Circus Summer Day Camps 2012
Every summer our Circus Camps get better and better. Our 8th year of camp is coming up and we are so excited as we hope you are too. Mini Cirque collective of professional circus artists come together to provide high calibre instruction and training for youth in a variety of circus arts.
There will be no March break camp in 2012
The Mini Cirque day camp is run by professional circus artists with many years experience in the field of circus performance and teaching. For more details see our description below.
All levels (beginner and advanced)
No experience necessary except for the intermediate week
July 16-20 |
Ottawa- all levels 8-12 years | registration begins in early March join our mailing list to receive a reminder |
July 23-27 |
Ottawa- all levels 8-12 years |
registration begins in early March join our mailing list to receive a reminder |
July 30-Aug 3 |
Ottawa- all levels 8-12 years | registration begins in early March join our mailing list to receive a reminder |
August 7-10 |
Ottawa- intermediate-advanced 10-14 years | registration begins in early March join our mailing list to receive a reminder |
August 13-17 |
Gatineau- all levels 8-14 years | Registration is open 20 places left |
August 20-24 |
Gatineau- all levels 8-14 years | Registration is open 20 places left |
Limited places available per week!
The 2012 camps will be better than ever!
Mini Cirque circus day camp has been operating with great success since 2005. For our 8th year, we continue to
accomplish something unique for Ottawa/Gatineau youths.
As always, the camp is run by professional circus artists and brings an opportunity for kids and youths to learn skills and techniques first hand from experts in each of the circus discipline. To find out more about the team visit the ‘About us’ page. In Gatineau, the trapeze classes are part of the mix as all of the favourite circus art forms taugh in both Gatineau and Ottawa locations such as juggling, flower-sticks, poi, diabolo, hula-hoop, acrobatics, hand-to-hand balancing, tumbling and unicycle.
Youths who have past the age for camp and want to come as volunteers are invited to send us an email expressing their desirs and avilability. We encourage the older more experience youths to help the younger beginners as this creates some extraordinary team work and help everyone shine.
Camp descriptions
All levels (beginner and advanced)
Kids, come explore the wonderful world of circus during week long camps as you spend time with the professional circus artists of Mini Cirque and discover how to use many of the available circus props!
Kids and teens who already have some circus training, come have fun and develop your circus skills during these week long camps as you spend time and gain inspiration with the professional circus artists of Mini Cirque. Learn new skills, improve what you already know, meet other young circus enthusiasts!
The summer days will fly by as you learn or improve many circus art forms. You will also participate in creating a circus performance each week.
Parents are invited to the kid’s circus performance at 4 pm on the Friday of each week.
Locations
Ottawa Day Camps
Glebe Community Centre
175 Third Ave., Ottawa, Ontario
Gatineau Day Camps
Àcademie de danse de l'Ouataouais, Maison de la culture de Gatineau,
3rd floor, 855 de la Gappe Blvd.,
Gatineau, Québec
Pricing for 2012
OttawaDay Camp Price:
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Gatineau$225.00 (before May 1, 2012)
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How to Register
Ottawa*Registration opens in March* Register OnlineVia the GNAG website. Select "Online" from the "Registration" menu. Register by PhoneCall the Glebe Community Center at: (613) 233-8713 Register in PersonAt the Glebe Community Center at 175 Third Avenue in Ottawa. |
Hull*Registration is open* Register OnlineFor each child you want to register, you will first need to Pay Online, and then Send us a completed online registration form. Register by MailDownload, Print and Complete this Registration Form [word], and Mail it with check made out to Mini Cirque to the address on the form. |
Freqently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should my child bring every day?
- 1 cold lunch, 1 bottle of water, 2 snacks (no peanuts or nuts).
- Wear clothing that allows for freedom of movement (stretchy fabrics are best).
- For Gatineau sector camps there is a special dress code for trapeze classes, children must have clothing that has no plastic or metal.
- Sun screen, hat and clothing appropriate for the daily weather.
- Good sneakers or running shoes for that tie up tightly for unicycling.
What does a typical day/week at Circus camp look like?
