Kids & Family
Area children invited to ‘step right up’ for Circus Summer Camp
The popular annual youth program will be hosted at Sarasota High School while arena renovations are ongoing
While the Sailor Circus Arena at the Circus Arts Conservatory site on Bahia Vista Street may be under construction, the show must – and will – go on for children seeking a more adventurous summer camp experience. From June through August, the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) will offer its popular Circus Summer Camp at the East Gymnasium at Sarasota High School.
Children ages 6-15 can partake in one-week or two-week sessions. Summer campers learn a variety of circus arts, including triple and single trapeze, globes, silks, hula hoop, low wire, clowning, flying trapeze, juggling, and more. In addition to physical proficiency, campers gain self-discipline, build self-confidence, and develop important life management and social skills. Each Friday at 4:30 p.m., the campers showcase their new talents with a costumed performance, with friends and family invited to watch.
In addition to circus training, campers also participate in outdoor water activities, movie viewings and, during two-week sessions, a trip to see the CAC’s Summer Circus Spectacular, which takes place this year at The Ringling (5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota).
Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"In the true spirit of collaboration and partnership, it is exciting to announce that circus summer camp will be in Sarasota High School's East Gym,” said CAC Executive Vice President Jennifer Mitchell. “After scoping many area locations, we are grateful to the SHS team for working with us to make sure young people can still engage in this unique camp just next door to our arena. This is certainly a homecoming of sorts as well for our youth program, which began as a high school gymnastics class in 1949!"
Cost for the Circus Summer Camp is $275/week, or $575/two-week session. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m., with pre-care available at 8 a.m. for $25/week and after-care available until 6 p.m. for $50/week. Children should bring their lunch, healthy snacks are provided twice a day; students with special dietary needs should plan to bring their own food.
Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
To register for summer camp or for questions, please visit CircusArts.org, or contact [email protected] or (941) 355-9335.
PHOTO IDs:
Circus Arts Conservatory summer campers (from l-r) Michael Hogan, Ione Gasparro and Sarah Gutierrez practice a routine on the triple trapeze while counselors Sarah Barg and McKayla Smith assist
Trinity Lemurian enjoys a lesson on silks during the Circus Arts Conservatory summer camp
About Circus Arts Conservatory
The mission of the Circus Arts Conservatory is to engage and educate students using unique and innovative learning programs; to measurably improve the quality of life for individuals in care facilities; and to advance the extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus. The CAC is home to world-class performances, excellence in training the circus arts, and community-based education and humor therapy outreach programs. Go to CircusArts.org or call (941) 355-9335.