gym. Another factor that falls in, is that large gym get so caught up with winning that they get cockey in which leads them to failure ( not all large gyms ). I bet yall think I'm a coach at a small gym too, well, I'm not. I just know many coaches at small gyms that do amazing well. They've even beat some of my teams. Cheers to all the small and large gyms for keeping their pride under control, it will get you far in life.