University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Gymnastics Camps

Program Descriptions

Classes exist for ages ranging from 3 up through high school. The UW-L Jr. Eagle Gymnastics Program is committed to ensuring a quality and safe experience for all participants involved. The benefits of the program include:

Equipment that meets all USA Gymnastics Safety Standards

USAG progressive levels of instruction

Certified First Aider on site at all times

Dependent, experienced gymnasts as strong role models for your son or daughter

Instructor to student ratio of 1:6 or fewer

Pre-school (class #1, #2)
The pre-school class is for children ages 3-5. Classes are held on Mondays or Wednesdays from 6:00-6:40 P.M. The focus is on movement and the introduction to locomotor skills, eye-hand coordination, rhythm, basic positions, and working well with others. This class starts a full 30 minutes before other classes so that the children may become fully focused on their class without the distraction of other classes warming up simultaneously.

Beginner (class #3, #4, #5)
Beginner students are for ages 5-8 and 9-11. The younger beginners classes take place Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 P.M. while the older beginners are on Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 P.M. This class is designed both for the student who has never done gymnastics but is too old for pre-school as well as for continuing students who are working to master basic skills including a forward roll, cartwheel, and a pull-over on bars.

Intermediate (class #8, #9, #10, #11)
The chronological next step up from beginner is to the intermediate class. Students in this ability level have classes on Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 P.M. for ages 5-8. Ages 9-11 and 12-14 meet Monday and Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 P.M. Children are now working to master slightly more advanced skills including a round-off, forward roll on beam, and back hip circles on bars.

Pre-competitive (class #13, #14)
The pre-competitive level is aimed at providing the progressing student more challenging skills but not necessarily moving towards a competitive environment. More instructional time is allowed for greater development of skill and aptitude. Focus now lies in the continual improvement of skill achievement including a back walkover and cartwheels on the balance beam. Students may attend one or two classes per week, and they are held on Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 P.M.

Pre-team (class #19)
Moving on up the ladder of skill achievement comes the pre-team class. Students are now accomplishing tasks that lead toward being associated more with competition. The skills working to be accomplished consist of true vaulting with the table, a kip on bars, and both front and back handsprings on floor. Putting skills into sequences also becomes a new objective for the athlete. This class meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30 P.M. Instructor evaluation and consent is required for attendance in this class.

Team (class #20)
Although Jr. Eagles is a recreational program, we do have a team program in which athletes are allowed to work routines with specific skills and have the opportunity to compete in local competitions. Practices are held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:15-8:15 P.M. Again, instructor evaluation and consent are required for participation. The team program is designed to prepare area students to participate in high school gymnastics. This team competes in the MAGA program.

High School Girls (class #15, 16)
One of our desires in this program is to develop strong, experienced athletes who may desire to participate in high school gymnastics. High school classes last one half of each session (7 weeks); in the fall the first 7 weeks before high school practice begins and in the spring, the last 7 weeks following the high school competitive season.   Classes may be taken once or twice a week and are held Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30 P.M.