This summer, more than 400 student-athletes from across Oklahoma City Public Schools came together for the 2026 OKCPS Summer Cheer Camp – a high-energy, district-wide opportunity that gave students the chance to build skills, strengthen confidence, and stay connected to their sport long after the school year ended.
With nearly every middle school and high school in OKCPS represented, the camp was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students have access to opportunities that keep them engaged, active, and supported year-round.
At Fields & Futures, we believe sports don’t stop when school lets out – and neither should access to them.
Summer camps like this one play an important role in helping student-athletes continue developing their skills, building relationships with teammates and coaches, and preparing for the seasons ahead. Over the course of the three-day camp, students were paired with college student-athletes from local cheer programs who served as coaches and mentors, helping lead instruction and encourage the next generation of OKCPS cheerleaders. Together, campers worked on chants, stunts, pyramids, and dances that will stay with them long after summer ends.
In fact, the skills and routines learned during camp will carry directly into the school year as students prepare for their performance at the annual OKCPS All City Athletic Conference (ACAC) Cheer Competition in December. That connection makes the summer camp more than just an off-season activity – it’s an investment in student growth, team development, and school-year success.
For many students, opportunities like summer camp are not always guaranteed. That’s why Fields & Futures works to remove barriers and create pathways for more kids to participate in sports – not just during the school year, but all year long. From camps and clinics to sport-specific programming and school-based support, our mission is to make sure Oklahoma City’s urban core students have every opportunity to get in the game, stay in the game, and thrive because of it.
This year’s cheer camp was made possible in large part through the generous support of Simple Modern, whose partnership helped underwrite the event and open the door for hundreds of OKCPS student-athletes to participate. Their investment helped ensure that students from across the district had access to a high-quality summer experience designed to build both athletic skills and school pride.
The camp also celebrated standout student achievement. Gavin Howard of Classen SAS High School earned the camp’s top All-American Award, along with a certificate to attend Gabby Butler’s Summer Cheer Camp Tour at Reign Athletics in Mustang, Oklahoma – an exciting opportunity that recognizes both talent and hard work.
Moments like Gavin’s are worth celebrating, but so is the bigger picture: more than 400 students showed up this summer ready to learn, lead, and represent their schools. That kind of turnout speaks to the growing momentum behind cheer in OKCPS and the importance of continuing to invest in programs that give students the chance to participate, improve, and belong.
At Fields & Futures, we know the path to greater participation is built through consistent opportunity. The 2026 OKCPS Summer Cheer Camp is one more example of how access to sports can shape students’ lives – and why it matters to keep showing up for them, in every season.
We’re grateful to our coaches, college mentors, school leaders, families, and partners who helped make this camp a success – and especially to Simple Modern for helping create an unforgettable experience for hundreds of OKCPS cheerleaders this summer.