Brian Vanderloop
For Coastal Parent

Have you heard of DEENOS? Chances are you have, but maybe you never knew exactly what it was.

DEENOS, or Developing Elementary Education in Novice Olympic Sports, was established in 1997 by Brian Vanderloop and Deena Moore. With the help of recreation departments and schools, Vanderloop and Moore were able to bring gymnastics to rural areas around the Coastal Empire.

With rapidly growing interest and participation, planning began to build a multi-sport facility that would be capable of offering gymnastics and other sports in a positive, esteem-nurturing environment.

In December 2003, Vanderloop and Moore were able to see their vision realized. The doors opened to DEENOS, a brand new, 20,000-square-foot facility filled with state-of-the-art training equipment for gymnastics, cheerleading, martial arts and dance; a place where children and adults can learn to develop healthy, positive lifestyles.

Located off Hwy. 21, approximately 3 miles north of I-95 in the Effingham Park of Commerce, DEENOS' new facility is just a short drive for people from all over the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

Each program offered at DEENOS maintains the organizations mission: "Educating Children in a Positive Sports Environment."

Today, along with Vanderloop's and Moore's 36 years of combined gymnastics experience, an talented and dedicated staff provides a solid foundation to build on. Through personal experiences, each of the Instructors are able to reflect upon and appreciate the lessons they learned through sports and pass their experience on to the next generation using positive reinforcement.

The largest program operating in DEENOS today is Planet Gymnastics, where children from 4 months to 18 years old can find a class to suit their gymnastics needs. Pre-school children can get an early start in The Jungle Gym, a soft play gym designed specifically to address and meet the needs of the pre-school child. Here, children develop valuable motor skills and gain confidence through gymnastics training, climbing stations, tons of fun shaped mats, interaction with other children and games. The Jungle Gym is equipment and lessons are always changing, creating a perfect environment for youngsters who love to explore and experience new things.

The Recreational Program has been carefully developed over time and through experience to create clear stepping-stones for students to climb. Confidence soars when goals are achieved and the gym is full of training tools to assist children in their learning progress.

For girls who aspire to reach higher level gymnastics, a Competitive Program is available. The competitive athletes at Planet Gymnastics are able to determine their own time commitment from as little as two practices per week (in order to allow for participation in other activities) or as much as four practices per week to really focus and excel in gymnastics.

DEENOS' Planet Gymnastics is also very proud to host one of the few trampoline and tumbling programs in the state. Children in the Trampoline and Tumbling Program are bouncing to new heights with the aid of two in-ground trampolines, an in-ground tumbling trampoline and an 80-foot long power tumbling strip. Plans are in the works to add a competitive division to the Trampoline and Tumbling Program in the near future.

Planet Cheer is another great program operating in DEENOS new facility. Planet Cheer offers a Recreational Program in which kids in grades K-12 can learn how to be a cheerleader. This preparatory program provides kids with the skills needed to make their school's cheerleading squad, or just become familiar and confident in their cheerleading abilities. For those who want to do more with cheerleading, The All-Star Program at Planet Cheer is also available. All-Star Cheerleading in a format that allows girls and boys to compete in the sport of cheerleading.

James and Kris Moore own and operate Moore's ATA Black Belt Academy, another program offered inside DEENOS. ATA is a nationally renowned organization that accredits and certifies Instructors and Martial Arts Schools in the U.S. and beyond. Moore's ATA Black Belt Academy offers Tae-Kwon-Doe classes to children and adults, focusing on the technique and discipline that is the tradition of martial arts.

Parents and grandparents aren't' overlooked by DEENOS' programs either. Fitness classes for adults and a chair aerobics class for senior citizens are also offered at DEENOS. Ballet classes will begin soon in the dance studio and plans for a full dance program in the fall are in the works.

Summer day camps will be available starting in June for pre-school to high school students.

For current class times and availability, call (912) 826-2011, or stop in Monday-Friday, 3-9 p.m., or go online, www.deenos.com.