ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond Senior High School cheerleading program is set to host its annual cheer camp next week.
Set for Monday, July 22, through Thursday, July 25, in Richmond’s gymnasium, the four-day camp is open for interested participants ages four through high school age. Early registration is now open, with one camper costing $65.
For families with multiple campers, the cost is $120 for two and $165 for three participants.
Late registration, which is the first day of camp, is $70. Early registration guarantees that campers will receive a camp t-shirt. Each day of the camp will run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the final day being a performance day for campers to show off their newly learned skills.
Heading up her eighth year of the camp is varsity coach Meredith Hood, as she’ll be assisted by junior varsity head coach Morgan Mcinnis. Like they do every year, the varsity and junior varsity cheerleading teams will be on hand to assist with camp drills and activities.
Hood is looking to continue to grow the sport’s interest within Richmond County, while also trying to build a stronger program. Last year’s camp had 130 campers, and was broken into six age divisions. She also expects several middle school cheerleading teams to be in attendance this year.
“The girls will participate in several rotations throughout the first three days of camp to prepare themselves for their end-of-the-week routine,” Hood explained. “Campers will work on stunts, jumps, tumbling, pyramids and chants.
“This camp is more about letting girls come to Richmond and cheer with the Raider cheerleaders,” she continued. “This community really revolves around this school, and so if we can give back to the little ones and they can come to cheer camp, we’re happy to do that. It helps them get better and allows our girls a turn to give back.”
According to this year’s information pamphlet, the mission of the Richmond cheer camp is to “teach, educate and raise the level of cheerleading skills” and build stronger “team concepts” for success on and off the mat.
The annual cheer camp is also the cheerleading program’s biggest fundraiser. Last month, the cheerleaders held their inaugural Cheer Fun Run 5K at Hinson Lake, and are working on buying new uniforms and cheer mats for the upcoming season. Hood added that the cheer camp fundraiser will also help her team attend UNC’s cheer camp later this summer.
Any camper who attends camp will be invited to participate in “Cheer Night” during the Raiders’ first game of the season against Clayton High School on Friday, Aug. 23.
To register online, visit www.k12paymentcenter.com and select “Richmond Senior High School Cheer Camp Application.”
