FAQs
The Urbana Youth Cheer program works with athletes to learn cheers and stunting techniques while the Poms program is geared towards choreographed dance routines. Our cheer squads go to all home and away games and are on the sidelines for the entire duration of the game. We have a short halftime performance where we showcase a new routine each week.
Your athlete must be at least 4 years old by September 1st of the season they are enrolling in for flag. Athletes will be rostered based on grade level and 8th grade will be the last year an athlete is eligible to participate in the youth program.
No, your athlete will not need to know how to tumble in order to join our program. We have had athletes in the program for many years who have developed those skills, but also athletes who join us much later and have never tumbled before. Tumbling is not a requirement for any of the performances and we will work with your athlete to ensure they have a role they are capable and comfortable with.
The practice schedule will be released once the use of facilities requests have been approved by the area schools. We expect by early August.
Summer practices are outdoors and we will be requesting use of facilities at the local schools once school starts. Not all schools are able to accommodate facility requests as Urbana is a large community with many program offerings competing for the same limited resources. As such, we may expand our requests to other area schools such as Green Valley and Windsor Knolls.
No, you will not need to stay for practice, but we do ask that you pick up promptly. We encourage all parents to drop off as we find they tend to do better and be more independent when a parent/guardian is not around. Your athletes are in good hands with their coaches. All coaches and team moms are required to complete a background check prior to working with your athlete.
If you see a SOLD OUT message, it means the squad has been filled and there are no more available slots. You will have the option to be added to the waitlist. We will notify you if a spot opens up for your athlete.
No, each athlete is responsible for their own transportation to and from games. However, many program families carpool for practices and games and this can be a wonderful option!
Without the fundraising efforts of all program athletes, we would not be able to provide all the event benefits to your athletes. All Urbana Rec Council officers, commissioners, coaches and team parents are volunteers. We are a not-for-profit organization, which means all the funds from registrations and fundraisers go directly back into the program, and administrative & facility use fees. If you prefer to make a direct contribution instead, there will be an option on the fundraising collection page.
Yes, our goal is to make the program as accessible as possible. However, as a nonprofit organization, scholarship funding is limited. Athletes must have cheered with the program at least 2 years. Please email urbanacheer@gmail.com to submit a request for review.
We're sorry to see you go! Typically if you are exiting on an odd year, your uniform can be re-sold to another athlete for the following season. For example, if you have the standard blue (not white) uniform from 2023 and you are not planning on joining us in 2024, you may choose to list the uniform to another family that may need to size up. There is an Urbana Youth Cheer Uniform and Cheer Gear Resell page on Facebook where you can list your items. Suggested pricing for used items will be listed on the page (half of retail). The program is facilitating the management of the page but all transactions and interactions are between buyer and seller.