Mats on the Move with Mr. Dan
On Wednesday mornings during August Summer Camp for all preschool and kindergarten children and as an optional enrichment opportunity during the School Year (September through May, Mr. Dan brings his tumble trailer, complete with mats, rings, bars, and mini trampolines, and teaches the children gymnastics!
On the Tumble Trailer, we do a high-energy 30-minute class. It starts off with a group warm-up and stretch working position memorization and gentle fun stretching. We work on handstands then go into the lesson plan for the day. There are five lesson plans that are rotated making adjustments each time we revisit the lesson plan. For each lesson plan, there are three to four stations set up with a main concentration point and then other stations to practice easier skills.
- The tumbling week consists of work on forward and backward rolls and the use of a cylinder-shaped mat to help the children do a bridge position. From the bridge position, we simulate the finish of a back limber or slow backhand spring with an emphasis on maintaining the handstand portion.
- Jump week we work on basic jumps. Tuck jumps, straddle jumps, 1/2 and full turning jumps. Proper use of a springboard and some jumping onto stacked mats with a hand push to simulate the first part of vaulting. We also work on correct landing positions jumping down from stacked mats. Additionally, we use an age-appropriate mini-trampoline to aid in vaulting skill development.
- Upper body strength week consists of work on the bar and rings to increase strength and body awareness for learning pullovers and back hip circles. We do chin to the bar, L-hangs, skin the cats, pullover and back hip circles on the bar, and lots on the skin the cats on the rings.
- During balance week we work on controlling the body while walking forwards, sideways, and backward on the balance beam both low to the ground and up high—lots of handstands.
- Race week we just do things fast. Forward roll races. running races and running obstacle races (vault without the springboard). Each class ends with a group activity like a leap game. mountain game or the George of the Jungle zip line.
Classes are 30 minutes per week. Watch for rolling six-week session sign-up information in Cornerstone’s September school-wide email.
Rates for the 2024-2025 School Year
- One student will pay $90.00 with a $10.00 registration fee, the first payment is $100.00
- For two students of the same family, it is $162.00 with a $10.00 registration fee, the first payment is $172.00
- Families with more than one child get a 10% tuition discount and only pay one registration fee.
For more information contact Dan or Tracy Zimmermann at 303-697-5621.
Please make checks payable to: Mats on the Move
Pay with PayPal ID = tumbletrailer@gmail.com.
Zelle tumbletrailer@gmail.com for payment ID
Venmo @ Daniel-Zimmerman-11
More about Dan
In high school, Mr. Dan (as the kids lovingly call him) competed in many sports including soccer, football, basketball, track & field, wrestling, and gymnastics. As a gymnast, he was a three-time National High School All-American, ranking 5th in the nation on the still rings in 1985. Since moving to Colorado in 1985, Mr. Dan has had the great pleasure of teaching gymnastics to children of all ages. Here is a list of positions he has held as a teacher or coach:
- Gymnastics Unlimited (Northglenn, CO) – recreation program and assistant boys team coach
- Northglenn High School – Assistant and Head coach boys gymnastics team
- Denver Elite Sports Academy – Head coach boys gymnastics team/boys program director
- Chatfield Gymnastics Academy – Head coach boys gymnastics team/boys program director
- United States Olympic Training Center (Colorado Springs) – Assistant coach summer gymnastics camp
- Castle Rock Dance Academy – Tumbling and acrobatics
- Michelle Latimer Dance – Tumbling and acrobatics
- Mats on the Move – Founder/owner/teacher
Certifications and training include:
- Recognized Expert in gymnastics – Adams County School District
- Safety Certified – USA Gymnastics
- Accredited Junior Olympic Boys Program gymnastics coach – USA Gymnastics
- Judge Junior Olympic Boys Program – USA Gymnastics
- Attended state, regional, and national conventions and training – USA Gymnastics
- CPR / AED / First Aid – CPR Colorado