REGISTRATION

How much is registration?

New cheerleaders: $325
Returning cheerleaders: $275 (or $250 if you do not need new shoes)
What does my registration fee cover?

Registration is designed to be as all-inclusive as possible and helps cover both your cheerleader’s gear and the overall cost of running the program.

For new cheerleaders, registration includes a personalized backpack, team jacket, uniform rental (shell/skirt), shoes, bows, and practice t-shirts.

For returning cheerleaders, registration includes a new team jacket (Fall 2026), new bows, new practice t-shirts, and uniform rental (shell/skirt). (If your cheerleader does not need new shoes or prefers to purchase them elsewhere, shoes may be opted out.) Additional items, such as a replacement backpack, will be available a la carte if needed.

At the end of each season, the organization sponsors squad celebrations and awards/trophies for each participant.

In addition to gear, registration fees also help cover important program and operational costs, including:

Insurance coverage for all cheerleaders and coaches
CPR training, background checks, and other required safety certifications for coaches
Facility rental fees
Game day supplies and expenses
Equipment replacement (including pom-poms)
General administrative and operational costs

Do you offer a discount if I am registering multiple children?

We do offer multiple participant discounts. Multiple participant discounts will be automatically calculated at checkout.

Do you offer financial aid?

SAYC believes that every child should be able to engage in the sport of cheerleading.  If seeking financial aid please complete registration, mark your request as indicated on the registration screen, then contact us about steps to apply for support.

Can I register online, but pay by check or cash?

Yes, you may pay via check. All checks can be made out to Sycamore Aves Youth Cheerleading and mailed to Sycamore Youth Cheerleading 9891 Montgomery Rd #175 Cincinnati, OH 45242. Please note that full payment must be received before we issue your child a uniform.

When will registration close?

Squads will close when they have reached the max capacity set by coaches and the organization; approximately 25-30 cheerleaders. Otherwise, registration will have a FIRM closing date of April 1st in order to ensure there is enough time to get every cheerleader the necessary equipment for the season.

Are there any additional fees after registration?

There will be optional opportunities to purchase additional Sycamore Youth Cheer spirit wear throughout the season as well as a few fundraisers. We thank you for your support!

Cheerleaders may also opt to participate in competition cheer. This is an additional fee and only available for grades 3rd-6th. You can indicate your interest in competition during registration and a more information will be sent.

Camp is an additional fee as well. K/1 and 2nd graders will pay $89 for a two-day 6 hour/day camp, and 3rd through 6th graders will pay $125 for a three-day 6 hour/day camp.

GENERAL

Who do we cheer for?

Sycamore Youth Cheer cheerleaders cheer for the Sycamore Youth Football teams during their fall football season.

When does the football season start?

The regular season football games that we cheer for begin in August and will run through the end of October. There is a chance of a few play-off games that will occur at the end of October early November. However, cheer practices will start at the discretion of your coach in June or July.

Is SYC sanctioned by Sycamore Community Schools?

No. SYC is its own entity. We are a non-profit & 100% volunteer organization, relying solely on the dedication and support of the families & businesses that support & sponsor our program.

How does SAYC select coaches?

Our team of volunteer coaches are hand-picked for their cheer experience and are trained in safety as well as how to effectively train and develop young athletes. You will hear from your coaches by the end of May. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Emily Pope at director@sycamoreyouthcheer.org.

How often are practices?

Squads typically practice evenings 1-2 days/week in the summer and may go down to once a week once school begins. Expect practices to be between 1-2 hours. Practice schedules, times and locations are planned and communicated by coaches.

Is there an attendance policy?

Attendance at all games and practices is mandatory. Cheerleading is a team sport, if your child misses practice or a game it will impact the rest of the team. We understand that illnesses and unexpected emergencies occur. If your child must miss a practice or game, please make sure to let your coach know in advance.

How many games are in a season?

There are typically 8-10 regular season games and a few play-off games after the regular season. Games will take place on Saturdays or Sundays August-October.

Where are games played?

SYC participants will cheer for both home and away football games. Locations for our local league opponents can be found on our Field Locations page. Home game locations for the 2026 season will be at Sycamore High School at their football stadium.

In what community events does SAYC participate?

SAYC participants will have an opportunity to participate in the City of Montgomery Independence Day Parade.

Is there a cheer camp?

Yes, there will be a cheer camp for our registered cheerleaders only. Camp gives our cheerleaders a chance to bond with their squad and work on cheer fundamentals.

We partner with the Universal Cheerleading Association. This is the same association Sycamore Junior High and Sycamore High School enlists for their cheer camps! UCA has been the leader in cheer camps and competitions for over 50 years. UCA trains over 180,000 cheerleaders every summer with over 3,200 sessions each summer, and we get to host them for our very own home camp!

Camp is an additional fee as our cheerleaders will be taught by UCA instructors.

UCA sends in their highly trained cheerleading instructors. The curriculum of camp is focused on mastering cheer fundamentals while having fun.

Our camp is a full day camp, 9am-3pm (see times and dates for each grade below). Instead of coming away with a few chants and sideline dance like prior years, cheerleaders will learn all about using cheer props (signs & megaphones), motion technique, jumps, dancing, putting together game day routines and we will start STUNTING!

We realize some may have out of town plans, or are registered for another camp, however, this is a priority for our registered cheerleaders.

2026 Camp Dates:

K/1 & 2nd grade squads: Thursday, June 25th and Friday, June 26th 9am-3pm at Sycamore Junior High. $89/participant.

3rd-6th grade squads: Monday, June 22nd - Wednesday, June 24th 9am-3pm at Sycamore Junior High. $125 per participant.

Is there a competition team?

Yes! For the 2026 season, we will be offering competition teams for 3rd–6th grade cheerleaders. Teams will be formed as 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade groups. Participation on a competition team is optional and requires a separate fee; more detailed information will be shared soon.

If your cheerleader is interested in joining a competition team, please indicate this during registration. We will follow up with a parent meeting and additional details before final commitments are made.

Competition teams typically attend 4–5 local competitions during the season, with competitions running from October through December. These teams begin practicing earlier than sideline teams, and practices are mandatory. Being on a competition team requires an extra level of commitment, dedication, and time compared to the sideline program—but it’s also a fun and rewarding experience for athletes who want to take their cheer a step further.

Can my child join the competition team only?

No, it is required to participate on our sideline teams if you want to join a competition squad.

What are the family volunteer obligations?

All families are required to complete a minimum of three (3) volunteer shifts during the season. Volunteer opportunities may include helping with uniform fittings and working game days (such as concessions, gates, or other game-day operations).

Cheer plays a huge role in supporting game day—alongside football, we help make game days run smoothly, and we rely entirely on parent volunteers to make this possible.

Volunteer sign-ups will be sent out later in the summer once the full game schedule is finalized. Your cheerleader is welcome to stay and help you during your shift—these opportunities are typically simple and straightforward, and we’ll make sure you know exactly what to do.

Please note: While the minimum volunteer requirement is three shifts, failure to complete at least two (2) shifts will result in loss of priority registration for the following season.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

If you have any additional questions you may contact our Director, Emily Pope, at director@sycamoreyouthcheer.org.