Participants perform during last year’s Cheer Eaglet camp.Kids age 4 (potty-trained) through incoming fifth-graders will learn how to cheer, dance, tumble and jump like a Signal Mountain Eagles cheerleader at the high school cheerleaders’ annual Cheer Eaglet summer camp. Camp runs Monday-Friday, June 16-20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.
Registration will be permitted up until the first day of camp, but the organizers request that campers sign up by Thursday, June 12.
“A lot of little girls in the community go,” said co-coach Laura Willingham. “They gain more Eagle spirit, and it helps them learn to love and support the community.”
The camp is used as a fundraiser to contribute to the cheerleaders’ general fund as well as for a trip to Orlando, Fla., to cheer at the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Just for added fun, campers have dress-up days throughout the week. Tuesday is crazy sock day, Wednesday is crazy hair day and Thursday is crazy tie-dye day.
“They can’t wait to see each other’s crazy outfits,” Willingham said, adding that the camper with the best outfit in each age group wins a prize.
The camp is taught by 20 SMHS cheerleaders and is supervised by Willingham and co-coach Cara Holden.
“They have a lot of fun and get to yell as much as they want,” Willingham said of camp participants.
An exhibition for parents will be held June 20 at 12:30 p.m., when each group will show off the dances, cheers and stunts they have learned.
The cost for the camp is $140, which includes snacks and a T-shirt. Campers must bring their own lunches.