PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL OF CIRCUS ARTS INVITES KIDS TO TURN THEIR SUMMER UPSIDE DOWN
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL OF CIRCUS ARTS INVITES KIDS TO TURN THEIR SUMMER UPSIDE
Philadelphia School of Circus Arts invites children to run off to the big top this summer. Circus Summer Camp is back – and with exciting changes! This unique full-day camp program for children five years old and up will debut at the newly opened Circus Campus at 6452 Greene Street, in the former St. Madeleine Sophie Church. Children are invited to walk the wire, take to the air and juggle their creativity in the stunning new 30,000 square foot space that features 40 foot ceilings, a separate gymnasium, extensive classroom spaces, outdoor green space with tightwire rigs among the trees, a brand-new Olympic size trampoline, a larger parking lot for parents, and a regional rail station next door for those taking Septa. The new facility means an expanded camp program, with five types of circus camp running a record eleven weeks long. Classes will also increase in size for the first time in many years. Circus Summer Camp operates now through the end of August. Enrollment is now open at phillycircus.com. For additional information, please call 215-849-1991.
“Circus camp is a one-of-a-kind experience that incorporates elements of play, mental concentration, trust, and physical challenge,” said PSCA Executive Director Shana Kennedy. “Every summer we’re amazed and delighted by how much these kids can learn in a short time – our end-of-camp shows are not to be missed! Campers will also create new friendships, become more receptive to new ideas, build self-esteem, learn team-work, and experience tons of circus fun. If you’re looking for a way to get your kids active, having fun, making friends, and trying new things this year – this is the place.”
Circus Summer Camp is designed for children five years old and up that will train in static trapeze, aerial silks, juggling, plate-spinning, tightwire-walking, clowning and acrobatics. Activities also include performance classes, cooperative games, and special guest artists. While balancing, climbing and tumbling, children will build strength and flexibility, learn new skills, and increase their confidence. Full-day camp programs range from one-week Junior Camp for 5 to 7 year olds, to a two-week Youth Camp for 8 to 18 years old. Circus Camp A La Carte offers a preview and one-day session for children who need a flexible schedule (pick a day or a week!) and Performance Intensive Camp for advanced students who want to train like the pros right here in Philadelphia! New for 2018, children graduating from Youth Camp can now take Advanced Youth Camp for a new more intense circus camp experience.
JUNIOR CAMP
Summer at Philadelphia School of Circus Arts is underway with “Junior Camp,” a full-day, one week session, geared for children 5 to 7 years old. This specially designed program for younger campers with an emphasis on play and exploration in the exciting world of circus. Campers will practice trapeze, aerial silks, feather-balancing, scarf-juggling, plate-spinning, tightwire-walking, rolling globe, acrobatics and obstacle courses. Junior Camp will also include arts-and-crafts projects, and reading and rest time, as needed. Sessions begin run weekly for ten sessions through August 31, 2018. Junior Camp runs 9:00am to 3:00pm and is $395 for a week.
YOUTH CAMP
For slightly older children 8 to 14 years old, “Youth Camp” offers a full-day, two-week experience. Youth will have a chance to work on trapeze, aerial silks, juggling, unicycling, plate-spinning, diabolo, devil sticks, tightwire, rolling globe, rola-bola, clowning, tumbling and more! Also, campers will take dance and performance classes, have student showtimes, at lunch outside in the park and play co-operative games. In each two-week session, professional circus performers and other guests will speak to the youth and perform for them. Past guests have included several International Jugglers Association Champions, a sword-swallower, a magician, a circus historian, and artists from Ringling Bros., the Big Apple Circus, and Cirque du Soleil.
At the end of each two-week Youth Camp session, the youth will perform their very own Circus Show for friends, family and the general public. These shows will take place on Fridays afternoons. Youth Camp sessions runs through August 31, 2018.
“Campers are are immensely proud of the performance they put together at the end of camp – where they build self-esteem and confidence, show off their unique personalities, and love watching each other’s moments of comedy and glory,” added Kennedy.
Youth Camp participants will have a great deal of extra individual attention with our staff of professional circus teachers. Youth Camp sessions are $795 per two-week session, and run from 9:00am to 3:00pm, between through August 31, 2018.
