Cheers, stunts, pushups, dance moves, jumps, and cartwheels — these are just a few of the exercises children practiced during a six-hour Youth Cheerleading Clinic for kids aged 4-12 on Saturday.

A physical activity that requires a high degree of fitness, cheerleading helps children develop endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance, according to cheerleading coach Raschel Pratt. 

The activity involves many of the muscles all over the body. 

“A lot of these girls are not old enough to do the town program yet, so this clinic gives them a taste whether they like this sport or not,” said Pratt. 

“It’s a very good exercise: You are either lifting or being lifted, you jump, learn how to get feet above your arms, you learn how to use your voice from your stomach rather than screaming through your throat.” 

A Wareham High School graduate herself, Pratt has been teaching cheerleading for nearly 10 years and has an aptitude for educating children while keeping them focused and organized. 

“My favorite part about teaching is to see the looks on children’s faces when they complete their routine,” said Pratt. “Them feeling accomplished makes me happy, it makes everything worth it.”

The clinic combined exercises with entertaining icebreakers and games, which got children excited for the more challenging activities. 

“I like being a cheerleader because I like people watching me and I like doing all the stuff that we need to do,” said six-year-old participant Peyton Rivera. 

“I like that I am meeting new friends,” said nine-year-old aspiring cheerleader Olivia Cromwell. “I like to practice and I like the tricks that we do.”

The clinic served as a major fundraiser for cheer summer camp, where the Wareham school cheerleading team will learn choreography and prepare for competitions.