My daughter's cheer squad was supposed to cheer for K-2nd grade pee wee football. There weren't enough boys to field a football team so they merged the 3rd grade and K-2nd and asked her squad to cheer at the 3rd grade games. The K-2nd grade football team moved to a different team but because the girls had already purchased their uniforms they didn't make them move to a different team. Knowing that the K-2nd grade teams were 5 minute quarters with 5 minute halftime the parents were told that the games would last about 45 minutes. It's 100 degrees outside today and the game started at 12:00 pm. The game ended at 2:00 pm. I sent my daughter with a refillable cold water bottle with ice and it was gone before halftime. Luckily I was able to refill with cold water. All games are in the afternoon and I need things I can do to help my daughter keep herself cool during the length of the games. Having her drink water is not enough. The directors were spraying the girls with water bottles but it didn't seem to help. With no breeze spraying with hot water just doesn't cut it. They cheer on a black track so it is probably about 5-7 degrees warmer on the track than in the stands, during breaks they sit on the track and my daughter just got overheated near the end of the game to the point where she was saying she was feeling sick. I know if she wants to do this longterm she will need to adapt but I need some guidance on tricks of the trade. Any suggestions? I feel really bad for football players. They must be miserable.
I'm also going to speak with the director to see if she has any suggestions as well but I think I'm going to try the cold washcloths at least. I need to find a small cooler so she can carry on and off the field on her own. I'm also going to be looking at a bigger insulated water bottle.
@Patty - This is not competitive cheerleading. It's through a non-profit organization that works through the school district. The most they do is chant to the crowd. I understand where you are coming from though. My daughter was actually given a choice. We wanted her in some after school activity to help socialize her more. We live in a neighborhood with older people - no real kids her age. She is not a very outgoing person and has a terrible fear of failure so she never wants to try something new. It was recommended that we get her in a team organization to help her learn that practice is needed to get better. We kept telling her the same thing but she is the type that needs to hear if from someone else. She was given several choices and cheerleading is what she chose. It wasn't forced and it is something she can continue if she likes it. She has to give it a try - 1 season and if not we find something else. She is definitely more willing to try new things now and is becoming more outgoing so it's working. If she wants to continue that fine we will go with whatever she wants. If she wants to do something else next year we will.
There are these neckerchiefs they sell that have something in them that stays cool, you put them in cold water first to activate them and then wear them... Perhaps there is a way to hide it under her uniform or maybe they sell smaller ones that are more like patches. I googled and found them online awhile back. The key is that they are on the back of the neck, there is a spot back there that really helps with cooling the body down.
She wont just get used to it. I was a cheerleader for many years, including varsity and it's always hot. Just wait until she goes to the summer camps in high school where she is in the sun for 10 hours a day. Brutal! She needs to have a very large thermos filled with ice water, another with gaterade. A washcloth that she can get wet in the cold ice water will help if she puts it behind her neck during breaks. If they can get a good oscillating fan on the track that will help. But all kids (and adults) playing sports in this Texas heat feel it.
OK practical ideas:
Wet washcloths, wring them out and put them in ziplock baggies. Freeze over night. The next day they remain very refreshing for a very long time.
Less easy but very effective: sew small mesh sacks out of muslin or something thin. Put small pieces of dry ice in the pouches and pin then under the uniform or under their hats. These are excellent for football helmets, band uniforms etc. It creates a micro-climate inside the uniform or helmet that really helps air condition just that area. You just need to make sure it doesn't touch their skin.
I've seen this used in a number of setting used it myself for my outdoor august wedding. It worked great. Dry ice is easier to get, and cheaper than most people realize.
Cold packs around her neck while she is sitting and waiting. That is what our mechanics use to keep cool when it is 100+ and they are working all day leaning over hot engines. A cooler full of ice with a bunch of reusable ice packs that she can cycle through. Keeping it on the neck helps cool the blood going to and from the brain and the blood vessels are very close to the surface.
Hello!
Both of my boys play sports so I know exactly what you are talking about.
A friend of mine introduced me to Frogg Toggs. It is a scarf sized towel that, once wet, stays cold for quite some time! If it dries out due to the heat, just wet it again and it turns cold again. It's truly amazing. I even have one for myself.
They cost $15 and you can find them at Dick's Sporting Goods or Academy Sports.
Good luck!
Ice water, cold washcloths kept in ice water and misting the legs, arms and face with cool water.
In that heat, the girls shouldn't be standing out there for long periods of time. It's very dangerous! They should be rotating half the squad every 5 minutes or so of REAL time. The other half should be standing either in the shade, or at the very least with cold washcloths and cold water!
Cool washcloth on the neck. You don't want it to be ice cold, as that sometimes shocks the body and could make her feel worse. You could throw in a second wash cloth to pat her arms and legs with.
More water is great, too!
Hopefully it won't be this hot for the entire season :-)
My daughter is a Varsity cheerleader. Last night was the first game and it was miserable. They are on the field from 5:15ish until about 10:45.
We keep ice chests full of water and gatorade. This time of the year, the first 2-4 games are hot and we also have cold washcloths for them to put on their neck, etc.
Fortunately, this heat won't last much longer and everything will be more tolerable.
Good luck
That does sound miserable! My DD plays softball and games have been pretty hot as well. What we do for all of the girls is fill a small cooler or large water container with ice water and throw in a bunch of washcloths. When the girls are on the bench they grab one and put it around their necks. Helps a TON. This would work for the whole cheer squad, or you could of course just do something smaller for your DD. Simple as that- ice water, washcloth. Just make sure to train her/them to put them back and keep the lid on so they stay cold.
My 9 yr old son plays competitive baseball and it can be brutal in 100 degree heat when he's out there for 6 hours plus in a day. He keeps his frogtog in the dugout and plenty of cold water and Gatorade. Do not only use Gatorade as it will dehydrate you, you need water too. You can also get a misting fan (personal size) that can help too. She will get more used to it.
My 6 yr old son's coach keeps a bucket of ice water with washcloths so the boys can get one while on the bench.
