Signal Mountain cheerleaders will host Cheer Eaglets summer camp at SMHS June 21-24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Back from left are SMHS cheer coach Laura Willingham and cheerleaders Erin Steelman, Tori Jocsing, Mollie Nixon, Jennifer Felder, Claire Leatherwood, Blair Langley and Mary Claire Culpepper. Front from left are Alex Marshall, Katelyn Handley, Bailey Tallent, Lizzie Felder, Chelsea Thompson and Julia Martin.
Photo by Emily CrismanThe Signal Mountain High School cheerleaders are offering their popular Cheer Eaglets summer camp again this year, giving girls ages 4 to rising fifth-graders the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of cheerleading at SMHS June 21 to June 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It was really fun last year and they have a lot of fun things planned this year too,” said SMHS cheerleading coach Laura Willingham, who will supervise the camp along with all 15 members of the squad.
Now in its second year, the camp is designed to offer cheerleading instruction in a safe environment, promoting enthusiasm for the sport and shaping the Cheer Eagles of the future.
“It’s geared for people who have never done cheerleading before and for girls who have done a little,” said Willingham.
BE A CHEER EAGLET FOR A WEEKRegistration forms are available from various mountain businesses like J & S Shoes and Mountain Top Toys, members of the SMHS cheerleading squad, as well as online here. Contact camp director Laura Willingham at laura@willingham.net.
She said participants are split up according to age to learn chants, jumps, motion drills, cheers, spirit, basic tumbling and stunts, safety skills and a dance.
“They feel like they’re high school cheerleaders for a week,” said Willingham. “It’s just a good atmosphere and they get to meet people from the high school they see out in the community and at football games.”
She said parents are invited to experience their daughter’s new skills in action during a performance held on the last day of camp on Thursday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m.
The cost of the camp is $110 per student and $100 for each additional child, which she said includes drinks, snacks and a camp T-shirt. Girls are welcome to register up until the first day of camp, said Willingham.