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• Full Season Training & Instruction w/ State Title Qualified Coaches & Junior Coaches 

• Dance Instruction & Training with Pro Choreographers

• Complete Cheer Uniform & Accessories (Uniform, Socks, Shoes, & Bow)

• MCCA Sponsor T-shirt

• (4) Regular Season ICA Competitions 

• (1)  In-House Family and Friend Showcase 

• (4) Customized Competition Gifts 

• Competition Medals

• Competition Music 

• End of Year Banquet Dinner & Dessert 

• Program Insurance

• Practice Facility Rental

• First Aid Supplies

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​   EVENTS/ FUNDRAISERS/ TEAM BONDING... OH MY!​

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• Team Bonding Alert: Pool Party 

• Event Alert: Float Decorating 

• Event Alert: Breast Cancer Walk

• Event Alert: Parade Participation ( Fiesta Day Parade & Settlers Day Parade)

• Fundraiser Alert: Barn Dance ​

• Fundraiser Alert: Fill My Bow

• Fundraiser Alert: Little Caeser's Pizza 

• Fundraiser Alert: Cheerleader Car Wash 

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS​

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• Cheer Season will run May through November 2026 

• Practice location: 666 Calhoun, Woodstock, IL.

• Practices will be held 2–3 days per week, and coaches will post their specific practice schedules in May.

• All practices become mandatory three (3) weeks before any competition. Please keep this in mind when planning vacations, weekend activities, or other time away.

• MCCA reserves the right to refuse registration if they see fit.

• Practices are CLOSED to parents or guardians.

• All important season details are on the Band App. Parents must check the app daily and acknowledge  posts.

• Registration fees do not include state fees, state gifts, or MCCA practice wear.

• MCCA is a proud registered member of the Illinois Cheerleading Association (ICA).

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ATTENDANCE​

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• Attendance is required. Extra practices may be added to improve the team, and families must be flexible.

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• Attendance is mandatory. Be on time, plan around practices, and treat MCCA as a full-season commitment. Plan all other commitments, sports, and appointments around MCCA.

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• Athletes may have no more than 3 unexcused absences per season. All practices during the 3 weeks before a competition and all competitions, including showcases, are mandatory. Vacations during competition season are not approved, and conflicts must be reported before the season starts—failure to do so may result in suspension. Routines and stunts are carefully planned, so missing athletes make it difficult to fill positions.

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• Parents signing up their athlete for competitive cheer must understand the full commitment. Practices are held 2–3 days per week. Families must make timely payments, support their athletes at fundraisers, contribute at least 10 volunteer hours a season, and participate in at least half of assigned fundraising events to help raise funds, build community, and support the organization.

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WHAT ARE MY PAYMENT OPTIONS?

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•  Option 1: $50 Down Upon Registering & $200/month for 5 months (start making payments as early as January 2026)​

• Option 2: $50 Down Upon Registering &  $167/month for 6 months​​​

• Option 3: $100 Down Upon Registering & $158.50/month for 6 months 

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• Option 4: Cheer for FREE--- Get A Sponsor!

  • Ask a family friend, your employer, or a local business to sponsor your athlete. Great options: pediatricians, dentists, restaurants, bakeries, vets, auto shops, gas stations, flower shops, grocery stores, and more. Sponsorships help cover costs and make cheering possible! Registration is OPEN now for $50 down.​

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• Option 5: Pay in Full ($1050)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Option 6: Can’t find a payment option that works? MCCA works with every family—we don’t turn anyone away. If you need a different payment plan, contact jenna@mchenrycountycheeracademy.com or mauri@mchenrycountycheeracademy.com.

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POLICY & PROCEDURE

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• No Refund Policy: MCCA does not allow refunds. Once an athlete registers, all payments are non-refundable, even if the athlete withdraws or does not participate. Families may not stop payment, dispute charges, or cancel checks. Violating this policy will result in removal from the program and a $50 fee for any stop payments or disputes. Providing false information that leads to a chargeback will also place the family in negative standing.

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• Auto Payment Policy: Families must submit an automatic payment slip before the season and can start payments immediately. Payments more than 5 days late incur a $35 fee and an additional $35 for every 5 days past due. Repeated missed payments place the account in negative standing, preventing athletes from practicing until the balance is resolved.

