The Nitty-Gritty: Equipment, Money, Fees, Etc.
It's important for families to understand the financial commitment involved in being a member of a team like the Kelly Kadets. Below are all the expenses (required and optional) so you get a full picture.
Required Expenses
Dues
eThe baton coaches and other adults volunteer with the Kelly Kadets because they love baton. They are dedicated to your children and to twirling. They do not receive payment for their efforts.
Required expenses for the Kelly Kadets begin with equipment fees that cover the many team expenses: facility rentals, team entry fees, team costumes, solo costumes, equipment, music fees, and so on. We do everything possible to keep the fees reasonable for families.
First-year twirlers: $304/year, payable as 8 payments of $38. There is a discount price of $280 if you pay in full by Nov. 15. Please send the money with your twirler on the first Friday of each month. First-year members who join in January pay $38 for 6 months = $228.
Second-year and above: Twirlers fees increase as they add more routines to their repertoire. Each new routine adds more practice time, more choreography and more costumes. A schedule of fees is shared with team parents at the first parent meeting in the fall, payable as 8 monthly payments. There is a discount if you pay in full by Nov. 15.
Required expenses for the Kelly Kadets begin with equipment fees that cover the many team expenses: facility rentals, team entry fees, team costumes, solo costumes, equipment, music fees, and so on. We do everything possible to keep the fees reasonable for families.
First-year twirlers: $304/year, payable as 8 payments of $38. There is a discount price of $280 if you pay in full by Nov. 15. Please send the money with your twirler on the first Friday of each month. First-year members who join in January pay $38 for 6 months = $228.
Second-year and above: Twirlers fees increase as they add more routines to their repertoire. Each new routine adds more practice time, more choreography and more costumes. A schedule of fees is shared with team parents at the first parent meeting in the fall, payable as 8 monthly payments. There is a discount if you pay in full by Nov. 15.
USTA Membership (Click here for link)
REQUIRED Membership in USTA (United States Twirling Association): $35/year (discount for siblings).
USTA membership is important for all Kelly Kadets. The USTA provides insurance for twirlers and coaches, as well as training for coaches and judges.
USTA membership is important for all Kelly Kadets. The USTA provides insurance for twirlers and coaches, as well as training for coaches and judges.
Gear: Shoes, Tights, Supplies
Twirlers need to buy a baton, plus beige baton shoes and tights (girls) for performances. The baton costs $34. Shoes and tights can be purchased at Stite. Check with us on style and color prior to purchasing elsewhere.
Twirlers need their own supply of hair pins, bands, gel, lipstick, etc.
Twirlers need their own supply of hair pins, bands, gel, lipstick, etc.
Other Costs
Solo Event Entry Fees
At the three contests, the team performs its group routine. There is also a (free) drop contest and sometimes a game or clinic. These events are all included in your yearly fees.
After team routines, twirlers compete in their SOLO events. Twirlers are expected (but not required) to enter solo events in addition to the team routine. There is an entry fee for this that you send in to the contest director. It's around $25-50 per contest for beginning twirlers. (Twirlers are expected and required to attend each competition to perform the TEAM routine, even if they can't stay for the whole day to do SOLO events.)
In short, team entry fees are already included in your fees, but you pay for solo events. You personally fill out the entry form and send it to each contest director.
Solo Costumes
For team routines, the twirlers' matching costumes are provided as part of your fees.
Also, the Kelly Kadets Team has an enormous wardrobe of solo costumes from which twirlers may choose for their other events. The cost of costume rental is included in your yearly fees, which covers laundering, repair, replacing lost rhinestones, etc. We will make sure your twirler has a costume that he/she likes and that is appropriate for the routine.
Some advanced twirlers buy their own costumes from a dance supply or online. Please check with Shanon before purchasing elsewhere because there are different styles for different routines. For example, artistic-twirl costumes may have a skirt or legs, but solo costumes should not have a skirt.
Most dance studios and other performance groups require that students buy all their own costumes. These are expensive and soon outgrown. We strongly encourage families to use the costumes from the Kelly Kadet wardrobe supply.
Also, the Kelly Kadets Team has an enormous wardrobe of solo costumes from which twirlers may choose for their other events. The cost of costume rental is included in your yearly fees, which covers laundering, repair, replacing lost rhinestones, etc. We will make sure your twirler has a costume that he/she likes and that is appropriate for the routine.
Some advanced twirlers buy their own costumes from a dance supply or online. Please check with Shanon before purchasing elsewhere because there are different styles for different routines. For example, artistic-twirl costumes may have a skirt or legs, but solo costumes should not have a skirt.
Most dance studios and other performance groups require that students buy all their own costumes. These are expensive and soon outgrown. We strongly encourage families to use the costumes from the Kelly Kadet wardrobe supply.
Workshops and Clinics
OBC sometimes offers a baton clinic or other enrichment opportunities for twirlers. This is a fun opportunity to learn from different coaches and meet other twirlers. In addition, occasionally a contest director will have a visiting judge at a contest, and that judge will offer a pre-contest workshop. These clinics or workshops are optional and reasonably priced, $10-$20. Kelly Kadets are encouraged to take advantage of this enriching experience.