American Cheer and Dance Academy

ACDA has been a competitive brand since 1991, and is famous for establishing Reach the Beach Nationals. Now that Reach the Beach is its own entity, ACDA was left last season with no national championship to call its own. This year, everyone’s favorite championship event, the Maryland Cup, is ACDA’s new NATIONAL Championship! All Star teams will compete on Saturday, Rec and School teams will compete on Sunday morning, and Dance will have its own championship event, complete with Marley floor, on Sunday in the afternoon! Get ready for some new surprises in production, awards, and overall look across the ACDA brand as well!

Spirit Unlimited

Spirit Unlimited is all about prestige this year! Get ready for Spirit Unlimited’s brand new look, launching with a new website coming soon. SU is adding to its BATTLE Nationals series with an all-new Battle in Queen City National Championship, and both Battle Nationals will have exciting new lighting, individual placement awards, and services at the events that are not available anywhere else. Battle at the Boardwalk is now offering ONE FULL PAID and THREE AT LARGE bids to Worlds, and the Worlds teams will complete their preliminary round on Friday night during the “Premier” event, which is FREE admission for spectators and includes much more than the competition alone. Expect to be treated like the superstar you are with Spirit Unlimited this season!

Reach the Beach

Reach the Beach is not only the original beach themed nationals series, it’s also the most AWESOME! RTB Nationals will of course include our All Star, Rec and School, Dance, and Daytona events, but this year we are also having our RTB SoCal event in beautiful San Diego, CA. RTB is now presenting a NEW series called Beach Blasts, where we bring the beach to you! These events are championship-style events that are tons of fun and also competitive, and they’re located in many places throughout the US. Each event is going to outdo last year’s event, so make sure to register early. Can’t wait to see you at the beach!

Cheerstarz

Cheerstarz is our brand that allows everyone to SHINE. These events are great fundraiser events for any organization- all you have to do is secure the location and the teammates to help work, and we do the rest! Cheerstarz is expanding past Maryland this season into Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and MORE, so take a look and make sure you check out a Cheerstarz event near you. This is a perfect affordable event for rec, school, and smaller all star programs that want a place to feel like the awesome athletes that they are!

Stay tuned for all new websites launching, as well as more upgrades to ALL of our brands for the 2012-2013 season!

The EPIC Brands has expanded their EPIC Camps brand drastically for the 2012 summer season! There are a variety of camp options for every skill level, interest, and budget, and all of the options are customizable to fit the needs of the host organization.

Check out our camp options:

Ocean City Cheer Camp

Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, MD

July 22-24, 2012

$250 per participant

Open to high school and all star cheerleaders, this camp will be a complete cheer training experience focusing on all levels of stunting, tumbling, motions, jumps, and strength training. Instructors include current and former cheerleaders and coaches for the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, University of Maryland National Champion Competitive team, Maryland Twisters F5, Stingray All Stars, World Cup All Stars, as well as High School State, National, and Worlds Judges. Please contact alison@theepicbrands.com for more information!

High School Prep Camps

Various dates and locations in MD

Be a part of the best high school tryout prep clinic in MD, focusing on jumps, tumbling and stunting. We cater to brand new cheerleaders as well as the elite, as this is a great opportunity to learn about all the new NFHS stunting rules, new scoring rubrics, and how to improve all of your skill sets with new creative skills being taught by some of the best cheerleading and gymnastics instructors in the country. Our instructors include current and former cheerleaders and coaches for the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders, University of Maryland National Champion Competitive team, Maryland Twisters F5, Stingray All Stars, World Cup All Stars, as well as High School State, National, and Worlds Judges. Coaches are welcome to come and watch all classes.

John Carroll High School- 703 E Churchville Road Bel Air, MD 21014

August 7th, 8th, 9th 6pm-9pm

$99 per participant

Urbana High School – 3471 Campus Drive Ijamsville, MD 21754

July 17th,18th,19th 6pm-9pm

$99 per participant

*More locations to come!

Level Stunt Camps:

These camps focus on pyramids and partner stunts specific to the level your team will be competing in for the upcoming season. Camps are grouped by USASF Levels 1-6, and only appropriate material is taught for each level. Pricing starts at $35 per camper!

Customized Private Cheer or Dance Camps:

1, 2 or 3 day camps includes all the elements needed to get your team started off to the best season! EPIC instructors come to your facility to coach your teams in a private setting. Pricing starts at $60 per camper. Design your own camp based on a variety of options. Cheer options include: stunts, pyramids, transitions, tumbling, motions, strength training, jumps, and more. Dance options include: leaps, kick lines, tricks, tumbling, turns, and more!

Parks and Recreation Youth Camps:

Hosted by your local parks and recreation or youth organizations, these commuter camps are a fantastic way to let your little ones gain experience in cheerleading at an affordable cost. Please visit [http://www.theepicbrands.com/cheercamps/ to view the full list of camps being offered. To register, please see the contact information listed next to the camp you wish to attend!

Superhero Camps:

These camps are a great way for children to interact with others in their area while learning important lessons in character. Superhero camps are open to boys and girls ages 4-7. All camps are half days (3 hours), and each camper receives a camp t-shirt with their registration. Please visit http://www.theepicbrands.com/superhero/ to view the full list of camps being offered. To register, please see the contact information listed next to the camp you wish to attend!

EPIC 2:30 Choreography Camps:

Two and a half days of training with an award-winning choreographer (15 hours total) to create a customized routine based on your desired style… ONLY your team will have this choreographed routine! The EPIC staff will travel to you… your camp is private, and all instructors are insured and trained through The EPIC Brands. Customized music selected by you and mixed by Cheer MixALot is included!

Want just a portion of your routine choreographed by EPIC 2:30? We have partial-routine and just dance section pricing as well!

Visit http://www.theepicbrands.com/choreography/ or call 866-965-2322 to get started.

Please contact us at 877-322-2310 or visit http://www.theepicbrands.com/camps for more information.

Founded in 2005, Cheer Mix-A-Lot was established to provide cheer and dance programs throughout the nation with professional, exciting, custom music mixes for their routines. The company has limitless options, from semi-custom mixes at fantastic prices to completely unique mixes created specifically to routine 8-counts. Cheer Mix-A-Lot’s champion clients transcend further than these two college nationals teams- each season, Mike and his staff produces music for everyone from Level 1 teams, to high school teams, to Cheer and Dance Worlds competitors.

Check out http://www.cheermixalot.com or call 866-965-2322 to start creating your custom music mix for the perfect touch to an awesome routine.

Cheer Mix-A-Lot is a division of the EPIC Brands. Visit http://www.theepicbrands.com or call 877-322-2310 for more information about some of the most exciting cheer and dance camps and competitions in the nation!

This is a great opportunity to challenge your staff and yourself to do a better job in the coming year. A recent article from Outside the Lines discusses the importance of encouraging your coaching staff. Great cheer coaching isn’t determined by the number of trophies or banners brought home.  Are the cheerleaders having fun; are they learning the fundamental skills and moving forward; are they seeing improvements? Assistant coaches need encouragement just as the cheerleaders. Do you give coaching awards at the end of the year banquet? Parents and cheerleaders can have a say in the “Coach of the Year” award or the “Terrific Tumbling Coach” award.

Speak honestly in your dealings with others. This does not mean being brutal in your remarks, but it does mean telling the truth. It’s all right to tell a team their efforts are not yet at the standard you have set. Be the coach you want your children to have.

