Dear All Star Cheer Parents, Thank you so much for your interest in Airborne Elite All Star Cheer! We are anticipating a very exciting and successful second season and are delighted that you will be part of it. We are dedicated to giving each athlete the ultimate cheer experience through superior coaching and continuous program communication. We have prepared the following information to help each family understand the commitment level expected from every athlete in the program. Please take the time to read through this packet very carefully in its entirety. All Star Cheer at Airborne Training Center is not a recreational cheer program; it is a competitive cutting edge All Star Cheer organization that has high expectations. We ask that you take the time to discuss the contents of this packet with your child and ask as many questions as necessary so that you have a complete understanding of what is expected in an All Star Cheer program. The coaching staff s mission is to offer the best technical training and most innovative choreography possible to compete at the National level. Focusing on teamwork, integrity and a structured, safe workout, Airborne Elite All Star team members learn how to encourage one another while building self-esteem. 2017-2018 is going to be a successful and exciting season. Once again, thank you for your interest in our All Star program. We hope you find this packet informative and that it will answer any questions you may have about our program. Cheers, Airborne Training Center Staff 1
Airborne Elite All Stars Cheer Our Mission Statement Our mission is to offer value by providing a consistent, high quality, competitive cheerleading and tumbling program that delivers perfection. Our experienced coaches promote a culture that is run like clock-work and is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment. Our intent is to develop character, respect and commitment in our athletes with a focus on the mind, body and spirit. Airborne Elite All Stars Standard of Sportsmanship Our ATC family prides itself on our commitment to sportsmanship. The USASF, the governing body of All Star Cheer, promotes an initiative called ipromise which encourages All Star gyms to take part in a gym-wide pledge to honor the principles of positive sportsmanship. The goal of the campaign is to: 1. Motivate athletes, at every level, to recognize positive and encouraging behavior while engaging in changing their own behavior in cheer and dance. 2. Foster a sense of pride and dedication to excellence with current All Stars & coaches. 3. Establish action based on adhering to ethical standards and striving for positive relationships through all areas of participation. Communication At Airborne Training Center, we want to be sure our athletes and families remain as informed as possible. Websites, emails and social media are the means by which information will be regularly available to you. Website: www.airbornetrainingcenter.com Email: info@airbornetrainingcenter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/airbornetrainingcenter Instagram @airbornetrainingcenter Team Snap invitations are sent upon team enrollment All important information will be communicated via email and/or through the ATC website. It is imperative that you check your email daily. The internet and email are our primary means of communication. Therefore, regular monitoring of the website is a requirement. 2
Safety & Discipline Safety is a top priority at Airborne Training Center. Athletes are expected to take all elements of practice seriously. Any lack of focus (excessive talking, unruly behavior) is adverse to safety and will not be tolerated. One of Airborne Training Center s key principles is respect. Each athlete is expected to treat their coaches, teammates, and all staff with utmost respect. We teach our athletes to be disciplined in their behaviors and to understand that mutual respect of our Airborne Elite family is key to our success. Any negative behaviors will not be tolerated. Promoting Positivity Positive thinking wins. Airborne Elite promotes a positive environment inside and outside of the gym. We believe strongly in positive reinforcement among every athlete, coach, staff member and parent. Negativity is a weed that can destroy the most beautiful of gardens and it will not be tolerated at Airborne Training Center. All behavior of athletes, coaches, staff, parents and fans must be positive in nature including any and all social media activity. Facility / Practice Information The Airborne Elite coaches prepare for each practice by establishing plans that provide a structured environment conducive to the personal development of your athlete and their team. Our practices are run according to these practice plans within the scheduled practice times. For this reason, it is critical that each athlete arrive to practice before