UCA Camp

Pushing my limits

A few weeks ago was one of the most physically exhausting and mentally challenging weeks I’ve experienced, but also one where I have seen the most personal growth.

For those of you who don’t know, I tried out and made it on to the cheerleading team at our local high school back in March of this year. (yes, I am still homeschooled, but because of a unique opportunity, I can do extracurricular activities through the public school) We have already begun summer practices, and we recently attended UCA camp at Indiana University. This camp had approximately 400 cheerleaders, with both middle school and high school, JV and Varsity, as well as many UCA staff members. (UCA stands for Universal Cheerleading Association) We learned new stunts, cheers, pyramids, and dances. We got private coaching from the UCA staff, did team bonding exercises, and had a Spirit night with competitive games. Our days were 12 hours long in a very hot, loud, and crowded building, with every team yelling their own chant and music going in the background. We would get up early and start practicing by 8:30 in the morning and wouldn’t arrive back at our school until 9:30 at night. During our breaks we were either going over the new material or having epic dance parties! The staff were so patient and encouraging, and they taught us so much while keeping it fun and upbeat.

Several growing pains:

Our team was struggling to get along and have grace for each other. We were hot and tired, and we began to blame each other when things would go wrong.

I lived at home by myself while my family was out of town, which was something I could not have done six months ago. I felt God’s peace, and didn’t allow myself to be anxious, which was huge growth on my part, and something I was really proud of.

Several highlights:

My motions and sharpness improved greatly, as well as my stunting ability. I learned new stunts and got better at old ones.

I really enjoyed my interactions with the UCA staff and wish that I could have spent more time with them, getting to know them and learning more from them.

My attitude and endurance improved. While I did struggle with it being so hot and overstimulating, I learned how to keep going when I was exhausted, and sweaty, and frustrated.

Competitions and Awards:

Each team had several different sets of cheers, chants, or pyramids that we were evaluated for on several different occasions. By the end of the final day, we had won two blue ribbons, a fourth-place trophy, and a third-place trophy. We were also awarded a spirit stick each of the days at camp.

Several of us competed in a jump contest, and while I didn’t win anything (jumps are not my favorite), one of my teammates did!

I was given a leadership pin and then was presented the opportunity to pin it forward to another cheerleader who showed leadership skills and characteristics which was such a cool thing to do.

They held an All-American Cheerleader competition, where we performed a dance, a cheer, and a jump, for the judges. All-American is an award and a title that is quite an honor, and I’m so proud to say that I and another girl from my team both succeeded in getting this award! It was pretty stressful to learn the material in the two or three days leading up to the competition, but I’m very proud of what I put forward.

Moving Forward:

Moving forward:

• -I want to have better patience for those around me while we are hot and tired.

• -I want to ensure that I am putting my best work forward and show that I truly want to be there and that this really does matter to me.

• -I want to be eager to learn and not afraid to fail.

This experience has made me appreciate what my coaches and instructors do for me more than I did before.

And now some photos:

Left to right: Our UCA team leader Noah, UCA member Mason (the leader of the dance parties), Pulling my extended heel stretch, After receiving the All-American award, The bus ride home