The Circus Camp

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One week filled with intensive training in the arts of the circus and skills such as juggling, theater, acrobatics and miming. Professors from a similar project in Granada Nicaragua, “Saperococlown” Casa de Los Tres Mundos, intertwined their fun and friendship in the project, and developed the students’ abilities for their grand presentation in San Isidro.

Day By Day:

Monday

…and a bus filled with younartists

After an hour, the bus arrived at the base of the camp, the farm “Longo Mai”. On arrival, each child was assigned to a family of the community with whom they would stay for the week. After settling in a bit, all involved met to discuss rules of behavior and define goals for the camp. In the afternoon, students used a few basic supplies to construct sets for juggling. The intention of the workshop was to provide each student with their own circus materials with which to practice and to teach friends, family and others.

And already the first eager participants were throwing their new toys into the air

Construction Workshop:

The making of the balls:

…and we BEGIN!…

In the night, the instructors put on a presentation for the participants. For its conclusion, Eric and Gerhard heated

up young imaginations in a show of fire:

Tuesday to Thursday:

For training, the children were divided into small groups and circulated through stations focused on various circus skills. Each day, after practicing the students presented their skills in front of the others to reduce their fear and nervousness before an audience. A big motivation for the students was that the group “Saperococlown” consistently choreographed such fun presentations for the end of each day. During the nights, the students played in games and activities of group dynamics organized by Christina and Jan.
Thursday afternoon, the camp took a break from training and went down to relax by the river. A well deserved mini-vacation which the children loved.

Friday:

LAST day! Everyone was working hard. Participants and volunteers made the final preparations for the day’s dress rehearsal employing all of their creativity and style. We painted our performance outfits in a brilliance of colors. Emilio, a Canadian volunteer, prepared the music. Intensive rehearsals were practiced. Meetings took place.
AND finally, the hour arrived: The residents and visitors of Longo Mai were ready to see the grand dress rehearsal of the circus camp.
All went as we’d hoped, and at times even better than that! The public and the artists were really enthusiastic and good feeling simply overflowed. After the success, the now famous participants marked up their shirts with autographs, assured that more than just the permanent ink would last AND Everyone was excited and ready for THE NEXT DAY!!!!!!!!!

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