Frequently Asked Questions
01
Do you offer trial classes?
Yes! Please call our office to schedule a free class for your child/children.
02
What do I do if the class I want to register for is FULL?
You can be placed on a wait list; you will be notified when a space becomes available in the requested class. All wait list spots are first come, first serve. For more details, please call the office.
03
My child is sick; can I have a make-up?
Yes, we allow five make-ups per year if your child misses their regular class. Make-up classes do not expire and we are able to track your child's missed classes through their instructors attendance sheets. All make-ups must be scheduled through the office. Please call the office to reserve a make-up date.
04
Do you offer sibling discounts?
Yes! Discounts vary by the number of children, number of classes taken per week and the type of class. For specific pricing please call the office.
05
Do I need to be a member of the gym to attend Open Gym?
No, Open Gym does not require pre-registration; just come in! Open Gym for non-members costs $20 per session. If you want to register your child for open gym (pay $40 gym registration fee), your child would pay member fees of $15 per session for open gym.
06
How do I know if the gym has been closed for inclement weather/an emergency?
If the gym is closed for any weather related reason or emergency, the answering machine (908-359-6582) and website homepage will be updated by 2 pm. If Hillsborough school's are closed for inclement weather, all morning classes will be cancelled. Note that if school is closed, classes are NOT necessarily cancelled and if school is open, classes can still be cancelled as most daily practices do not begin until after 4 pm.
07
When is tuition due? How can I pay tuition?
Tuition is due during the first two weeks of each month. Past due letters will be sent on the 15th of each month.
We accept cash, check and credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover) payments. We can also auto charge your account using a credit card. Auto charges are automatically run on the 1st of each month. If you wish to have your account auto charged, please see the office.
08
Can I get a refund or credit on my tuition payment?
When registering your child, payment for registration fee and first and last month tuition is required. This payment cannot be refunded. If your child is injured and is not able to attend gymnastics, a doctors note is needed for an account credit.
Birthday party deposits are non-refundable.
09
How do I know what class level is right for my child?
Our recreation classes are set-up according to age.
3 years old (instructor approval needed)
4 years old (pre-schoolers)
5-6 years old (kindergartners)
6-7 years old
8-9 years old
10+ years old
Your child should join the class best suited to their age. If a child is too advanced for their class, an instructor can recommend to move your child up to an older age group or to an invited class or pre-team/team.
Your child will be evaluated at the end of each year and will receive a report card noting what class they should enroll in the following year.
10
My child wants to be in an advanced class/team; how do I know if she is ready?
DC Gymnastics offers numerous team and pre-team options for girls. Unfortunately, at this time we do not have a boys team.
If your child is interested, please speak with your child's instructor. They will be able to give you the best information in regards to your child's ability and potential. If the instructor thinks your child is ready, we will schedule a time for your child to tryout.
Depending on the class or team, we only move gymnasts up at certain times during the year - usually in January, May or September.
11
My child wants to have a birthday party at DC Gymnastics; what will they do?
All birthday parties are one and a half hours long - one hour of gymnastics and a half an hour in the party room.
All birthday parties follow the same basic structure:
Warm-up - first 5 minutes
Obstacle course - 10 minutes
Tumbl Trak - 10 minutes
Trampoline - 10 minutes
Parachute - 10 minutes
Various other activities (ropes, cargo net, rock wall, pit, zip line) - 15 minutes
Parents are responsible for providing their own invitations, decorations, refreshments and goody bags. For more information on birthday parties CLICK HERE.
12
My child does not want to attend classes anymore; how can I drop a class?
You must notify the office of your decision to drop class 30 days before your childs last class. When registering for class, your last month's non-refundable deposit is paid (in addition to your first month's tuition and registration fee). If you fail to notify the office of your decision to drop a class, you will lose your last month's deposit.
13
Do I have to stay during my child's class?
No. However, the gym has free wi-fi and a party room that is frequently used for homework, work, etc.
14
What will my child do in class?
All classes follow the same basic structure:
Warm-up - first 10 minutes
Olympic Event #1 - 15 minutes
Olympic Event #2 - 15 minutes
Olympic Event #3 - 15 minutes
Conditioning/fun activity - 5 minutes
There are six events in the gym - uneven bars, balance beam, vault, floor, trampoline and Tumbl Trak. Classes rotate events focusing on three events one week and the other three events the following week.
