2020 Sessions
| ★ Age 5-11: | ★ Age 8-16: | ★ Age 12-18: | ★ Families: |
| Intro to Smirkus@Home (virtual camp): June 20
NEW SESSION! |
All Around Circus Camp: June 21-26 : Cancelled |
Building a Circus Village (Intermediate & Advanced): July 12-August 14 |
Fall Family Weekend: September 4-6, 2020 |
| Smirkling Camp@Home (virtual camp): June 13-14 |
All Around Circus Camp: June 28-July 10: Cancelled |
||
| ★ Circus Arts Leadership Fellows Program ★ Scholarship Applications ★ | |||
Smirkus campers are happy campers! Watch this video for proof:
Intro to Smirkus@Home
August 20 & 21, 2020 • 2 Half-Days • Ages 5-11 • 9am-12pm each day • $195
Get your first look at our virtual summer camp in this live online camp, designed for first-timers, age 5 to 11, and perfect for the young monkeys and clowns in your house.
Join Mama Bear (Camp Director William Forchion), Head Coach Doug Stewart and more of your Smirkus Camp friends for a virtual camp experience – Smirkus style!
We’ll send you a camp package with everything you’ll need for a full circus camp experience at home, including a t-shirt, postcards, popcorn and a movie for movie night, juggling scarves, a spinning plate, a peacock feather, and more ($50 value).
Then, log into the online campsite on August 20 & 21 for your circus adventure.
You’ll receive an email confirmation letting you know everything you need for camp. We’ll send the package out the week before camp starts.
Please contact camp@smirkus.org for sign up information.
Got A Question?
Smirkling Camp@Home
June 13-14, 2020 • 2 Days • Ages 5-11 • $425
Take virtual summer camp for a spin in a two-day session geared toward young campers, age 5 to 11, trying out Smirkus camp or the circus arts for the first time.
Join Mama Bear (Camp Director William Forchion), Head Coach Doug Stewart, Assistant Camp Director Amira Silverman and more of your Smirkus Camp friends for a virtual camp experience – Smirkus style!
We’ll send you a camp package with everything you’ll need for a full weekend of circus at home, including a camp t-shirt, camp journal, popcorn and a movie for movie night, juggling scarves, flower sticks, a spinning plate, juggling balls, and more ($100 value).
Then, log into the online campsite on June 13 and 14 for two full days, chock full of circus adventure.
You’ll receive an email confirmation letting you know everything you need for camp. We’ll send the package out the week before camp starts.
Got A Question?
Building a Circus Village
July 12-August 14, 2020 • Five Weeks, Overnight • Ages 12-18 • $5000
★ Sign Up
This summer we will offer a single program called Smirkus Camp: Building a Circus Village. Campers will join us in Greensboro for a fully immersive circus program, exploring all aspects of circus for five weeks. This program is geared toward campers aged 12 and older. The program will start on Sunday, July 12 and run through Friday, August 14.
By offering five weeks of camp, we can offer campers the chance to delve fully into the circus arts, creating stronger connections with their Smirkus friends and enjoying more training time with our fabulous coaches. Campers will work with staff mentors to choose specialties in our normal tent rotations and to choose among electives that will include production, rigging, coaching, and costuming.
Smirkus Camp will look different this year. We’ll be under a strict quarantine and the campers and staff will remain on site for the duration of the session. We have a plan to mitigate the risks of COVID as much as possible, which includes:
- Pre-session health screenings
- Pre-session quarantine for staff and campers
- New drop-off procedures
- Quarantine and testing
- Strict no visitor policy
- Ongoing health checks, including daily temperature and symptom checks
- New cleaning and disinfecting routines
We’ll share the full plan and hold town hall meetings with interested families to make sure that everyone understands how our unique summer will run. Our first Camper Family Town Hall will take place on Wednesday, June 10, at 7 PM. Please let us know if you’d like to attend by emailing us at camp@smirkus.org.
Got A Question?
