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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's a huge time (and money) commitment.  What I've seen is that if kids stick with it past the first season, they go until the end of eleventh grade.  For some reason, all but two that I know have dropped out when they hit senior year of high school. [/quote]

Sounds like an interesting gym, but that's really not at all characteristic. Most kids drop out between 5th-8th grade. USAG membership numbers show around 20-25,000 level 4 (intro level) and 15,000 level 5 (first required level), so it's true there's a significant drop even between two relatively easy intro levels. I have to estimate somewhat because the last stats I have are from 2008 and I know the level 4 number is up since then. But then there's a massive drop off, almost by half, between level 5 and 6. So somewhere around the intermediate levels there are big decreases. For many kids this corresponds to middle school age and an inability to overcome fear of increasingly difficult backwards skills.

Of course some these kids go to prep op programs, but anecdotally speaking many of them quit for other sports that aren't such a big time, emotional, physical commitment.

Many people aren't cut out for gymnastics, and even less are cut out for high level gymnastics. Prep op programs are a good alternative.

As far as whether to pursue it, I love gymnastics but it is expensive, so be aware of the financial commitment and whether you can afford it. If she enjoys it let her do it and don't get crazy. It's for the kids, and your child's attitude will take a cue from you. If she quits after a few years, she gained some valuable experiences and it's probably for the best. Nothing wrong with that. High level gymnastics is heartbreaking. I still think it's amazing, but it's not something I would try to push my kid into. Just take it year by year. [/quote]

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