The Dubuque Gymnastics Team Members Competition/Password Page
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Parent Information & Policies
Dubuque Gymnastics offers competitive gymnastics through Xcel and USAG Levels 3 and up. We are members of the USA Gymnastics Competitive Program.
Our competitive program is designed to develop strong, confident, disciplined athletes through consistent training, proper skill progression, and year-round commitment.
Practice Schedule & Recommended Hours
Competitive athletes practice 2–5 days per week from September through May, depending on their level and training plan.
Our regular competitive schedule is generally:
- Xcel Silver and Up: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Xcel Bronze: Tuesday and Thursday
- Schedules may be adjusted slightly when needed.
For the best progression and success, we recommend approximately:
- Xcel Bronze: 5–9 hours per week
- Xcel Silver & Gold: 9–11 hours per week
- Xcel Platinum & Above: 11–14 hours per week
If you would like to discuss the appropriate schedule for your athlete, please email dubuquedance@gmail.com.
Summer training has longer practice hours and a different pricing structure. Please refer to the Price Page on our website for current summer information.
Team Placement & Competition Readiness
Athletes will attend competition classes well before they are ready to compete.
Competition readiness is determined by the head coach, in consultation with the athlete and parents. Athletes are typically on the team for approximately one year before they are ready to compete, although each athlete progresses at their own pace.
Before competing, an athlete must:
- Be registered for the appropriate competitive program.
- Attend all required practice days and hours.
- Demonstrate the required skills for their assigned level.
- Have all competition skills mastered.
- Receive approval from the head coach to compete.
The head coach determines each athlete’s competitive level based on skill development and readiness.
Year-Round Commitment
Competitive gymnastics is a year-round program.
School Term
The regular gymnastics schedule runs from approximately the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day.
Athletes are expected to attend their regular scheduled practices throughout the season.
Summer Session
The summer session generally runs 7–8 weeks from approximately mid-June through mid-August.
Summer tuition is paid in advance unless a payment schedule has been arranged with Miss Dee.
Competitive athletes are also required to attend:
- Pre-Summer Practices
- August Intensive Practices
These are separate programs with separate fees.
Schedule Changes & Withdrawal
If you need to change your athlete’s hours or discontinue the program for the upcoming season, written notice must be received by March 1.
This deadline is necessary because staff must be trained and certified, schedules must be established, and the studio must prepare for the upcoming competitive season.
If proper notice is not provided by the March 1 deadline, you may remain responsible for the full season.
Attendance
Consistent attendance is essential to competitive gymnastics.
If your athlete will miss a practice, please notify the office in writing by text or email.
Family vacations and other planned time away are understandable. Please notify the office as soon as possible.
When an athlete misses practice, they are expected to make appropriate efforts to stay on track through conditioning, stretching, and practice at home as directed by their coach.
Competition Week
Athletes should never miss practices immediately before a competition unless there is an unavoidable circumstance.
Missing practices immediately before a meet can significantly affect preparation, confidence, and performance.
Training Schedule & Athlete Progress
Our recommended training schedule is designed specifically around the skills and development required for each level.
If a family chooses to reduce or alter the recommended training schedule, we understand that circumstances vary. However, reduced training can directly affect an athlete’s:
- Skill development
- Strength and conditioning
- Progression
- Competition readiness
- Level placement
Parents should understand that changing the recommended schedule may also change the rate at which their athlete progresses.
Financial Standing
All team accounts must remain in good standing.
If your account has an overdue balance for tuition, fees, or other charges, competition or meet fees will not be paid on your behalf until the account is brought current.
Athletes must have a zero balance in order to register for competitive meets.
Tumbling Team
All competitive gymnastics team members are automatically members of the tumbling team.
Competitive gymnastics athletes are invited to attend the tumbling team class at no additional class charge.
The Saturday tumbling class is scheduled next to the athlete’s regular competitive gymnastics practice when possible.