All Around Circus Camp
CANCELLED June 21-26, 2020 • One Week • Ages 8-16 • $1345 OR
CANCELLED June 28-July 10, 2020 • Two Weeks • Ages 8 to 16 • $2475
★ Sign Up
Live your best circus life at Smirkus Camp in a one- or two- week session of general circus camp, designed for campers at any skill level, age 8 to 16.
Whether you are training at a circus school in your home community or this is your first time seeing a lyra, our professional coaches are skilled at training every level to build on the skills in a wide variety of circus disciplines including acrobatics, aerials, juggling, clowning, balance, unicycling, and more.
With a final opportunity to show off your new-found skills for your family on the final day at camp, general circus camp is the ultimate summer camp experience: circus arts classes mixed with summer camp fun makes for one awesome summer!
Got A Question?
Ask us here, but read below first! ⬇
★ FAQ: All Around Circus Camp ★
★ All Around Circus Camp FAQ ★
Campers arrive for their week-long sleepover adventure between 3-4:30pm on Sunday. Pick up campers in time to watch a skills rotation showcase that begins at 3pm on Friday.
Take a look at what the beautiful Northeast Kingdom has to offer on drop off and pick up days!
Daily Camp Schedule:
☆ 7:00 Rise and Shine
★ 7:30 – 8:15 Breakfast
☆ 8:15 – 8:40 Warm Up/Morning Run
★ 8:40 – 9:25 Tent Rotation 1
☆ 9:25 – 10:10 Tent Rotation 2
★ 10:10 -10:30 Snack/Improv Time
☆ 10:30 – 11:15 Tent Rotation 3
★ 11:15 – 12:00 Tent Rotation 4
☆ 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
★ 12:45 – 1:20 Quiet Time
☆ 1:20 – 1:45 Strengthening
★ 1:45 – 2:00 Trick of the Day/Choice Time Announcements
☆ 2:00 – 4:00 Choice Time
★ 4:00 – 4:15 Afternoon Snack/Transition
☆ 4:15- 5:00 Afternoon Activity
★ 5:00-5:35 Dress Up/Dorm Time – Dress up to selected themes such as safari, pirates
etc. (wardrobe available).
☆ 5:40 – 6:20 Dinner
★ 6:20 – 7:00 Downtime/Chores/Additional Store Time
☆ 7:00 – 8:30 Evening Activity
★ 8:30 – 9:00 Relax before bedtime
☆ 9:00 Lights Out
*Please note that the schedule, and the listed dates and times are tentative and may change
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What are some of the non-circus related activities?
Smirkus Camp has an afternoon group activity and an evening activity daily, that is not circus related. They vary each day. Some afternoon activity examples include “Capture the Flag,” Arts and Crafts, Tie Dye, Friendship bracelet making, Kickball, Frisbee, Board Games etc. Evening Activities include, movie night, camper (voluntary) and staff talent shows, special guest speakers, and dances. - What is Dinner Dress-up?
Campers and staff dress up to a theme every night for dinner. The themes are announced at lunch on the day of, and can vary drastically. Don’t worry about bringing costume clothing from home (although many do!), Smirkus provides four large wardrobe closets. Dressing up is not mandatory, but is encouraged and a lot of fun! - Can I tell my camper that I will come pick them up or that they can stay with me at night if they are homesick?
To best help your child prepare for and enjoy their experience at camp, we strongly advise parents to avoid setting up “pick-up” plans with their child. Doing so tends to set up the expectation that the child won’t enjoy their experience and implies that there is a reason to be concerned about staying overnight. You can prepare your camper for sleepover camp, by practicing sleepovers at friends/relatives’ houses etc. and by encouraging them to write letters. - Can you send me photos of my child at camp during the week?
Smirkus Camp has a wonderful camp blog which will give you a sense of the activities and spirit at camp. We also take pictures of kids during each session and provide access to those digital photo albums to parents. - Can my camper bring their phone, kindle, ipad, etc to camp?
