Spirit Cheer squads will practice one day a week for approximately one hour. Practices typically begin two weeks before the first game (games begin the weekend after Labor Day). Practice times and locations will be determined by the squad coach. We know that many of our cheerleaders are involved in other sports and activities. Each coach will work with squad members to come up with a practice time and day that will work for everyone.

Practice Attire: comfortable clothing (no jeans); sneakers (no sandals); hair pulled back. No jewelry, no candy, no gum. All cheerleaders should bring a water bottle to practice.

Our Orientation Clinic will kick off the cheer season in late August. Cheerleaders will meet up with their squad at the Maine Park field to set structure for the season and we will have older cheerleaders from Park Ridge on hand to assist with teaching basic sideline cheers and chants to the squads. We will also be distributing game-day poms, cheer bows, and sweatshirts. Attendance at the orientation clinic is highly recommended for all participants.

Spirit Cheerleaders will excite the fans at the Park Ridge Football Flag and Tackle team HOME games. The games will be at various times in Park Ridge on Saturdays and will possibly include one Friday night game. The season starts in early September and ends in late October. The game schedule will be posted on our website and in TeamSnap in late August.

Inclement Weather: We typically cheer in the rain. If the football players are playing, the cheerleaders are cheering. Games may be delayed or canceled due to lightning or strong storms. Head Coaches will communicate with their squad via email or text regarding canceled games.

Park Ridge Spirit Cheer provides each cheerleader with a cheer uniform top and skirt, poms, game day hair bow, and a sweatshirt. The uniform top and skirt must be returned at the end of the season. At uniform distribution at the beginning of the season, a $50.00 uniform deposit is required. Personal checks will be returned to you when the uniforms are turned in at the end of the season. Uniforms must be clean and in good condition. Please make checks payable to Park Ridge Cheer with your child’s name written in the memo section. No cash deposits will be accepted. If you do not return the uniform on the designated uniform return day, your $50.00 check will be forfeited.

Other items typically needed for the season are black shortie-shorts, white sneakers, white socks, white long sleeve turtleneck, and black leggings for those cold weather days. These items are purchased by the participant.

Squad members are required to maintain and uphold the reputation of the Park Ridge Spirit Cheerleaders through their own conduct and squad spirit. Our participants are required to be courteous, polite, friendly, and try to have a smile for everybody. All cheers and chants shall be of a positive and sportsmanlike manner.