A new squad is always a fresh start–a clean slate. Challenge the new squad to meet their team and individual goals. Encourage your cheerleaders to be the best at all things. Speak honestly and professionally about progress and the lack of progress. Constructive instruction should be the rule–not the exception. Building a team starts with the coach(es). Help your cheerleaders and your staff discover their strengths and challenge them to use those strengths and abilities. We all have special gifts–let’s be sure we use them!

The staff at the EPIC Brands has a lot to celebrate after this weekend: we have successfully run our 25th Reach the Beach Ocean City National Championship! For all of you who attended, our staff at the EPIC Brands would like to thank you all for making the 2012 Reach the Beach All Star and College Nationals our best one YET! So many great memories were made, and so many fantastic teams were awarded for their efforts, so I’ve created an RTB Recap to highlight some of the great events of the weekend!

Friday, March 30th:

3:30 pm- Soloists and stunt groups started pouring into the convention center for our first day of competition- It’s official, RTB All Star 2012 has begun!

We had over 75 GREAT performances in the Cheer Solo, Cheer Duet/Trio, Stunt Group, Dance Solo, and Dance Duet/Trio divisions!!

Special congratulations to James Hund from World Challenge All Stars for being the highest scoring soloist, winning $500!

Special Congratulations to Maryland All Stars’ Maddie and Harley for being the highest scoring partner/group stunt, also winning $500!

Saturday, March 31st:

6:00 am- The doors opened for the start of Team Competition Day 1!!!

We had AWESOME performances throughout the entire day, including over 25 teams competing for our WORLDS bids!!

Our IEP award winner, Sydney from Ohio Valley All Stars, was recognized on stage!! Sydney is represents a group that we at EPIC hold very dear- she is a member of the Ohio Valley All Stars Special Needs team, and suffers from uncontrollable seizures. Just before her team was set to hit the warm up floor on Saturday, she had a seizure and needed medication to ease it. Moments later, even though she was practically asleep in her mother’s arms because her medication makes her drowsy, her coach asked her if she’d be able to do the routine or if she wanted them to re-work it without her. Sydney’s dedication to her team, her coach, and to cheerleading gave her the push she needed. “No I’m doing the routine- anything for you coach!” she said, and woke herself up to get on the mat with her team, who then had an AWESOME performance!! Sydney is just one example of the many cheerleaders at our events that show the utmost passion for cheerleading and strive for excellence at every chance they get. Thank you for your commitment, and congratulations to Sydney!

Our Coach of the Year, Pattie from Tri-State All Stars, was recognized on stage on Saturday evening at 6:00 pm!

The winner of a BRAND NEW KIA SOUL was announced at 6:30, and man was it a nail biter! After a name is announced, the winner has only 60 SECONDS to get up to the stage, or else we call a different name! Neil from Northern Elite All Stars was announced first…he was not there!!! We called a second name, and Maria, ALSO from Northern Elite All Stars, won the car!!! Northern Elite has some lucky coaches!

Day 1 wrapped up around 9:45 pm, and what a great day it was!!

Sunday, April 1st:

6:00 am- Doors open again for the start of Day 2!!!

We had MANY great performances and lots of National Champions, but here are just a few notable awards that were given out!

Level 1 Grand Champion and winner of $3,000: Dream All Stars Eclipse!

Level 2 Grand Champions and winner of $3,000: East Coast Nitros Aftershock!

Level 3 Grand Champions and winner of $3,000: Penn Elite All Stars!

Level 4 Grand Champions and winner of $3,000: Maryland Twisters Hail!

Level 5/6 Grand Champions and winner of $3,000: Maryland Twisters F5!

Worlds Bids:

AT LARGE: MARYLAND MARLINS ROGUE
AT LARGE: MARYLAND TWISTERS LADY T’S
AT LARGE: CHEER TYME INTERNATIONAL INVASION
FULL PAID: MARYLAND TWISTERS REIGN

Thanks for a great RTB 2012, We’ll see you next year!!!

Consistent improvement is the basis of keeping happy, enthusiastic cheerleaders, so coaches, let the team live a little! At one of your next few practices, let your squad try something that’s a level higher than the level they are competing at. Start small, but every little progression will give the team a fresh new challenge, motivate them for tryouts, and prepare them for a higher level of competition next year!

Here are some level progressions that are a good start for building your athletes’ skills for tryouts and higher level teams:

For Level 1 teams (Progress to level 2):

-Bump ‘n go Prep to Extensions, Cradles from Extensions

-Half up Load-In to Prep/Extension

-Prep Level Libs

-Backhandsprings, Cartwheel Backhandsprings

-Barrel Rolls

-Extended Level One-Legged Pyramid (Middle group extended, braced by 2 prep-level side groups)

Level 2 (Progress to Level 3):

-Extended One-legged Stunts

-Half Up Load-In to Lib

-Single Twist Dismount from Prep or Extension

-Full Up to Sponge

-Standing 2 Backhandsprings, T-jumps or Jumps to Backhandsprings

-Punch-Fronts

Level 3 (Progress to Level 4):

- Full Up Load-In to Lib

-Double Twist Cradle from Prep

-One-legged Single Twist Cradle

-Double-Braced Front or Back Flips to Sponge/ Cradle

-Layouts

-Punch Front Connected to a Running Tumbling Pass

Level 4 (progess to Level 5):

-Full Up or Double Up Load In to One-Legged Stunt

-Double Twist Cradles from Extended One-legged Stunts

- Tick-Tocks in Extended One-Legged Stunts

-Downward Inversions From Extended One-legged Stunt to Cradle

-T-Jumps or Jumps to Tucks

-Single-Braced Front or Back Flips to Sponge/Cradle

Make it SAFE by only allowing 1 or 2 groups to go at a time for the first few tries, while everyone else spots. Make it FUN by having a contest- see which group can hit the most new skills, or reward individuals for trying a tumbling skill just slightly harder than they’re allowed to do at their level!

Check out www.theepicbrands.com to find complete rules and divisions information so you can create your own challenging stunts for your teams to progress with!

Please continue to check the brand websites or http://www.theepicbrands.com for the most updated information. We will be adding more details as the 2011-2012 season comes to a close!

