CHEERY:The West Valley Junior Eagle Junior Pee Wee and Pee Wee cheer squads pose for a picture during cheer camp at the Redding Convention Center.

The West Valley Jr. Eagles co-hosted a youth Cheer Camp Aug. 2 and 3 at the Redding Convention Center.

The first day of camp was for coaches only and focused on how to coach and teach the art of cheer. Training covered safety tips and techniques, stunting, and cheer skills and is a requirement for all cheer coaches.

The camp instructors were from the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) which is made up of college or college graduate level cheerleaders from across the country. The UCA instructors teach cheer camps throughout the country, bringing their expertise to youth organizations, high school, and college squads.

Amy Karpinski is cheer coordinator and Kristie Turner is the co-coordinator of the West Valley Junior Eagles cheer program for 2008. Both are committed to ensuring all participants have a safe and rewarding season. New uniforms and stunts were part of the new and improved cheer program.

The second day of camp was for the girls — all 1500 of them — ranging from age 6 to 14. The 6-year-old girls will cheer for the newly formed Mighty Mite football teams.

Camp participants learned proper techniques for dance moves, motions, and stretching routines. Cheer and dance moves taught included the Liberty and the Elevator.

“I love cheer camp,” West Valley Cheer Coordinator Amy Karpinski said. “It is a time for the girls to bond with their fellow cheerleaders and develop friendship and trust with one another. This is very important, especially when it comes to stunting.”

Friendly competition during the camp included a jump off. The girls were judged while performing their favorite jump. Jr. Midget cheerleader Samantha Chaney of West Valley’s Jr. Eagles took home the medal for the best jump in her division. Jr. Pee Wee’s Madison Hastings and Meridian Enriquez, both Jr. Eagles, won their division.

As co-hosts, the West Valley Junior Eagles and the Orland Aztecs were responsible for the food for all the camp participants. Members of the Junior Eagles Board of Directors served lunch. The Sutter Jr. Huskies and Winters’ Jr. Warriors assisted in co-hosting the event by selling Cheer Camp t-shirts. Karpinski also pointed out that several of the West Valley Junior Eagles football players were supporting the cheer camp and helping out where needed.

All cheer squads involved in the camp are part of Northern California Federation of Youth Football and Cheer. Squads represented the North, Division 1 and Division 2 and South, Division 1 and Division 2. Girls cheer for the Mighty Might, Jr. Pee Wee, Pee Wee, Jr. Midget, and Midget football teams depending on their age.

North D-1 cheer squads were the West Valley Jr. Eagles, Enterprise Hornets, Chico Jaguars, Paradise Bobcats, Foothill Jr. Cougars, Red Bluff Jr. Spartans, and the Shasta Jr. Wolves.

North D-2 squads included the Anderson Wildcats, Central Valley Jr. Falcons, Corning Lions, Orland Aztecs, South Siskiyou Knights, Willows Coyotes, and the Yreka Chargers.

South D-1 cheerleaders were the Chico Scorchers, Marysville Chiefs, Oroville Rhinos, Oroville Eagles, Sutter Jr. Huskies, and the River Valley Jr. Falcons.

South D-2 squads were the Colusa Cowboys, Gridley Titans, Lincoln Chargers, Pioneer Jr. Patriots, Wheatland Pirates, Yuba City Honkers, and the Winters Jr. Warriors.