Circus Camp :

The Collision of Creativity and Athleticism? Artist or Athlete? At 406Cirque we know that’s a false dichotomy!

WRITTEN BY NAOMI SHAFER

AT 406Cirque, some campers arrive already dreaming of getting on stage. For them, the allure of learning trapeze is connected to a vision of performing. Their passion is sparked by choosing music, a costume and creating a story for their act. Another camper may approach the same trapeze with an entirely different lens. For them, it could be about the challenge of lifting their body and swinging onto the bar; approaching each milestone as an athletic achievement, feeling pride and marking their progress from one pull-up to 10.

The beauty of 406Cirque’s summer camp is that it’s an environment where imagination, physical skill and perseverance collide, whether a camper arrives thinking of themselves as an athlete or an artist or both. This dynamic combination makes circus camp an exceptional platform for youth development.

There’s no way around it, circus camp is highly physical. At 406Cirque, kids learn juggling, tumbling, aerial silks, trapeze, clowning, stilt walking, unicycling, dance and acrobatics. Each of these skills teaches a combination of strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance. Circus training encourages the body to work in ways that differ from traditional sports, helping to build a more diverse range of athletic abilities. A child who may not feel successful in soccer has the opportunity to build a whole new relationship with their body and reframe their self-image as an athlete. A camper might not think of juggling as a sport; however, it enhances hand-eye coordination and concentration. Beyond the obvious connections to physical development (aerial silks builds upper body strength, unicycle improves core stability), circus teaches perseverance and endurance, key competencies for any endeavor. As 406cirque founder Paúl Gomez says, “Learning to juggle is learning to pick up the balls more times than they fall.”

Circus camp is not just about physical development, it also nurtures creativity in ways few other activities can match. Not only does learning circus require campers to think outside the box, it also invites them to explore their own creativity. Performance is a central part of 406Cirque; after all, there is no circus without an audience. I always tell my students, “Performing is an act of generosity. It is a chance to invite your friends and family into your imagination.” Each week the entire staff and camp gather to celebrate each other’s progress. Campers are encouraged to create their own acts, which challenges them to think creatively about movement, music and stage presence. The first week, a student may show the one trick they know and, by the third week, they’ll have set a routine to music — maybe even adding a comedic slip-fall.

Circus performers are not just athletes; they are artists who use their bodies to tell stories and evoke emotions. This aspect of self-expression is particularly important for young people, as it provides an outlet for personal exploration and identity formation. One of the greatest privileges of coaching is watching the students' performance personas emerge. In my class of 7-year-olds, pretending to be a chicken is all the rage. The class clucks while juggling. This element of fun makes the challenge of keeping three scarves in the air more tolerable. For a student who is quite shy, flapping their wings and pretending to peck the ground gives them the bravery to get onstage. Circus encourages trying on alternate personas. One student may feel most comfortable entering as a clown, and using humor as a way to build connection to the audience. Another may strut on stage full of bravado and demand the audience clap along. Each is navigating their own way to take pride in and share their accomplishment.

At the core of each student’s success is their sense of belonging. While a student may choose to develop a solo act, they are always learning, training and celebrating within an ensemble. This sense of belonging helps to build confidence and encourages campers to push past their limits. As a mixed-age camp (with campers ranging from 7-14) 406Cirque encourages students to teach each other. The road to mastering a circus skill is filled with setbacks and challenges. Often, a peer’s advice can be heard differently than a coach’s. A true joy of coaching is watching students share skills with each other. They tell their own stories of falling off the unicycle 100 times before getting that first ride across the gym. It’s other campers who most often promote a growth mindset, encouraging others to overcome failure. It is students who are most likely to shout out, “Sam rode nine pedals today! His new personal best.” This culture of perseverance and celebrating achievement at every level is truly the heart of circus camp.

Whether campers see themselves as athletes or artists or both (or neither), circus camp is a place for them to challenge themselves, make lasting friendships and develop extraordinary skills. Circus camp is more than just a fun way to spend the summer (though, boy, is it fun!). 406cirque recommends students join for a three-week session, though there are limited spots for students wanting to start with a single week.

Naomi Shafer is the education director at 406Cirque. For more information visit www.406cirque.com.