DATE	EVENT NAME	LOCATION	US FINALS QUALIFIER
October 14, 2012	Six Flags Fall Challenge	Six Flags America Bowie, MD	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Derby City Classic	Kentucky International Convention Center Louisville, KY
October 27 or 28, 2012	Maryland Halloween Championship	University of Maryland- Cole Fieldhouse College Park, MD	REC/SCHOOL
November 10 or 11, 2012	Cajun Classic	Shreveport Convention Center Shreveport, LA	ALL TEAMS
November 10, 2012	Retro Rock	North County High School Glen Burnie, MD	ALL TEAMS
November 17, 2012	All Capital Classic	PG Sports & Learning Complex Landover, MD	ALL TEAMS
November 17, 2012	Old Dominion Classic	Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center Richmond, VA	ALL TEAMS
November 17, 2012	Louisiana State Championship	Pontchartrain Convention Center Kenner, LA	ALL TEAMS
December 8, 2012	Indy Open Classic	Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis, IN	ALL TEAMS
December 8, 2012	Columbia Classic	Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Columbia, SC	ALL TEAM
December 9, 2012	New England Championship	Connecticut Convention Center Hartford, CT	ALL TEAM
TBD	Delmarva Holiday Challenge	Wicomico County Civic Center Salisbury, MD
December 15, 2011	Charm City OPEN National Championship	Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, MD	ALL TEAMS
January 12, 2013	Rocky Challenge	University of Denver Denver, CO	ALL TEAMS
January 12, 2013	Heartland Classic	Kansas City Convention Center Kansas City, MO	ALL TEAMS
January 12, 2012	Hampton OPEN National Championship	Hampton Roads Convention Center Hampton, VA	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Palmetto Challenge	Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center Columbia, SC
TBD	Great Lakes State Championship	Birch Run Expo Center Mirch Run, MI
January 19, 2013	Music City Championship	Lipscomb University Nashville, TN	ALL TEAMS
January 19, 2013	G-Town Challenge	Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC	ALL TEAMS
January 19, 2013	Gator Brawl Championship	TBD	ALL TEAMS
January 20, 2013	Upstate Championship	Times Union Center Albany, NY	ALL TEAMS
January 20, 2013	Northeast Winter Blast Championship	Whittemore Center @ UNH Durham, NH	ALL TEAMS
January 26, 2013	Smoky Mountain Championship	Sevierville Event Center Sevierville, TN	ALL-STAR
January 26, 2013	Maryland Cup – All Star	Showplace Arena Upper Marlboro, MD	ALL-STAR
January 27, 2013	Maryland Cup – Rec/School/Dance	Showplace Arena Upper Marlboro, MD	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Grand Ole Championship	Memphis Cook Convention Center Memphis, TN	ALL-STAR
TBD	Keystone Championship	Lancaster County Convention Center Lancaster, PA	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Sun Devil Championship	Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ
February 2 or 3, 2013	Orange Blossom Championship	Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL	ALL TEAMS
February 2, 2013	Battle at the Boardwalk National Championship	Atlantic City Convention Center Atlantic City, NJ	ALL TEAMS
February 2, 2013	Reach the Beach Nationals: So Cal	Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, CA	ALL TEAMS
February 9, 2013	Northern Peach Championship	Northwest Trade Center Dalton, GA	ALL TEAMS
February 9, 2013	Allegheny Classic	Cambria County War Memorial Arena Johnstown, PA
February 9, 2013	Terp Championship	University of Maryland- Cole Fieldhouse College Park, MD	DANCE
February 16, 2013	Rhode Island Championship	Rhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI
February 16, 2013	Sooner Showdown	Tulsa Convention Center Tulsa, OK	ALL-STAR
February 23, 2013	East Coast Classic	Salisbury University Salisbury, MD	ALL-STAR
February 23, 2013	Reach the Beach Nationals: Ocean City- Rec/ School Cheer	Ocean City Convention Center Ocean City, MD	ALL TEAMS
February 24, 2012	Reach the Beach Nationals: Ocean City- Dance	Ocean City Convention Center Ocean City, MD	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Olympic Championship	Greater Tacoma Convention Center Tacoma, WA	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Iron City Championship	David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh, PA	ALL TEAMS
March 2, 2013	Paradise City Championship	San Diego Concourse San Diego, CA	ALL TEAMS
March 9, 2013	Cornhusker Challenge	CenturyLink Center Omaha, NE	ALL TEAMS
March 9, 2013	Fairmont State Classic	Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV	ALL TEAMS
March 9, 2013	Mississippi Challenge	Jackson Convention Center Jackson, MS	ALL TEAMS
March 9, 2013	Georgia State Championship	Georgia International Convention Center Atlanta, GA	ALL TEAMS
March 9, 2013	Queen City Championship	Charlotte Convention Center Charlotte, NC	ALL TEAMS
TBD	Charleston Championship	Charleston Convention Center Charleston, SC	ALL TEAMS
March 16, 2013	Magnolia State Challenge	Family Arena St. Charles, MO	ALL TEAMS
March 16, 2013	UMBC Challenge	University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore, MD	ALL TEAMS
March 17, 2013	Golden State Championship	College of the Pacific Stockton, CA	ALL TEAMS
March 23, 2013	Colonial Challenge	William & Mary College Williamsburg, VA	ALL TEAMS
March 23, 2013	Crimson Championship	Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Birmingham, AL	ALL TEAMS
March 23, 2013	Reach the Beach Nationals: Daytona	Oceanfront Bandshell Daytona Beach, FL	ALL TEAMS
March 23, 2013	Sunshine Challenge	Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL	ALL TEAMS
March 30, 2013	Syracuse Classic	OnCenter Complex Syracuse, NY
March 30, 2013	Reach the Beach Nationals: Gulf of Mexico	Galveston Cenvention Center Galveston, TX	ALL TEAMS
April 5-7, 2013	Reach the Beach Nationals: Ocean City- All Star	Ocean City Convention Center Ocean City, MD	ALL TEAMS
April 6, 2013	Albany Capital Championship	SUNY Albany Albany, NY	ALL TEAMS
April 13, 2013	Empire State Championship	Hofstra University Hempstead, NY	ALL TEAMS
April 13, 2013	Season End US FINALS and WORLDS Prep!	University of Maryland- Cole Fieldhouse College Park, MD
April 20, 2013	Monarch Challenge	Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA	ALL TEAMS
TBD	City of Champions	David L. Lawrence Convention Center Pittsburgh, PA	ALL TEAMS
April 27-28, 2013	Six Flags Spring Challenge	Six Flags America Bowie, MD

1. Continuing education demonstrates our commitment to our job.
2. We grow as professionals through interaction with other coaches.
3. We demonstrate our accomplishments in the coaching field.
4. We build our self-esteem, our self-respect, and help validate our work as a coach.
5. We establish our credentials as a qualified coach.
6. We show we are willing to invest in our own coaching development.
7. We improve our knowledge base and improve our skills.

Continuing education is an investment in ourselves and our careers. Whether taking classes online or in a classroom setting, we will be exposed to a variety of coaching philosophies and methods of team management. Through class discussions or readings we may find areas we can improve. Learning new ways to enhance our coaching styles will help us to be more effective.

Coaching education opportunities are available through several organizations. Don’t forget to look into coaching classes that are not specific to cheerleading. Useful ideas can be learned from coaching in other sports as well!

Continuing our coaching education is the smart thing to do!

First and foremost, we at the EPIC Brands just want to say THANK YOU to all those who participated in our LARGEST Reach the Beach Rec, School, and Dance Nationals ever!! This event was truly a great experience, and we hope you feel the same!

We not only had a brand new setup on the main stage, we had a SECOND stage upstairs for the first time this year. Needless to say, we outgrew that room ALREADY in the first year! Next year, we will have an extra 10,000 square feet of space to work with after the convention center renovations are complete, so we hope to utilize that extra space to make our event even bigger and better.

We had some GREAT performances this past weekend, but we’d like to give a special congratulatory shout out to our BIG-TIME winners this weekend:

Tina Colbert, coach of Archbishop Carroll High School who won a BRAND NEW CAR!

Highest Score- Check Winners:

$500 Cheer Solo check winner- Sydney from Fort Hill High School

$500 Cheer Stunt Group check winner- Kim, Audry, Kristie, Lindsey, and Keelyn from Methacton High School

$500 Dance Solo check winner- Kristen from Archbishop Spalding High School

$500 Dance Duet/Trio check winner- Kristen and Jenna from Archbishop Spalding High School

$3,000 School/Rec Dance Team check winner- Archbishop Spalding High School Small Varsity Jazz

$3,000  All Star/Studio Dance Team check winner- Miss Edie’s Dancin Feet Senior Kick

$5,000 Rec Cheer Team check winner- Interboro Hornets PeeWee Rec Level 3.1

$5,000 School Cheer Team check winner- FD Roosevelt High School Large Varsity Intermediate

We would also like to give a special shout out to Surfy the Spirit Shark for doing a GREAT job entertaining the crowd this weekend! Visit Surfy on the web at http://www.facebook.com/reachthebeach or at http://www.twitter.com/epicsurfy.

