(970) 522-7565 • 11459 County Road, 33 Sterling, Colorado 80751 countrygymnastics@yahoo.com

Team Handbook

Country Gymnastics Philosophy: To provide a program focused on our gymnasts, allowing them to have fun while learning expression and self-discovery through the physical and mental challenges of competitive gymnastics. To give instruction that is geared toward the individual, challenging her to reach her potential and providing her with the skills needed to face life and competition with pride and self-confidence.

We strive for a competitive program that differs from others offered in the area; being more flexible in the commitment of time and providing a comprehensive program, Country strives to provide an environment for competition with less pressure. Every gymnast participates and team scores are not kept, so self-improvement and reaching personal goals is the mark of success. With this format, every gymnast is a winner!

We truly believe it is important to have fun; part of the fun has to be working hard and trying to improve as an athlete. We hope that you will find our program enjoyable, and that it meets your gymnasts needs.

Country Gymnastics Mission Statement: Country Gymnastics and its staff is committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of children through the sport of Gymnastics, while equipping them with the tools to have success in life well into their future. We want all our athletes’ to grow into their dreams; that through their developed self-confidence and experience they develop an intrinsic belief in themselves and their abilities; and through their effort and dedication they are able to attain all of their goals.

START WITH A DREAM, LEARN TO BELIEVE

Joining Team: The decision is up to the gymnast and their family to decide if they want to take on the responsibility of being a part of a competitive gymnastics team. If they accept, the gymnast will have the duty to attend and work in practice, and to take care of herself physically and mentally so she is prepared for competition. She also agrees to attend competitions ready to do her best, for herself and her team. She also agrees to participate in Team activities through the completion of at least one competitive season. The parent(s) agree to see that the gymnast attends practice, arrives on time, monthly tuition and competitive fees are paid in a timely fashion, and to support the Country Gymnastics Team to make our program a success.

We expect those joining to commit to a full season before making the decision to drop gymnastics for another activity. If these requirements are agreed upon the gymnast and her parent(s) are members of the Country Gymnastics Team.

Statement of Warning and Waiver: Any activity involving motion or height creates the possibility of serious injury, including permanent paralysis and even death from falling on the head or neck. Gymnastics is an activity in this classification. As a participant, you are acknowledging the risks involved in gymnastics and will maintain a signed participant waiver. Waivers are required to be renewed annually.

Methods of Communication: Communication is very important and Country Gymnastics makes every effort to communicate effectively with staff, parents and gymnasts. We have four key sources of communication: Website, Handouts, Email and Facebook. We anticipate that at least one or more of our communication sources will work for you to stay up to date with what is going on at Country Gymnastics.

Our Website: www.countrygymnastics.com is a source for any competitive practice times, meet schedules, policies and procedures, pricing, etc.

Newsletters, Handouts, Bulletin Board and Media Signage: The Team bulletin board and our media signage are currently being updated and are not available on the website, but will be soon.

Email: Email is another great communication tool and is an integral part of our communication process. We try to limit the number of emails sent to you and only send out important and timely information. Please read and respond as needed.

Staff Policies

  • No child is ever alone with a staff member
  • Must be in groups of 2 or parent must be present
  • No child is ever left unsupervised
  • No private communication with participants without notifying/copying parents
  • Communication with families and participants is done through Achieve Facebook pages, work email and work phones
  • Single bathroom in the gym
  • Background checks on all staff
  • Concussion Certified
  • Safety Certified through our governing body
  • 8-10 staff trainings per year
  • Staff is prohibited from giving gifts
  • Staff is encouraged to leave building in groups of 2 or more
  • Have procedures for fire, tornado, and dangerous person in the gym

Gymnast Policies

  • Required attire – leotard for practices and meets
  • No changing / dressing in the gym or other public areas
  • Cell phones / cameras are only allowed in gym for training analysis purposes (parents may take pictures of their own child)
  • Gymnasts are in the building with our staff until released to their parents
  • Parents are strongly encouraged to come into the building to pick up their children

Resources Policies & Procedures
Practice Policy: It is our policy that gymnasts arrive on time to practice and do not leave until the practice is over. Parents are not allowed in the practice area during practice. This policy is in place to maintain concentration of the coaches as well as the gymnasts and it allows us to run a safer gym with minimal distractions. We encourage the girls to work at home and would like parental support and input in this regard; however, the girls should be coached by our coaching staff only. If you ever feel there is a problem with the coaching your daughter is receiving or anything else regarding the program, please contact Rick Kaiser @ (970) 522-7565 or rkaiser49@hotmail.com.

Switching Nights and Scheduling Make-Ups: Your daughter’s safety is important to us and we maintain a ratio of gymnasts to coaches so your daughter(s) are getting the best instruction possible. Therefore, you will be required to establish your practice day. If your schedule changes and you need to change your established practice, please contact us (970) 522-7565. If your daughter misses her scheduled practice, it can be made up at any other Team practice for your daughters gymnastics level. Missed practices must be made up within 30 days before or after the missed practice. We will NOT prorate your daughters tuition for missed practices if Country Gymnastics holds that practice. If Country Gymnastics must cancel a scheduled practice, you will have the choice to make the practice up or receive a credit on your account.

Drop Off / Pick Up Policy: We request that a parent or guardian accompany their gymnast(s) to and from the building. This request is for your child’s safety. All gymnasts are to remain inside the building with our staff, until picked up by an adult. We ask that you remind your child to stay inside the building until you arrive to pick her up. We have never had an incident and feel this is partly due to the presence of parents and staff. You are not required to stay during your daughters gymnastics practice and activities; however, you should arrive on time to drop them off and pick them up.

Parent Observation: Parents are not required to stay when Team members are at practice or other activities.

Dress Code, Valuables, Food and Drink in the Gym
Dress Code: All participants should be appropriately dressed in gymnastics attire. Long hair should be pulled back and secured. Sports bras are not to be worn to Achieve activities without a shirt or a leotard over the top it. All our Team gymnasts are required to wear leotards to practice.

Valuables: Our expectation is that everyone who comes to our gym respects the belongings of others. We cannot protect valuables in the gym and ask that valuables be left at home or given to a parent before practice starts. Country Gymnastics is not responsible for lost items. We encourage gymnasts to use a gym bag to organize and secure their belongings.

Food and Drink: NO FOOD OF ANY KIND IS ALLOWED IN THE GYM. Water, in a closed container, is the only drink allowed into the gym.

Thank you: I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our parents, gymnasts and staff. As each year rolls by, I realize the positive impact that the girls and parents from our program have on our surrounding community. I have seen our athletes go through school, graduate and become important role models in their own circles of life. Many have been back to teach for Country Gymnastics or to just share stories of their successes. As I look at the faces of girls currently on our Team, I see the successes that lay ahead of them. I see the confidence building with them that ensures their positive progress, and I see that they too will add to a legacy of success that so many girls before them have built. I feel quite blessed to have this job, to work with your daughters and play a small part in their personal growth. I speak for our entire staff when I say that it is an honor to see the growth in their personalities and character, the strength of conviction and self-image and to work with young women who will make a difference. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your family and share in your daughters lives. If there is ever anything that I can do for you or for them, please let me know.
Rick Kaiser – Owner