Cheerleading sticker shock

[Vdubchaos]

So my daughter is a freshman in high school and wanted to do Cheerleading "all of the sudden".

As a father, and one of a European decent (read, there is no such a thing as Cheerleading outside of this country)....I was not too happy. However, if it's something she wants to do I let that be her choice/swallowed the pill.

So she made the team and my wife just came back from "parent meeting" with a list of things they will need. Keep in mind this is public school (not private). Clearly they were overcharging for silly crap, but it wasn't even that, just sheer amount of stuff they need?

Basically, they expect $720 for everything ("first time"). My wife said she almost fell off the chair/was appalled. She said all the mothers/parents took it like it's a "no big deal" and started writing checks etc.

Must be nice.

Anyways, there is no way in hell we are paying that BUT it's within my daughters power to get this money (which should be a nice motivator). She has a choice to make this happen by babysitting neighbors kids/doing yard work etc and possibly allowance.

Anyways, since I'm completely ignorant about this cheerleading thing. Why is it SO expensive? Is this just a "location" thing (we live in middle class town I guess). Also wanted to get an idea if other schools charge similar rates?

We should see how bad she wants to do it (based on her actions in coming weeks with work hehe)

 

[dank69]

Newsflash: Raising kids is expensive. $720 for uniforms and travel expenses? Be happy she isn't playing the cello. Write the check, cheapskate.

 

[jaedaliu]

Sports (cheerleading is run in a similar way) at the high school level cost a lot of money. There's also "voluntary" donations to the booster club. Stuff like that.

My parents didn't have the money, so they let me participate for a much lower than normal fee (think it was ~$100 for a sport in 1995)

 

[LookBehindYou]

Ouch. I don't feel so bad after writing a $250 check for my son to play peewee football now.

Is this one of those cheerleading squads that does all of the competitions and stuff too? If so, that's probably why. I'd be getting ready for volunteering a bunch if I were you. Though maybe they don't make people do the volunteer work and just give the higher cost. That's what happened with the football team for my son, used to be cheaper and they did fundraisers but now they just make you pay and no fundraiser.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Newsflash: Raising kids is expensive.

I have 4 kids.....and no, raising kids is NOT expensive.

Depends on what your idea of raising kids is. Cheerleading does NOT fall into "raising kids" for us....hehe

And no my daughter does not have a Smartphone either (probably the only kid in the whole school without it)......tough shit, our society SUCKS

$720 for uniforms and travel expenses? Be happy she isn't playing the cello. Write the check, cheapskate.

My brother's wife is a famous cello player and if you are good you get "million dollar" cellos for free (given to you).

She was born/raised in communist country during "$20 a month average wages".......

Anyways, I doubt she cares enough for Cheerleading to get her ass in gear and make this money. It's one of those "my friend is doing it so I want to as well" deals (I think). She was never into it before this year....

But who knows, we shall see how seriously she takes it.

 

[kranky]

I realized that cheerleading has become more of an industry than a school activity when someone opened a shop in a nearby town that sells cheerleading stuff. That's their business.

 

[lupi]

Hyou could look at a list for what the money is going to, but that amount doesn't surprise me, particularly the amount of non-mandatory expenses that schools have cut.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Hyou could look at a list for what the money is going to, but that amount doesn't surprise me, particularly the amount of non-mandatory expenses that schools have cut.

Tee shirts
Underlayment
practice pants/shirts
bunch of other BS.

If you guys want I can copy the list when I get home.....

I believe there was even a "Music cost" listed as $50

Some of the items are just fuckin silly.....but I understand NOTHING is free.

 

[momeNt]

I have 4 kids.....and no, raising kids is NOT expensive.

Depends on what your idea of raising kids is. Cheerleading does NOT fall into "raising kids" for us....hehe

And no my daughter does not have a Smartphone either (probably the only kid in the whole school without it)......tough shit, our society SUCKS



My brother's wife is a famous cello player and if you are good you get "million dollar" cellos for free (given to you).

She was born/raised in communist country during "$20 a month average wages".......

Anyways, I doubt she cares enough for Cheerleading to get her ass in gear and make this money. It's one of those "my friend is doing it so I want to as well" deals (I think). She was never into it before this year....

But who knows, we shall see how seriously she takes it.

I doubt his first cello was free. Also if your daughter becomes good enough she could eventually be a coach and actually get paid for her passion similar to being given free cellos. That possibility is equally as non-important as your brother's wife's free cello...

 

[purbeast0]

no cheerleaders in europe? maybe that's why you always see the hot chicks flashing their tits at soccer games. i'd take that over cheerleading any day!

 

[Vdubchaos]

I doubt his first cello was free.

It was, her family has a long history in classical music (in my country) and people help each other out.

Her current cello is over million (gift as well) and my bro has to book a separate plane seat + insurance when they travel.

Also if your daughter becomes good enough she could eventually be a coach and actually get paid for her passion similar to being given free cellos. That possibility is equally as non-important as your brother's wife's free cello...

