With last week’s elementary football camp concluded, Bulloch Academy is now giving local cheerleaders a week in which to prepare for the upcoming season.

            Throughout this week, girls ranging from rising kindergarteners to rising 5th graders are gathering in the BA gym for exercises, instruction and a chance to learn new cheerleading skills.

            “We think this is a great chance for girls to learn,” said Kim Burnette, Bulloch Academy junior varsity coach. “(varsity coach) Kem Dennard and I do this together and every year has gone great.”

            “I like learning cheers,” said kindergartner Sophie Strickland. “I came here last year and had fun, and I like the exercise.”

            Since the camp caters to such a young group, the basics and fundamentals of cheerleading are covered.

            For campers that are interested in participating on a cheerleading squad, BA offers opportunities for girls of almost any age. K-4 through 1st graders can participate in the Pom-pom Girl program while the Gator Girls go from 2nd through 5th grade.

            “We cover a lot of things,” said Burnette. “All of the girls go through basic skills. We all learn some cheers and chants, and some of the older girls will learn a pom-pom routine.”

            Even for those who are not sure about cheering in the fall, the camp offers a fun and exciting way to spend the week.

            “There are a lot of games being played,” said Burnette. “The main focus is to have fun, and we know that this can help some parents out that are busy with work during the day.”

            Assisting in the instruction of the 30 campers in attendance are members of the Lady Gators’ cheer squads. The girls walk through different stretches and moves with the campers and entertain them during breaks in the action.

            “I think it’s a good experience for them to be able to come out and learn,” said rising freshman Caroline Burnette. “This is the first time that I’ve been teaching at a camp instead of attending. It’s a lot of work, but a lot of fun.”

            While cheerleaders see a lot of violent collisions on the sidelines of football and basketball games, cheerleading also can be a dangerous endeavor. With many girls performing at once and lots of jumping, kicking and – at higher levels – tossing going on, it is easy for accidents to occur.

            To combat that, the camp’s instructors make safety a top concern.

            “We show them how to stretch, and we’re always careful about the drills,” said Caroline Burnette. “Stunting can be dangerous. We don’t really do that with the younger girls, but it’s something that you teach just so everyone knows how to do it right.”

            This week’s camp will continue through Thursday, and the Pom-Pom Girl and Gator Girl teams – as well as the JV and varsity squads – will form at the beginning of the school year.

            Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.