Competitive and Non-Competitive Recreational Cheerleading
The Crystal Lake Raiders are proud to offer cheerleading (age 3 - 8th grade) for children at all levels of ability and experience. Our main goal is to teach cheerleading skills in a fun, safe environment. Please see our Cheerleader/Parent Handbook for detailed information about our policies, procedures, and expectations.

All cheerleading teams perform cheers, stunts, jumps and tumbling on the sidelines during the Raiders football games. Teams are formed based on grade level, with 1-3 grade levels per team, depending on the number of participants.

The following cheerleading options are available, based on grade level:

• Age 3 - 5 - Tiny Tots
  • Shortened season
  • Practices in the summer, and cheer for a few football games
• Kindergarten - 1st grade - Mascot cheer
  • Competing: football games + two competitions
• 2nd - 8th grade - competitive cheerleading teams.
  • Competing: football games + at least 4 competitions

All teams perform at our annual Family Performance Night

No experience is necessary to join either competing or non-competing teams - no try-outs! Newcomers are welcome at every age/level. Anyone from any location can join, there are no city boundaries for recreational cheerleading.

Held between mid-July and mid-November. The times will vary by team. Practices are held outdoors in the warm months, and indoors in the colder months.

We are proud members of the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association (IRCA), which provides support, training and rules to ensure the safety of our athletes. Competing teams participate in approximately 4 IRCA competitions (grades 4 and up) or exhibitions (grades K-1 will participate in approximately 2 and grades 2-3 will participate in approximately 4) per year in October/November, with the possibility of advancing to the State Championship in December. Team members are expected to comply with our minimum attendance policy to be eligible for participation in the competition/exhibitions. There is an additional fee of approximately $120 for the State Championship; participation and payment is mandatory for all members of teams that qualify.

*This cost increase eliminates the spectator admission fee at the State Championship (Sears Arena).

**Cheer will be fundraising to help offset the cost of state fees, participation in these fundraising activities is heavily encouraged.

*Registration received by 2/28/18 will receive a $25 voucher to use at uniform handout for required uniform items or cheer spirit wear. Registration received by 2/28/18 AND paid in full will receive a $35 voucher to use at uniform handout for required uniform items or cheer spirit wear.

The cost includes uniform rental. A uniform deposit check of $200 is required (excluding Tiny Tots). (The check is not cashed unless the uniform is not returned in good condition.)

You can also expect to spend approximately $50 - $150+ on required accessories (excluding Tiny Tots) which are yours to keep, including cheer competition shoes, hair bows, warm-ups, and spankies/spandex.

There is an additional fee of approximately $140 for the State Championship. Participation and payment is mandatory for all members of teams that qualify.

We also offer an excellent program for athletes with special needs, called the Sparkle Squad. See the Sparkle page for more information.