All the Action of Week One at Advanced Camp
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig There have been so many wonderful things happening this week at smirkus camp. Our Roadshow campers launched into their first tour performances, kicking things off with a high-energy show at the Craftsbury Blueberry Festival on Saturday. The turnout was great—loud cheers and delighted hoots escaped people’s lips as the campers poured their hearts into every act. After the show, director Fritz shared that he felt renewed with the magic of collaborating with such passionate young artists. Their dedication, authenticity, and strong sense of community radiated both onstage and…
Don’t Miss Smirkus Camp Road Show “Order Up!”
Our Smirkus Camp Road Show campers are serving up something spectacular—they’ve hit the road with their brand-new show, “Order Up!”—a delightful and delicious mix of circus skills, comedy, and creativity cooked up by 10 top-tier campers. This flavorful, FREE performance is popping up all across the Northeast Kingdom, so check the schedule and grab a front-row seat at this one-of-a-kind circus feast. Don’t miss your chance to get a taste of Smirkus! July 26: 11:00am – Craftsbury Farmer’s Market July 29: 11:30am – The Lunchbox Irasburg @ Leach Library July 30: 11:30am – The Lunchbox Barton @ Barton Library July 31: 11:30am – The Lunchbox Newport @ Gardner Memorial Park August 1: 3:00 PM…
Bananas, Rainbows, and Flash Mobs: A Smirkus Summer Recap
Editor’s Note: This post was written by acting Activities Director & Counselor Kathryn Fischmann As I sat in the staff lounge, reflecting on the past two weeks of camp, thinking of how I wanted to start this blog post, I looked over at our Head Counselor, Alevia, and the bottle of Maple Syrup sitting next to her computer. It was in that moment, I was struck with a beautiful analogy: I like to think of the end of a camp session like boiling sugar water; When all the water has simmered away and evaporated, what’s left is a sticky, sweet syrup…
Reflections from Our Smirkus Camp CITs
The Counselors-in-Training came together this week to reflect on their experiences of what they have learned from being at Smirkus and what they hope to continue fostering by being new leaders at Smirkus.Here’s what our CITs love most about camp: Seeing the tents for the first time, or the first time in a year, is always a magical experience. Being able to hug friends, old and new, is a deeply special moment for everyone, and now, as CITs, we can appreciate this magic more than ever. In just two weeks, Smirkus becomes a tight-knit community where everyone can feel…
Interviews with the Camp Counselors
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig At Smirkus Camp, counselors do so much more than lead games and supervise the dorms—they help shape a creative, goofy, and growth-filled environment where kids can truly thrive. We sat down with two of our summer counselors, Alevia and Judy, to hear about their favorite moments, funniest surprises, and what makes being part of the Smirkus staff so meaningful. From competitive no-foot-gazing games to rainless rain adventures, their stories offer a joyful peek into the heart of camp life. Alevia – Head Counselor: Q: What is the highlight…
Out-of-This-World Fun at Smirkus Camp!
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig We are fully in the middle of the action now! Let’s take a moment to recap the past few weeks. We kicked off with All Levels 1, welcoming a mix of returning campers and newcomers, some campers who had never been to an overnight camp, and boundless amounts of nerves and excitement. The week was full of firsts—for many, it was their first time walking on a tight wire! Jade Kindar-Martin, world-renowned tightwire walker and all-around circus legend, joined us to teach special wire workshops. His visit was…
15 Sights You Might Discover at Smirkus Camp
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig More kids upside down than right side up—handstands, cartwheels, flips, oh my! Banjo the camp dog trotting loyally behind Collin, co-head coach and fearless fixer of all things, as they tackle mysterious projects together. The entire camp dressed to impress for our dinner dress up theme “Fancy On a Boat” —think tiaras, feather boas, and more glitter than a disco ball. Arden (admin assistant) and Charlotte (3 year old honorary staff member) playing very boisterous games involving markers, tutus worn on heads, and having “lots of work to do.” A parade…
My First Summer at Smirkus
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig This is my very first year at Circus Smirkus, and while I’m here as the photographer and marketing assistant person, I still feel a bit like a camper—excited and full of anticipation to finally arrive at a camp that I dreamed about for much of my life. I first heard about Smirkus as a kid growing up in rural Wisconsin, and imagined a place where circus-loving kids could be wild, weird, and completely themselves. This summer, I finally get to experience it from behind the scenes—and it’s even more…
Smirkling Overnight: Firsts, Friendship, and Flying
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig Last Saturday we welcomed our Smirkling Overnight campers. The energy at drop off was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and wide-eyed curiosity as many campers were spending their first night away from home. Backpacks tumbled out of trunks, hugs were given, and parents waved goodbye with encouraging smiles that tried to hide their own nerves. That initial leap into the unknown quickly transformed into confidence and connection. Campers made fast friends, supported each other with compassion, asked for help when needed, and dove into every activity with bravery…
Smirkling Camp: The Magic Begins
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Photographer & Communications Assistant Elly Craig There’s something about the first day back at Smirkus Camp—the way the gravel crunches underfoot, the distant sound of laughter coming from the Big Tops, and the electric buzz in the air that only means one thing: summer at Circus Smirkus has begun. This past weekend, our youngest campers arrived for Smirkling Camp, bundled up in fleece, rain jackets, and wide-eyed anticipation. The skies were gray and the drizzle steady, but no one seemed to mind. As one camper put it, grinning from ear to ear, “It’s fresh…