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• Volunteer & Fundraising Policy: All families must complete 10 volunteer hours per season. A $100 deposit check will be collected at registration and held until volunteer hours are fulfilled by November 1; checks will be cashed after November 1st if volunteer hours are incomplete. Families who complete their volunteer hours will have their deposit returned after the season in December. Volunteer hours must be recorded and approved by the board. Parents do not determine or self-report when hours are fulfilled. All families must complete $500 or more in total fundraising for the year. A $100 deposit check will be collected at registration and held until fundraising funds are fulfilled by November 1; checks will be cashed after November 1st if fundraising is incomplete.

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• Guide To State Policy: If our squad earns a Bid to State, families are responsible for state fees, athlete gifts, and hotel accommodations. This is a huge accomplishment, and MCCA will assist with fundraising whenever possible. State fees and gifts ($250) are not included in the registration fee, and a separate check will be collected at registration. Hotel fees are not included in the $250. If the team does not make State, the check will be returned in December. State fees and gifts are required for every athlete who qualifies for State. As an organization, we will do our best to help fundraise for athlete's who have received their bid to state. ​

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IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

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Competition Attendance: Coaches, managers, and board members will decide which events each team attends based on availability at registration. Registration fees cover your athlete’s entrance to each event—no refunds for missed competitions. Please reserve the entire day, as exact performance times are not released until the week of the event. All teams will receive performance times the week of each competition or as soon as ICA publishes the final schedule​​​​​

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• Friday, April 17, 2026 >>>> In-Person Registration for the 2026 Fall Cheer Season! 

  • Location: Com24- 1193 Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL. 60098

  • Time: 6-8pm​​​​

  • Come on in & register w/ us in person! Families registering in person will get signed up for FREE TUMBLING CLASSES!​

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• Friday, May 15, 2026 >>>> MCCA Informational Night

  • Location: Com24- 1193 Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL. 60098

  • 6-8pm​​​​

  • Meet the Coaches, Get Practice/ Location Details, A Guide to the 2026 Season!

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• Monday, May 25, 2026 >>>> LAST DAY OF SIGN UPS! JOIN OUR PROGRAM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

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• Tuesday, May 26, 2026 >>>> 1st official Day of Practice/ Meet the Coaches/ Athlete Orientation (All Squads)

• Practice Location: 666 Calhoun, Woodstock

• ​​(K-3rd) Practice Days TBA

• (4-5th) Practice Days: TBA

• (6-8th) Practice Days: TBA

• (High School Cheer) Practice Days: TBA

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• Saturday, June 6, 2026 >>>> Uniform Fittings 

  • Com24- 1193 Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL. 60098

  • Time: 9am-1pm​

  • Wear Comfy Clothing! All athletes will be trying on uniforms and shoes!

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• Monday, June 8 thru Friday, June 12, 2026 >>>> Choreography Week​

  • Choreography with Charlie Barrett & Team (2x World Champion)

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• Monday, June 15, 2026 >>>> Fill My Bow Fundraiser​

  • Fundraiser due on July 20, 2026

  • Participating athletes who fill their entire bow will get an ICE-CREAM PARTY!​

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• Saturday, June 27th thru July 12, 2026 >>>> (Gym Closing)

  • ​Mandatory 2 week Cheer Break per ICA

  • No Contact​

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• Week of July 13-14, 2026 >>>> Practices Resume 

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• Sunday, July 19, 2026 >>>> Fiesta Days Parade​

  • Arrival 1pm; Parade starts @ 1:30pm and goes till 3pm.

  • All athletes wear their sponsor tshirt, black shorts, cheer bow, white socks, and gym shoes (not cheer shoes)!

  • Each cheerleader should bring 3 bags of candy to the parade

  • https://mchenryfiestadays.com/

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• Monday, July 20, 2026 >>>> Fill My Bow Fundraiser is DUE

  • Participating athletes who fill their entire bow will get an ICE-CREAM PARTY!​

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• Saturday, July 25, 2026 >>>> Pool Party (Team Bonding Event)

  • 1324 Oakview Terrace, Woodstock, IL. 60098​

  • All Squads Welcome 

  • Pool Party from 12-4pm

  • Bring swimsuit, sunscreen, swim arms/ life jacket (if needed), towel, and an extra pair of clothes to change into.

  • We'll be swimming, dancing, playing team bonding games, and havin' a lot of fun!​​

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• Saturday, August 1, 2026 >>>> Cheer Pictures with Mimi J's Photography

  • Athletes are to come in their full uniforms, white socks, and cheer shoes. ​

  • Hair can be worn down or up in a bow.

  • www.mimijsphotography.com or https://www.facebook.com/mimijsphotography/

  • MCCA Gym from 8am- Noon

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• Saturday, August 8, 2026 >>>> MCCA Car Wash 

  • Come on out and support your LOCAL MCCA CHEERLEADERS!

