Star Drops in the Tents
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Communications Intern Magdalene McCaffrey Under the blue and white stripes of Mamma Mia’s copula, the red, green, and pink silks are attached to the rigging hooks. In billowing lines, they’re pulled and secured as campers file into the tent. The campers take off their shoes and step onto the trocellen mat to sit on the ring curb. Coaches lead the kids in stretches as the rigging is finished, then they step into the center of the ring and pull themselves onto the silk. “We’ll be working on our star drops today! So let’s go over how to set…
Having a Ball at Camp
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Communications Intern Magdalene McCaffrey “All right! Everybody grab a second ball and we can work on the next combination,” the class rushes to the front of the tent to the waiting carton of various juggling balls. A warm wind blows under the lifted walls of Lottie as the campers reassemble on the mats in varied lines. Grinning some begin to toss their balls, feeling the weight before coach Book Kennison has a chance to example the new combination. Some fall to the mat with light slaps and giggles fill the tent. “Okay,…
We Are Off to a Wonderful Start
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Summer Camp Director William Forchion Summer 2019 has begun. We have welcomed one session of adult campers and two mini sessions of Smirklings. Most recently we welcomed our beginning circus campers. It is an honor to step into the role of Camp Director and Chief Miracle Conjurer. Arriving in early June, it was a pleasure to see the tent crew do their magic setting up the tents. First Mama Mia went up followed quickly by the raising of Natalie then Ruby and Flo. And just like that Greensboro, VT once again becomes a circus oasis. Seeing…
Smirkling Camp Kick-Off
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Communications Intern Magdalene McCaffrey Smirkus Camp welcomed in our youngest campers to Smirkling Camp 2019, bright and early Friday, June 15! 70 campers, accompanied by their grownups, arrived and started off the day with registration and hula-hooping before the grownups said goodbye for the weekend. Campers gathered in the Balance Barn for introductory games and fun before the first sessions began at 10am. Assigned to color groups called Purple, Red, Blue and Green, the campers rotated between juggling, acrobatics, aerials, and clowning until noon. Each group had a chance to try out each skill before…
Summer Starts with Smirkus
Editor’s Note: This post was written by Camp Communications Intern Magdalene McCaffrey Smirkus Camp sessions have officially begun! This season was kicked off by Adult Camp, a session open to those from age 21 and beyond for a weekend full of workshops, activities, and campfires. After a week of cleaning, tent raising, and loading in, the campus went from a quiet oasis to a circus paradise. Thursday, Summer Camp Director William Forchion and Assistant Camp Director Amira Silverman welcomed in campers with this session’s coaches to start off the weekend in the Balance Barn. Campers went to dinner and then had time to settle in….
Letter from the Head Coach
Hello! My name is Doug Stewart and I’m thrilled, honored and extremely humbled to be taking on the role of Head Coach this summer at Smirkus Camp. My journey through the circus world started 10 years ago at Smirkus Camp. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my 10th year of circus than returning to where it all started. For those who don’t know, here’s a little bit about me. When I was 10 years old I saw the Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour for the first time and instantly became obsessed. After begging my parents, I got to run…
Why I Come Back to Smirkus Every Summer
Editor’s note: This post was written by Salima Sarken, 5th time Smirkus Camper. When I first got to Circus Smirkus Camp, I felt excited and scared. I was seven years old and it was my first time at overnight camp. However, everyone was smiling and welcoming and as soon as I got in the tents, I was having too much fun to miss home. I remember sitting on the trapeze for the first time and feeling really brave and happy. 2019 is going to be my fifth summer at Smirkus Camp, and camp now feels like a second home to…
A Big Top Makes Space
Editor’s note: This story first appeared on the Vermont Arts Council website on May 9, 2019 and was written by Susan McDowell. “There truly is room for everyone under the big top.” Jennifer Carlo, executive director at Circus Smirkus posits that the history of the circus is a story of inclusion. “Circus really is all about celebrating differences and bringing it all into a cohesive whole.” Often performers excluded from more traditional art forms have been recognized and given a home. Circus, as she describes it, is built on “bringing different talents and different people together to create something that is just magical.” Jen…
Meet Robin Allen LaPlante
Welcome to our new Camp Administrative Director, Robin Allen LaPlante. Robin has a background in performing arts marketing and production. She spent four years working at NPR’s “From the Top,” a classical music organization in Boston that produces the weekly NPR show featuring kids playing classical music. In that role, Robin managed the marketing, box office, and ticketing plans with presenters around the country. Robin is excited to be part of the Smirkus family and believes that “if you give kids access and opportunity to the things they are passionate about, they will use those things to make the world a…
Welcome Our New Summer Camp Director
Smirkus Camp is pleased to welcome William Forchion as our new Summer Camp Director. William is a seasoned circus professional, actor, writer and theologist. He is also a father to 3 children. William has been involved with Smirkus for many years. He was a coach at Smirkus camp in 1996, a Big Top Tour coach in 2007 and 2008, and has since coached many young circus artists training for Smirkus, primarily on clowning, aerial straps & partner acrobatics. William says, “I’ve been passionate about circus for over 30 years. Now is the time in my life to take the knowledge I have…