For more information and to see the complete results from Reach the Beach Rec, School, and Dance Nationals, please visit http://www.reach-the-beach.com.

We are so proud of all of our competitors and we can’t wait to see you next year for another FANTASTIC Reach the Beach Nationals!

Not only does having great sportsmanship positively affect everyone involved, many competition producers actually REWARD teams for having great sportsmanship with a Superior Sportsmanship award! By awarding sportsmanship trophies, plaques, and banners to display, we hope that you are reminded every time you step foot in your cheer gym or facility that you have proven ability to positively encourage others through your attitude and actions, and that you continue to do so at every possibility.

Here are a few tips to ensure that you are portraying sportsmanlike conduct at all competitions:

- Smile, make eye contact, and acknowledge others in passing- There are hundreds of opportunities at every competition to make someone smile just in passing. Smile, make eye contact, and say “Hi!” or “Good Luck today!” Simple acknowledgement will make people remember you and the uniform you’re wearing.

- Compliment someone from another team on their choice at a vendor or retail booth- “Wow, I really like that bow you picked out!” is so easy to say to someone standing next to you while you’re both looking at things to buy. It will make her feel good, and she will think of you (and the team you’re associated with) in a positive light!

- Clap for your competitors when they get on and off the mat, or when their team is announced at awards- You may not WANT to because they’re your competition, but it doesn’t take much effort, and it won’t change the outcome of the scores, so be courteous and applaud your competitors before and after they put their heart and soul out there on the mat. You’d appreciate it if they did it for you too!

- Hold the door for someone and smile while doing it- It’s that simple…people just want to be acknowledged that they’re there. Holding the door for someone is a VERY easy, nice gesture.

- Say Good Luck!- Every cheerleader getting ready to compete has the same jitters in the warm-up room, so make sure you’re smiling and saying good luck to everyone! It’ll make you all feel a little more at ease!

- AVOID speaking negatively about other teams or other teams’ skills- Putting others’ skills or appearance down does not make yours any better, so don’t verbally bash others- ESPECIALLY in public where many others can hear you. They are doing their best, and so are you, and whoever scores better is the winner- so negative energy is a waste!

- AVOID public temper tantrums that may occur as a result of a perceived unfair score or placement- the judges scored fairly as they saw it, and your coaches receive feedback and recommendations for things to work on so you can be in that top spot next competition!

Thanks for being such GREAT sports, and continue to stay positive. After all, that’s our JOBS as cheerleaders!!

1) Eyeshadow stickers- All the sparkle, NONE of the mess! These sticky eyeshadow looks are a new style becoming bigger in the cheerleading world, because cheerleaders can get the same on-stage glam look as applying lots of glitter, but they’re hypoallergenic, they’re easy to apply, they come out perfectly every time, and they take a fraction of the time to put on!

2) Pink Lipstick- Thank you, Nicki Minaj! Teams are starting to go more Barbie or Bubblegum on their lips rather than Cherry. Pink is not only a huge fashion trend in the market right now, but it’s more youthful, more edgy, and it looks cuter!

3) Unique uniform cut-outs- You’ve already seen them all over the place, but cut-outs aren’t going anywhere for now! They’re fun, flirty, and create a totally unique look to uniforms that everyone will be talking about. Get those clear bra straps ready for competition day!

4) BIG bows with Rhinestones- As everyone can tell, the bow market has gotten HUGE in every sense of the word. With all of these busy, sparkly, shiny spandex uniforms, bows can get too intricate and clash with the designs out there today. Try a BIG, plain colored bow with rhinestone embellishment! You can get pretty much anything in rhinestones, whether it be a star, your team’s logo or symbol, or even your team’s name!

5) A Uniform for Each Competition Day- It started out as a college nationals thing, but it’s a great way for your team to show originality! You don’t need to switch the ENTIRE uniform as that can get very expensive, but it keeps the fans surprised and engaged to sport a different look on day 2! Try wearing the same top and switching from skirts to shorts for different performances, or switching out hairstyles and bows!

6) Tracksuit Warm-Ups- Instead of those swishy sounding, oversized warm-ups, go for a more clean, form fitting, tracksuit type look! They’re very popular now among teams, and keep with the trend by blinging them up with a metallic or rhinestone version of your team’s name or logo!

7) Team Nicknames- Large programs have had different names for their teams for years, but programs are now starting to shorten those names so they can be easily incorporated into uniforms, voice overs, and more! For example- Top Gun i5 (International Coed Level 5), World Cup Odyssey (Big O), and Louisville Smoed (Small Coed). Use your team’s name to think of a cute, fun nickname to incorporate into your routine and brand as your own!

8) Classic Pop/Rock/Dance Songs- Tired of hearing the same Kesha, Lady Gaga, Beyonce songs in competition routines? Nix ANYTHING that you’ve heard on the radio in the past 2 years in your music selection! Try doing something different: ONLY pick songs that come from the years that your team members were born in. There’s plenty of awesome songs out there that are 10, 15, even 18 years old that are guaranteed to get the judges excited, because they’re songs they grew up with, but haven’t heard in years!

9) Multiple-Angle Connecting Jumps- Want to max out your score? STOP with the pike jump, pause, triple toe touch! The skills are getting harder, so keep your jumps up to par. Try a front hurdler, pike, toe touch combination, but connect all the jumps and force your athletes to turn their bodies as they swing. It’s harder, but it’s the new way to max out your jumps and difficulty scores!

10) Front and Back Walkovers- Many squads are so concerned with putting difficulty into their routines that they forget about the basics. Front and back walkovers are cute transitional elements, and they also will get you a higher score if you connect them to the beginning of a difficult tumbling pass.

11) Full Squad Running Tumbling- It may be hard to get full squad tumbling on one mat with over 20 people, but get creative! A simple Power hurdle roundoff- something pass at any level will max out a team’s score if the whole team (or it appears that the whole team) does it with synchronicity. A criss cross or a square formation always has a good visual look!

12) Long, Transitioning Pyramids- Pyramids are getting more and more amazing, with all of the flips, twists, transitions, etc. Of course keep everything level- appropriate, but try some interesting transitions and hit at least 3 different body positions in your pyramid. Also, try to switch the flyers from the inside to the outside, and vice versa- it shows versatility of your athletes!

Good luck to everyone in 2012!!

1) Focus on a single goal for now- We’re all SO eager to improve our lives in all different ways, but for your New Year’s resolution, focus on the MOST important one for now. When that’s accomplished, you can try to move on to a different one, but too many at the same time may be overwhelming. It’s hard enough to change ONE habit- imagine multiple!

2) Make your goal specific and concrete- It’s MUCH easier to attain a goal if you have some sort of measurement of success. You want to save money for something special? Figure out the total amount you want to save, and break the amount up weekly. Save exactly that amount each week, and you’ll get there! Looking to get a new skill? Give yourself a time frame you want to have it by. A big competition or try outs in April/May would be a great time to set your deadline.

3) Tell everyone you know- The more people that know, the more likely you are to keep up with your resolution. After all, you want to brag about how great you’re doing when friends ask- not disappoint everyone by telling them you gave it up.

4) Keep it written down someplace you will see it often- Keep the words concise, but write it down on a note and keep it somewhere that you see it often- next to your computer, on your phone background, on your planner, wherever. This will make you feel like the goal is official and you won’t break it.

5) Allow a cheat or a mess up every once in a while- I know that sounds contradictory, but if you mess up, be okay with it. It’s hard to keep up with for an extended period of time, but people often feel defeated if they mess it up once and then they quit. That’s the last thing you want. If you cheat one day, oh well! Get back on track and forget about it!

