UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE TWIRLING CAMP
JUNE 21-24, 2025
1965 60 Years 2025
A note from the camp director: We invite you to attend the University of Tennessee Twirling Camp and work with a Championship Staff. We look forward to sharing our experience and expertise with all of you. We want the campers to develop new skills, learn correct technique and execution, meet new friends and develop lifetime memories. Our goal is to challenge, motivate and inspire all twirlers while having an enjoyable and fun time.
The Top Ten Twirlers will be selected to perform at halftime with the Pride of the Southland Band at a UT Football game!!
Instructors bringing 8 or more students may attend camp free!!
To Register for Twirling Camp, Click HERE
FEATURING THE 2025 UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE MAJORETTES
THE UT CAMP STAFF WILL INCLUDE:
Samantha Rizzo (Guest Instructor): This year we are excited to welcome Samantha as our guest instructor. Samantha is the Feature Twirler at the University of Oklahoma! Some of Samantha’s other accomplishments include: Miss Majorette of New York; North Atlantic X-Strut Champion; Junior Women’s Solo, Two Baton, and Three Baton Champion of New York; NBTA National Twirling Competition Top 6; Member of the Junior Team USA.
Hope Kane Felker: Former UT Feature Twirler, DMA Collegiate Majorette, DMA Collegiate Halftime Winner, DMA Miss Majorette of the Year, Strut National Champion, DMA Gold Seal Judge.
Abi Long: Former 9-time Miss Majorette of Alabama and 2-time Miss Majorette of the South. 5 National titles. Feature Twirler and the Head Majorette at the University of Tennessee. Graduated from UT with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work, as well as a Masters of Science in Social Work. Abi is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Jamie U. Medlock: Former UT Head Majorette, coaches numerous solo and group twirlers in Alabama. She is a former Miss Majorette of Alabama and Miss Majorette of the South.
Mindy Fleming Thomas: Former UT Majorette with awards in baton twirling and dance on the state, regional, and national levels. She is currently head coach and director of TriStar Twirl, an award winning group of individual and team twirlers.
Maddie Downer: Former UT Majorette, Maddie has won numerous New Hampshire State and Northeast Regional titles. Maddie was a part of a nationally ranked competition team and has been a member of their coaching staff since 2019. She is a recent graduate of the Haslam College of Business and is currently enrolled in UT’s College of Nursing.
Kathy McCarrell-Smith,CAMP DIRECTOR: is a former UT Head Majorette, NBTA National Twirling Team and Corps Champion. She is the Director of Kathy McCarrell’s Majorettes where her students have won State, Regional, and National Awards.
All campers will be supervised by trained, experienced personnel. Out of an abundance of safety, this year we will not be using residence halls for overnight housing. We are asking that those planning to stay overnight make alternative plans. Below is a list of hotels that are in close proximity to the UT Campus:
****Click Here For A List Of Hotels Near Campus****
Camp registrations received by May 15, 2025 will be eligible for the “Early Bird” discount. All applications must be received by JUNE 9, 2025. Detailed camp information will be emailed to each camper, unless otherwise requested. Included in the information will be a medical authorization form that must be completed and signed by parent/guardian and turned in when you arrive for camp. Classes begin on Saturday, June 21 at 3:30 p.m. in the Natalie Haslam Music Center (WJ Julian Band Room #135) 1741 Volunteer Blvd. and conclude Tuesday, June 24 at noon following the Performance Program. This year we are organizing campers into 2 primary categories:
“Smokey Jr. Campers” (Novice/Special Beginner Twirling Camp) – Designed for the young twirler (4-10 yrs old) who has never twirled or just beginning to twirl. Young twirlers will attend camp on an abbreviated schedule of 3 hours per day and receive instruction in basic fundamentals of twirling and strutting. Must be at least 4 years old to attend. All students in the “Smokey Jr. Camp” must be accompanied by sponsor/parent/guardian/teacher on site each full day.
“Vol Camp” (Experienced Twirlers and Majorette Lines) – Must be 8 years or older to attend. Come prepared to work hard with current and former UT Majorettes and other nationally known instructors. Instruction in one, two, three and four baton, strut, modeling, dance-twirl, duet, group routines and fire baton will be offered. Beginner, intermediate and advanced level classes included. You will have the opportunity to learn enough material to last the year! Students who are 8-10 years old must be accompanied by sponsor/parent/guardian/teacher on site each full day.
