I don’t know about you guys, but I know my team is already hurting for money and the season hasn’t even started yet. We weren’t able to hold our Spring Showcase nor were we able to hold our tryout clinics that are both huge fundraisers for us!
In addition to this, I know a lot of my dancers have a parent or parents who have lost their jobs. Crazy times, man, crazy times!
So, rather than focus on the problem. . . let’s work together to find solutions!
Here are 7 sure ways to cut back on costs next season:
1. Reuse your pom or game day uniform (save $3,000+)
If you are a team who gets brand new pom or game day uniforms every year, maybe this is the year you can reuse last year’s uniform. “But what about my seniors who paid for their uniforms? They always take them when they graduate!” I completely understand this. I wonder if you could ask your seniors to lend their uniform to the team for just a year? Or you could even ask them to donate their uniforms the the program! We all know they will never use that uniform again, but the program will!
2. Host a home camp (save $2,000+)
Who even knows what’s going on with camps this summer anyways. And for teams who can’t start until the fall: here’s a solution for you. Do a camp at your school, save on travel, and save on instruction costs! You have two options: create the camp curriculum yourself and bring in locals to do workshops or hire an outside company. Varsity brands does home camps, many choreographers (myself included) do home camps, and many competition brands also offer home camps. Bottom line: you have options to help you save money on camp!
Click here for more information about booking a camp with me!
3. Don’t do camp this year (save $3,500+)
At the end of the day, if you are short on funds and can’t start your season until August/September. . . maybe you end up having to skip camp this year. Now, this isn’t the option I’m choosing for my team and I am heartbroken even thinking about the teams who may have to skip camp this year. . . but it is an option. Especially if you travel for camp, this could save you $5,000 or more.
4. Attend fewer competitions (save $1000+)
Is there one competition you can cut this year to lower costs for your team? Maybe it’s an out of town competition that costs $3000+ with travel. It might suck losing that performance opportunity, but maybe you can replace that competition with a small showcase at your school. Maybe you can even get alumni to come in and give feedback. That way, you are saving money and your dancers are still getting to perform their competition routines and get feedback.
5. Buy your team less team gear (save $500+)
Does your team really need matching hoodies, matching ponchos, matching luggage, matching ear muffs, matching crocs, matching costume bags, AND matching pajamas? Probably not. Now, are they SUPER cute and SUPER fun to wear together, yes absolutely!
6. Skip the amusement park at Nationals (save $2,000+)
Believe it or not, there are teams who already do this to save money. If you go to Nationals, this is a great way to save money on the trip!
7. Compete one less routine (save $3,000+)
Especially if you compete 3 or more routines, cutting one out can save you a lot of money! You’ll save on choreography, costumes, and competition fees for that routine. A plus for competing one less routine is that you get more time to work on your other routines! This might really be needed if you have to start your season late.
I am here to help and I am here to serve my community of dance team coaches. If your team budget is going to be super tight this season, using these methods can save you over $10,000!
If you have any other ideas of ways to cut costs this season, please comment and share below! We all need help this coming season.
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