Dance Competition Day Planning Guide

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If you have been reading any of our other posts about dance competition you know we have 4 girls in competitive dance.  This activity has truly become an investment.  Not only for the amount of money we have put into it but so much precious time as well.  If you are a dance mom you know the whole season of preparation leads up to everyone’s favorite time of year- COMP SEASON.

Depending on your studio the number of competitions that your dancer competes in will vary.  For our family we have 1-2 dress rehearsal shows, 4 competitions and a year end recital.  By the end of the season you feel like you could dance the dances yourself!

We hope this posts help prepare you and keep you organized during those hectic comp days.

Planning Ahead

One of the most key parts to a successful dance competition (from experience) is planning ahead.  Get those hotel rooms booked with plenty of time.  Our studio doesn’t often get the final schedule until about 30 days out but hotels fill up fast.  Most competitions offer discounted room rates which we do use sometimes, but often we may not need as many nights so we will book our own.  Check out this link to book hotels for your next competition, https://hotels.tpk.ro/5FAKcHwI.

Double and triple check that you have everything that you need for your dance day.  Write out everything that goes with each costume, from hair style to jewelry.  This will help you remember incase you are ever missing anything.

Pick up these dance garment bags that hold everything that your dancer will need for their routine- https://amzn.to/44PzGjt.

Write A Schedule

Sometimes we do this multiple times for the same competition just to make sure that we have not missed anything.  Go through your studios schedule and highlight all of your dances.  Then take that and put it into your own document, either electronically or on paper- or in the case of me I do both!

If you have more than one dancer color code the dances so that you know who is dancing when. I like to add in the hairstyle so I always know what is coming next.   Keep in mind the time your dancer needs to be ready.  If it is the first dance of the day for your dancer you want to be sure they are stretched and fully ready at least an hour- maybe even more- before they go on.

When you write out your schedule make sure you include the times of awards.  There is nothing worse then planning to pop out for lunch and then realizing that you missed awards.  Write down when the overall awards are too.  If you are able to stay for those try to, it is a lot of fun for your dancer and if they win it is important for them to celebrate with their team.

Eat During the Day

This goes for the dancer and the dance mom (or parents).  It is so important to fuel yourself and dancer throughout the day.  These can be 12+ hour days and may even be more than one day, it can be so exhausting if you have not planned ahead.  Pack food your dancer will actually eat and balance treats with healthy snacks.  Fruits, nuts, cheese and protein bars are great for snacking throughout the day.

We find if our dancers are dancing all day they don’t want a big meal- they just snack all day long when they get a break.  So plan lots of those.  Grab one or two of these great snackle boxes https://amzn.to/3N1nshA.  We like to fill one with healthy fruits and vegetables and a second one of snack type food.

For the dance mom- throw in a protein drink if you like them.  Sometimes its well into the afternoon and I haven’t had the chance to eat.  These are great for a much needed protein and energy boost.  Make sure everyone has brought their water bottle and that everyone drinks during the day.

If you have young ones (or really kids of any age) make sure when they are snacking they have a jacket or sweater on so they don’t ruin a costume.

Relax After

If our schedules work we like to stay at the hotel the day the kids are done dancing.  We take some time to relax and unwind swimming in the hotel and having the kids play with their friends.  Remember, though it is busy and a lot of work- they are still kids and need to unwind and have fun after a busy day!

For more dance mom tips and ideas be sure to check out our other posts at Dance Mom Blog Archives – Together We Can Travel.