Summer break for your family this year could very well resemble a three-ring circus.  Especially if you enroll your children in a class or camp that gives them the skills they need if they should ever decide to run away and live under the Big Top.  At least with more experience, they’ll get hired at a higher pay rate!

At The Aerial Classroom  in Huntington Beach, your child can literally hang out in the air.  They offer several classes including Aerial Hoop, Static Trapeze and Aerial Tissu.  While mastering the Aerial Hoop, the student learns moves on a large metal hoop hanging in the air.  The Static Trapeze class offers a chance to learn maneuvers on a metal bar suspended in the air in a stationary position. At the Aerial Classroom, your adventurous performer can also try out the Aerial Tissu and learn to do drops, contortions and maneuvers while wrapped in two long hanging pieces of fabric.  There is no age limit for their classes and beginners are welcome to try out any class.

Maybe you have a kid who likes to speed through life with his hair on fire.  The Flying Trapeze School at Hollywood Aerial Arts in Inglewood, CA, could be just the outlet he needs.  For those who need it, they specialize in helping overcome a fear of heights through a slow and systematic approach.  Aerial performance classes are offered for all levels of strength and ability - from the very young all the way on up to the very young-at-heart.

Another thrilling option is Poi Spinning.  “What’s THAT?” you say.  “Poi” means ball on a cord.  So in each hand is an arm-length cord with a ball attached at one end.  Fire Groove’s Poi Groove^TM Basics class is a six week course that covers 30+ moves in forward and backward motion, split-time and parallel time.  Once comfortable with the basic moves, the student can incorporate basic dance moves.  The class also teaches basic fire safety information to prepare for the “lighting up ceremony” at the end of the session.  Each student will safely try out dancing with fire.  Your child will certainly award you “coolest parent of the year” after taking this class, especially if you join in! 

What if you have an older teen that tends to clam up in front of crowds?  The perfect class awaits him or her at Mime Theatre Studio.  Students participate intensive weekend workshops designed to provide an introduction to the fundamentals of three different miming techniques.  Your child can then graduate to weekly classes to further develop his or her skills.

Even the whole family can participate together during the local Family Circus class at FOCUSfish.  Imagine the bonding experience when your kids see you become a child again!  You’ll have a blast supporting one another as you struggle to balance, tumble and climb each week.  There will be no lull in your dinner conversation as you rehash your adventures together every night.

Travel & Learn 

If the idea of learning skills in all areas of circus entertainment sounds more appealing, then sending your child off to camp is a must!  Camp Winnarainbow, located in Mendocino County in Northern California, is situated in a beautiful forested area bordered by two streams and a three-acre lake.  Surrounded by nature, campers sleep in a large circle of custom-made teepees.  Offering mostly two week sessions for ages 7-14, Camp Winnarainbow has activities and classes such as clowning, juggling, stilt walking, mime, falling, tightrope, magic, trapeze and so much more - all of which are opportunities that promote personal growth and physical development. 

Further from home, but equally as enticing, is Circus Smirkus located in the rolling farmlands of Greensboro, Vermont.  They offer 2-day to 2-week overnight sessions for ages 6 - 18.  Fun is guaranteed and your child’s heart will beat faster from all the excitement.  Opportunities include - but are not limited to - acrobatics, clowning, unicycle, trapeze, tightwire, juggling, falling and perfecting the art of pie-in-the-face. 

Moms, Dads, Children of All Ages… Let the show begin!

All images courtesy of Circus Smirkus.

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