By ALEXANDRA LAMBDIN
(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) – Twister Sports is hosting a Back to School Bash from 6-9 p.m. Friday.
Twister Sports is located at 727 N. Charles St., Suite E behind Hastings.
There will be vendors, games, a dunk tank, bounce houses and pony rides. Miller and Sons BBQ will cater the event, and classes will give performances throughout the evening. The event is free and open to the public.
“We’re going to be doing performances. All of our kids will get a chance to go out there and kinda perform,” said co-owner Dustin Fritsch. “We have a big tumble track that we’ll have out there and we’ll have mats and stuff like that, so they’ll all get to kinda perform in front of their family and show off the moves that they’ve learned.”
Twister Sports offers classes for cheerleading, tumbling, gymnastics and dance. The owners moved into their current building on March 1.
Dustin and Angie Fritsch and Justin and Danielle Johnston met at Whiteman Air Force Base where they taught classes. They also taught classes at Warrensburg Parks and Recreation until the program grew to where they needed a larger building.
Angie Fritsch has taught for 14 years and teaches the tumbling classes. Danielle Johnston teaches cheers and has taught for 12 years.
Being parents, the Fritsch and Johnston families said they strive to make things parent-friendly.
Twister Sports offers something for the whole family. There is a lounge area for people to sit while they watch their students practice. There is also a playroom for children, food concession with snacks and drinks, and there’s free Wi-Fi for Internet access.
There is a small gym where parents can work out and still view their kids in class.
“We wanted to make sure that there was something for little brother to do – something for dad or mom to do if they’re here by themselves to work out,” Danielle said. “We really tried to think about it to make sure that it was something where people would want to come watch their kids and also not feel like they were having to give up anything else to be here and could spend that kind of time here. “
The main room is divided into three sections for different types of activities. There is a trampoline section, power tumbling and a section for basic tumbling on mats.
Twister Sports continues to grow and already has some 200 students. Since they opened in March, they have added 5,000 square feet to the building from the original 9,000 square feet. They plan to offer jiujitsu in September.
Danielle said Twister Sports students develop skills and relational qualities to apply throughout the rest of their lives.
“I think learning to work as a team together is extremely important, because it’s a skill that they’re going to use their entire life,” Danielle said.
Instructor Angie Fritsch looks forward to working with her students every day.
“The kids, they brighten my day every day,” Angie said. “They drive us to do better and the smiles on their face, it’s all worth it.”
Students also have the companionship of their peers and the instructors serve as role models.
“Some of the kids who come in here don’t have the best environments at home,” Danielle said. “So, we needed somewhere for them to come and feel like they have a family here.”
Students range from 2 years old to adult. The cost varies according to the hours spent in class each week. The hourly rate can range from $30 to $55. Once the cost reaches a cap of $200 a month, families can take as many classes as they need and not be charged additional fees.
Business hours are 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; and 3-5:30 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 660-238-0577 or email [email protected].