6) Reward yourself for your hard work with things that do not affect your resolution- If your goal is to lose 5 pounds by March, go buy a hot new top to reward yourself for getting there instead of indulging in ice cream and pizza for a night!

7) It doesn’t HAVE to start January 1st- If there’s a goal you’re excited about, but it won’t come until later on (perhaps you want to change an attitude or behavior come tryouts next season?), don’t let it stop you! Keep it in your mind and still follow the other steps, but make sure you’re ready for it when you say you’re going to start!

8) Keep a log for yourself- If you continue to write about your progress, you’ll realize how close you’re getting and you’ll want to keep going. Track your calories, keep a practice log for improving your skills, keep a balance of your bank account, etc!

9) Plan small celebrations for yourself- It’s easier to hit smaller goals, so schedule small goals within your big goal, and reward yourself when you hit them! If your full goal is to save $1,000 in 2012, reward yourself with something small every time you hit an additional $200!

10) WANT IT FOR YOURSELF- DON’T make a New Year’s resolution that you don’t want for yourself deep down, but maybe that someone else wants for you. It’ll just make you resent whatever it is you’re trying for, because you’ll think of it as a chore to please someone else rather than changing something that you’re passionate about.

HAVE A HAPPY 2012- AND MAKE A CHANGE FOR YOURSELF!

Sugar Lip Scrub

Who wants chapped lips in the middle of the winter? Nobody! Try making your own exfoliating lip scrub. You’ll need:

-1 teaspoon of sugar (brown may work better, but white is good too)

-1 or 2 drops of olive oil

Combine the oil and the sugar until it forms a gritty paste. Apply to your lips and massage gently for about 2 minutes. Wet a washcloth with warm water to remove the lip scrub. Apply your favorite lip balm to keep moisturized!

Peach and Honey Facial Mask

This facial mask will leave your skin SO smooth! You’ll need:

-1 large peach or nectarine, skinned

-3 teaspoons of honey

-2 tablespoons of plain yogurt

Mash the peach and the honey together, then add the 2 tablespoons of yogurt until the mixture is pasty. Pat over your face and neck, and lay down for about 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry, and add your favorite moisturizer or toner to finish up!

Eyeshadow Shimmer Lotion

Want to add a little sparkle to your skin for New Year’s Eve? Just crush up a shimmery eye shadow, dump it into your lotion bottle, and shake well. Gold and silver tones are best, but be creative and try other colors as well!

Natural Zit Remedies

Great- you got a pimple right before the Winter dance. Here’s some at-home tips to get rid of it!

Garlic- it’s known for antibacterial properties, so mash some up and leave on your zit for 15 minutes, then rinse off.

Honey and apple- Mash it up into a mixture and apply it to your acne spots, leave it on for about 15 minutes, and rinse off.

Tea Tree Oil- Dab it onto a pimple to help dry it out and kill bacteria.

Pineapple Puree- Puree pineapple, put in on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse off. This freshens your skin and also reduces acne marks and scars.

Mayonnaise Hair Conditioner

Use 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup, depending on the length of your hair. Spread the mayo and work it through your hair, then cover your hair and sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse and shampoo as usual to get softer, silkier strands!

Lemon Hair Shine

Mix the juice of one whole lemon with 1 cup of water. Pour it over your hair after you wash it, and leave it in. Style your hair or just let it dry and the lemon will not only smell fresh, but will add shine!

Thank you Recreational Cheerleading for helping us maintain healthy skin and hair, naturally! Recreational Cheerleading is now available by visiting reccheermagazine.com!

Happy Holidays!

]]> http://epicbrandsblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/dosomething-org-launches-4th-annual-tackle-hunger-campaign/ Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:00:30 +0000 epicbrandsblog http://epicbrandsblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/dosomething-org-launches-4th-annual-tackle-hunger-campaign/ DoSomething.org, Walmart, Cheer Channel, Feed America and Grammy Award Winning Rap Artist Nelly Motivate Teens to Collect Food This Holiday Season

NEW YORK, NY – November 17, 2011 – Hunger affects 1 in 6 Americans and 1 in 5 children. Today, DoSomething.org launched the 4^th Annual Tackle Hunger campaign, a national youth led food drive held annually during the holiday season. In a national Public Service Announcement (PSA), Grammy award winning rap artist Nelly urges teens to join together and collect 1 Million pounds of food during the eight-week campaign.

As an incentive for young people to get creative in reaching this goal, DoSomething.org will reward one drive with $100 education scholarships for each member of the drive.

“49 million Americans go hungry each year – that’s double the population of Texas,” said James Elbaor, DoSomething.org. “It doesn’t need to be this way, Tackle Hunger allows teens to make a difference.” DoSomething.org is pumped to bring on new media partner Cheer Channel on this important campaign. “Cheerleaders are well-known for their enthusiasm and dedication to giving back to the community”, said Lance H. Robbins, President of the CC. “We anticipate a great response, especially with the support of leading cheer event producers such as Epic Brands, that will spread the word utilizing the PSA video and banner ads at their competitions”.

“No one deserves to go hungry,” said Nelly. “That’s why I joined up with DoSomething.org to get teens to ride with me and make a difference this holiday season.”

For this year’s campaign, Walmart has teamed up with DoSomething.org to continue supporting this important issue. “Walmart and the Walmart Foundation made a $2 billion commitment through 2015 to hunger relief efforts in the U.S, we’re proud to sponsor this campaign.” Says Julie Gehrki, Walmart Foundation

And once again DoSomething.org has joined forces with Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, to help spread the word about this issue.

“We are thrilled once again to be working with DoSomething.org on this very important campaign,” said Paula Thorton Greear, Feeding America. “The more people know about this issue, the more support we will have in helping fight hunger in America.”

To learn more, go to www.dosomething.org/tackle-hunger.

ABOUT DOSOMETHING.ORG:

We love teens. They are creative, active, wired…and frustrated that our world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a real impact and doesn’t require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.

ABOUT WALMART FOUNDATION:

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org.

ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA:

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

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 Want to help???

Media Contact:                       

Lauren Kelcher

Sunshine Sachs

Kelcher@sunshinesachs.com

212.691.2800

Inexpensive Gift Exchanges are very popular among teams, so why not spice it up a little! Here’s a list of 10 thinking-outside-the-box gift exchange ideas!

1) White Elephant- Each team member must bring a gift at a set dollar amount. Team members then pick a number out of a hat, and the numbers represent the order that people pick their gift. The person who draws 1 picks a gift and unwraps it, then the next person goes. The second person may either steal the first person’s gift (in which case the first person chooses again) or may choose a new gift. Continue around until the whole team has a gift! Keep in mind, anyone’s gift can be stolen at ANY time!

2) Create a gift theme- Pick something that you can all relate to, and each person has to bring a gift that is related to the theme chosen!

3) The Game Exchange- Each team member brings a party game to play, and the team tries to play every game for one round throughout the night!

4) Name Exchange- Each team member picks a person out of a hat, and they must bring a gift that starts with the same letter as the person’s name!

5) Name Exchange 2- If you have a larger budget or want to expand the Name Exchange, each person must create a gift bag of gifts, one for each letter in the person’s name that they are buying for!

6) Mr. Left and Mrs. Right Exchange- Each team member brings a wrapped gift and everyone sits in a circle, starting with their own gift. Coach then creates a story about “Mr. Left and Mrs. Right”, but cannot use the two names the same number of times in the story. When coach is reading the story, pass the gift to the left each time Mr. Left is mentioned, and to the right each time Mrs. Right is mentioned. The team members open the gift in their laps when the story is finished!

