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Indianapolis Colts Offer Youth Football and Cheer Programs
Looking for ways for your littlest fans to get in on the football action? Here are some fun sports opportunities offered by the Indianapolis Colts!
The Indianapolis Colts Junior Cheerleading Program is an exclusive 8-month program for children ages 3 to 14. Your child will receive dance instruction from the Colts Cheerleaders at a monthly clinic, beginning in June. Children will be assigned to a squad and have a Colts Cheerleader as their mentor and coach. Junior Cheerleaders also have exclusive performance opportunities throughout the season. In the past, the Junior Cheerleaders have performed at Indianapolis Indians games, Indy Eleven games, Colts home games, the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade, and an end-of-year recital.
The program is much more than dancing. During the monthly clinics, the Colts Cheerleaders cover topics such as confidence, respect, teamwork and other essential life lessons. The Junior Cheerleaders have the opportunity to serve the community in numerous community outreach projects. In the past, the Junior Cheerleaders have baked cookies at the Ronald McDonald House, decorated footballs to send to our military overseas, hosted toy drives for local shelters and more. For the 2021 season, Junior Cheerleaders are working on a community outreach program per squad, to help give back to the community.
Registration opens in December for the 2022 season. If you would like to be the first to receive information on how to register, fill out the 2022 Waitlist at Colts.com/juniorcheer. Questions regarding the program can be directed to Erin Smith, Youth Cheer Coordinator, at Erin. Smith@Colts.NFL.net.
Youth Football
Colts Youth Football runs several programs and initiatives designed to grow and improve the experience of everyone involved in youth and high school football. Focusing on its four pillars – Health & Safety, Participation & Inclusion, Education, and Outreach –opportunities are offered throughout the year for anyone involved in the game of football. Whether you are currently playing football or looking to get introduced to the game, there are several opportunities to improve your skills. The Big Blue Football Camps and Colts Skills Camp are great opportunities for elementary and middle-school kids to learn the fundamentals of the game in a non-contact setting.
The Colts are focused on improving the health and safety of the game. This season, the team funded USA Football Coaching Certifications for more than 2,500 youth coaches across the state. USA Football’s Youth Coach Certification, the only training for football coaches nationally accredited by the United States Center for Coaching Excellence, provides industryleading youth coaching and player safety standards.
Each spring, the Colts offer Youth and High School Football grants for programs across Indiana. These grants may aid programs looking to become Heads Up Footballcertified, purchase or recondition equipment, update or repair facilities, provide stipends for on-site athletic trainers, reduce participation fees and more.
Visit Colts.com/youthfootball and follow @ColtsYouthFB on Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date information.
2021 Holiday sneak peak
The holidays are just around the corner, and there are lots of fun and festive events happening around Indy that are guaranteed to get you in a merry mood. Here is a sneak peek at some of the ones we’re looking forward to!
WORDS BY NICOLE SIPE
Christmas Nights of Lights
christmasnightsoflights.com
Indy's largest synchronized light show is happening at Indiana State Fairgrounds from November 12-January 2, 2022. See over 1 million lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show!
Jingle Rails
eiteljorg.org
Train lovers: This one's for you! Jingle Rails at The Eiteljorg will get you into the holiday spirit as you view nine working model trains that wind through a stunning miniature landscape. New this year: a miniature version of San Francisco! Jingle Rails will be making tracks from November 20-January 17, 2022.
A Beef & Boards Christmas
beefandboards.com
November 26-December 23, guests will be treated to an array of all their holiday favorites at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. With a beatboxing, rapping Santa Claus and a Rudolph that actually flies onto the stage, you’ll see something special each night throughout the holiday season.
Jolly Days Winter Wonderland
childrensmuseum.org
Celebrate family traditions and holidays with Jolly Days Winter Wonderland at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis! From November 27–December 24, enjoy visits with Santa, “ice skate” in your socks, explore the Ice Castle and much more.
Butler Ballet: The Nutcracker
butlerartscenter.org
This student production of The Nutcracker at Clowes Memorial Hall includes spectacular dancing, beautiful costumes, glorious scenery and pyrotechnical flash. December 2-5, the brilliance of Tchaikovsky’s music will be brought to life by the Butler Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir under the direction of Richard Auldon Clark.
Yuletide Celebration
indianapolissymphony.org
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration returns this December 3-23 at Hilbert Circle Theatre! Your favorite holiday music will be brought to life with Broadway-style showstoppers, the famous tap-dancing Santas, and more.
indyballet.org
The classic holiday tradition returns December 10-12! Join Indiana Ballet Conservatory at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre to experience The Nutcracker, an iconic holiday classic. For kids who might have a shorter attention span, Indiana Ballet Conservatory presents Nutcracker Sweets, a 1-hour version of The Nutcracker at The Toby at Newfields. Nutcracker Sweets is happening December 17-19, and is recommended for children ages 4 and older.
Ballet Theatre of Carmel Presents The Nutcracker
ballettheatreofcarmel.org
Join the Ballet Theatre of Carmel Academy’s pre-professional ballet company for The Nutcracker, a spectacular holiday tradition. Performances are happening December 18 and 19 in the heart of downtown Zionsville at STAR Bank Performing Arts Center. This is a family-friendly production with plenty of pre- and post-show activities to get everyone into the holiday spirit!
