Thank you Jumpstart Circus Arts Academy: Saskatoon Public Schools 2014 spring break circus arts camp!

Over 100 grade 4-8 Saskatoon Public Schools students participated in a 5-day circus arts camp during spring break 2014. Students learned how to juggle, walk on stilts, ride unicycles, walk the tightwire, try aerial hoops and silks, and more. On Friday, students put on a community circus show that was attended by over 300 community members.  Amazing week!  A big thanks to our major sponsors who make the week possible:  Canadian Tire Jumpstart Circus Arts Academy, Potashcorp Children's Festival of SK, Goodlife Kids Foundation, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, and SIGA!

Putting it All Together: at the 2011 PotashCorp Saskatchewan Children's Festival

The 2011 PotashCorp Saskatchewan Children's Festival ran from June 5-8. Students from the Circus Arts Project brought the circus and performance skills they learned over the last three months to the Festival as volunteers. Some students worked as roving circus artists. They performed for kids and families, played circus games, and taught kids of all ages how to juggle, spin plates, and create circus tricks of their own.  Students also helped Flyin' Bob teach two public workshops, and a few lucky kids performed with Bob during his final mainstage show.

Thank you to The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Saskatoon Sports Council, and Saskatoon Public Schools for providing the resources to make this project happen.  And thank you to the PotashCorp Saskatchewan Children's Festival, and their community outreach sponsor, Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation, for allowing us to bring the project to thousands of people at this year's Children's Festival.What an exciting way for students involved in this outreach project to volunteer and give back to the community!

Many students said working at the Children's Festival was their most rewarding school experience of the year.


Take a look at some of the pictures of students in action, and you'll see what I mean:

First Residency Photos

On April 5th and 6th, students had their first circus arts workshops. Here are a few photos of students' first attempts at learning these skills.

Flyin' Bob and student juggle bowler hats!

Rolla Bolla practice

Teachers were learners too!

Everyone walked the tightrope on day 1.

Ibad on the Tightrope

Tightrope

William on the Rolla Bolla

Ethan practices feather balance

Eugene practices feather balance

Group stilt practice

Group Stilt walking

Ryan hangs out

TJ throws the Chinese yo-yo

Adil takes a break

Meet our Circus Artist In Residence

Flyin' Bob is an internationally renowned 1-man circus performer. He has performed and taught circus arts to kids for more than 20 years.  In a bizarre coincidence, he attended our school when he was in grade two!

Check out his website:  flybob.com   for more about who he is and what he does.  The Circus Camp tab is the most relevant to our project.