FAQ
What class should I register my child in?
Parent and Baby is for gymnasts under the age of 2; each gymnast will use the bars, beam, floor and trampoline, learn skills appropriate to their age and ability level, and participate in a short warm up.
Parents and Tots is for gymnasts aged 2 & 3; each gymnast will use the bars, beam, floor, and trampoline, learn skills appropriate to their age and ability level, and participate in a warm up.
Tots is for gymnasts aged 4 & 5; each gymnast will use the bars, beam, floor, and trampoline, learn skills appropriate to their age and ability level, and participate in a warm up.
Recreation is for gymnasts aged 6 and up; each gymnast will use the bars, beam, vault, floor, and trampoline, learn skills appropriate to their age and ability level, participate in a warm up and during Fall and Winter sessions each year be tested for CanGym badges. Badges are not tested for in Spring session.
Acro for Dancers is a new class offered to dancers and gymnasts who are wishing to improve their flexibility and strength and learn gymnastics moves and also wish to participate and compete in a group routine. This class is for ages 10 and up. They will participate in a warm up, conditioning and spend the remainder of the class on the floor learning rolls, handstands, walk-overs and progressing to handsprings and saltos. This class will not be following the CanGym Badge system and will not obtain badges each session. Instead, this group will learn a routine which will be performed at various competitions. This is a full year class (September to mid-June) and requires purchase of costumes as well as competition entry fees.
Pre-Competitive / Competitive is for gymnasts that have met the requirements of the Recreation classes and have attended a tryout or be referred to the program by their recreation coach or the head coach.
If you would like to register your child for a class other than the class that matches their age then you MUST have permission from the Head Coach (the FSMSA office staff are not authorized to make registration change decisions).
When and where are gymnastics classes held?
Fort Gymnastics rents space in the Dow Centennial Centre gymnasium and flexhall.
Classes run between 4:30-7:30 on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s.
3 sessions a year; Fall: September-December, Winter: January-April, Spring: April-June.
Why do I have to help with set-up or tear down of the equipment?
There is the set up team if your child attends the first class of the day, or a tear down team for the final class of the day. Your assistance with the daily set up and tear down of the equipment the gymnasts use allows us to control our rates by not having to pay the additional rental time and wages of having the coaches do it before and after the children attend. Please note that the 4:30 classes will not start until all the equipment is set up. Your help is required to ensure that we can start classes on time.
Our insurance does cover family members on the gym floor who are registered with the parented classes, or who are participating in set-up and tear down.
Am I required to do fundraising?
As a Not for Profit organization under the Minor Sports Association, we require parent assistance to keep our cost down. Therefore with each session registration you will be provided with your mandatory fundraising options.
During the year we also offer other options, such as Purdy’s Christmas chocolates, on a volunteer basis.
I am attempting to register online but I don’t have a promo code. How can I continue?
A promo code is not required in order to complete your registration. The promo code is only used if you are registering 3 children and would like to receive the family discount which is available when you register 3 or more children. The promo code is also available for our full year classes (acro, precomp and competitive) when paying in one lump sum.
What should my child wear?
Tied back hair
Bare feet or gymnastics slippers (slippers can be purchased at the gym) – warts must be properly covered with medical tape, bandaids or gymnastics slippers
Bodysuit OR shorts/sweatpants and tight fitting t-shirt
NO socks / buttons / strings / jewelry
Where do the gymnasts store their belonging during class?
The D.C.C. and F.G.C. requires that gymnasts either use the locker room to the left of the main desk or the new cubbies located near the entrance of the gym to store their outside clothes, coats, etc.
Footwear is to be placed on the shoe rack as you enter the flex hall, or they may be lined up neatly in the hallway leading to the gym. Fire and safety codes require that the entrance way floor remains clear at all times.
Shoes should never be placed on the green flexhall floor or the blue gymnastics mats.
We ask that clothes and coats not be left on the boot rack, or on/under the bleachers.
Am I required to stay and watch? Where am I allowed to watch my child from?
We encourage parents of younger children to stay and watch but it is not required. We do however require that you remain in the bleachers and do not distract your child from their class.
What happens if I want to register my child for gymnastics after classes have stated?
We are unable to accept registrations after registration has closed.
What if my child does not want to continue with gymnastics after they have attended no more than 2 classes?
The FSMSA will retain a 10% administrative charge to process the refund.
AGF fees and fundraising fees are non refundable.
A refund will not be offered after the second week of class has ended (except for medical or relocation reasons – please see below)
A refund will be issued prior to the start of classes if your child is not going to be able to participate in the class they registered for – notice must be received by the FSMSA office and Head Coach by no later than 1 week before the first day of classes; AGF fees and fundraising fees will be refundable – please note that the FSMSA will retain a 10% administrative charge to process the refund
What if my child is injured while participating in gymnastics or is unable to continue for medical reasons?
A note from a doctor must be provided.
A refund will be issued based on the number of remaining classes; AGF fees and fundraising fees will not be refundable; FSMSA will retain a 10% administrative charge to process the refund
What are the rules of the gym?
Disrespect to the coaches and/or class mates will not be tolerated. If a child or parent uses unacceptable language or actions, the parent will be informed. If this behaviour continues, the child may be asked to withdraw, without refund.
The entrance way into the flexhall must be kept clear. As this is our fire exit, footwear must remain in the shoe rack, or locker room. No loitering/viewing is allowed in this area.
As per our insurance coverage, non-registered parents/sibling are not allowed in the gym area during class time. Coverage only covers you during set-up and tear down.
What steps are taken for misbehaviour or bullying?
As a member of the Minor Sports Association, all families agree to the Zero Tolerance Policy upon registration. The policy of FGC is to work with the athletes and their families to ensure that disciplinary issues are handled as deemed necessary by the coaches. Step 1 is to inform the class as a group that the behaviour is unacceptable. Step 2 is to speak with the individual families. Step 3, if necessary is a two class suspension of the misbehaving athlete, and finally expulsion from the session without refund.
Can I be part of the Parent Board of Directors?
ABSOLUTELY. We elect a new board every fall at the Annual General Meeting. Our board consists of a PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, REGISTRAR, SECRETARY, TREASURER and FUNDRAISER/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
