Bulldog Cheerleaders Host Mini Cheer Camp for Kids

Cheer camp participants pose with Concordia cheerleaders after their performance during the halftime of the men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 21. Photo courtesy of Alison Shuerman

by Hayley Wallace

The Bulldog cheer and dance team hosted a mini cheer camp for 35 girls from kindergarten to sixth grade bright and early on Saturday, Jan. 21 in the PE Building.

During the camp the girls learned cheer technique (arm motions), jumps, tumbling, stunting and even a little routine incorporating all of these elements. They performed the routine that afternoon during the halftime of the Concordia men’s basketball game. Following the performance,  the Bulldog cheerleaders invited the “Mini Bulldogs” to help cheer on the Bulldogs during the second half of the game.

Stunting and tumbling were new to the camp this year, and overall the campers said they enjoyed this part of the camp. According to many of the Mini Bulldogs in attendance, favorites for the day included jumping, somersaults, handstands, cartwheels, and a stunt they identified as the “Teddy Bear.”

Overall, Bulldog cheer coach Mandi Maser believes the camp was a great success.

“I had no doubt my team would be great role models for the Mini Bulldogs,” Maser said.“We enjoy getting to know our community and having them come and enjoy the Bulldog game day experience!”

Katherine Vogel, the lone senior on the Bulldog cheer team,  said she enjoys the way camps really help to solidify and strengthen the relationship between Concordia and the surrounding communities.”

“Cheer camps involve my two favorite things:working with children and cheerleading,” Vogel said.“I will miss being able to teach a sport that I love to young kids, and I will miss being able to see how much the kids enjoy it. Their excitement for cheerleading definitely helps to reaffirm why you are cheering in the first place.”

Freshman cheerleader Jesse Grotelueschen said she enjoyed helping with her first camp and believes that they are a great way for college athletes to really give back to the community.

“I think camps like this are a great way college students can make a positive influence on children in our community by keeping them active,” Grotelueschen said

Maser said there will be many more camps to come since this year’s camp was successful.