15
What is a cheer tumble class?
Cheer tumble classes are great for cheerleaders, dancers or anyone looking to work on their tumbling skills. The class focuses on floor skills and uses the trampoline and Tumbl Trak to help teach and master skills like back handsprings and various running tumbling passes. Students will not use the uneven bars, balance beam or vault at all in this class. Dances, cheers, jumps and stunting are NOT taught/worked on in a cheer tumble class.
家长须知与体操常识问答
1.补课: 补课只允许在本学期内进行,若有客观原因需跨学期补课,若受伤与伤病,须有医生的诊断证明,并需要俱乐部经理批准。除了受伤外,俱乐部不接受跨学年的补课。补课须预先通知前台并获同意。若本俱乐部课时有限,找不到合适的补课时间,可到gk的其他俱乐部补课,即gK各俱乐部的学生可以互相补课。
2. 学费与退费: 学费按第一节课开始算,一学期一付,每学期几节课待确定。若合作俱乐部,收费以俱乐部自有规定为准。学期结束后下学期付费时间也是第一节课前付,没有付费不能保证学员能准时上课。学员一旦完全注册,学费一律不退,因受伤不宜继续从事运动的情况除外。
3. 注册费: 注册费每年一次,除夏季外,无论你从那个学期注册,费用相同,没有例外。
4.试课: 新生欢迎参加试课,试课后不报名注册的,此课免费。若试课后报名注册,此课算作课时。合作俱乐部有不同的规定。
5.上课衣服: 不提倡正常上课的孩子穿专用的体操服,只要舒适不影响运动的上衣长短裤子都可以,上课可光脚与穿袜子。当然,紧身衣裤更好。若是Pre-team 高级班的孩子,建议穿体操服。
6.体操运动容易受伤吗?
这取决于水平,专业运动员是易受伤的,但我们的Pre-team 与快乐体操基本上属于大众体育中基本体操的范畴,没有任何证据表明,它比其他体育项目更易受伤,相反,我们25多年的国内外实践证明,低水平基本体操强调的是运动能力与培养心理素质,而不是高难动作,再加上训练场所的各地保护措施,及教师的安全意识都保证了安全。同时,参加体操本身就是一个学习自我保护的过程,从不同器材,不同高度与时间, 以不同动作与方式落地,学生学会了安全的着陆方法并提高了自我掌控的能力。
7.体操影响身高吗?
没有任何的证据证明体操会,职业运动员个子矮基本都是选材的结果,欧美的运动员相对个高,但与他们自己的种族群体比,也是较矮的。这就像蓝球运动员选高个一样。相反,我们的快乐体操实实在在地促进孩子的生长发育,尤其是蹦床练习,会反复刺激骨骺的增加,是促进成长增高的好运动。虽没有实验证明,但从经验看,蹦床运动员身高普遍超越自身家庭成员的身高。
8.报名后可以换课吗?
可以的,我们允许孩子们换课,以及选择自己喜欢的老师,师生互动是高质量课的有力保证。
9.体操课学动作还是参与过程重要?
对于5岁以下的孩子,参与过程更重要,这个年龄段主要是学习课堂的行为规则与发掘潜在的运动能力为主,上课的内容以孩子夭生的基本自然运动方法为主,所以不注重动作本身与技术的掌握,有特殊天赋的孩子除外。6岁以上我们要求学会并掌握一定的基本动作, 也注意动作技术要素,学习体操基本技能,因而会两者兼顾。
10.体操课坚持多久效果好?
参加一年的课程效果比较好,因为一年內除了掌握基本技能外,还有机会体验这一年中的系统课程, 学会锻炼身体的基本方法, 及有助养成良好的锻炼意识与习惯, 所以一年是个基本期。当然,孩子不喜欢另当别论,或者要深化学习与训练的孩子更需每周多次来上课,并坚持长久的训练才能有大的成长进步。
11.为什么上课重复同样的内容?
由于运动能力所限,及上课时间的限制,在进步不大的情况下,反复重复练习是正常的教学,这个练习过程对于运动能力的提高起着同样的作用,课程的进程完全基于运动能力与安全的考虑,若两者都具备,会安排新的教学内容。体操有一套供学习与练习的动作与技术进阶体系,其每个阶段都有其特殊的对身体与心理素质的要求,所以必须依学生能力施教。另外,学习动作需经历尝试,练习与掌握的一个过程,重复练习是必要的,这个过程本身就是锤炼意志的过程 。
12.如何观察孩子的一节课?
