welcome message
The GCKA cheer program is growing and we are very excited to welcome your cheerleader! Please read through all of the information below for everything you will need to know about this upcoming season.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Registration opens May 1, 2024 and runs through June 23, 2024. Due to uniform ordering there will be NO EXCEPTIONS to these dates.
- Cheer Camp will run June 17 - 21, 2024. Camp is highly recommended but optional for those interested in sideline cheer and mandatory for those interested in competition cheer.
- Uniform fittings will be offered June 21, June 24 - 26, and July 1st from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the GCKA office and are MANDATORY for anyone in need of a uniform - more information provided below.
- Practices will begin the week of July 8th
- The season will run through the end of October, early November
Below you will find links that will take you to various important topics found on this page.
GCKA offers two types of Cheer:
Sideline Cheer - (ages 4 - 15 by June 1, 2024) expectations for sideline cheer is two days of practice per week (TBD by Coach availability) and one game each week on Sunday. Season length will be dependent on football team the cheer squad is assigned to.
Cheer camp is included in the registration and fees paid for the season. Cheerleaders are highly encouraged to attend cheer camp but ultimately, it is not required. See the Cheer Camp section below for more information.
Competition Cheer - (ages 5 - 15 by June 1, 2024) expectations for competition cheer are dependent on age level. Season length will depend on competition schedules which are TBD but likely, the season will conclude early November. Try-outs are required for each team.
Seniors - 4 practices/week until school starts and then will move to 3 practices/week, games on Sundays, and up to 3 competitions. *Note that coaches may add an extra practice as competition dates approach.
Juniors & Minis - 2 practices/week, games on Sundays, and up to 3 competitions. *Note that coaches may add a third practice as competition dates approach.
Cheer camp is MANDATORY for those who would like to try out for one of the competition teams. See the Cheer Camp section below for more information. If your family has a conflict with the camp dates, please email the commissioners at CheerGCKA@gmail.com.
Competition Cheer participants will be asked to sign an attendance policy at the start of the season. Cheer competition preparation is highly dependent on attendance of all team members and as such, we ask that the commitment be shared between the cheerleader and parents to ensure regular attendance. Additionally, GCKA Cheer will be enacting a rule this year that if a competition cheerleader cannot complete the commitment to the team during a season, sideline cheer will be the only available option the year after.
*IMPORTANT* Please be aware, if your cheerleader has a sibling playing football with GCKA, we will do our best to ensure that they are assigned to the same location each Sunday but we CANNOT PROMISE this will be the case - especially for competition squads.
June 17 - 21, 2024
6 pm - 8pm
Murfin Fields
Cheer camp is included in the registration fees and costs and is open to all cheerleaders. For sideline cheer, camp is highly recommended but not mandatory to attend. It provides a great opportunity for try out experience without any added pressure.
Cheer camp is mandatory for those wanting to be on a competition team. This is because cheerleaders will spend time preparing for the tryouts which will be scheduled on the last day. If your family has a conflict with the camp dates and/or tryout date, please email the commissioners at CheerGCKA@gmail.com.
Cheerleaders younger than 10 years old, parents are required to remain ON-SITE.
Monday, June 17 - Camp
Tuesday, June 18 - Camp
Wednesday, June 19 - Camp
Thursday, June 20 - OPTIONAL FOR ALL - Rain date and/or Prep day for tryouts
*Thursday is specifically set aside for cheerleaders who would like additional coaching time to prepare for tryouts on Friday. Please utilize this day as coaches will not be available on Friday.
Friday, June 21 - Tryouts
New Cheerleader - your child has never cheered for GCKA or they did not cheer for GCKA during the Fall 2023/Winter 2023-2024 season
If your child falls under the designation of a new GCKA cheerleader, you are required to purchase a uniform.
Uniform fitting dates will occur June 21, June 24 - 26, and July 1st from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the GCKA office. You will only be required to attend one fitting date.
Please note - we order uniforms at the start of the season. Due to the turn around time that is required for the order, we only place one order per season. It is imperative that your cheerleader attend uniform fittings.
* PLEASE NOTE - your child will receive a new summer uniform top but this is included within your GCKA registration and program fees.
Returning Cheerleader - your child DID cheer for GCKA during the Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-2024 seasons
If your child falls under the designation of a returning GCKA cheerleader, you are NOT required to purchase a uniform, however, we ask that you make the following considerations:
Do all components of your child's uniform still fit appropriately? This includes all pieces - top, bottom, sleeves, and shoes.