Smirkus Camp is electronics free! We go unplugged so that your child may benefit from the rich social environment at camp. - Drop Off: what should I expect when I drop off my camper?
When you arrive to our facility during your designated time slot, you will immediately be greeted by a staff member while you park and receive an onsite registration checklist. You will be directed towards the dorms for onsite registration. After checking into the first station, you will be able to complete your checklist at your own pace. Once each station has stamped your list, hand it to your counselor and wish your camper a happy week! - Pick Up: will I get to see my camper as soon as I arrive to pick them up?
Since our sessions end with either a skills rotation showcase, performance, or Pie Day Celebration, you will not immediately be able to visit with campers as they will be preparing for these events. You will be greeted by camp staff and directed to where the activity is taking place. - My camper LOVES aerials (or juggling, etc.), can they train their preferred circus skill exclusively?
Circus performers are expected to be multi-skilled, and we train in this tradition. Morning tent time is devoted equally on learning and practicing the four major circus arts: juggling, aerials, acrobatics and clowning. Afternoons feature choice time – two hours of electives where campers can focus on improving skills in just one discipline, and/or get better at all of them. This is also when we teach activities such as unicycling, rolla bolla, stilting, and other things that will make your child even more amazing! - How do I apply for camp?
Smirkus Camp uses an online registration called CampDoc for all of your pre-camp paperwork. This portal allows the camper to register for their desired sessions, submit medical, personal, and contact information, make tuition payments, audition for our advanced sessions, and more. CampDoc requires an updated browser to function properly – either Mozilla Firefox, or Chrome. - Can you accommodate my child’s dietary needs?
Yes! One of our three camp chefs specializes in vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free cuisine. We provide these options at every meal, plus traditional fare. Circus training burns many calories, so we encourage seconds!
★ Sign up here
Intermediate Camp
CANCELLED July 12-24, 2020 • Two Weeks • Ages 12-18 • 3 programs, prices vary
★ Sign Up
Take your skills to new heights in our Intermediate program, in one of three tracks designed to offer kids a chance to take the first steps towards building strong circus skills.
Whether you have lots of circus experience or you have experience in dance or gymnastics, our coaches from Cirque du Soleil, Big Apple Circus, and more will help you put a shine on those skills and send you home with new tricks and more confidence than ever before. Celebrate two weeks of amazing work with a final day of performances for friends and family under the Big Top!
- ENSEMBLE – $2475 : Train in rotation each day to build on traditional circus arts education. Rotations are clowning, juggling, aerial, and acrobatics, with afternoon workshops that include balance, rigging, contortion, handstands, aerial apparatuses, strength and conditioning and much much more! NO PLACEMENT VIDEO REQUIRED
- JUNIOR ROAD SHOW – $2745: Spend a week creating a show from the ground up, and then take your act on the road! Roadshow campers develop performance skills through visits to farmers markets, free lunch programs, nursing homes, daycares, and other community sites. Click here for placement video requirements.
- SKILLS INTENSIVE – $2845: Campers choose two disciplines to focus on: aerial, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, or balance. They will receive training and guidance to develop a unique group, partner, or solo act for the final camp show performance. Click here for placement video requirements.
Advanced Skills Camp (Video Required)
CANCELLED July 26 – August 7, 2020 • 2 Weeks • Ages 12-18 • $2845
★ Sign Up
Need more time in the tents? Want to spend more time training during the summer months? This camp is for you.
Designed to offer extra high-level training time with our amazing advanced coaching line-up, this two week session offers campers the opportunity to choose two disciplines to focus on: aerial, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, or balance. Along with afternoon choice times that offer opportunities to dig in deeper into new areas, this is an excellent choice for Intermediate and Advanced campers to develop and practice new skills while living the circus life in our Big Top Tents.
Advanced Performance Camp (Video Required)
CANCELLED July 26 – August 14, 2020 • 3 Weeks • Ages 12-18 • 3 programs
★ Sign Up
Train with the best coaches – performers from Cirque Du Soleil, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and more – in our elite three-week training program.
