Choose the Right Program for Your Athlete

Not sure whether recreational or competitive cheerleading is the best fit? This guide will help you understand the differences and make the right choice for your family.

Quick Comparison Chart

Factor	Recreational	Competitive
Weekly Practice	1x per week, 1.5 hours	2x per week, 2 hours each
Season Length	September to May	July to May
Competitions	None	2-4 weekend competitions
Travel Required	No	Yes
Additional Costs	Minimal	Uniforms, Travel
Overall Cost	Lower investment	Higher investment
Skill Focus	Learning fundamentals at own pace	Performance-ready skill execution
Badge Program	Orange through Blue typically	Blue through Pink progression
Best For	Beginners, busy schedules, trying cheer	Dedicated athletes, competition goals

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Making Your Decision

Choose Recreational If:

• Your family has a busy schedule with multiple commitments
• You want to avoid weekend travel
• Your child prefers learning without performance pressure
• You’re looking for a lower financial commitment
• Your athlete wants to try cheerleading before fully committing
• A September to May schedule fits your family better

Choose Competitive If:

• Your family can commit to 4+ hours weekly from July to May
• Your child thrives on goals and performance opportunities
• You’re ready for the financial investment including tuition, uniforms, and choreography fees
• Your athlete wants deep team bonding through shared competition goals
• Your child is self-motivated and loves challenges
• You can accommodate summer practices starting in July