by JJ Greenstein, Counselor/Communications Specialist
As a new program at 6 Points this summer, a cheer-leading and dance major has been offered for the first two sessions. The major has been met with open arms by 18 female campers (six in the first session, and twelve in the second) for its inaugural summer
A staple of Jewish camping has always been ruach, or spirit, and this new program is exactly what 6 Points needed to give a boost to the already abundant amount of ruach displayed at camp everyday.
Some of the goals that the coaching staff has for their athletes are to improve flexibility, work on cardiovascular conditioning, and to bring spirit to the other majors at camp. “The focus of the major has been sideline cheer leading, like you would see at football or basketball games,” says Jordan Nathanson, a first year counselor and assistant coach for the major.
A solid coaching staff has allowed the athletes to excel and accomplish the goals set for them at the beginning of the summer. Head coach Ashley Henriquez cheered at Florida State University for three years, and was the captain of the All-Girl team her junior and senior year in Tallahassee. Her experience, along with her assistant coaches’ input, is the reason the program has been a success so far.
“As a new program, we’re starting with the basics- motions, chants, and dance. As the session develops, we will move on to the more advanced aspects of cheer,” added Nathanson.
As an innovator in sports and Jewish camping, it only made sense to add the cheer and dance program as a compliment to the already offered majors at 6 Points. After all, what are sports without cheer-leading?
Has your camper participated in the cheer-leading and dance major? What other programs would like to see added to the already offered 6 Points majors?
If you add a flag-football major, you will have my son begging to join his sister at 6 Points – and he will want to stay for all three session.
Thanks for the suggestion Tracy! We will take it into consideration.