  • Tell EVERYONE! Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Neighbors, Co-workers!

  • Location: Com24 Heating and Air~ 1193 Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, IL.  60098

  • Time: 9-3pm

  • Outside Wash Only (no interiors)- Cars $10, Trucks $15, Motorcycles $10

  • Fresh Lemonade for $1.00​​​​

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• Friday, August 28, 2026 >>>> MCCA In-House Showcase Performance​​

  • Time: 6:30-7:30pm ---  Athlete Arrival: 5:30pm***

  • Location: MCCA Gym

  • Entry $5 per guest (children under 5 are free).

  • Drinks and light snacks will be served. These performances are just as important as ICA competitions and are open to the public. Athletes will showcase their group routines and what they’ve learned this season—come out and support them!

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• Monday, August 31, 2026 >>>> Little Caeser's Pizza Fundraiser

  • Help our girls get to state and support our pizza fundraiser!​

  • Buy pizza online, order locally, or get your pre-made pizza shipped right to you!

  • All athletes will need to register online to get started- coaches will send out details after this weeks practices!

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• Weekend of September 12-13, 2026 >>>> Cheercago ICA Competition!

  • Details on specific date will be posted in May​

  • Coaches will send out detailed information to all parents on this specific cheer comp!

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• Weekend of September 19-20, 2026 >>>> Red Carpet ICA Competition!

  • Details on specific date will be posted in May​

  • Coaches will send out detailed information to all parents on this specific cheer comp!

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• Saturday, September 26, 2026 >>>> MCCA BARN DANCE & RAFFLE​​

  • Time: 4-9pm

  • Location: Ibarra's Horse Barn (Marengo, IL)

  • Open to MCCA family and friends- Join us for an evening of country dancing, dinner, and drinks. 

  • Games for the kids!

  • Enter to win one of our LUXURY raffle baskets!

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• Weekend of October 3-4, 2026 >>>> Cheer Pink ICA Competition!

  • Details on specific date will be posted in May​

  • Coaches will send out detailed information to all parents on this specific cheer comp!

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• Weekend of October 10-11, 2026 >>>> Cheer Rodeo ICA Competition!

  • Details on specific date will be posted in May​

  • Coaches will send out detailed information to all parents on this specific cheer comp!

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• Sunday, October 11, 2026 >>>> Settler's Day Parade

  • Time To Be Determined

  • All athletes wear their uniforms, bow, socks, and gym shoes (not cheer shoes)!

  • Each cheerleader should bring 3 bags of candy to the parade

  • https://www.settlersdays.com/

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• Sunday, October 18, 2026  >>>> Care4 Breast Cancer Hybrid 5K

  • Time: 9am-12pm (Please arrive by 8:30am)

  • Woodstock North High School- 3000 Raffel Road, Woodstock, IL.

  • Join our Walk against Breast Cancer! MCCA will walk as a team! Wear Pink!

  • Registration Required: https://www.care4breastcancer.org/Race/IL/Woodstock/Care4BreastCancer5KRunWalk

  • The Care4 Breast Cancer 5K is not only a day of celebration, inspiration and hope, it actually makes a huge IMPACT in our community.  Our Care4 Community raises funds to support Family Health Partnership Clinic in its mission to Care4 our neighbors that do not have access to health care services providing breast cancer screenings, early diagnosis, preventative care and breast health education to the uninsured adults of McHenry County!  ​​

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• Weekend of October 24-25, 2026 >>>> Spirit Spooktacular ICA Competition!

  • Details on specific date will be posted in May​

  • Coaches will send out detailed information to all parents on this specific cheer comp!

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• Fingers Crossed Weekend of November 13-15, 2026 >>>> STATE!!!!!!

• Fingers Crossed Weekend of November 20-22, 2026 >>>> STATE!!!!!!

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• November 23 thru November 27 >>>> Registration for MCCA Dinner & Awards Show

  • Last day to register November 27th​

  • Email mauri@mchenrycountycheeracademy.com to register

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• Friday, December 4, 2026 >>>> MCCA Awards & Dinner Show Banquet 

• Time: 6-9pm

• Niko's Grill & Pub- 7509 South Grant Highway, Marengo​

• Appetizers, Dinner, & Dessert

• Coach's Season Recap, Slideshow, Awards Ceremony, & Special Guest

• Parents $25/each person, Kids 4 and under FREE, Kids 5-14 y/o $15/each, Athletes FREE

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