As a senior cheer captain who attended KSHSAA Summer Spirit Camps since eighth grade, Satanta’s Mia Burrows had witnessed the emotional tidal wave that sweeps over those participating for the final time.
 
Still, the special recognition for high school seniors at the conclusion of the July 6-9 session at El Dorado’s Butler Community College hit differently.
 
“It was definitely super sad,” said Burrows, who will cheer alongside seven girls and one boy this coming school year at Satanta. “It was a really great five years of coming to camp.
 
“It’s bittersweet, but I’m super happy I got to come.”
 
Don’t get the impression the eight cheer camps and six dance camps conducted this summer at four Kansas colleges by Universal Cheerleaders Association and Universal Dance Association personnel were filled with melancholy. If anything, a din of positive energy permeated Butler, Sterling College, Kansas State University and Coffeyville Community College, which is hosting the final set of four-day sessions this week.
 

Nearly 1,300 high school and middle school cheerleaders and dancers, and 175 coaches and sponsors from 106 schools attended the spirit camps, which began June 1 and will conclude on Thursday.
 
“I just like watching the girls and boys learn all the stuff we teach and come together as a team,” said Natalie Horton, who coached middle school and high school cheer at Valley Center for more than 20 years and now serves as a camp manager. “Some teams come in and don’t really know a whole lot. They learn a few routines, and to see the growth in the few days that they’re here is really special.”
 
A vital part of that growth for cheer camp attendees centers on safety. Cheerleaders go through a safety seminar on the opening day, and it is prioritized through the final day of camp, when the student-athletes compete against each other in final performances attended by family and friends.
 
“For us, we’re definitely a small team, so safety is a huge factor,” Burrows said. “There’s not that many of us, so we always have to be spotting properly. And when we go back to our school, getting to know how to spot and how to fall properly is a huge part of it.”
 
While at camp, participants are supervised by UCA and UDA counselors, many of whom were once in the participants’ shoes. As 10 middle school and high school cheer teams performed camp and spirit routines on the final day, each was spotted by Kwinton Willier, a senior cheerleader at Washburn University who attended camp twice in high school while cheering at Wabaunsee.
 
“When it comes to safety, that’s the No. 1 priority at all UCA events,” Willier said. “With KSHSAA, it’s extra because we’re trying to make sure they can go to that next level without hurting themselves.
 
“Spotting is pretty important. If I’m spotting them and they hit it, it makes them feel good, which they should. And just knowing that they’re safe and don’t have to fear going into the air is a big thing, too.”
 

While teams compete for trophies in different categeories during the finals, encouragement and support for one another never wanes. The early July session was the third and final at Butler, and drew high school cheerleaders from Bonner Springs, Iola, Labette County, Newton, Riley County, Satanta, Silver Lake and South Barber. Rose Hill and Udall middle schools were also represented.
 
“Our final day is the big showcase,” said Horton, who was named national spirit coach of the year by the National Federation of State High School Associations Coaches Association in 2015. “They’re competing for team championships. They want to do their best every night of this camp, but this is a real chance to show out for their parents and take some of these routines back to their schools. It also gets them a little more comfortable in front of a crowd.”
 
For Burrows and other attendees, it’s also about building camaraderie. Hanging out in the dorms and participating in the camp talent show are good bonding tools for the upcoming school year.
 
“It’s one of the best four days I could ask for,” Burrows said. “You come together as a team after not really knowing each other, and then you leave like family. It’s just a great week overall.”