Which is the costliest sport in high school?

I'm considering starting a sport next season, but I'm on a tight budget. Can someone tell me which high school sports are known to be the most costly?

The expenses associated with participating in a high school sport can be categorized into two sections: the mandatory costs for equipment and uniforms, and the optional (but often embraced) costs such as attending sports camps, private coaching sessions, and travel expenses for competitions.

Some of the priciest high school sports tend to be those that require special equipment or facilities. For example:

1. Ice Hockey: This sport can be very expensive due to the cost of equipment (skates, helmets, padding, sticks, etc.) and facilities (ice rink time is not typically cheap).

2. Lacrosse: The costs of lacrosse can add up quickly. From sticks to protective gear (gloves, helmet, and pads), the equipment alone can be quite pricy.

3. Equestrian Sports: This is often considered one of the most expensive high school sports due to the cost of owning, boarding, feeding, and caring for a horse, and the fact that it involves specialized gear such as saddles, riding boots, and helmets.

4. Competitive Cheerleading: This sport can be surprisingly expensive due to uniforms, competition fees, travel-related expenses, and the cost of training camps or choreography.

5. Skiing/Snowboarding: Winter sports often come with pricey essentials such as skis or snowboards, boots, helmets, goggles, and lift tickets.

Keep in mind that these are just a few examples. The cost of participating in a sport can vary greatly depending on your location, the resources available to your school, whether the athletic program is well-funded, and a variety of other factors. It would be best to talk to the coaches or athletic director at your school to get a clearer estimate of the costs involved in different sports.