7) Bow Exchange- We ARE cheerleaders, after all! Since fancy customized bows are so in right now, why not give them as gifts? Each team member makes their own bow however they choose, wraps it, and then the team can play any gift exchange game to give them out. This way, everyone gets the same gift, it’s inexpensive, and it’s something EVERYONE will use!

8) Trivia Game- Make up trivia questions about whatever your team chooses as the theme. The players must raise their hands to answer, and the first person to answer each question correctly picks their gift and is out of the game. Make sure you have more questions than there are players, and make sure the questions are of varying difficulty!

9) Hot Potato Game- Everyone sits in a circle, and one or two gifts are tossed around the circle at a time. Play a Holiday song, and stop it at a random time. The person with the gift in their hand when the music stops opens that gift and is out of the game. Continue until all are finished!

10) Household Gift Exchange- Find something in your home that your teammates could ACTUALLY use. Wrap it up and give it out- it costs nothing, and it’s creative!

The EPIC Brands would like to share some of our favorite team holiday party ideas and activities!

Gingerbread House- Building Competition:

Break your team up into teams, and see how good your candy carpentry skills are!! There are gingerbread house kits you can buy, or have each member of the team pitch in to bring different ingredients needed to make the gingerbread house. Give the teams a time limit to build their house, and give a prize to the sturdiest, the prettiest looking, the most original design, best use of the team’s colors, or any other category you can think of! It’s a fun activity AND a tasty treat when it’s all done!!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Theme:

Standard, but ALWAYS fun!! The only time you’ll ask your grandma to borrow her clothes- Have your teammates come to the party in the most tacky Christmas/Holiday sweater they can find. Even if you don’t make a contest out of it, you’ll at least get a good laugh!

Holiday PJ Party:

Get comfy!! Great idea for a themed team night get-together. Wear holiday pajamas, drink hot chocolate, do a secret snowflake gift exchange, and even have a pillow fight!!

Decorate a Winter Hat or Scarf:

Have everyone bring a plain winter hat or scarf of their choice, bring some of your own ribbons, bedazzles, and sparkles, and go at it! Put all of your accessories in a community pile to share to diversify your options! Fun and easy hang out activity for your team!

Bow Decorating Party:

Have everyone bring their own ribbon spools, glitter, and gems, then throw into a pile to share! Easy to make, and can be used as a Christmas tree decoration or to wear! Make it more interesting- everyone picks a name out of a hat to give their bow to as a gift at the end of the night!

Want to make it a game? Play pass the bows! Split the team up in half, stand in a line, and each team keeps their own bows. At one end of the line place the bows and at the other end have a table or stool where they can place the bows. Have each player hold hands with the person next to them. As soon as the game starts, the teams must pass all the bows down to the one end and place them on the table or stool without letting go of each other. Once all bows are at the end, start passing them back to the front of the line.

Note: If a bow falls, players must retrieve while still being connected; if the chain breaks, all the bows currently being passed must move back to the beginning of the line. (Either the front – initial starting point or the table / stool – the half way point.)

Teddy Bear Dressing Party:

Do something great for your community- make some teddy bears to donate to childrens’ charities for the holidays! Break into teams and split the cost of supplies. Then get together as an entire team and spend some time decorating and dressing the bears. Donate them after you’re done as gifts for children in need- they’ll be greatly appreciated!

Need help finding a place to donate your bears? Toys for Tots has donation locations all throughout the US, but try searching the web for toy donations in your area if you’re looking for something a little more catered to your community as well!

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating:

A fun activity to do as a team- coach or team mom bakes all the cookies, and the kids decorate! Get icings, sprinkles, and candies, and have a good time! Simple, quick, and yummy!

Reindeer Hunt Game:

Buy 9 small stuffed reindeer (one needs to be Rudolph!) and hide them throughout the house/gym/ wherever the team party is taking place. Set a time limit, have the kids search, and the first ones to come up with the reindeer win a prize! The top prize goes to the person who finds Rudolph!

Holiday Cookie Exchange:

Everyone bakes a batch of cookies (enough to give one to each teammate, of course!) and at the get-together, swap cookies! Make sure to bring some home, though- 15+ cookies in one night won’t be so easy on the stomach!

Christmas (or Hannukah!) Carol Karaoke:

Who doesn’t love karaoke?!?! Choose a list of holiday favorites and do a karaoke contest amongst your teammates!

We hope you can use these ideas to spread some holiday cheer around your team this year!! Happy Holidays!!!

We chose to help WBF because of their direct relationships with the teens and young adults who have been diagnosed with all forms of cancer. Supporters often give to organizations and don’t know what happens with the donations, but at WBF, they can see the faces of those that receive their help. WBF also encourage these warriors to give back by sharing their stories, so they can teach their peers to be aware of the possibility of cancer at a young age, and society eventually can see a reduction in late detection of cancers such as melanoma, breast cancer, testicular cancer, sarcomas, and lymphomas occurring in teens and young adults. These lessons, however, go beyond awareness- on to inspiration.

A particularly inspiring story is by a 15-year-old Maryland girl named Courtney, depicted right. She was a competitive gymnast, when one day at practice she fell and twisted her ankle. In the process of doctors addressing her ankle, she was given a MRI of her brain, which unveiled the true reason for her fall- a rare brain tumor. At 14, Courtney was diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma, and she underwent immediate surgery that unfortunately damaged her left arm and leg, but allowed her to live. She then went through chemotherapy and radiation several times, spending 2010 battling her illness and attempting to return to her normal life of hanging out with her friends, doing her hair (actually she was excited just to have hair!), and going back to school. In 2011, these simple everyday activities became realities for her. Courtney’s positive spirit and attitude were unstoppable, and that continues for her today. With the help of her physical therapist, her goal to run again is getting closer every day. Journeys like Courtney’s tell us to appreciate the ability to compete as a healthy athlete, and that a healthy day deserves 110% presence and effort.

It is imperative that you, the young athletes, take care of yourselves, and this begins with an attitude in your early years! Please join the EPIC Brands and We Believe Foundation in raising awareness by cheering in honor of someone affected by cancer this year! To find out how to help with the We Believe Foundation, please visit http://www.MillerStrong.com!!

The truth is, cheerleaders are true athletes and should be treating their bodies as such. There are tons of healthy, nutrient-packed alternatives to sugary candy that can provide energy and keep you feeling full for an extended period of time, which not only keep you energized, but also keep you looking and feeling great in your uniforms!

Way before getting on the floor

Eat a meal packed with carbohydrates. Whole grain breads and oats, vegetables, and fruits are perfect for a pre- competition meal. The carbohydrates break down to glucose in the body, which your muscles use for energy over an extended period of time.  Carbohydrates also help you feel fuller for longer, so you will not get the urge to eat another sugary snack an hour later. Looking for something that kids will love? Try a peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole grain bread. It’s packed with protein and fiber from the peanut butter, potassium and carbs from the banana, more carbs from the bread, and it’s sweet- but it’s not candy, and it’ll keep you full!

Some other healthy options:

-Oatmeal

-Not-so-sugary cereal (Opt for Kix instead of Reese’s Puffs for now!!)

-Whole wheat toast, English muffin, or bagel with peanut butter

-Baked Potatoes; or even better, baked sweet potatoes

-Apple

-Blueberries

-Oranges

Slightly before getting on the floor

DRINK WATER, AND THEN DRINK SOME MORE WATER! Water is the best thing to rehydrate and replenish your body throughout the day, and it also keeps your muscles hydrated and strong. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half a cup of water for every 20 minutes you’re exercising. Water also keeps you feeling full. If you’re in need of a mid- competition snack, go for something pretty small that will re-charge your energy.