The only additional costs associated with the tumbling team are:
- Tumbling meet entry fees
- Required tumbling membership fees
Required Equipment
Competitive athletes will need the following:
Team Gear
- Studio/Team Warm-Up
- Studio/Team Bag
- Competition Leotard
Please plan ahead when ordering team apparel. Current estimated production times are:
- Warm-Up & Team Bag: 10–12 weeks
- Competition Leotard: 12–14 weeks
Gym Bag Essentials
Athletes should also have:
- Athletic tape/wrap
- Medical scissors
- Nail clippers
- Band-Aids
- Extra leotard
- Hair ties
- Hairspray or preferred hair product
- Any other personal items recommended by the coaching staff
Hair must be pulled back securely and kept completely out of the athlete’s face during practice and competition.
Athlete Wellness & Preparation
Competitive athletes need proper nutrition, hydration, rest, stretching, and conditioning to perform at their best.
We encourage athletes to eat a balanced diet consisting of whole, nutritious foods, including:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Eggs
- Whole grains
- Other nutritious sources of protein and carbohydrates
Athletes should stay well hydrated throughout the day and drink plenty of water.
Daily stretching of the legs, shoulders, and back, along with appropriate abdominal conditioning, can help support strength, flexibility, and overall performance.
Competitive Meets
We typically attend approximately 5–7 gymnastics meets per year.
Athletes are not required to attend every meet. However, families must RSVP their intentions by the requested deadline so that we can properly register the team.
Meet dates and registration information will be posted on your password-protected parent page.
Meet Locations
Most of the meets we attend are located in the eastern half of Iowa.
The original meet information will include the complete address of the competition site. Families can review the location and travel distance before committing to the meet.
Meet Fees
Typical meet entry fees are approximately $110–$160 per meet.
There is also a coaches’ fee for each meet. This helps cover:
- Coach fees
- Travel
- Hotel accommodations
Coaches’ fees will generally be placed in your parent portal approximately one week before the meet and should be paid by the meet date.
Meet Registration
Meet registration is handled by text.
Payments should be made through your parent portal or by check by the requested deadline.
Once registration has been completed, confirmation will be posted on your password-protected page.
Meet Times
Meet times are provided to us as soon as the host organization releases them. In many cases, final competition times are not available until the weekend before the meet.
We will communicate meet times as soon as they are received.
State Meet
We attend one State Meet when an athlete qualifies.
Qualification and participation are based on the requirements established by the applicable governing organization and the athlete’s competitive results.
Parent & Spectator Expectations
Parents, family members, and friends are not permitted on the competition floor or competition surfaces.
Spectators must also refrain from approaching or questioning meet directors, judges, or other competition officials.
These rules are established by the organizations hosting the competitions and must be followed to protect the athlete and the team.
If you have a question or need assistance at a meet, please speak with the head coach.
Meet-Day Parent Responsibilities
Parents are responsible for making sure their athlete:
- Arrives at the designated competition site on time.
- Reports to the coach as directed.
- Arrives dressed and prepared to compete.
- Has appropriate food and hydration.
- Has competition hair securely and professionally styled.
- Has no nail polish on fingers or toes.
- Has no earrings or other jewelry unless specifically permitted.
- Has all required competition equipment.
- Is rested, prepared, and ready to compete.
Competition-Day Breakfast
Athletes should arrive having eaten a nutritious breakfast appropriate for competition.
We recommend foods such as:
- Eggs
- Toast
- Fruit
- Other familiar, nutritious foods
Please avoid heavy, high-sugar breakfasts such as doughnuts, sugary cereals, pancakes, and waffles immediately before competition, as these foods may negatively affect energy levels and focus.
Most importantly, please help your athlete arrive happy, calm, confident, and ready to have fun.
Communication & Team Success
Competitive gymnastics works best when coaches, athletes, and parents work together.
Please communicate questions, concerns, schedule issues, or special circumstances with the coaching staff or office rather than addressing competition officials or judges.
Our goal is to provide every athlete with the training, structure, and support necessary to progress safely and successfully.
Thank you for trusting Dubuque Gymnastics with your athlete’s competitive journey. We are excited to watch our athletes grow in strength, confidence, discipline, and skill throughout the year!