Throughout the years, cheer has gone from pom poms and bobby socks to a recognized sport, complete with competitions on the state and national level and rigorous training and conditioning. Even recreational cheer requires regular workouts and practices from participants. Whether cheer is a hobby or a passion, the NC-BGC Cheer Clinic is a can’t-miss for those looking to sharpen their skills and strengthen their foundation. The clinic is on Sunday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 421 Maiden Ln. There will be two sessions, Beginner and Intermediate. The beginners’ session will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will help those new to stunts and tumbling. The intermediate session starts from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will cover basic tumbling and stunting techniques. Registration is $50. At check-in, participants will complete registration and receive a cheer clinic t-shirt.
Camille Morgan is the name and talent behind the NC-BGC Cheer Clinic. A New York native and a new North Carolina resident, Morgan is a classically trained dancer, certified cheer/stunt judge, and youth and college-level cheer coach. This clinic will be her eleventh overall and second in North Carolina. Morgan has always had a passion for dance, but her path to cheer was not the conventional one.
“I am a classically trained dancer (ballerina). In my senior year of High School, I thought I wanted to be a kid, so I stopped dancing to experience what I thought I was missing. I quickly became bored, and my school did not have a dance team. Someone asked me if I could cartwheel and split, and I said yes. My cheer tryout complete, I became a high school cheerleader. It was fun and I am glad I did it but when I got to college it was back to the dance company,” she said. “One rehearsal, while we were sitting around, one of the other dancers was chit-chatting about cheer and I said I did it in high school. She asked if I would join the college team. I said not really but she was so nice and persistent that I joined the college team. That's when I found out it was a sport. We had practice for two hours, five days a week. We had six hours of required weight room time along with our game and event expectations. We were also required to have a 3.0 GPA.”
Her experience in college didn’t just spark a love for cheer but was a huge realization that cheer is indeed a sport, a concept she wants the world and local community to understand.
“Young women that participate in cheer are athletes, not just cute girls in skirts. It takes a lot of practice and strength and conditioning. The next time you see a young lady in a uniform, congratulate her for having the confidence and mental toughness to earn her spot,” Morgan said.
The cheer clinic will be a great opportunity for local cheer teams, school-based cheer programs, and individuals interested in learning from one of the best. The Dynamic Jewels, a local youth cheer team have already secured their spot and are revved up and ready to learn.
“I am absolutely thrilled for our Jai6 Dynamic Jewels performers to participate in the cheer clinic! This experience is not just about perfecting their cheerleading skills but also about embracing valuable life lessons. Through teamwork, perseverance, and dedication, they will learn how to overcome challenges and support one another, lessons that extend far beyond the cheerleading mat. Their involvement in the clinic will not only enrich their personal growth but also strengthen our community, as they bring their newfound enthusiasm and commitment back to inspire and uplift those around them,” said Dynamic Jewels Cheer Director, Dinesha Neal.
Morgan has a full day lined up. The cheer clinic will not only cover the physical part of the sport, but also the financial. For those looking to make cheer a career or take it to the collegiate level, there will be a session on what the next steps are.
“After a brief introduction, we will have warm-ups and then we will break into training areas: Tumbling, Stunt, Cheer Vocals, Stomp, and Shake and Dance. At the end will be a small awards ceremony and a discussion about the next steps into high school, college, and beyond. [We will discuss] Requirements, education and salaries, knowing your worth. [That will be] followed up with a quick Q&A and then dismissal,” she explained.
Registration can be completed online at https://bit.ly/4dFuNvr