The Origin of Cheerwood
Cheerwood was born from the belief that athletes should not have to choose between meaningful cheer instruction and the friendships, independence, outdoor adventure, and traditions of summer camp. At Timber Ridge Camp in Spencer, Indiana, our four-day, three-night camper experience pairs hands-on cheer instruction with even more time for classic camp adventures. Join us August 2–5, 2027 for Camper Camp, with the Coaches Conference August 3–5, 2027 at the same location.
Cheer • Explore • Connect
Our Purpose
We inspire campers through a unique combination of focused cheerleading training and the timeless spirit of authentic outdoor wilderness adventure.
A Leadership Path for Athletes
At Cheerwood, athletes have a chance to grow into leaders and help shape the camp experience for others. Our Junior Camp Counselor program gives young leaders a real voice in what camp becomes.
Cheer
Providing quality cheer instruction for athletes ranging from beginners to All Star levels, focusing on individual growth.
Explore
Engaging in classic outdoor activities, including zip lining, horseback riding, and rock wall climbing, that promote resilience, teamwork, and a lasting discovery of nature.
Connect
Fostering lifelong friendships and building a supportive community through shared challenges and campfire fun.
Leadership begins before camp
Junior counselors are selected months before camp and take part in 4–5 planning and training sessions on Zoom. Together, they decide camp themes, games, colors, and activities, learning how to turn their ideas into a thoughtful, organized plan.
Their ideas. Their camp. Guided by our staff.
With guidance from our highly trained staff, junior counselors learn to create, plan, and carry out their own vision for camp. They practice working as a team, making decisions, leading activities, and following through on their responsibilities. Staff provide coaching and supervision throughout the process, giving these athletes room to lead while helping them build the skills and confidence to do it well.
Meet the Team
Tiffany Bemiller
Co-Camp Director
With a lifelong passion for cheerleading and a career spanning more than 15 years in coaching, program development, choreography, and cheer industry leadership, Tiff brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the sport. Her cheerleading journey began as an athlete, cheering throughout her school years before beginning her coaching career in 2009 with high school cheerleading in Ashland, Ohio. Since then, she has worked with athletes across a wide range of ages and abilities, coaching school cheer, recreational cheer, and All-Star cheerleading. In 2018, she founded her own All-Star program, Fishers BlaYze Cheer, combining her love for the sport with her passion for building programs and developing athletes. She also served as the Cheer and Tumble Coordinator at the Fishers YMCA from 2016 to 2023, coached middle school cheerleading at Carmel Middle School, and spent several years coaching recreational and sideline cheer. She currently coaches at JPAC Radiance All-Stars. Beyond the gym, Tiff has choreographed routines for school cheer teams and coached clinics for school, All-Star, and Worlds-level All-Star programs. She has also been an All-Star cheerleading judge for nearly five years, bringing her knowledge of the sport and attention to detail to the competitive cheerleading industry. Her involvement also includes serving as Judging Coordinator for Star Spirit Productions and Cheer Spirit Competitions, as well as Brand Manager for Cheer Spirit Competitions. A certified Zumba instructor from 2013 to 2024, she has always enjoyed finding creative ways to combine movement, energy, and community. Now, Tiff is thrilled to bring two of her favorite things together through Cheerwood: cheerleading and outdoor adventure. Her vision is to create an unforgettable camp experience where athletes can grow, explore, build friendships, and discover new adventures beyond the mat. Most importantly, Cheerwood is designed for every child, regardless of their cheerleading experience, skill level, or program. Whether a camper is just beginning their cheer journey or has years of experience, the goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels included, encouraged, and inspired. For Tiff, cheerleading has always been about more than the skills. It’s about confidence, teamwork, personal growth, and the connections that stay with you long after the season ends. Cheerwood brings that philosophy to life—creating a place where campers can Cheer, Explore, and Connect.
Justin McSurley
Co-Camp Director
Justin McSurley brings experience from nearly every side of cheerleading—as an athlete, coach, gym owner, judge, scoring director, and event producer. He cheered in high school and began his coaching career at LaPorte Pop Warner before moving into All Star cheerleading at Lakeshore Elite by 11th grade. His journey included competing at the USASF Worlds, coaching college cheerleading, and owning ICA Allstars for six years, where his teams earned national championship titles. With more than 10 years of experience judging cheerleading and dance, Justin has judged numerous Worlds and Summit bid events, as well as internationally in Canada. He served for three years as a scoring director and previously worked in credentialing with USASF. His industry involvement has included regional advisory boards, CheerAbilities and DanceAbilities committees, and other committee roles. As the owner of Star Spirit and Cheer Spirit Competitions, he has spent more than eight years bringing athletes, coaches, and families together through events that celebrate their dedication and accomplishments. Camp holds a special place in Justin’s life. A 10-year 4-H member, camp counselor for four years, and former staff member at Woodward West, he experienced firsthand how camp can build confidence, independence, and lasting friendships. During his time at ICA Allstars, Justin and his high school teammates also created and hosted summer cheer camps for local school teams that couldn’t afford to travel to away camps. Together, they brought cheer instruction and the fun of camp closer to home, making those experiences accessible to more athletes. Those experiences helped shape Justin’s vision as Cheerwood’s Co-Camp Director: a place where athletes can grow their skills, enjoy outdoor adventures, and experience the simple joy of being a kid. He wants campers to build friendships beyond their own teams, discover interests beyond the mat, and head home with greater confidence, new friends, and plenty of stories to tell. Outside of cheerleading and camp, Justin loves spending time with his pets, especially his dog, Henry. You’ll even see Henry sporting his Cheerwood gear at camp this summer, joining in on the fun!
Jay Kendrick
Director of Cheer
Erin Powers
Director of Conference
With more than 25 years of worldwide experience in the cheerleading and dance industry, Erin is a respected leader, educator, and mentor whose passion for the sport is matched by her commitment to lifelong learning and athlete development. Her multifaceted experience includes serving as an international judge and scoring official, high school, collegiate, and All Star cheerleading and dance coach, event and judging director, choreographer, and UCA Head Instructor. Beyond her extensive involvement in cheerleading and dance, Erin brings valuable experience as a secondary educator and youth volunteer. She understands the unique challenges athletes face in today’s world and is passionate about creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, education, and personal growth. Through clinics, workshops, and mentorship, she works with current and former athletes, coaches, parents, and youth sports professionals to support athlete well-being and strengthen the communities surrounding them. Erin is equally committed to mentoring new judges and equipping coaches and gym owners with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the ever-evolving cheerleading and dance landscape through her roles as a head judge, scoring official, educational director, and coach liaison. Whether instructing and/or judging sessions virtually or in person, she values collaboration, the exchange of ideas, and learning alongside professionals who share her dedication to supporting athletes both in and out of the gym. When she’s not traveling for cheerleading and dance, Erin juggles a busy family life, encouraging her own children’s involvement in various sports, as well as attending military events to support her husband and our United States Army. Erin is grateful for the opportunities, relationships, and adventures the cheer and dance industry continues to bring and looks forward to embracing new challenges and making a lasting impact on the next generation of athletes and industry professionals.
