Tryouts
- When are Tryouts? Where are Tryouts held?
- Tryouts are generally scheduled during the month of July. Please check the Upcoming Events page for the actual date, times, and locations for the Pre-Tryout Workshops and Tryouts.
- Is there a way for me to be notified when tryouts officially begin?
- Certainly! Submit this form and indicate that you are interested in being notified of Tryouts.
- How do I tryout for CHEER San Francisco?
- First, let us know you want to become a Performing Volunteer. We can then keep you informed of the next Tryouts and Pre-Tryout Workshops.
Attend at least one of the Pre-Tryout Workshops. In the Pre-Tryout Workshops, we teach all the material you need to know for the actual Tryouts, so attending more than one Workshop gives you more opportunity to perfect those skills.
Attend tryouts and dazzle us with your skills!
- What do I need to wear for Tryouts? What do I need to wear for the Pre-Tryout Workshops?
- Unless we ask you to do otherwise, wear a plain white T-shirt, black shorts, and tennis shoes for Tryouts. For Pre-Tryout Workshops, please wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothing suitable for physical activity and the venue; we do suggest that you avoid excessively baggy or bulky attire.
- What do I need to bring to Tryouts?
- A bright positive attitude and a winning smile! And the completed forms we provide during the Pre-Tryout Workshops.
Performing Volunteers
- Are you still looking for new Performing Volunteers?
- How old do I have to be in order to become a Performing Volunteer? Are there age requirements or limits?
- You need to be at least 18 years old to be a Performing Volunteer on CHEER San Francisco. Other than that, you only need to be able to withstand the physical rigors of performing; the upper age range of our current Performing Volunteers is the early fifties.
- Do I need to be able to tumble? What I if I can't execute a back handspring or standing back tuck summersault?
- If you can tumble, FAB-U-LOUS!!! If not, don't worry — not all our Performing Volunteers can.
- What prior experience do I need to have to be a Performing Volunteer?
- CHEER San Francisco isn't as concerned with what you've done in the past as much as what you can do. Previous dance, cheerleading, stunts, and gymnastics experience certainly helps, but so do dedication, attitude, and teamwork.
- How much does it cost to be a Performing Volunteer?
The Performance Uniform and other required Cheer Wear items cost approximately $450.00. Fortunately, we normally change the design of the Performance Uniforms once every four years, so the bulk of this is not an annual expense. College Cheer Camp prices can range from $129 to $265, exclusive of travel costs, depending on the venue and duration. More often than not, Cheer Camp expenses have been in the upper range because they were more than a couple of hours outside the San Francisco Bay Area, and included rooms and food.
CHEER San Francisco does not, at this time, require Volunteers to pay participation dues. Food, travel, and lodging out-of-town are usually paid out-of-pocket by each individual. Since CHEER San Francisco is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your costs as a Performing Volunteer are tax-deductible. We urge you to check with your tax consultant to verify any and all expenses that are tax-deductible.
- Are there other requirements to be a Performing Volunteer? What else is expected of a Performing Volunteer?
- You will need to commit to being active on the team for a minimum of one year. You are also required to read, and adhere to, the CHEER SF Handbook.
- If I am not invited onto the team as Performing Volunteer, how else can I contribute to the organization?
- When and where are Practices held?
- Mandatory Practices are Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to approximately 9:30pm or 10:00pm at Head Over Heels Gymnastics in Emeryville, with a Winter Break (usually just before Thanksgiving Day until after New Year's Day), and a short Summer Break (typically in July). Additional practices (non-recurring) may be deemed mandatory, with the time and location determined on a case-by-case basis. One such practice normally occurs on a weekend day in May, in preparation of our unveiling of our annual Signature Routine in June.
- Can I visit one of your practices?
- Absolutely. Please complete this form to arrange a date and time, and we will provide you with details of location and access.
- As a Performing Volunteer, what would be my time commitment outside of Practice?
- At the minimum, you will need to attend the mandatory performances and the mandatory non-performance events. Additional performances and events are encouraged (check Upcoming Events for a complete list).
- How many mandatory performances are required?
- This exact number of mandatory performances may change from year to year, and is listed in the current CHEER SF Handbook. They include, but are not limited to:
- Cal vs. Stanford Women's Basketball Game - January/February
- Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival - June
- San Jose Pride Festival - June
- Sacramento Pride Festival - June
- San Francisco Pride Prarade and Festival - June
- At least six additional performance events
- What other mandatory events are expected (fundraisers, competitions, etc)?
- At least one 440 Beer Bust (2nd Sunday of the month) or 440 Coat Check (every Friday and Saturday) fundraiser. Volunteers under the age of 21 will need to substitute another of the non-performance fundraisers.
- Macy's Passport In Store ticket sales.
- Until There's A Cure Day (UTAC) SF Giants game.
- At least two additional non-performance fundraisers.
- Is attending Cheer Camp mandatory?
- All first-year Performing Volunteers must attend the College Cheer Camp. Attendance is optional, although strongly recommended, for all other Peforming Volunteers.
- When and where is Cheer Camp?
- Please check the Upcoming Events page for the exact date and venue. In general, we select one with the following criteria:
- scheduled around the middle of August. This allows the first-year Performing Volunteers, after having attended Pre-Tryout Workshops and a few Practices, to have gotten enough of the basic physics and concepts of stunting to be able to build upon and refine those skills during Cheer Camp.
- least amount of weekdays affected. The majority of CHEER San Francisco participants work weekdays, so a Cheer Camp held Monday through Thursday would be more difficult to attend than one that is held Thursday through Sunday.
- proximity to the San Francisco Bay Area. For obvious reasons, Cheer Camp in Southern California can be easier and less expensive than one in the midwest or in the east coast.
- hosting company. Our preference is UCA.
Auxiliary Volunteers
- Are you still looking for Auxiliary Volunteers?
- CHEER San Francisco is always looking for individuals to volunteer and help out at our various events, parade, and festivals.
- How old do you have to be to become an auxiliary volunteer?
- You need to be at least 18 years of age to become an Auxiliary Volunteer with CHEER San Francisco.
- Do I have to go to Practice every week in Emeryville?
- No, but we would like it if you were able to come by once a month for an auxiliary meeting to check-in and keep up-to-date on current event and volunteering needs.
- Do I need to purchase a uniform?
- No, you do not need to purchase a full uniform, but we do ask that you purchase at least one CHEER SF T-shirt in Red, White and Black. You are also able to purchase any other CHEER SF CHEER Wear that you wish. All of these purchases are tax-deductible.
- What is the requirement to become an Auxiliary Volunteer with CHEER SF?
- We ask that you make the same one-year commitment as the Performing Volunteer and commit to all of the Mandatory events and as many Elective events as you are able to attend.
- Can I visit one of your practices?
- Certainly. Please complete this form to arrange a date and time, and we will provide you with details of location and access.
- Will I have to Dance or Stunt?
- No, Auxiliary Volunteers are not included in the dance or stunt routines, and you will not be asked to step in in emergencies. However, while you are marching with us during the parade, holding a spirit bucket at an event, or hanging out with the team, dance away!
Miscellaneous
- I'm not able to join as either a Performing Volunteer or an Auxiliary Volunteer; can I watch one of your practices anyway?
- Certainly. Please complete this form to arrange a date and time, and we will provide you with details of location and access.
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