Designed for campers who have strong circus and movement skills, these sessions require a placement video to help us find the best program for your skills. Advanced Camp allows campers to focus their efforts on results. Build performance skills, develop an act, or focus on show creation through our three program tracks. All applicants are expected to excel in at least one, and have a basic knowledge of at least three, of the following skills: balance, acrobatics, aerials, clowning, juggling, styling and smiling.
- ENSEMBLE – $3900: Train in rotation each day to build on traditional circus arts education, then focus your efforts on ensemble show creation. Culminating in a final show for friends and family.
- ROAD SHOW – $4100: Spend a week creating a show from the ground up, and then take your act on the road! Roadshow campers develop performance skills through visits to farmers markets, free lunch programs, nursing homes, daycares, and other community sites.
- INDIVIDUAL ACTS – $4200: Campers choose one disciplines to focus on: aerial, acrobatics, juggling, clowning, or balance. They will receive training and guidance to develop a unique solo act that can be used in performances, auditions, or other opportunities, which will be showcased in the final camp show performance.
Click here for placement video requirements.
Circus Arts Leadership Fellows
Learn by doing at Circus Smirkus Camp in the Circus Arts Leadership Fellows (CALF) program, a new initiative in Summer 2020. Mentored by counselors and an integral part of Smirkus Camp, CALFs will get hands-on leadership experience in the tents with coaches and counselors, coupled with seminars on various production, administrative, and leadership topics will introduce participants to a whole new world of Circus. Participants will also work together as a team to create a project for Circus Smirkus Camp that exemplifies what they have learned through the experience. Participants will receive a certificate of completion which can be used for community service hours at school.
During Advanced Camp, the program changes to a Circus Tech Apprenticeship. Participant groups will learn from staff members by working in specific areas of concentration: Rigging, Production, General Management, Costumes.
For more information, email camp@smirkus.org.
Scholarships
Circus Smirkus has long been committed to making circus programs available for as many children as possible, regardless of ability to pay. A limited number of partial scholarships are available to families with low incomes or other financial circumstances.
Click here to access the scholarship application.
There are no fees to apply for a scholarship, and you do not need to register for a camp session before doing so. However, registering for camp ensures that you have a spot saved for the session of your choice this summer.
Notifications of scholarship awards are made in January and March.
Policies
View our 2020 Fees, Conditions, & Policies – PDF
View our Smirkus Camper & Family Handbook (includes packing lists!)
Circus Smirkus Inclusion Policy:
Throughout history, the circus has sought out and celebrated all types of peoples, cultures, and skills to showcase the multifaceted triumph of human abilities. It is fundamental to our values to welcome participants and audience members of all backgrounds with the curiosity, respect, and awe human diversity inspires.
Joining a Circus Smirkus program means you belong. Bias, prejudice, racism, and hatred have no place on our tent. As a company, we are required to follow all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination based on such factors as race, religion, national origin, gender or gender orientation, et al. As a proud upholder of circus tradition we commit to providing everyone equal opportunity to become a star.
VT DOH Licensing:
Smirkus Camp is licensed by the Vermont Department of Health and complies with their regulations. We perform a thorough background check of all newly hired staff, and repeat it every two years for returning seasonal employees.
Contact
Circus Smirkus Camp is located in Greensboro, Vermont, just down the road from our main headquarters. Email us at camp@smirkus.org.
SUMMER MAILING ADDRESS FOR CAMPERS:
Circus Smirkus Camp
409 Breezy Ave
Greensboro VT 05841
GPS Coordinates
Camp Office: 802-533-2423
camp@smirkus.org
CIRCUS SMIRKUS WORLD HEADQUARTERS:
Big Top Tour Kickoff & Finale (and year-round offices)
1 Circus Road
Greensboro, VT 05841
GPS Coordinates
phone: 802-533-7443