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As all the annual Greenbelt summer camps moved online, Circus Camp was no exception. With the large amount of equipment and space needed for the typical Circus Camp experience, this may have been one of the more difficult camps to run virtually, but director Mike Funt and staff members Charlie Fahey and Mira Willson have worked hard to make the summer a huge success. The summer is split into five two-week sessions, each open to campers aged 6 to 14.
The days begin with Zoom warmup stretches led by Willson and conditioning exercises called “the burn” led by Fahey. They then move into arts and crafts time, where campers work on various circus-related projects. The afternoons are spent working on circus skills, including clowning and juggling, using equipment that campers might have at home. They play games to determine which skills to work on, so that they can practice while keeping it fun. Campers can also sign up for one-on-one coaching on a skill of their choice. They might come to learn a new trick on the flower sticks, perfect their three-ball-juggling or improve their unicycle technique. In addition to the Zoom sessions, there are video tutorials twice a week, and campers are emailed videos of professional circus performances that they can watch for inspiration.
Of course, no Circus Camp session would be complete without Pie Day, so the first Friday of each session is dedicated to that purpose. The campers receive kits containing the supplies for making shaving cream pies, and then family members can volunteer to give and/or take a pie in the face. Pie Day is typically one of the most exciting days of Circus Camp, so it’s wonderful that campers can still have that experience while being socially distant, and family members can get in on the fun too.
On the last day of the two-week session, campers have the opportunity to show off their skills in a Showcase, performed live on Zoom. Campers create their own circus acts to perform, incorporating the circus skills that they have been working on throughout camp. Family and friends are invited to come and watch, and one advantage of working online is that the Showcase can be viewed by anyone from anywhere in the world, giving family members who don’t live locally a chance to see their camper perform.
Director Mike Funt said that the transition to a virtual version of Circus Camp exceeded his expectations, noting that “nothing is going to beat us all being in the gym together, playing around with circus equipment, but we’re happy that we are able to offer some version of Circus Camp, and it has been going very well.” While it isn’t the same as Circus Camp pre-pandemic, the staff are doing a fantastic job adapting to the circumstances and the campers are having a great time. Greenbelt kids love the circus, and they will do anything to practice their skills.