the scheduled start time so that they may have time to prepare themselves and be ready to begin working at the scheduled start time. The coaches will start the practice on time. If for any reason you are going to be late, please call the gym immediately and let us know how soon you will be there. Also, please pick your athlete up on time to avoid any delay in the practice start time of following team. All practices are closed. Siblings, family members, friends, etc. should wait for their athlete in the lobby. A closed circuit TV is made available in the lobby of the gym so that you may view your athletes tumbling classes, however team practices are closed to viewing to avoid distraction to the athletes and coaches. Athletes are to keep all of their belongings in a bag in a cubby in the lobby. Do not throw items on the floor. All items not placed accordingly will be placed in the lost and found bin. The lost and found bin will be emptied weekly. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items so please leave valuables at home. Practice Attire Cheerleaders are expected to wear their specified practice gear to every practice. Long hair must be tied back in a high pony with a cheer bow and nails must be kept to an athletic length to avoid accidental injury. Cheer shoes must be brought to and worn at every practice. Cheer shoes are NOT to be worn outside in order to keep the gym floor clean. You couldn t go to Ice Hockey practice without your ice skates, in the same sense you cannot go to cheer practice without your cheer shoes. 3
Time Commitment Summer Practices All teams will have required 2 hour practices 2 times per week (Monday Thursday) Choreography August 18 th through August 20 th for Code Red, Blitz and Bravo September 8 th through September 10 th for Rebels September 15 th through September 17 th for Renegades Camps & Clinics (Highly Recommended) June 10 th Steph B Jump Clinic ($25) June 26 th through June 29 th - ATC Intensive Camp ($145) July 17 th through July 20 th - ATC Intensive Camp ($145) August 7 th through August 10 th - ATC Intensive Camp ($145) School Year Practices One weekday 2 hour practice One Sunday 2 hour practice One 1 hour tumbling class Competition Schedule January 6 th Philly Live Philadelphia, PA January 20 th Heavy Hitters Trenton, NJ February 18 th Extreme Grand Coronation Newtown, PA March 3 rd 4 th Mid Atlantic Championships Wildwood, NJ March 17 th ACP Disco Championships Trenton, NJ April 8 th Liberty Jam Philadelphia, PA (Only if Philly Live is cancelled) April 22 nd Royal Kingdom Nationals Lincroft, NJ May 5 th 6 th US Finals Virginia Beach, VA May 10 th May 14 th D2 Summit Orlando, FL (For bid winning teams only) Vacation Dates The gym will be closed from May 28 th through June 1 st July 3 rd through July 7 th August 28 th through September 4 th November 20 th through November 26 th December 23 rd through January 1 st March 26 th through March 30 th Attendance All Star Cheer is a team sport; the absence of a single member of that team prohibits the team from learning stunts and/or formations. Every absence is a huge hit to the team s progress. Winter & spring vacations are not an option as this is the height of our season & all athletes must be in attendance at each & every practice. 4
Financial Commitment The annual tuition for All Star Cheer is $2,995 and includes all team practices, team choreography, one weekly tumbling class, unlimited open tumbling and open gym, 2 sets of practice gear, custom team t-shirt, team dog tags, holiday and end of year banquets, all competition entry fees and coaches fees, custom team music and USASF annual athlete registration. The annual tuition does not include the following: Airborne Elite Comp Uniform typically, comp uniforms and comp bows will be redesigned every 2-3 years. The 2017-2018 season uniform is the same one used in 2016-2017. If your athlete has one and it fits, then you are all set. If you are new to the program or if your athlete has outgrown his/her uniform, you can purchase a new uniform ($400) and a new bow ($35) or purchase a uniform and a bow from a non-returning athlete that has outgrown his/her uniform. Consignment uniforms may be purchased for $200; see team bulletin board for availability. Competition Travel Fees It is a parent s responsibility to have the athlete ready to go at the comp venue at the set time and date. Transportation, parking, hotel rooms, spectator admission fees and meals are also the responsibility of the parent. Cheer Shoes Cheer shoes are mandatory and may be purchased through numerous vendors. We endorse, size and sell No Limit V-RO cheer shoes for $80 pair. Big/Little Special good luck gifts are required for both travel comps ONLY! Special notes of encouragement for all other comps are expected. Team Warm Ups Team warm ups ($90) are encouraged, but not mandatory and will