相信每个家长都有自己的观察与评估方法,但我们可为家长提供三个重要的参考点,一是否运动量足够,有排队等上器械的现象出现吗?当然,这条不适合蹦床项目。二是组织的是否有条理,孩子上课有秩序吗?三是与孩子与老师互动如何?以上三点也是我们评估老师的重要依据,供家长参考。
13.体重大或身体弱的孩子可参加体操运动吗?
快乐体操欢迎每个孩子参与,我们的宗旨是让他们都能亭受这项运动的乐趣, 虽然每周一个小时的课时对减重或增胖效果有限,但体操对其躯干上下肢的力量发展,协调与灵敏效果显著,这些都是孩子所欠缺的。实际上,基本体操许多都是体适能的内容,更适合在这方面有需求的孩子, 也就是说体操是最全面的体适能训练项目。
14.练体操太辛苦值得报名吗?
是的,练体操需要有些吃苦耐劳的精神,练习中也常遭受挫折,正因为这样,才对孩子意志品质的培养与个性的发展发挥作用,现在的孩子非常需要这种经历与承受挫折的能力,所以家长值得花钱投入。例如一个筒单的靠墙倒立或杠上悬吊动作,都会考验孩子的意志与忍耐力。
15.有问题向谁反映?
对俱乐部教师或教学的任何问题,都可直接课后与教师沟通,或者直接找经理,若需要可通过电话与加微信方式沟通,我们欢迎家长们的反馈与尊重家长们的意见与建议。
16.重要日程与假期如何安排?
原则上我们与学校的节假期安排同步,所有国家规定的公休假俱乐部都停课,具体的还请参阅各俱乐部自己的日程表。
17.孩子什么情况下可以参加比赛?
孩子参加Pre-team 后, 经过适当的训练与准备,即可参加比赛。我们鼓励Pre-team 学生参加比赛,充分利用这个展示天赋表达自我的平台,开阔眼界,激发自己的竞争力与上进心.
18.体适能:
体适能本质上是身体素质,主要指协调灵敏柔韧平衡速度力量等素质。英文Fitness是指体身与精神两个状态都适合生活的环境与相应的应变适应能力,而不是专项运动。在国内大多数人只专重体能这方便,而忽略了心理精神状态。体操是体适能的最后解决方案,在引进体适能概念前,它本来就是最全面最基础的训练手段,现在回归体操,使我们的体能与心理训练更加有效全面。
19.年龄与参与各项运动的关系:
孩子参与运动一般有几个因素,一是家长兴趣,家长对项目的认可才送孩子去练的。二是孩子自己喜欢,越来越多的家长依从了孩子的兴趣,这是最值得鼓励的进步。三是受外界影响。但很多家长都不清楚年龄与运动项目的关系与选择,这是一个可以著书立说的命题,这里简单介绍一下大慨合理的选择,因为孩子的身体心理素质发展有明显的年龄敏感期,过早或过晚参与,及错搭年龄与项目,都会影响效果与效率。一般说,5岁前,体操游泳是首选。6岁以上,体操球类游泳及各单项运动可同时选择,并要增加户外运动,如爬山骑单车等。10岁以上,专注专项运动为主。当然,走运动专业之路,都须从小开始,尤其是需要早期系统训练的项目。但对绝大部分家长来说,作为参与运动锻炼与健身为目的,什么时候参加任何运动都会有意义价值的。
20.Finess is a life style。
这一直是我们的口号,从美国到国内,我们一直在倡导健康与运动,希望我们的服务能给你们的孩子带来不一样的体验,也希望孩子们喜欢家长认可,体操不仅是个基础项目,是早期挖掘人体潜力的重要工具,也是培养健康积极个性的有效手段,我们的宗旨是让每个参与的人都能亨受得它的益处与乐趣!谢谢!
Gymnastice is all about having fun, getting fit, and learning fundamental skills which promote flexibility, strength and balance. Our American-style recreational programs are suitable for Children of all ages and body types.
Passion and joy for the sport is what we all have in common and we are excited in being part of your child's athletic joumey.