Some healthy options:

-Granola bars (Just make sure to check the labels- some granola bars have almost as much sugar as candy bars!)

-Carrots

-Celery with peanut butter

-Nuts (Cocoa and cinnamon roast almonds now come in convenient 100-calorie packs- sweet AND nutritious, with only 1 gram of sugar per pack!)

-Apples

-Dried fruit- raisins, dried apricots, etc.

After you rocked it out

DRINK MORE WATER! If you want to, now is also your time to drink something that can replenish the salt and fluids you lost while sweating on the mat. Opt for a sports drink that replaces electrolytes and has 120 mg of sodium or more. You can also replace the salt by eating foods such as pretzels and peanuts, and this is the time you’ll want to eat protein such as meat, dairy, or fish. Go out to eat with your family and treat yourself for a job well done, but don’t go overboard- get your nutrients first!

So, drop the pixy stix and red bull, and get into the habit of eating fuel-boosting foods at competitions. You’ll thank yourself when you perform at and look your best!

According to us at the EPIC Brands and many top judges in the industry, the best routine is the one that combines great level-appropriate skills with energy and enthusiasm, but is also the CLEANEST. Since cheerleading is ever reaching new heights of difficulty of skills that are being performed, we must keep in mind that the most difficult skill wins, but ONLY if it is coupled with flawless execution!

We know you want to show off your ability to max out your level’s skills and score the maximum points, but take a step back! Before performing this awesome new skill, think to yourself- am I confident this will stick? If you’re at practice and the skill is only hitting half the times you try it, then there’s a 50% chance that it WON’T hit in competition.

Deductions from bobbles and falls may actually subtract more points than a more difficult skill adds. It’s the difference between scoring an 8.5 for your difficulty and hitting it flawlessy, making the routine look GREAT, or maybe scoring an 8.9 for your difficulty but deducting 1 point off of your TOTAL score because of a bobble- or worse, 2 points off for a fall!

It’s early in the season, so you have time to practice and show off your more difficult skills next competition. A clean, well-executed routine is the safest and best approach to any competition. Plus, hitting a GREAT routine the first time around feels AWESOME!

Now get out there and HIT your routine!

The EPIC Brands staff has developed some great new products and concepts this season to add to our collection of awesome events, production, and awards. We are pleased to offer Cheer MixALot, our music mix brand, for those looking for AWESOME custom routine music mixes at great prices, as well as our EPIC Gear retail brand for stylish EPIC cheer gear and event shirts, and our free EPIC Rewards program that gives you what you want- SAVINGS! Stay tuned for other great brands emerging throughout the 2011-2012 season!

Our social media and web presence is widely expanding, thanks to a new Facebook fan page for Surfy and a new EPIC Brands website! Visit www.facebook.com/ReachtheBeach to enter Surfy’s contests and keep up to date on cheer news, and be sure to enter our photo contest for your chance to be the program’s COVER photo of the EPIC Brands event your team is attending. Log on to www.theepicbrands.com to find information on EPIC brands event schedules, registration, forms, news, sponsors, and more!

Stay tuned for weekly updates about the EPIC Brands and various cheerleading topics here on our new blog! To contact us at the EPIC office, e-mail customerservice@theepicbrands.com or call us at 877-322-2310.

Cheers!

All cheer programs should have an EAP on file. Have an EAP for every place you practice, perform, or stay overnight. Plan what to do after an emergency occurs–where to meet, how to exit the building, who takes roll, etc. Have a specified meeting place in case of fire or other evacuation. Have a written plan with staff/cheerleaders assigned for each role. Distribute the plan to staff,  cheerleaders, and parents and post in a highly visible area. Practice the EAP on a regular basis and document your practices. Review the plan regularly to ensure its accuracy and usefulness in current situations and revise as needed. For more information, visit AACCA‘s site for sample EAP’s, additional resources, and a video describing the process for developing an EAP.

A Public Appearance Form is a great tool to ensure everyone knows the what, where, and when of the event. Whether the appearance is a parade, a store opening, exhibition performance, or charity event, this form will keep everyone on track. Pre-planning may include dress rehearsals, checking availability and quality of sound systems, and publicity. During the organizational process, make contact with the event’s director, determine which squads will be involved and which coaches will be needed. Know well in advance what is expected of your group and practice/plan accordingly. Keeping safety in mind, determine if any limitations or obstacles exist and work to minimize them. Complete a Planner form and distribute to all involved—staff, cheerleaders, parents. The form should include the following:

• date of the event
• location with map
• anticipated length of event
• pre-event meeting place
• pre-event meeting time
• uniform
• props/accessories needed
• post-event meetng/pick up location
• Routine/dance/material to be performed

Successful and safe program management is the goal of all coaches. Having a current EAP is a great tool to ensure the safety of your teams and staff. The Public Appearance Form is a handy organizational tool to inform cheerleaders and their families on the details for those community and charitable events that request  their attendance.

There is something so revitalizing in cleaning out closets. It’s a wonderful way to remind ourselves of what supplies we have and in what condition they are. It’s a great feeling to unburden our closets of things we no longer need or things beyond repair.  Most discount stores sell racks for hanging clothes which you can use for uniforms, warm up, jackets, etc. Inexpensive bookcases can also be utilized for storage. Hanging shoe bags make great use of wall pace for cubbie-like storage. Maybe you have limited storage space. Use sturdy boxes or plastic bins, appropriately labeled, to store your supplies. While re-arranging and cleaning, remember to revise your inventory list. Having a functional, uncluttered cheer closet can make a big difference when you need to find cheer supplies quickly.

Getting paperwork organized can often be a daunting job, but it has to be done. As much as we like to promote “paperless” living, we know some documents must be printed and kept handy. Having a quality filing cabinet is a must. Whether for the school coach or the gym owner, invest in a sturdy cabinet–one in which the drawers slide easily and fully open and a cabinet that is fire resistant. Place the filing cabinet where it is handy to access so you will be more likely to use it. Use a label maker or a computerized label printing program to make file folder labels that are easily readable. You may want to specify drawers for personnel folders and drawers for business such as cheer vendors, competitions, etc. Keep a drawer(s) for archived folders. When cheerleaders leave your program, for whatever reason, have a place to archive their paperwork. If you have not already sorted through your 2010-2011 paperwork, this is a great time to clean out your files. At some point you may want to move archived paperwork to boxes that are clearly labeled and dated. You will want to check with your school system or attorney to see how long you are required to keep certain paperwork.

Organizing your cheer files and cheer closet will remind you of supplies to be purchased and document updates that need to be made. July is a great time to tackle these jobs. You will reduce potential opportunities for stress in the fall and have your paperwork in order. What could be better!

The cheer coach’s role in safety is multi-layered. It is important to remember that cheer safety does not refer specifically to cheer injuries or to rules. Cheerleading safety refers to all aspects of the cheer program–staff, facility, coaching philosophy, management, etc. Coaches are encouraged to participate in all available safety training for cheer. Taking one class is a good start, but it is imperative to continue coaches’ education.

Share coaches’ training history with parents, cheerleaders, and administrators and post all training certificates in prominent places in the facility. This includes CPR training, first aid training, AED training. Make this information public; including it in articles about the squad or gym is another opportunity to discuss safety measures already in place.

Have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for injuries, weather, and building evacuation and have a plan for each place the team practices, performs, or competes. Practice these plans regularly. Keep records of each emergency drill, names of participants, and notes from the drill.  Review and revise on a regular basis. Post copies of evacuation plans and emergency plans. Distribute copies to parents, cheerleaders, and supervisors. When the public walks into a cheer gym or classroom, they should immediately see the commitment to safety. 