be personalized with the athlete s first name. Team Bags - Team bags ($165) are encouraged, but not mandatory and will be personalized with the athlete s first name. Camps and Clinics Various camps and clinics will be offered throughout the season are recommended for all athletes. Prices will vary and required registration online. Take Flight Team- Participation on a Take Flight Team (aka D2 Summit Bid Winners) will require additional fees and travel expenses. Tuition is calculated on an annual basis and then divided into payments for your convenience, however an annual commitment is mandatory. Any athlete that leaves the program prematurely will be charged a $500 quitter s fee to be released from the annual financial commitment. Athletes sustaining an injury that prohibits his/her return to the program will not be charged the quitter s fee. Athletes sustaining an injury requiring a temporary refrain from physical participation at practice will still be required to attend all practices as well as required to continue making full tuition payments. No discounts will be given to injured athletes who wish to remain on the team. Airborne Training Center offers two choices for payment of tuition. In Full - Payment in full for the season by 6/15 will receive a 5% discount Installments - Ten installment payments will be charged to a credit card that is required to be kept on file with Airborne Training Center on 06/10, 07/10, 08/10, 9/10, 10/10, 11/10, 01/10, 02/10, 03/10 and 04/10. Payment made before the 10 th of the month made via cash or check will avoid your card being charged for that particular month. Any athlete that joins the program after the installment payments have already begun will be given an installment plan totaling $2995 in accordance with the number of months left in the program year. 5
NSF Checks will occur a $35 charge for each occurrence. Declined card charges will occur a $25 charge for each occurrence. All accounts not prepaid in full MUST have a valid credit card on file at all times. Discount Opportunities Pre Pay Discount Pay in full by June 15 th and receive a 5% discount OR a free Rebel team bag. Sibling Discount - Siblings of athletes on the same account will receive a 10% discount off of the annual tuition Corporate Sponsors - Corporate sponsorship forms are also included in this information package. Athletes are encouraged to take advantage of corporate sponsors whenever possible. 100% of the profits will be credited to the athlete s tuition designated by the corporate sponsor. Fundraising Opportunities Showcase Showdown Raffle - Raffle ticket sales begin 06/04. Tickets sell for $10 / Athlete earns $10 Thanksgiving Pie Sales - Pie sales begin 10/01. Pies sell for $15 / Athlete earns $5 Christmas Pie Sales Pie sales begin 11/01. Pies sell for $15 / Athlete earns $5 Applebee s Breakfast with Santa - Ticket sales begin 11/05. Tickets sell for $10/ Athlete earns $7.50 Bingo Bonanza - Ticket sales begin 01/28. Tickets sell for $10 / Athlete earns $5 Frozen Pretzel Sales - Sales begin 03/11. Boxes sell for $16 / Athlete earns $8 Tumbling Costs Tumbling is a crucial element to All Star cheerleading routines. Tumbling skills help determine the level of each team. The large majority of the team needs the highest skills of each level to score well. One tumbling class per class session is included in your athlete s tuition. Athletes are welcome and encouraged to come to additional tumbling classes and open tumbling all season. Private and small group lessons are also available. Parent Participation Everyone has the opportunity to become part of a parent committee and is strongly encouraged to do so. We plan to have fundraising committees, spirit committees and Team Moms. Team Moms are a key part of team communication and will serve on all spirit and planning committees. If you are organized, easily accessible, don t mind paperwork, are able to send out emails & texts easily for the coaches and can attend committee meetings as needed; please let your coaches know that you are interested. We truly hope that this packet of information answered most of your questions as far as what is to be expected from you and your athlete. We would like to take this opportunity to tell you that although the expectations and commitment level is high, the reward that your child will take away from being part of a close knit family type of team is one that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We pride ourselves on instilling a foundation in these young athletes that will be forever present. Pride in hard work, pride in determination and pride in overcoming obstacles that she never thought possible. Pride in becoming a champion --- in every sense of the word. Congratulations in seeking an investment in your child s development and welcome to the Airborne Elite Family at Airborne Training Center. 6