She isn't very athletic (but she could be)

But correct, if it's something she enjoys/loves it can be a good thing. But we have limits on sports/things like this. $700 is about our YEARLY budget for things like this for ALL of our kids (4).

I might be able to chip in $100-200

But it will NOT be a free ride and she will have to put in effort if she really wants this. To be honest with you, even if I had the money I would make it that way too......its better that way.

I don't believe ANYONE can appreciate anything that's simply given to them.

 

[techs]

You could choose not to buy it for her and let her develop low self esteem and eventually end up in porn.

(wait til she tries that out on you)

 

[Vdubchaos]

You could choose not to buy it for her and let her develop low self esteem and eventually end up in porn.

(wait til she tries that out on you)

I'm actually proud of AT for taking 12 post for above sort of thing.

I was expecting 2nd or 3rd post

well done

 

[momeNt]

It was, her family has a long history in classical music (in my country) and people help each other out.

Her current cello is over million (gift as well) and my bro has to book a separate plane seat + insurance when they travel.



She isn't very athletic (but she could be)

But correct, if it's something she enjoys/loves it can be a good thing. But we have limits on sports/things like this. $700 is about our YEARLY budget for things like this for ALL of our kids (4).

I might be able to chip in $100-200

But it will NOT be a free ride and she will have to put in effort if she really wants this. To be honest with you, even if I had the money I would make it that way too......its better that way.

Well shame on you for not having a rich history in cheerleading!

If she works for it and you help out you A. teach her a lesson in stuff costs money, and B. you show her that you support her interests. So I like how you are approaching this situation.

 

[IronWing]

As much as cheerleading might cost, I'm glad that school taxes aren't being used to pay for it. Pay to play should be the rule for all extra-curricular activities.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Well shame on you for not having a rich history in cheerleading!

If she works for it and you help out you A. teach her a lesson in stuff costs money, and B. you show her that you support her interests. So I like how you are approaching this situation.

Thanks, I really appreciate that.

I just wish more parents would do this sort of thing.....my kids are surrounded by these spoiled kids....it's pathetic.

As much as cheerleading might cost, I'm glad that school taxes aren't being used to pay for it. Pay to play should be the rule for all extra-curricular activities.

Can't really disagree with that!!!

BUT if you look at other sport equipment like Hockey/Football or even baseball......I don't remember paying for ANYTHING during my high school years. So clearly tax money IS being spent on extra curricular activities.

 

[brainhulk]

The $720 includes prescriptions for the morning after pill the day after football games

 

[Atomic Playboy]

It was, her family has a long history in classical music (in my country) and people help each other out.

I don't believe ANYONE can appreciate anything that's simply given to them.

I like the shifting of attitudes. If someone gives you something, it's because people help each other out. If you're expected to give something, it's because people are gouging. "Sure, it's fine if it's coming my way, but don't expect any favors from me!"

Also, I'm pretty sure your sister-in-law would disagree with you about not appreciating something given for free. That is, if she actually got a cello for free and used it to kick off a successful career. I'm thinking she's probably grateful to this day.

 

[techs]

I'm actually proud of AT for taking 12 post for above sort of thing.

I was expecting 2nd or 3rd post

well done

I only came into the thread to read a similar reply. Imagine my shock when I didn't see one!

 

[shortylickens]

I realized that cheerleading has become more of an industry than a school activity when someone opened a shop in a nearby town that sells cheerleading stuff. That's their business.

Yup.

Sports used to be like that too, a long time ago.
Now its a business. And it sucks.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I realized that cheerleading has become more of an industry than a school activity when someone opened a shop in a nearby town that sells cheerleading stuff. That's their business.

That shop primarily caters to three groups of people, and none of them are actual cheerleaders; people looking for a costume for a party/Halloween, fetishists and porn studios. And there's probably a fair amount of overlap.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Pics of cheerleading daughter?

 

[Vdubchaos]

I like the shifting of attitudes. If someone gives you something, it's because people help each other out. If you're expected to give something, it's because people are gouging. "Sure, it's fine if it's coming my way, but don't expect any favors from me!"

Nobody gave me anything though.....what do you mean?

Also, I'm pretty sure your sister-in-law would disagree with you about not appreciating something given for free. That is, if she actually got a cello for free and used it to kick off a successful career. I'm thinking she's probably grateful to this day.

Well, she didn't get a million dollar cello for free at first. She got a regular one that was past on.

I'm sure she appreciates it, but the truth is, she would have to work few lifetimes to pay for the million dollar one. So in reality, I doubt she realizes what it would take to work for it.

If she did, I'm sure she would appreciate it MORE.

:biggrin:

 

[z1ggy]

VDub you live in the south western part of CT. It's expensive as balls the closer you get to NYC. $720 for cheerleading does sound a bit over the top, but when I played travel baseball in my teens, my parents paid $500 just for the summer. That money covered uniforms, any equipment, umpires and maybe some other misc. stuff.

For hockey, it was not even an issue to spend over 2k a year. It's insane, but hey, it's better than your daughter learning how awesome sex is right?

 

[jhbball]

My parents dropped $2000 a season for me to play ice hockey back in the day. Not including any equipment.