National League of Junior Cotillions
Greenville - GCC Chapter
About
PRE-COTILLION CAMP:
Pre-Cotillion will be for children who have just finished kindergarten – third grade (or rising 1st-4th graders). Similar to other summer camps, this program is designed as a four or five-day, instructional session complete with age-appropriate etiquette lessons.
WHEN WILL THE PROGRAM BE OFFERED?
The program will be offered Monday-Thursday. The class times are as follows:
Pre-Cotillion I (for rising 1st and 2nd graders) will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Pre-Cotillion II (for rising 3rd and 4th graders) will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHAT WILL THE INSTRUCTION INCLUDE?
Children will experience hands-on lessons in basic table manners, birthday party etiquette, introductions, appearances, sports etiquette, and basic manners in the home. Key learnings will be reinforced with games and songs and a line dance will be taught. Our mascot, “Peanuts the Polite Elephant” will assist our Pre-Cotillion I students with some of our instruction, as we identify “Power Words” such as, ‘please’, ‘thank you’, yes ma’am, ‘no thank you, ‘excuse me’ and ‘may I’.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
Tuition for the Pre-Cotillion program will be $200 and includes an etiquette booklet, refreshments each day, and a short graduation program on Friday that all parents are invited to attend. If more than one child from a family participates, the second child will receive a $30 tuition discount. Class size limit is 10 per class.
WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE REQUIREMENT?
Being attentive to appearance contributes to one’s understanding of ‘social graces’, so all Pre-Cotillion classes are dress-up affairs.
Young Ladies: Dresses or skirts/blouses with appropriate dress shoes
Young Gentlemen: Khaki (or other) dress pants, collared shirt, and appropriate dress shoes
No tennis shoes, denim, or Crocs.
HOW DO I REGISTER MY CHILD? Enrollment is on a first come, first serve basis. Please email me at [email protected] to receive program enrollment/registration details.
5TH/6TH GRADE JUNIOR COTILLION:
Year One of Junior Cotillion is the combination of 5th & 6th grade students together. A Year One student handbook, five instructional classes, a Holly Ball and a Grand Spring Ball are included in the program. Enrollment is NOW open! Click here to view class schedule and to register. For class descriptions, click here.
The Junior Cotillion copyrighted program has been in the Greenville County area for more than 20 years. It is the 'social event' for the children. The social and character education components of the Year One I program include: greetings and introductions, telephone courtesy, 'how to's' of conversation and networking, use of stationary, appropriate behavior in group settings, refreshment etiquette, escorting and seating, paying and receiving compliments, polite conversation, manners in the home, table manners and use of silver, responsibilities of a guest, host/hostess, and many other areas of social behavior. Year One includes dance instruction in the Foxtrot and the Beach Shag as well as current, popular line dances. Our ethics program emphasizes ‘keeping your word’ and taking responsibility for yourself.
7TH/8TH GRADE JUNIOR COTILLION:
Junior Cotillion is offering Year TWO, it is referred to as the "DINING SEASON". Each class will be based on a dining topic and put into practice! Year Two is for 7th & 8th grade students! Enrollment is NOW open! Click here to view class schedule and to register.
The seventh and eighth grade season is often referred to as the “Dining Season”, with heavy emphasis being placed on table and dining etiquette. Cotillion basics will be reviewed and new etiquette and dance will be introduced over the course of five instructional classes. A highlight of the season (and always a student favorite!) is the five-course instructional dinner which provides a very comprehensive dining experience. The season will be “capped off’ with a Grand Ball where students have the opportunity to put into practice, and perhaps even fine tune, many of the courtesies they were taught in Year One.
A summary of the seventh and eighth grade season is outlined below:
Instructional Classes
The season begins with a review of the Cotillion basics from the 6th grade program that are expected to be practiced in every class. New topics will include the importance of ‘First Impressions’ and ‘Dress Codes’, including the dos and don’ts of hats, gloves and ties. “Netiquette” topics will be introduced and will include lessons in proper cell phone use, as well as the “perils” of social media. In preparation for the instructional meal, each class will feature a different dining topic, including a hands-on opportunity to master such skills as proper cutting, eating with chopsticks and twirling spaghetti. Lessons in ‘tipping’ and ‘toasting’ are also presented. Each student will be given a Year Two student handbook.
All dance steps (Fox trot, Shag, Cha-Cha and Waltz) from year one will be reviewed so that new skills can be added, such as the arm slide, the pretzel and the Cha-Cha “walk-around”. A new mixer dance and line dance will be taught. Light refreshments will be served at all classes.
Five-Course Instructional Dinner
The five-course instructional dinner will be 2.5 hours in length.
Grand Ball
The Grand Ball will end our season and is where students will truly put into practice all that they have been taught during the season. The evening will feature dancing (including contests and games), light refreshments and the opportunity to mingle with friends.
Eligibility:
All rising 7th and 8th graders are eligible to participate regardless of past participation.
8TH/9TH GRADE JUNIOR COTILLION
The 8th and 9th Grade Cotillion program is called Premiere Cotillion, and is designed to “cap off” a child’s Cotillion experience. The program boasts events that are special for just Premiere students and provides the opportunity to put into practice, and perhaps even “fine tune”, many of the courtesies they’ve learned to date.
In addition to some of the favorites from the past, the Premiere program includes off-site “adventures”, as well as a slightly different class schedule. A summary of next season’s Premiere program may be emailed on request.