Is your child's uniform free of wear and tear?
Does your child need new cheer shoes? This will likely be the biggest need.
COMPETITION cheerleaders - matching shoes is a component that teams are scored on and therefore, cheer shoes must be ordered through our uniform provider.
SIDELINE cheerleaders - you may buy any white shoes you would like.
You have the following options in regard to uniforms -
1) Order a new uniform that will include shoes, pom poms, and bows. The cost for this is $235.00.
2) Order new shoes ONLY. The cost for this is $49.99
3) Re-use your uniform from last year to include shoes and pom poms. No additional charge wil be added.
* PLEASE NOTE - your child will receive a new summer uniform top but this is included within your GCKA registration and program fees.
Uniform fitting dates will occur June 21st, June 24 - 26, and July 1st from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the GCKA office. You will only be required to attend one fitting date.
Please note - we order uniforms at the start of the season. Due to the turn around time that is required for the order, we only place one order per season. It is imperative that your cheerleader attend uniform fittings if you need to order a full uniform or shoes.
Our uniforms are provided by Victory Cheer Uniforms. You can find more information on their current offerings at www.VictoryCheerUniforms.com
New Cheerleader - your child has never cheered for GCKA or they did not cheer for GCKA during the Fall 2023/Winter 2023-2024 season
If your child falls under the designation of a new GCKA cheerleader, you are required to purchase a uniform.
Costs are as follows:
GCKA Registration & Program Fees - $115
Uniform - $235
Total Amount - $350
Returning Cheerleader - your child DID cheer for GCKA during the Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-2024 seasons
If your child falls under the designation of a returning GCKA cheerleader, you are NOT required to purchase a uniform but we ask you to consider if they are in need of a new uniform.
Costs are as follows:
GCKA Registration & Program Fees - $115
Full Uniform - $235
Shoes only - $49.99
Competition Fees - $42 *Please be aware this amount will be collected once teams have been established
Total Amount with Full Uniform - $392
Total Amount with Shoes ONLY - $207
Total Amount, no uniform need - $157
Families can choose to pay in full at the time of registration or split the cost into 3 installments. You may choose either option during the registration process. All dues and fees must be paid by no later than September 15, 2024.
For all, refunds will not be available after uniforms are ordered for the season as the bulk of fees are for the uniforms.
Our goal at GCKA Cheer is to ensure that every child who would like to participate, can do so. Opportunities to work at the GCKA Bingo Hall are available which can help to offset costs. If you are interested in working Bingo, please reach out to the GCKA office administrator at 614-871-0080 or GCKAsports@yahoo.com. Also feel free to reach out to the commissioners via email at CheerGCKA@gmail.com.
In addition to Cheer Camp and regular practices, below you will find a list of other important dates that your cheerleader will be expected to attend.
- Mandatory Parents Meeting - will be scheduled during the first two weeks of practice. Dates TBD.
- Season Photos - will be scheduled once uniforms are received, likely sometime in August
- Homecoming - TBD
- Grove City GCKA night - TBD
- Grove City High School Lil Dawg Camp - OPTIONAL but encouraged - dates TBD
- Arts in the Alley parade - September 21, 2024 - Cheerleaders are expected to arrive to the parade meeting spot around 8:15 am that morning and festivites usually wrap around 12pm. More details will be provided closer to the parade date.
- Team Banquet - TBD in coordation with each team's Team Mom
- Other dates may be added in the future by each individual team or the program as a whole
A minimum of two fundraisers will be coordinated through the season. This allows the program to afford and upkeep equipment as well as pay for homecoming and banquet celebrations. We ask each family to participate as much as you are comfortable and at a minimum, help us spread the word! We appreciate your help and support in advance.
We are always on the look out for great coaches with any level of experience! This season we are specifically in need of Sideline Cheer coaches. As a special incentive, coaches will receive a discounted rate for children participating in the cheer program.
If interested please complete a volunteer application online. Volunteers can also register online by choosing the volunteer position when registering your child. If you do not have a child to register but still wish to register online do so by creating an account above.
An interview with the Cheer Commissioners and a background check will need completed prior to coaching any team.
For more information, please email the commissioners at CheerGCKA@gmail.com.
If you have comments, questions, or concerns please feel free to reach out to the GCKA Commissioners via the GCKA Cheer Facebook page or via email. We aim to respond promptly but please allow 24 - 48 hours for a response.