PANTHER PAWS GYMNASTICS
Positive Thoughts. Positive Results.
Community Ed.
Community Ed. gymnastics is the "feeder" program for the panther paws gymnastics team. This is where you will learn the basics of gymnastics. Once you have reached level 4 you are eligible to try out for the team.
How old should my child be before starting community ed. gymnastics classes?
Our youngest gymnasts are enrolled in the Parent/Child classes. In this class you and your child will learn and experience the gymnastics equipment together. Once your child is 3 you may enroll them in our Tumblers class. Tumblers learn the same skills as the Parent/Child class does but there is no parent involvement. Children 5 and older will start with level 1. If you have gymnastics experience please review test outs found under the Community Education Classes tab to find the best fit for them!
When and where do you have community ed. classes?
Community Ed. Classes are 6 week sessions are held in gym 3 at the Panther Field House on Monday and Wednesday evenings. We continue classes year-round.
Who coaches community ed. classes?
Coach Shawna is currently our Community Education Gymnastics Class Coordinator. She coaches almost all of the classes with assistant coach and PPG Gymnast Izzy.
What should my child wear/bring to their class?
Your child should wear tight fitting athletic clothing or a leotard. Target has an awesome selection of affordable leotards. Your child should also bring a water bottle to practice ( this should stay by a parent or by your child's belongings during practice.)
How do I know when to sign my child up for the next level?
Each level has a test out sheet. Your child's coach will evaluate them according to the skills required for their level. If your child masters all of the required skills they are able to pass to the next level. You will receive your child's test out sheet at the end of each session stating if your child has passed. It typically takes 3-4 sessions to pass a level.
Panther Paws Gymnastics
If you have passed to level 4 community ed gymnastics, you may try out for the Panther Paws Competitive Team! We have Team Placements every August!
When does the Panther Paws Gymnastics season start and end?
The Panther Paws Gymnastics season starts in August when we hold Team Placements! You must sign up and participate in team placements in order to join team. Our season practices start in September. Meets typically start late November/early December and last though March.
What days does the panther paws team practice?
Panther Paws Gymnasts practice Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8:30pm. We occasionally have make-up practices on Saturdays before meets.
What is Team Placements? Can we be on the team if we do not participate?
Team Placement is designed to ensure gymnasts, coaches, and parents are prepared for the upcoming season. Gymnasts get a feel for what season practices look like, will be fitted for uniforms if needed, and get a little practice in before starting the season. Coaches will be able to evaluate gymnasts, plan uniform orders, and get a feel for which team each gymnast will be placed on for the season. A mandatory meeting will be held for parents to receive paperwork, ask questions, and learn about what to expect for the upcoming season. If you do not participate in team placements, you will miss out on all of the essential information you need to be successful on team, therefore we DO NOT allow gymnasts who miss team placements to be on team.
How do I know if my child is ready to be on team?
Your child is ready for team when they have passed into the level 4 community education classes and is at least 6 years old. We typically will "invite" gymnasts who we think are ready to participate in team placements. If you are unsure if your child is ready, please talk to a Panther Paws gymnastics coach.
We are not in the Glencoe-Silver Lake school district. Can we be on the Team?
Absolutely! We do not have any out of district restrictions for team! If your school is unable to co-op with the GSL high school gymnastics team, you can come compete with the Panther Paws gymnastics team!
Will my 6 year old be competing against high school age gymnasts?
Nope! There are 4 age groups. Novice, Child, Junior, and Senior. and up to 3 divisions. Lower, Middle, and Upper (smaller meets may have fewer divisions). If your team is in the Lower Division and your gymnast is a Novice, you will only compete against novices in the lower division. There are occasions where we have two of our teams in the same division. This just means that those two teams will be competing against each other.