A non-profit business that caters to youth interested in cheerleading celebrated its first anniversary this summer. AMP Athletics, located just east of Hanson Boulevard off Highway 10, moved into its new home in the spring of 2021, and was up and running that summer.
“We moved in the middle of the pandemic so that was definitely interesting and had its own little set of challenges,” said Kolleen Raymond, executive director of AMP Athletics. “But the community came out and really gave us some support, the interest was there and it’s been growing ever since.”
AMP offers weekly classes for kids ranging in age from 18 months to 18 years. They also offer competitive teams at certain times of the year along with clinics, camps and open gyms.
“The first thing parents ask is how young is too young,” said Madisyn Hammick, program director for AMP Athletics. “I’m like, if they can stand, I can work with them.”
Hammick grew up doing gymnastics and switched to cheerleading in college. What started as a part-time gig two years ago after college, turned into a full-time job this year when she became program director. “I really enjoy it, it’s a lot of fun,” Hammick said.
AMP’s mission is to provide the highest quality instruction at an affordable price. The non-profit is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and day to day operations are run by an administrative team. In addition to program fees and fundraising efforts, they rely on donations to keep the doors open.
“It’s been really nice because I think for a lot of the athletes that come in, and maybe dance or gymnastics hasn’t been their thing, this is a really good medley of the two,” Raymond said. “So, they feel like they have a sport that fits them and you can just see them light up when they come in.”