When you want to learn how to do something, it’s best to learn from the experts.
Well, that’s what’s taken place this week at the Bainbridge High School Cheer Camp.
About 35 youngsters ages 3-12 have been learning from a BHS cheer squad that includes 10 All-Americans.
From the varsity, that includes Claire Jackson, Addy Ledbetter, Easton Yellowcalf, Cameron Smit, Danny Kim, Elise Bourmatnov, Anya Letson and Holly Beerman. Emma White and Olivia Berg from the junior varsity also were honored with that distinction.
Claire Jackson, who is a senior and a captain, received a perfect score at the All-American competition, said her mom, Tawnya Jackson, who has been the cheer coach and run the camp for 10 years.
Jackson said her teams include girls, boys and non-binary members.
“We’re inclusive,” she said, adding the Spirit Squad consists of a buddy system with disabled and non-disabled members.
Jackson said the cheer camp is a fundraiser for the program. The youngsters will perform at halftime of the first football game Sept. 3 to the song “Levitating” by Dua Lipa.
The coach said she always enjoys the camps. She said a handful of the high school cheerleaders started at the camp, and she’s watched them grow up and improve every year.
Jackson said her biggest challenge for cheerleaders is getting them to try out after middle school. Many are scared to as they enter high school. Jackson said she makes an extra effort to teach those cheerleaders so they will be successful.
“I want them to feel comfortable,” she said.
BHS cheerleader Claire Jackson, right of center, explains to the campers what they are going to do next.
Early on all of the campers got this part of the routine down.
Members of the Spirit Squad wait for others to join in before learning their cheers.
Young campers look a little confused as BHS varsity cheerleaders perform the beginning of the routine.
Addy Ledbetter starts off the halftime routine with a few easy steps.
Addy Ledbetter starts off the halftime routine with a few easy steps.
Addy Ledbetter starts off the halftime routine with a few easy steps.