On a typical day the kids will learn circus techniques and play circus related learning games for most of the day they learn and develop skills in the 7 or 8 different circus disciplines offered through the week, the focus being on challenge and fun. They will be taken outside at least once every day and take breaks for snacks and meal.
On the Mondays and most Tuesdays of each week, the kids will explore each circus art listed above and have an opportunity to learn the basics and/or develop and perfect skills in these disciplines. As the week progresses the kids will choose one or some of these art forms to pursue and specialize. Towards the end of the week, the kids will participate in the production and presentation of a show with their chosen form of circus and on the Friday will rehearse and perform the show for the parents.
What is the daily schedule?
8 am to 9 am: Pre-care
9 am to 4 pm: Circus camp
4 pm to 5:30 pm: Post care
What happens at the pre and post care?
Pre and post care is non structured activities chosen mostly by the kids, such as board games, group games and sports, circus practice with the props, or playing outside. We highly recommend not bringing electronic games such as game-boys, Nintendo DS and mp3 players as children are encouraged throughout the week to bond with the group and create friendships and work as a team. Children can bring some group games from home to the camp to share and play with other at pre and post care.
Can I register now but add the pre and post-care later?
Yes, you can add the pre- and post-care later by notifying us by email before the beginning of the camp and bringing a cheque or cash on the first day of camp.
Can my child participate in more than one week?
Yes, absolutely! Although the formula of the week remains the same, each week the kids can build on their already acquired skills. If children are beginners, they must register for at least one ‘All Levels’ prior to registering for the ‘intermediate/advanced week’
Do you have a fridge or microwave?
No, children must bring a cold lunch and snacks.
Do the kids get fresh air during the day?
Yes, we take the kids outside everyday for at least 45 minutes.
Are there any outings during the week?
There are no outings; we stay at the same location every day of the week.
What is the ratio of adult circus artists to children?
There is sliding scale depending on activity from 1:7 to 1:10
Can the parents watch?
Parents are invited to the end of the week show on the Friday of every week at 4 p.m. at the same location as the camp.
Can my 6 or 7 year old child participate in the 8 to 12 yrs camp, do you make exceptions?
Statistically, children below 8 years old are at a very different stage in their fine motor skill development then children ages 8 to 12. We find that 8 to 12 year old are able to learn physical coordination skills together at a comparable pace, whereas younger children are best suited in a smaller group with children of the same age. If your child is within 2 or 3 months away from being 8 and you believe him/her to be more advanced in their motor skills than most other 7 years old, we will accept them into the all levels group camp at your discretion. If your child is below 8 years old and has slower motor skills for his/her age, we recommend waiting a year so as the child can full enjoy the camp and feel confident in this type of group. We do not accept children 6 years or younger under any circumstance.
Do you accept 13 year olds in the 8 to 12 year old group?
We do accept 13 year olds in the 8 to 12 year old group, but the child must be aware that they may be the only 13 year old in the group. 2 of the 7 weeks are for 10 to 14 year old specifically; it is recommended you register them for one of these weeks. Teens ages 13 to 16 who are at an intermediate or advance level can apply to be volunteers at the all levels 8-12 yrs camp.
How can my teen apply to be a volunteer at the camp?
If your teen is 13 to 16 years old and is interested in assisting with teaching at the camps, they themselves must write a letter of intention via email outlining their interest and their training/work experience in the circus field and describe which circus art forms they have specialized in. They must include which weeks they are available. They must be available for one full week at a time 9 am to 4 pm.
Can I pay in instalement?
Full payement is required for Ottawa camp registrations. For Gatineau camps parents can pay 25% non-refundable to secure the child's place in the camp, the balance is owing in post-dated check by June30th.
I'd like to work or volunteer at the Mini Cirque camps?
We are currently accepting applications for circus teachers and assistant teachers of minimum 15 years plus and volunteers 13 plus years. See our job opportunity page and our circus teacher's training course description.
For more information on the circus day camps, watch the following video:
Special thanks to the following radio stations for advertising the summer day camps.
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| Radio rock détente 94,9 FM | Radio Enfant Ado 101,9 FM |
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