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 not only included, but loved as well.
The Smirkus community is a wonderful one that fosters an atmosphere of love and support. At camp we have the opportunity to connect to many different types of people. I love being able to talk to new people and make new friends, and this is the perfect place for that. At Smirkus I can sit with anyone at a meal, or complain to anyone about the morning run, and always feel included.
-Sonia
One of the most valuable things I have learned at camp is awareness. Starting with the first thing people learn when entering smirkus; physical awareness. Right when one walks into Smirkus there’s a bunch of people juggling, hula hooping, and throwing random objects in the air – if you don’t pay attention, you may just get hit. This taught me my first lesson in being aware of my surroundings and other people’s actions. Then, about five minutes later Mariah starts a game including people’s pronouns, preferences, and levels of comfort. This leads to a deeper level of awareness; mental awareness. Camp always encourages thinking about what other people might be thinking and striving to understand others emotions. On the other hand, Smirkus also promotes a deep awareness of oneself, whether it’s being aware of how much space you take in the air, how your body is feeling, or how your mind is feeling. One quote we recently learned displaying this perfectly is, “Your mind will always quit before your body does.” This encouraged persistence and confidence within oneself. Overall, my biggest takeaway from Smirkus has been to believe in yourself with everything you have, but also be aware of what you have.
-Liz
In a place like circus camp, there is so much physical activity all the time, which can be a lot for people with injuries, disabilities, and other physical issues. At Smirkus, however, each staff member makes sure that no matter what, you can participate and have a fantastic time. Smirkus takes accessibility seriously, which makes this camp an incredible safe space for everyone.
-Talia