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Cheerleaders hold annual cheer camp
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School freshman basketball cheerleader Erin Jones (back left) and varsity basketball cheerleader Andrea Beck (back right) taught their group of 5-6 year-olds several fun cheers during Canfield High School cheerleaders’ annual Cheer Camp Aug. 22.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School sophomores and junior varsity football cheerleaders Kennedy Lisowski (back left) and Moria Lumsden (back right) were hard at work teaching their group of 7-8 year-old camp attendees a dance to perform at the end of the day during Canfield High School cheerleaders’ annual Cheer Camp Aug. 22.
By ABBY SLANKER
School spirit was flying high during the Canfield High School cheerleaders’ annual Cheer Camp Aug. 20-22. Approximately 175 girls ages 3 to 13 attended the camp, under the direction of head cheerleader coach Kellie Brautigam, assistant cheerleader coach Caitlin Werner and 45 high school basketball and football cheerleaders.
Attendees were divided into age groups and taught a cheer and a dance, based on their age.
The freshmen to senior Canfield High School cheerleaders taught the younger girls cheer motions and fun simple cheers, along with team bonding, while the older girls were taught advanced motions and jumps and more complex cheers.
Each group was also taught a dance and to showcase their talents and what the girls learned at the three-day camp, a performance was held at the end of the third day, during which each group performed a dance or cheer for their parents and fellow attendees.
“At the end of camp, the campers put on a show for their parents. The little girls really get a kick out of it. They love to perform,” Brautigam said.
According to Brautigam, the funds raised at the camp will be used to benefit the cheerleaders.
“This year, with the funds raised at the camp, the whole squad is getting all weather warm-ups, including pants and jackets for the football games. We also use the money to buy the girls new pom poms and new uniforms. We want to take some of the financial burden off the girls and their families, so we will also use some of the money to buy supplies such as treats and decorations which the girls usually provide themselves. Our goal with this fundraiser is to reduce the out-of-pocket costs for the cheerleaders,” Brautigam said.
The cheerleaders also sold camp T-shirts to help raise funds.
“We have had a great turnout this year. It seems to grow every year. We truly appreciate the support of the community. We have received such positive feedback from parents of attendees. I attribute this, and the success of the camp, to the cheerleaders who are so good with all the attendees, especially the little ones,” Brautigam said.