FRDT Frequently Asked Questions:

What is your practice schedule like during the school year?

• We practice 4-5 days per week, usually at Fossil, depending on the season. Our practice options are a combination of the following:

  1. right after school from 4:15-6:30pm

  2. morning practice from 6:00-8:00am

  3. late evening practice 6:30pm-6:30pm

**This is not set, as there are changes always being made to accommodate all athletics at Fossil**

What is your practice schedule like during the summer?

• Our summers are flexible. We start in June holding 3 practices per week. We have a 2 week summer break around the 4th of July - we don’t meet at all during this time.  We come back 3 days per week in July and then mandatory practices start in August (this is when we will have team pictures). During the summer we will do the following: FRDT camp, kids camp fundraiser, Golf Tournament fundraiser, competition choreography.  

What is camp? Is it mandatory?

• Camp is not mandatory but is highly recommended!  It's the first time the team really comes together to learn and work. This is where the beginning of team bonding really starts! We host our own camp, held at Fossil, where we bring in our own choreographers to teach our halftime routines for the year. It’s really fun and very important that each dancer is there! We end the week with an all team/family BBQ.

How long is the dance season?

• Tryouts in April/May. Practices start in June - July.  Mandatory practice starts in August.  Football season is September-October. Competition season is late October/November-December and then again after break until after National's. Basketball season is December-March. We have a break once bball is over, until we start tryouts in April/May.  

What sporting events do you perform at and what does that include?  

• Varsity Football: sidelines and halftime performances

• Varsity Volleyball: one halftime, usually a crosstown rivalry game

• Varsity Soccer: try to get one or two halftimes in per season

• Varsity Basketball: timeouts and halftimes of some boys and girls games, usually rival games

• We also perform at assemblies and some other non-sporting events

What is the cost of being on the dance team?

• It’s typically about $3,000 per Varsity competition dancer, but that price is offset by fundraising. For our JV team, the cost is around $1500 out of pocket. Please keep in mind, prices continue to go up.  Camp, clothing, and the cost to attend competitions and go to National's, continues to go up from the previous years.  

Do dancers letter?

• Dancers have the opportunity to receive a Varsity athletic letter for the year.  Competition Dancers will earn a letter for Fall and Winter.

How many dancers will you take on each team?

• we do not have a set number of dancers that we will take on the Varsity team. We typically have 15-20. But for our Competition team, we don't want more than 15. This is to keep us competing in the Meduim catagory at competitions. Our JV team is very new and has ranged from 12-14, but we will consider more if the fit is right. Many considerations go into making teams sizes.  

What skills do I need to make the competition team?  The sideline team?  

• The skills are posted on our website:  www.frhsdance.com

I have prior commitments through June, will that affect me making the team? 

• Not at all!  We fully expect you to follow through with your prior commitments and studio recital dates - you will not be penalized for this. Please just communicate as far in advance as possible so that we can make a plan together.

Can I still take studio classes and be on the dance team?

• Yes! We require you to take classes out side of FRDT.  We have paired up with Contemporary Dance Academy and also Unity Dance Space - both in Fort Collins. Studio is especially important if you want to continue dance in college. 

Can I still compete with my studio and be on the dance team?  

• It is very difficult, but it can be done. All 3 parties have to be in open, realistic and honest communication about requirements and expectations. 

FRDT Year at a Glance

MAY: 

after tryouts, we hold optional technique practices and team bonding opportunities. The old team from the current school year (minus the seniors) participates in PCA (People's Choice Awards) - our final assembly for the year.  

JUNE: 

summer practices begin, we start fundraising and team bonding. We push to learn HH tricks, pom technique, all sideline material. We typically do FRDT Camp and our Kids Summer Dance Camp Fundraiser.

JULY: 

we will have a 2 week summer break over the 4th of July. Varsity will learn competition choreo later this month.  

AUGUST: 

mandatory practices start, team photo shoot, back to school activities, final prep for Football gamedays.

SEPTEMBER:  

football, volleyball, homecoming, kids clinic fundraiser,

at least2 comp Saturday practices per month - dates TBD.

OCTOBER: 

football/ volleyball, heavy comp prep w/Saturdays - dates and times TBD.

NOVEMBER: 

our comp season starts with League and Regionals. Please do not plan events on the weekends starting towards the end of October and at all in November. ALL Saturdays in November are taken, except for the Saturday following Thanksgiving. 

DECEMBER: 

State Spirit, Dec 11-13th is our main priority. We take a break afterwards but will have a couple bball performances to do.

Team Holiday party

JANUARY: 

we come back from Christmas getting ready for bball halftimes and another kids clinic.  We also have final prep time for National’s in Orlando. 

FEBRUARY:  

Nationals in Orlando for Comp Team.  We plan to compete Hip Hop and possibly a secondary routine again. We get a long break to recover after Natty’s but may still have some bball halftimes. 

MARCH: 

mostly a break with some possible events and clinics to keep the girls dancing.  

APRIL: 

The team finishes a couple school commitments: 8th Grade Visit days is one where we perform at an assembly.  Tryouts start in mid April/May again.  We will have clinic prior but the dates are TBD.