People often ask what sets Upper Merion Dance & Gymnastics Center’s classes apart from the competition. Here’s just a few reasons:
UMDGC believes that a busy gymnast is safe, learning, and staying out of trouble. This is why UMDGC has the lowest coach to participant ratios, as much as 1/2 of the industry standard. Following are the maximum number of tumblers/gymnasts per instructor; in most cases, the actual number is even lower:
When appropriate, gymnasts and tumblers are grouped based upon their skill level, age, and/or gender. This ensures that each person is working on the skills appropriate to their level, and that the proper teaching methods are being used.
Every person is different, which is why UMDGC tracks each gymnast’s/tumbler’s skill development separately. The date each skill is mastered is stored in the database for future reference. On the last day of each session, the gymnasts/tumblers are given their skill sheets so that the parents can keep track of their child’s progress. You may also ask your coach or front desk staff for an updated copy of a skill sheet at anytime.
Classes have set age and skill ranges to ensure a consistent, safe learning environment. Additionally, each class is limited in size based upon the number of instructors available. This guarantees that the gymnasts and tumblers are properly supervised and receiving the maximum number of turns.
The tumbling and gymnastics class programs are split into at least 4 levels. Each gymnastics level has approximately 30 skills that must be mastered; each tumbling level has 8-15 skills to master. Because skills at higher levels build upon the skills learned at the lower levels, the gymnast/tumbler must master all of the skills at the current level and pass a skill test given by a supervisor before moving up to the next level.
These restrictions ensure safe, consistent instruction, and will be strictly enforced. Please do not register for an inappropriate class because of convenience or friends. Those registered for the wrong class will be moved to the correct class or receive a credit (no refunds). Age is determined: on the first day of the session (gymnastics); or on the day the child registers (dance, open workouts).
Because of the importance of a proper warm-up and disruptions to the class, repeated late arrivals of more than 5 minutes will not be admitted to class. When participants are left unattended, supervision rates will be $5 per five minutes per person if notified before end of program and $10 per five minutes per person if not notified.
In order to insure a safe, family-oriented, and productive environment, all individuals entering UMDGC are expected to follow posted policies and rules, and behave in an age-appropriate, thoughtful, and considerate manner. UMDGC reserves the right to reprimand, remove, or expel uncooperative participants and visitors. All UMDGC staff decisions are final.
Prices, scheduling, policies, instructors, and descriptions are subject to change without notice and will be posted on www.umdgc.com. Programs may be cancelled due to low enrollment or if an instructor is not available.
Starting the second week of each eligible session, enrolled participants receive 50% off when adding classes for the same session. No other discounts or adjustments, except prorating, apply. Not valid on: Spring dance classes, previous registrations, and pay-as-you-go programs. Dance and gymnastics classes cannot be mixed-and-matched.
Campers/class participants/classes must be enrolled simultaneously. 10% discount for 2-3 registrants; 15% off for 4+ registrants. Only available through UMDGC.
In addition to other discounts, receive a 5% discount when paying 4+ months of tuition at once.
Contact UMDGC owners if financial assistance is needed for short times of need.
Please contact UMDGC no more than 60 minutes before the scheduled start time to check the status of the activity. Cancelled classes will be made-up if time permits or a UMDGC credit will be issued.
Pay-As-You-Go Classes and Passes
For selected classes, participants may pay cash or use a pass. Each pass is good for 10 classes of the type listed on the card. Treat cards as cash; they are non-refundable and non-replaceable.
UMDGC is not responsible for damaged, stolen, lost, or misplaced property and money. Bring at your own risk.
Receive a $10 credit if a new registrant writes your name on their first registration form.
Select programs have a monthly tuition option. Tuition is due no later than the 7th of each month. A 10% late fee will be assessed for payments received after the 7th of the month.
Contact UMDGC to set-up a Free Trial Class. All participants must have a signed and completed registration on file prior to beginning class. Please contact UMDGC a minimum of 72 hours in advance.
Make-ups are limited in availability, must be arranged the Thursday prior to the weekend you'd like to attend, and cannot be carried over to another session. No refunds, credits, or prorating is permitted for classes that are missed but not made up.
Due to the limited number of classes and staff availability, the following is the make-up policy for summer classes:
Unlike other gymnastics centers, UMDGC limits the size of the class based upon the number of instructors available to coach. While this means that the actual size of classes may fluctuate slightly between sessions, it guarantees a small group for your tumbler or gymnast.
We split large classes up into groups based upon skill level, age, and gender. The specific characteristics and number of registrants will determine exactly how the groups will be split. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that you will be with your friend; however, we will guarantee that you will be safe and working on appropriate skills.
A tumbling class is tailored for those that only want to work on skills on the floor, be it for cheerleading or “showing off in the back yard.” A tumbler will work on the floor, trampolines, tumbltrak, and airtrak. Skills they will attempt to master include handstands, cartwheels, roundoffs, and back handsprings. A gymnastics class introduces the gymnast to all of the equipment you see in the Olympics, plus the training apparatus for those events (e.g. tramps, mushroom).
UMDGC believes that a person can learn by doing “what they’re not supposed to.” Boys, who typically have difficult with balance or body awareness, gain control by practice on the balance beam. Similarly, girls build up much needed strength by working on the rings, pommel horse, and parallel bars. These basic skills, regardless of the event, are the foundation of more advanced skills in gymnastics and the basis of all sport activities.
At the end of each session, we will give the gymnasts/tumblers a copy of the skills they have mastered and still need to master. Also, feel free to ask the coach or the front desk; they will be happy to show you a copy of the sheet. Or you can just ask your child; they probably know exactly how many tricks they need or have mastered.
Yes. The coach is able to take away a skill point if the gymnast/tumbler is unable to perform the skill consistently. This ensures that UMDGC keeps a listing of each person’s current abilities for safety reasons, and makes it more likely he/she will pass their skills test in the future.
Nothing. They go back to their group, work on the skills they did not complete successfully during the test, and, after mastering those skills again, may be retested as many times as they want.
There are three major reason why your child isn’t progressing or earning points:
This is a great way to raise money for your group and have them practicing gymnastics or tumbling at open workout. UMDGC will donate a portion of each open workout pass that the group sells.
Set up a single or multiple private workouts for your group with members of the UMDGC coaching staff. If you wish to schedule classes for a session at a time, please contact Mr. Dave no later than the foll0wing dates so that a time slot can be reserved for you: Jun 10 for a class between Sep and Jan; Nov 1 for a class between Jan and Jun. Past groups reserving special class times include cheerleading squads from: St. Joseph's University, Eastern University Cheerleading, Methacton High School, Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School, Carrol Catholic High School, St. Teresa's Catholic School, MDP Catholic School, PW Spartans, and the Conshohocken Golden Bears.
Select members of the UMDGC gymnastics staff are available to provide a more intense and personal workout. You may speak directly with your favorite coach to make arrangements, or contact UMDGC for an email list of available staff. Participants must have a completed registration form on file for the current season.
UMDGC permits groups (e.g. cheerleading squads, scout groups) to rent the studio or gym for tryouts or extra practices.