Windy City Twirling Camp

Many  of the most memorable experiences for a twirler can come at a twirling camp surrounded by twirling friends that love the sport as much as your child! 

We have put together an All Star Staff to teach your child new tricks, moves and combinations.  And, we'll help students perfect their current tricks, improve spins and illusions.  Our camp has the perfect balance of learning in combination with fun activities! No matter where your twirler is in their twirling career - this camp is perfect for them! 

Starting on our first day, our team will work with you and your child to develop a plan to ensure that your goals are achieved! Then, we give the opportunity for twirlers to keep their personal learning happening throughout our camp! 

All Star Staff: 

We are so excited to welcome this unbelievable staff to the Chicagoland area for the Windy City Twirling Camp! We are excited to welcome Grace Wood, Katie Harris, Caroline Carothers Reed, Bailey Walke, Veronica Johnson as your primary instructors and co-directors Veronica Johnson & Jacinda Miller. 

Grace Wood - Grace Wood is an Iowa State University Feature Twirler. She competed as a soloist and corp member for 15 years, earning state, regional, and national titles, including Grand National Solo Champion and Miss Majorette of America. She was also named the 2020 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa.

Grace has been coaching twirlers for 8 years and loves combining her own experiences as a competitive soloist, team twirler, and collegiate twirler to enhance athlete’s routines and abilities.

Grace will graduate with a degree in Nutritional Sciences this spring, with research experiences in a microbiology lab as well as a nutrition lab focused on diabetes and metabolic diseases in animal models. Grace will continue her education and research next fall in nutrition, focusing on community nutrition and obesity treatment while pursuing a master’s degree.

Veronica Johnson 

Veronica Johnson's impressive resume speaks volumes about her dedication and expertise. With over 48 years of twirling under her belt, she brings a unique blend of skill, knowledge, and artistry to the table. Her journey in baton twirling took a significant turn when she twirled for Purdue University while pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. It's a testament to her ability to balance both technical and artistic pursuits, a quality that undoubtedly influences her teaching style.

Winning numerous events at the National and State levels, Veronica has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of baton twirling. Her achievements extend beyond the borders of the United States – she proudly represented the country as a judge in Liverpool, showcasing her international standing in the discipline. Certified by both the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) and the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF), Veronica stands at the forefront of baton twirling education and adjudication.

While Veronica's expertise in baton twirling is evident, her love for dance and proper technique is equally profound. Currently serving as a ballet/dance and baton instructor at Dana's Dance Studio in Woodland Park, Colorado, Veronica brings a holistic approach to her classes. Her commitment to teaching students within their unique learning styles fosters an encouraging environment, ensuring that every participant feels supported on their journey to mastery.

 

Bailey Walke - 

Bailey Walke is the Feature Twirler at Kansas State University. She has been twirling for 18 years and has competed at the national and international level. At the 2023 NBTA Collegiate Championships, she was honored as a finalist for her Top-10 placement in collegiate solo. She was also a 2023 member of Team USA and competed in 3-baton at the IBTF World Baton Twirling Championships. She holds several titles at the state and regional level for individual and collegiate events.

Bailey is a junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Physics and an Engineering Leadership and Innovation certificate. She is also on her second semester of the accelerated Mechanical Engineering Masters program. She is currently working on her thesis on polymer-derived ceramic matrix composites and their aerospace applications. Bailey plans to pursue a career in research and development on space systems.

During her time at Kansas State, Bailey has received numerous academic honors and awards. Bailey holds multiple leadership roles within the marching band, and has received several awards from the Pride of Wildcat Land. She is also involved in several student organizations around campus, and is the Research and Development Team Leader of the K-State Rocketry Team.

Katie Harris - 

Katie Harris is the current Miss Boilerette Feature Twirler at Purdue University. She has an extensive background in twirling, having competed individually and with multiple teams for 13 years. Throughout her twirling career, she has earned numerous state, regional, national, and international titles. Notable recent achievements include earning a Silver Medal in the Show Corps Production Team at the 2022 WFNBTA World Championships and earning a Gold Medal in Level A X-Strut at the 2023 IBTF Nations Cup this past summer.

Katie is a Junior at Purdue University, majoring in the Interior Design Professional Program with a minor in Construction Documentation. Recently her Shipping Container re-design project was selected to be featured in the 2023 Purdue Art & Design Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, where she received the 3rd Prize award. She has a passion for commercial interior design, particularly in the realm of hospitality design for hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other hospitality-related businesses.

She is so excited to share her passion for twirling!

 

 

 

Instructional Schedule:

Friday - 

6:00 - 6:15 - Welcome & Introductions

6:15 - 6:30 - Warm-Ups

6:30 - 7:00 - Feature Tricks

7:00 - 7:20 - Spins

7:20 - 7:30 - Break

7:30 - 7:50 - Illusions 

7:50 - 8:00 - Camp Activity

8:00 - 8:05 - Closing Remarks & Depart

Saturday - 

8:30 - 8:45 - Warm-Ups

8:45 - 9:10 - Vertical Section

9:10 - 9:35 - Horizontal or Flat Section

9:35 - 10:00 - Multiple Baton

10:00 - 10:15 - Break (Snack Provided)

10:15 - 10:30 - Camp Activity

10:30 - 10:50 - Camp Show - Routine

10:50 - 11:15 - Finger Twirls

11:15 - 11:45 - X-Strut & Bodywork

11:45 - 12:15 - Lunch (Provided)