If cheerleaders are transported by school bus or tour bus, have the drivers explain how to exit the bus in an emergency. Do this every time the squad steps onto the bus—just as the airline industry does for every flight. 

If the team or gym has a team website, devote a section to safety. This is another opportunity to display coaches’ training, EAPs, and other safety-related material. Sponsor first aid/CPR classes at the facility and encourage parents, cheerleaders and the community to become involved.

These suggestions and recommendations are already in place and practiced by many schools, gyms, and recreation squads.  We must make the public aware that these are standard safety procedures and are practiced daily in cheer programs.

Four core courses contribute to a comprehensive study of coaching cheerleaders. Each course includes a 3 1/2 to 4 hour discussion of the material followed by a test. Taught in classroom settings, the courses include a lively exchange of ideas and discussions on cheer-related topics with input from the coaches. These face-to-face situations combine education that is formal (NCSSE manuals) and education that is informal (learning from life experiences) as class participants contribute their insights.

The NCSSE courses include Cheer & Dance Coaching Principles and Ethics (legal issues, introduction to safety and risk management, ethics in coaching, injury prevention, heat-related issues and hydration), Program Management and Cheer Fundamentals (further discussions on safety & risk management, methods for running a safe program,  nutrition, specific instruction in jumps, motions, and cheer technique), Coaching Stunts & Tumbling I (step-by-step instructions for basic to intermediate stunts and tumbling skills, emphasis on proper progressions, detailed information about the coach’s role in stunting, and the roles of each person in a stunt group),  Coaching Stunts & Tumbling II (safety review, detailed instructions for intermediate to advanced stunts and tumbling skills with an emphasis on proper progressions).

Upon successful completion of the test for each course (80% or higher), a certificate is given to the course participant. Coaches under the age of 18 who complete the course work are given a certificate of attendance. For coaches who complete all four courses, an additional Master Level certificate is awarded indicating the completion of 16 hours of coursework.

The NCSSE’s philosophy is “Education–not just certification.”  The NCSSE is unique in the sense that coaches are encouraged to take all quality safety education programs. The notion that one or two safety courses is all a coach will ever need is contrary to accepted educational philosophy. Continuing education in the coaching field increases the knowledge base and skill base of a coach; it helps the coach formulate coaching strategies to teach cheerleaders new skills and safer techniques. Continuing education contributes to a coach’s persona as a professional.

NCSSE–a leader in safety education worldwide.

It’s the Academy Awards of the Spirit Industry! From “Best Spirit Apparel Catalog/Brochure Design” to “Best New Product or Service,” from ”Best Lighting, Sound and Set Design” to “Best Philanthropic Initiative” and many more, peers are recognizing peers for raising the standards of excellence, professionalism and innovation in all areas of the Spirit Industry.  The 2008 Spirit Industry Awards were presented at an exciting gala at the InterContiental Hotel in Chicago, IL  on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. 

 2008 Competition and Camp Company Awards Recipients

Best Printed Promotional Piece
To recognize innovative and creative print design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, flow of information, comprehensive content and clarity.
UPA–Americup 08 Event Program

Best Use of Lighting, Sound and Set Design
To recognize exceptional event staging and presentation for a competitive cheer/dance event.
The Coastal Corporation–Battle at the Capitol Nationals

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
JAMfest–jamfest.com

Best New Product or Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product or service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Spirit Cheer–Crazy Leg Stilt Walkers

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
COA Cheer and Dance–Monopoly Gameboard Ad

Best TV Show
To recognize innovative and creative televised cheer or dance competition with emphasis on content, graphic appeal, entertainment value and overall production quality.
USASF – Cheerleading Worlds

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Margie Willis

2008 Affiliate Company Awards RecipientsBest Spirit Industry Periodical Issue

To recognize comprehensive, balanced, and creative coverage of the spirit industry with sound journalistic principles and emphasis on both editorial excellence and visual appeal.
Inside Cheerleading –July/August 2008 Issue

Best Spirit Apparel Catalogue/Brochure Design
To recognize innovative and creative print design of a uniform/apparel catalogue/brochure with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, and visual creativity.
Spirit Innovations

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
Nfinity Shoes–nfinityshoes.com

Best New Product
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Core Athletics–Back Hand Spring Machine

Best New Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Nfinity–Nfinity Nation

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
Pyra—“Stunt Doubles”

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Debbie Bracewell 

To recognize comprehensive, balanced, and creative coverage of the spirit industry with sound journalistic principles and emphasis on both editorial excellence and visual appeal.
Inside Cheerleading –July/August 2008 Issue

Best Spirit Apparel Catalogue/Brochure Design
To recognize innovative and creative print design of a uniform/apparel catalogue/brochure with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, and visual creativity.
Spirit Innovations

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
Nfinity Shoes–nfinityshoes.com

Best New Product
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Core Athletics–Back Hand Spring Machine

Best New Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Nfinity–Nfinity Nation

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
Pyra—“Stunt Doubles”

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Debbie Bracewell

To recognize comprehensive, balanced, and creative coverage of the spirit industry with sound journalistic principles and emphasis on both editorial excellence and visual appeal.
Inside Cheerleading –July/August 2008 Issue

Best Spirit Apparel Catalogue/Brochure Design
To recognize innovative and creative print design of a uniform/apparel catalogue/brochure with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of use, and visual creativity.
Spirit Innovations

Best Website
To recognize innovative and creative web design with emphasis on graphic appeal, ease of navigation, clarity and comprehensive content.
Nfinity Shoes–nfinityshoes.com

Best New Product
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new product that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Core Athletics–Back Hand Spring Machine

Best New Service
To recognize innovation and creativity in a new service that has changed or enhanced the industry or represents a fresh approach to an old idea.
Nfinity–Nfinity Nation

Best Ad
To recognize innovative and creative print ad design with emphasis on graphic appeal and clarity of message.
Pyra—“Stunt Doubles”

Leadership Award
To recognize an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the SITA organization.
Debbie Bracewell

2008 Merit Award Recipients

Best State Association
To recognize outstanding accomplishments, significant growth, philanthropic programs, scholarship support, professional outreach, and/or creative contributions to the spirit industry by a state coaches association.
Golden State Spirit Association

Best Coaches Conference
To recognize excellence in teaching, diversity and quality of course offerings, adjunct certifications, strength of presenters, social offerings, scope of exhibitors, and opportunity for professional growth at a coaches’ conference.
National Coaches Conference–CheerCon 25th Anniversary

Best Philanthropic Initiative
To recognize exceptional community and/or global outreach by a company who services the spirit industry for the purpose of improving quality of life and/or addressing specific human need.
COA Cheer and Dance–CHEERforLIFE/DANCEforLIFE Ronald McDonald House

Best Competition Event Venue
To recognize an event venue that provides clients one of the most comprehensive and flexible competition event facilities, and it also recognizes the enthusiasm and dedication of the venue staff who provide customer service of the highest standard.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Florida)

Spirit Industry Collaboration Award
To recognize excellence, innovation, creativity and/or accomplishment by a group of two or more spirit industry companies that worked jointly on a common goal or project.
The Australian Project–Nfinity Shoes, Core Athletics, AdPro, Pom Express, Rockwood Jewelry, Power Pows
AND
The JAM Rewards
JAMfest, COA, America’s Best, GSSA, Great Lakes, Coastal Corporation, Spirit Innovations, Power Consulting, Spirit Ready Sportswear, Aloha Spirit