MAJORETTE LINES– Classes will be available for marching, precision, unison of twirling ,general handling, technique, discipline, teamwork, reading charts, how to “write in” majorettes on a chart to be a visual and integral component of the show, novelty props, and problem solving classes.
Potential University of Tennessee Majorettes- Attending this camp is an excellent way to prepare for UT Majorette auditions. You will have the opportunity to meet and twirl with the current majorettes and learn “The Bird” and other requirements for majorette line try-outs.
Swim Party: Sunday night at the UT Aquatic Center 7:00-8:30. Bring your swimsuits, towel, beach shoes. Plan to make new friends, cool off and have a lot of fun!
Private Lessons- A limited number of private lessons with camp staff will be available during camp. Requests are filled in order they are received and limited to one lesson per camper. Private lesson requests and payment must be received with your registration by June 9, 2025. Please list 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices.
Camp Performance Program – The Camp Performance Program by campers in their solo and group classes will begin Tuesday at 10:30 am. Special guest performances by featured instructors will highlight this program that is open to parents and friends. Costumes are not necessary for this program. Special awards will be given by the staff to recognize “Hardest Working” and “Most Improved” in each classification. The Top Ten Twirlers will be announced at the conclusion of the program.
Twirling Level Classification: Please indicate twirling level on registration form.
- “Smokey Jr. Camper” (Novice/Special Beginner): New twirler and attending the Novice camp.
- “Vol Camp”: Full Day Instruction
- Beginner: Working on perfecting fundamentals, may or may not consistently be able to catch a one turn, working on 2 turn and double elbow roll.
- Intermediate A: Mastered fundamentals, can catch 1 & 2 turn, double elbow roll and can do 50-60 thumb flips per minute.
- Intermediate B: Can do 60-100 thumb flips per minute, can catch 2 and 3 turn consistently, and complete 3 or 4 elbows
- Advanced: Mastered elbow rolls, 3 & 4 turn and can do 100-200 thumb flips per minute.
- Advanced Elite: Can catch 5 and 6 turn left and 2 ½ or more turns right and mastered 2-3 different continuous rolls (i.e. back of neck, front of neck, diamonds, etc.) in addition to elbow rolls, and can do 100+ thumb flips per minute.
CAMP FEES (Early Bird discount due by May 15):
Early Bird Registration (by May 15). “Vol Camp” (Full Day Instruction, Camp T-shirt WITH MEAL PLAN)……………….$280 ($310 after May 15)
Early Bird Registration (by May 15). “Vol Camp” (Full Day Instruction, Camp T-shirt WITHOUT MEAL PLAN)……………….$210 ($240 after May 15)
“Smokey Jr. Camper” (Novice Beginner Camp, Half Day Instruction, Camp T-Shirt)………………..$80
Sponsor/Teacher (Instruction, Camp T-shirt, WITHOUT MEAL PLAN)…$180
Teacher is FREE if bringing 8+ students
Private Lessons (30 min)……………………………………………………………$40
Parking Pass………………………………………………………………………..$5 (per day)
Meal Ticket (Optional for “Vol Camp”/Teachers/Parents/Guardians)………………………………………$80
- Meal Ticket covers the cost of pizza party Saturday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sunday and Monday, and breakfast on Tuesday.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To Register for Camp, Click HERE
Please submit your completed application online by JUNE 9, 2025
ALL CAMP REGISTRATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED AND PAID ONLINE.
Private lesson requests and fee of $40 must be included with your camp registration by June 9, 2025. (List 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices)
DAILY PRIZES GIVEN FOR “BEST DRESSED” IN THEME
Saturday Orange Day
Sunday Sparkle/Glitter Day
Monday Western Day
Tuesday Camp T shirt Day
* Cancellation policy – Written notification required by June 9, 2025. No Full Refunds. 50% of registration fee will be refunded if before June 14. No refunds processed within ONE WEEK of Twirling Camp (June 14, 2025).
To Register for Camp, Click HERE
Questions: Kathy McCarrell Smith
865-579-0556