Key Takeaways
- Coaches, captains, and newbies each face different responsibilities and challenges at camp, so what to expect at cheer camp really depends on your role.
- How long cheer camp lasts varies widely, from single-day clinics to multi-day overnight programs.
- Parents play a bigger behind-the-scenes role than most people realize, from drop-off logistics to handling homesick phone calls.
You already know from our previous cheerleading camp series blogs that camp is a great time to bond, learn, and improve skills. Camp will be filled with experienced (and enthusiastic!) instructors and volunteers who will help teams build self-confidence, inspire, and be inspired in a positive environment that promotes a love for cheerleading. Now that you know what camp is all about, what can you expect as a coach, captain, or new team member? Whatever your role, knowing what to expect at cheer camp ahead of time makes the whole experience smoother and a lot less stressful. Find out in the third installment of our cheerleading camp series!
Coaches
As a cheerleading coach or advisor, you are responsible for your entire team during camp. Beyond that though, you also need to be prepared to manage the expectations of your captain and team. Camp is a great time to mentor your captain and prepare her for leading the team during the season. It’s also a great time to really become familiar with and showcase your team’s abilities while honoring each team member’s uniqueness. You may also be asked to perform counseling duties, such as chaperoning recreational activities and other scheduled events, and working with other teams and coaches.
Beyond the day-to-day supervision, coaches are usually the main point of contact for parents back home. Expect to field questions about camp logistics, send periodic updates or photos, and reassure families if a camper is struggling with nerves or homesickness. Many coaches also use the end of camp as an informal evaluation period, jotting down notes on which skills each athlete picked up and where extra practice will be needed once the season starts. If your squad is attending an overnight cheer camp, you’ll also be the one handling curfew, dorm or cabin assignments, and any medical or dietary needs that come up after hours.
Captains
Even if you are an experienced camper, attending as your team’s captain can be a different experience entirely. As captain, you’ll have many of the same responsibilities at camp that you will have at practices and performances throughout the season. Captains are the leaders’ leader, and need to be prepared to keep spirits up. They are responsible for facilitating camp culture and traditions by assembling and preparing the team each day for activities. Captains need to make sure their team stretches each morning and is aware of the day’s activities. Captains are also expected to tap into their creativity to develop and teach new moves and routines and to assist their coach in leading practices.
Captains need to remember that they are setting an example not only for their own team, but also for all other captains and teams attending camp with them. Be prepared to answer questions that your team members and other cheerleaders and captains may have. You’ll also likely be the first person teammates come to if a conflict pops up between squad members or if someone is intimidated by a new skill. Staying calm, modeling full effort during every drill, and quietly stepping in to defuse tension are some of the less obvious team captain duties that make a real difference in how your squad performs once camp wraps up. For more on sharpening these skills before you go, check out our guide on what cheer captains need to know.
Newbies
If this is your first year attending cheer camp, don’t be nervous! You will be working hard and pushing yourself, but you’ll also learn a ton, make new friends, and create life-long memories. Camp days will be filled with planned activities that will be hard work but also hard play! Many camps include lots of fun activities for attendees, like swimming, cookouts, and nighttime campfires. You’ll be staying in a shared living space, so be sure that your camp checklist only includes the essentials.
Camp is also a time to do a lot of learning. It is a unique experience that surrounds you with all levels of cheerleading talent, so take the opportunity to ask a lot of questions (and take a lot of notes)! Camp, like regular season practices and commitments, is something that requires you to put in effort to get results. You need to be prepared to be on time for events and to put everything you have into participating. Push yourself to get involved in contests and competitions.
As a first-timer, it also helps to know that your body will feel it. Expect sore muscles, long days on your feet, and an appetite bigger than you’re used to. None of that is a sign you’re doing something wrong. It’s just part of what to expect at cheer camp when you’re new to the intensity. If your skills are still developing, our beginner’s guide to cheer tumbling is a great way to walk in with a little more confidence on day one.
Parents
Parents don’t get as much attention in most cheer camp guides, but their role matters too. If your camper is heading to a day camp close to home, expect daily drop-off and pick-up windows, along with a quick rundown from coaches on what was covered each day. For multi-day cheer camp programs, especially overnight ones, plan for limited communication, since many camps restrict phone use to certain hours to keep campers focused and bonding with teammates.
It’s also normal to get a tearful call partway through the week. Camp homesickness is common, especially among first-year cheerleaders, and coaches are generally well-equipped to handle it. Resist the urge to pick your camper up early unless a coach specifically recommends it. Most kids who push through the rough patch end up having the best week of their summer. Knowing this ahead of time is part of what to expect at cheer camp as a parent, even though you won’t be the one in the gym.
How Long Does Cheer Camp Last?
One of the most common questions families ask is how long cheer camp lasts, and the honest answer is: it depends entirely on the format. There’s no single standard length, so it’s worth understanding the main categories before your team commits to one.
Day and commuter camps are the shortest option, often running for a single day or spanning two to three days, with campers going home each night. These typically run five to seven hours per day, split between instruction blocks and a meal break, and are common for teams that want a refresher without the cost or logistics of overnight lodging.
Overnight and resort camps are on the longer end, usually spanning three to four days and three nights. These programs bundle in team-bonding activities, evening events, and significantly more one-on-one coaching time, since squads are together around the clock rather than just during practice hours.
College and skills camps hosted on university campuses tend to fall in the middle, often two to four days, and combine lodging with intensive stunt, tumbling, and routine work. Some elite or specialty camps run longer, particularly when teams are training for All-American tryouts or competition season.
Knowing how long your specific cheer camp will last helps everyone, including coaches, captains, newbies, and parents alike, pack appropriately, plan time off work or school, and mentally prepare for the pace of the week ahead.
FAQs
Do parents need to attend cheer camp with their child?
No. At day camps, parents handle drop-off and pick-up but aren’t present during sessions. At overnight camps, parents typically aren’t on-site at all once the team arrives, though coaches usually provide updates throughout the week.
What happens if a cheerleader gets homesick at camp?
Coaches and camp counselors are trained to help campers work through homesickness, often by keeping them engaged in group activities. It’s rarely a reason to leave camp early, and most campers feel better within a day or two.
Is cheer camp different for veteran cheerleaders versus first-timers?
Yes. Veteran cheerleaders, especially captains, take on more leadership and mentoring responsibilities, while newbies focus primarily on absorbing new skills and adjusting to the pace. Coaches also tend to lean on veterans to help model technique for the rest of the squad.
Are you an experienced cheer-camper? Leave your own advice in the comments below!