Reading Level: Grade 4 Interest Level: Grades 3 – 8
Many cheerleaders enjoy going to cheerleading camps to work on their cheers, technique, and teamwork. Students will learn how cheerleading camps work, what the daily activities are, and how camp prepares cheerleaders to pump up crowds at sporting events and cheer competitions.
If you aren’t blinded by the white smiles blasting out from the pages, this volume in the Kick, Jump, Cheer! series will steer you right when preparing (and calming nerves) for that big trip to cheerleading camp. A little history first: Lawrence Herkimer held the first such camp in 1948, where he taught attendees the “Herkie,” a now-standard cheerleading leap. Today’s camps come in all stripes, from resident camps held on campuses to day camps to private lessons. What goes on at them provides the meat of Green’s text: strength training, stunts, and various special events like the All-American tryout and the awarding of the spirit stick. Proving she knows her audience, Green incorporates an undercurrent of understanding: “At camp, set aside any personal problems you may have with someone. Camp is the time to focus on team spirit.” A flowery design meshes well with the snazzy photos, and the back matter guides readers to other sources of spirit.
