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 out here!” And it was—fresh with possibility, with new friendships, with the excitement of trying something for the very first time.
The day may have been short, but it was bursting at the seams with energy. From the moment campers stepped into the ring, you could feel the transformation begin. Nervous giggles turned into confident cartwheels. New friendships blossomed, and a strong sense of camaraderie quickly took hold. Coaches offered encouraging nods, counselors tied a few extra shoelaces, and before long, the tents were echoing with applause and delight.
There’s a kind of magic at Smirkus Camp that’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it yourself. It’s in the way campers cheer each other on during their first attempt at tightwire. It’s in the quiet pride of a child walking taller after juggling three balls for the first time. It’s in the wide smiles that say, I belong here.
And maybe that’s what makes this beginning so special. Even in a single day, these young campers showed us the heart of the Smirkus spirit: resilience, joy, and a beautiful sense of togetherness. Whether they were returning for another season or stepping into the ring for the very first time, each camper brought their own spark—and lit up the tent in return.
As we look ahead to the rest of the summer, we carry with us the vibrant energy of our Smirkling crew. They’ve set a positive tone with their courage, boundless curiosity, and pure enthusiasm. If this weekend was any indication, we’re in for a season filled with growth, creativity, and a whole lot of circus magic.
Welcome back, Smirkus family. The adventure has just begun.