CIRCUS A LA CARTE
Next, Circus A La Carte Camp is back again – this time over the July 4th Holiday Week. This flexible-schedule full-day program is great for families not looking for a commitment, or who want to try out Circus Summer Camp. Pick your children’s schedule – they can come one day or all five! The program is for children 8 to 14 years old, and runs July 2, 3, 4 and 6, 2018. Campers will practice trapeze, aerial silks, feather-balancing, scarf-juggling, plate-spinning, tightwire, rolling globe, and acrobatics. Circus A La Carte Camp runs 9:00am to 3:00pm and is $80 per day, or $300 for the week.
PERFORMANCE INTENSIVE CAMP
Children already experienced in circus arts can enjoy a new “Performance Intensive Camp” from August 20 to August 31, 2018. This intensive camp for children 8 and older will focus on expanding aerial and acrobatic skills and repertoire, increasing flexibility, endurance and strength, and exploring different ideas in contemporary circus performance. In addition to intensive physical training, students will take classes in performance, contortion, movement, and choreography, resulting in an end-of-session presentation. Students will be allowed to focus primarily on their favorite circus discipline. At the end of the camp, the youth will perform their very own contemporary circus show for friends, family and the general public. Enrollment in the Performance Intensive Program is limited. Youth will have a great deal of individual attention with our staff of professional circus teachers. Performance Intensive Camp runs from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and costs $950 per student.
ADVANCED YOUTH CAMP
New for 2018, “Advanced Youth Camp” will feature a two-week program that up-skills the many disciplines of circus. Students will be expected to work hard both with a coach and independently on technical and creative assignments in small groups, solos and as a large group. Students will spend some time each day refining their dance and theater skills as well, as they are critical parts of the development of any circus artist. Advanced Youth Camp runs between through August 17, 2018 for $795 for the two weeks.
NEW SPACE, EXCITING CHANGES
All summer circus camp programs take place at the PSCA studio at the newly opened Circus Campus, at 6452 Greene Street in West Mt. Airy. The new facility is located directly next to the Upsal Train Station – and features a much larger parking lot for parents.
“In 2017, the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts ran its 10th year of summer camps in our old location in Germantown,” said Kennedy. “That September, we moved to a 30,000+ square foot new facility – and our new home is magnificent. The Sanctuary space soars to 40′ high, we have a separate Gymnasium and 11 classrooms, and extensive outdoor green space. Our summer camp this year is going to be better than ever. Enrollment is already exceeding last year’s record summer.”
** Multiple spaces – Camp can now run in multiple buildings, classrooms and even outdoors. This means larger class sizes, access to more equipment, and adult classes running at the same time.
** Outdoor green space – For the first time, PSCA now has outdoor green space. High up, in the leafy trees, look for tightwire rigs for testing your balance. The meandering pathways, grassy areas and blooming gardens also will provide space for classes and workshops, lunchtime, and unicycle practices.
** Accessibility – The new location is right off Lincoln Drive, and adjacent to Upsal Train Station. There is also a larger parking lot that is free for all families.
** Trampoline – Watch for news coming later this summer for the debut of a brand-new Olympic size trampoline – which will also be used during Circus Summer Camp. Campers will get to add a new bounce to their step in this major new installation.
** Expanded classes – More space, more equipment and more weeks means more kids! Circus Summer Camp was sold out in 2017, and this year more students are able to enroll in this unique program.
** Expended sessions – This year, camp programs will expand to eleven weeks.
** More specialty programs – Advanced classes and speciality workshops can run parallel to Youth and Junior Camps. Plus, look for an Advanced Camp, a Performance Intensive, and Afternoon Clinics for Acrobatics, Juggling, and Unicycling.
All camp sessions for Circus Summer Camp are taught by experienced youth educators. Class ratios are kept low so that students have ample amounts of attention, as well as for safety and spotting.
Pre-registration and a deposit is required for all camp programs. Sign-up by visiting www.phillycircus.com, e-mailing [email protected], or calling (215) 849-1991. For families with multiple children enrolling, inquire about sibling discounts for all camp programs.