12:15 - 12:40 - Rolls

12:40 - 1:00 - Partner Tricks for Duet & Teams

1:00 - 1:20 - X-Strut

1:20 - 1:45 - Feature Tricks

1:45 - 1:55 - Break

2:00 - 2:15 - Camp Show - Routine

2:15 - 2:30 - Stretch/Cool Down & Closing Remarks

 

Sunday - 

8:30 - 8:45 - Warm-Up

8:45 - 9:05 - Open Practice*

9:05 - 9:30 - Multiple Baton 

9:30 - 9:50 - Contact Material

9:50 - 10:00 - Break (Snack Provided)

10:00 - 10:20 - X-Strut & Bodywork

10:20 - 10:40 - Horizontal/Flat Section

10:40 - 11:00 - Vertical Section

11:00 - 11:20 - Rolls

11:20 - 11:30 - Camp Activity

11:30 - 11:50 - Camp Show - Routine

11:50 - 12:00 - Break

12:00 - 12:30 - Q & A for Camp Staff

12:30 - 1:00 - Friends & Famiily Show

 

Camper Levels & Price

All Star Campers is for baton twirling students attending any or all of the instructional sessions.  All Star Campers will receive a swag bag which includes a camp tank top, shorts and other goodies.  All Star Campers provided healthy snacks, water and lunch on Saturday. All Star Camper fee is $195.  Families can choose to pay $100 deposit now and balance on April 1, 2024 or can pay in full when registering. 

Coach Campers are coaches that would like to attend camp with their students. Coach Campers can attend free of charge if bringing 5 or more students. Coach Campers can attend any or all camps and sessions. Coach Camper fee is $125. Coach Campers will also be able to attend business sessions on: Promoting Your Classes, Student Retention and Parent Relations. Business Session schedule to be announced soon. 

Parent Sessions help twirling parents to better understand the fabulous world of baton twirling.  The following Parent Sessions will be offered:

Understanding The Scoresheet, Saturday, June 1, 1:30 - 2:00 pm

Collegiate Twirling - What You Need to Know, Saturday, June 1, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024. 

AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND RELEASE: I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for  damage for personal injury, illness, or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter  accrue to me, as a result of my, or the identified competitor’s, participation in the Windy City Twirling Camp. 

I assume all risks, known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable, in any way connected with  my participation in the Windy City Twirling Camp event. I accept personal responsibility for any liability,  injury, loss, or damage in any way connected with my participation. 

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the event venue, event staff, directors, officers, employees, agents, and  volunteers, from all claims, and the cost of defending any claim I might make, or that might be made  on my behalf, that is in any way connected with or arising out of my participation. 

Participation, and attendance, includes possible exposure to, and illness from, infectious diseases  including but not limited to influenza and COVID-19. While preventative measures and personal  discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness does exist. I acknowledge, voluntarily accept,  and assume all risks related to an injury or illness related to these or other infectious diseases as a  result of my participation. 

The Fine Print... 

Location: Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Dr, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Schedule: 

Friday, May 31 - 3:00 - 6:00 pm Check-In

6:00 - 8:00 pm Instructional Time

Saturday, June 1 - 8:30 am - 2:30 pm Instructional Time

Sunday, June 2 - 8:30 am - 1:00 pm  (Show at 12:30)

*See full schedule above.  Camp staff may change schedule or classes, if needed. 

Classes Offered: 

Leaps & Turns, Strength & Conditioning, Solo, X-Strut, Freestyle, Field Routines, Flag, Show Twirl, Multiple Baton, Duet/Partner Tricks

 Sibling Discount Available:

Sibling discount of 15% available to both siblings living in the same household. Discount must be given as a refund after registration due to a technology limitation of this form. 

Private Lessons:

Private lessons are available with camp  instructors for $65 per hour. Sign-up below for private lessons. Private lessons will be held after scheduled instructional time. 

Ages: 

All campers must be ages 6 and older. 

Packing List:

Campers  should pack, batons (please mark with your name), baton tape, baton shoes, tennis shoes, practice clothes, swimsuits, water bottle, snacks, chargers, notebooks/pens, pajamas, games, medicines, toiletries, money for camp store. 

Transportation: 

Transportation to/from camp and to/from practice facility will be provided by parents/guardian.

Lodging: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Hoffman Estates

Booking Link: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&qSrt=sBR&qIta=99801505&icdv=99801505&qSlH=CHIPS&qCiD=31&qCiMy=042024&qCoD=02&qCoMy=052024&qGrpCd=BTU&setPMCookies=true&qSHBrC=EX&qDest=5235%20Prairie%20Stone%20Parkway,%20Hoffman%20Estates,%20IL,%20US&srb_u=1&qChAge=&qRmFltr=

Families should book their lodging directly through the hotel.  Camp fees do not include hotel stay. 

Chaperones: 

Camp staff will be on-site and will be available for questions at the  welcome/help desk on Friday from 3 pm - 5:30 pm, Saturday from 7:00 am - 8:15 am & 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Sunday from 7:00 am - 8:15 am.

Awards:

Door Decorating, Hard Worker, Sportsmanship Award, Leadership Award and Teacher's Awards

Refunds:

No refunds after April 1, 2024. 

Questions: 

Please contact Jacinda Miller  at batontwirlingunltd@gmail.com. 

Open Practice*: The open practice session on the schedule provides twirlers with the opportunity to ask any of our staff for assistance in learning a specific trick or for feedback on a trick or combination in their individual routine.