Hempfield High School (HHS) will hold its summer cheerleading camp on Tuesday, Aug. 1, through Thursday, Aug. 3, at LA All Stars, 2979 Old Tree Drive, Suite C, Lancaster. The camp will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on each day, and it will be available to those ages 5 to 14. Registration will be available online at https://tinyurl.com/cheercamphhs until Aug. 1.

The HHS cheerleading program holds the summer camp annually as a way to strengthen the local cheerleading community. During the camp, participants will be separated by age to focus on the appropriate activities. The younger cheerers will learn basic cheerleading techniques and simple motions, while the older kids will learn chants and the HHS fight song. Many current members of the HHS cheer squad assist with the camp to prepare youngsters who are interested in competing once they reach high school. In the fall, HHS holds a youth night, where young cheerleaders are invited to perform with the squad during a football game.

"The camp is also just to spread interest in cheerleading," said Kayla Vogel, head coach of the program. "We show the kids things they can look forward to, and it also helps to build relationships between cheerers."

The summer camp also assists the HHS cheer program by raising money to buy items for the upcoming season, such as mats, new poms and gifts for graduating seniors. The funds also help the cheer squad to pay for camps and competitions that require traveling costs. At the end of July, members of the cheer squad will attend the US National Cheerleaders Association camp at Shippensburg University, where they will learn new chants, cheers and band dances.

The HHS cheer squad regularly partners with nonprofit organizations for community outreach. Cheerleaders on the squad often work with Girls on the Run to participate in its practices and to cheer on girls who are running their first 5K race. In the past, HHS cheerleaders have volunteered to perform at assisted living facility Juniper Village at Mount Joy. This year, the cheer squad is raising money to donate to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, which will use the funds to give care packages for those undergoing treatment and to support breast cancer survivors.

"As a member of the squad, you're not only learning how to be a leader. You learn how to communicate effectively with others as well as organizational and team skills," Vogel said. "We like to not only cheer for games but for the community too."

The HHS cheer squad will hold an alumni game on Friday, Sept. 22, at the high school stadium. For a set fee, alumni will be able to attend the game, cheer with the squad in the third quarter and receive an HHS cheer T-shirt. For more information, search for "Hempfield Youth Football and Cheerleading" on Facebook.