MAY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE 55
It’s a place where, only four years ago, a 12-year old
boy learned to juggle three balls by his third day of
camp, and by his fifth day he replaced them with
clubs. Now, at 16, he juggles with balls, clubs, rings
and fire and is on his way to competing nationally.
The CAC campers are from all over the world; their
counselors come from the Sailor Circus.
“Our camp program is phenomenal, as evidenced
by the number of children who want to come back
every year. Due to the arena, costumes and coaches,
we offer things other camps do not. The camp is so
good that even circus families send their children
to CAC’s camp. There is something for everyone,”
said Beth Graves, CAC’s marketing director.
According to Graves, campers learn life skills such
as time management, humility, and interpersonal
communications as they develop their abilities, all
of which help improve self-esteem. Campers also
get the opportunity to serve as ringmasters for the
Friday performances.
The camp offers two two-week sessions ($575/two
weeks) and five one-week sessions ($275/one week).
On the last Friday of each session, campers perform
their “showcase acts” for family and friends. There is
a process on how campers are split into groups for
their showcase act groups. On the first day of camp,
the camper tries out each different act that is offered
for that session. Counselors evaluate each camper
at the end of the different events. The students are
evaluated on their ability to take direction, natural
talents, potential to learn, strength, prior circus or
comparable experience and general attitude. The
campers also provide the counselors with their top
three choices of acts at the end of the experience.
Based upon the counselor recommendations and
the camper’s interest, the counselors cast the acts
for the showcase program. If the camper does not
make it into their top choice, they still can practice
the activity at camp.
Each week, there are themed showcase acts with
past themes such as Disney, Shipwrecked, Around
the World, Space Week, The Greatest Little Show
on Earth, Dancing with the Circus and different
holidays, such as Christmas in July. CAC provides the
costumes, makeup and props for all performances.
“In our camp, kids finish with the glory of sequence,
feathers and professional hair and makeup. That’s
one of the things that sets us apart. We have the best
tools to engage little minds and little spirits,” says
Courtney Wyatt, CAC Youth Training Co-Manager.
“There’s a place for everyone, no niche goes unused.”
Campers begin their day with a warmup and
stretches, followed by one to two warmup circus
activities, such as low wire, unicycle, trampoline,
hula hooping or juggling, followed by snack, showcase act
rehearsal, lunch, theater games, arts and circus crafts, showcase
act rehearsal, snack, checkout, group games and dismissal. The
first Wednesday of each session is Waterslide Day. Campers get
to cool off on a giant waterslide set up outside of the arena and
some also ride the aerial straps and flying trapeze.
Pre-care and aftercare are available to campers and their siblings for
a small fee. For families who cannot afford to send their children to
camp, financial assistance is available. The financial aid committee
considers documents that serve as proof of hardship, such as tax
returns, evidence of state and federal aid and hardship letters. To
request the forms, you may contact the CAC office at (941) 556-
5480. For more information on CAC’s camp, please call Kathy
Merritt at (941) 355-9335, extension 321.