Circus Camp Celebrates Ten Years

The Berkshire Children's Circus Camp began over a decade ago as a wonderful idea in the mind of a Mount Greylock High School teacher and circus aficionado, Dick Hamilton.

Dick had been a fan of the circus since childhood, when his Dad would pack him and his brothers into the car and head for the Big Top. Dick's love of the circus never waned, and in the years before retiring his thoughts turned to the idea of creating a circus camp for children who were every bit as wide-eyed and curious about circuses as he was as a kid. In 1993 he met with Alexandra Warshaw, Berkshire Community College's Director of the Continuing Education division of the school, and together they formed a partnership that continues to make the dream of a children's circus, a reality.

But Dick also needed individuals trained in the sometimes-difficult circus arts. His contacts with circus professionals afforded him connections that would prove invaluable to the creation of the fledgling children's circus project. Among those circus artists whose expertise laid the foundation for the camp's unique educational vision, were Jessica Hentoff and Michael Killian of St. Louise, Missouri. These noted circus performers jumped at the opportunity to work with children in a camp designed to teach the circus arts. They loaded their trailer with circus props, headed east to Pittsfield and the Berkshire Children's Circus Camp was born, one of the first of its kind in the nation.

Hentoff and Killian continued to work with the camp every year, and are still part of the camp's advisory team. The camp continues to attract skilled teachers including a professional aerialist, clowns and circus actors who have performed and taught for such organizations as Ringling Brothers and Circus Smirkus. Children learn a variety of circus arts including unicycle, trapeze and aerial acts, juggling and balancing acts, and the much loved clown act, an indispensable part of every circus performance. They also learn performance crafts, such as set design, and are taught the rich history of the circus.

In the decade since its inception, the camp has continued to grow. Currently there are sixty campers attending the program, ages 8 to 15. While many of the children come from Western Massachusetts towns and cities such as Pittsfield, Lenox, Great Barrington, Dalton, Northampton and Westfield, they also travel from New York State and Vermont to attend this day camp. In addition, a growing number of children from all over the country are coming to the Berkshires to attend the camp. You will find campers from New Jersey, Florida and even Arizona here. A mother from Pasadena, California, recently contacted a BCC staff member inquiring when to sign her daughter up for the 2004 season.

At the end of every three-week camp season, campers perform two shows for the general public. A live circus band accompanies the gravity-defying trapeze acts, whirlwind unicycle skits, jamboree juggling feats and the hilarity of small madcap clowns. For the audience, it's pure amazement that children could put on such an outstanding show. For the campers, it's an opportunity to show off their new skills and gain confidence. And best of all, it's a chance to run away with the circus and still be home in time for dinner.

Critics Anticipating Phenomenal Show

Word is already out that the Berkshire Children's Circus Camp will be one of the highlights of the summer. The Berkshire Circus Camp Grande Finale Performances will take place on Friday, August 15 at 7pm and Saturday, August 16 at 1pm at the Paterson Field House.

Sixty campers, ages 8 to 15 have been working hard learning never-before-seen acts and techniques with the Camp's outstanding roster of circus professionals. The exciting performances will include breathtaking trapeze and aerial and trapeze acts, feats on unicycles and stilts, unbelievable balancing and juggling skits and a roster of clown escapades that will have audiences laughing for days.

Annual Group Photographs Taken

The Annual Group photograph was taken aboard the Circus Camp's very own colorful circus wagon July 30th. Campers wore their newly designed camp t-shirts. The Annual Group Photo shoot is a tradition at Circus Camp.

Click here to See and Hear the Group Photo.
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Step Right Up -
The Circus Store is Open!

The Berkshire Circus Camp's very own Circus Store has opened. Campers can now buy some of the very props they practice on, at a reasonable price. These items are all educational or professional quality.

Props available include Devilsticks, Diabolos, Rings, Pois, Juggling Scarves and Clubs and the 10th Anniversary Camp Keepsake Logo Bean Bags. Props are an important part of any circus act. Practice makes perfect, and even simple juggling techniques take some time to master. By owning their own props, campers can continue to practice and hone their skills throughout the year-- even when camp is not in session.

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Campers Invited to Perform At Big E Related Event

The Circus Fans Association of America have invited our very own Berkshire Children's Circus campers to perform at their National Conference in September.

The Association, which counts a large membership of fans and circus professionals from the United States and Europe, will be holding this year's event in West Springfield, to run in conjunction with the Big E. A tent will be pitched on the grounds of the Best Western Hotel, site of the convention. The Big E has long supported the Circus and will feature both the Coca-Cola Big E Circus and the Hanneford Chinese Circus this year.

The Berkshire Children's Circus Camp is of special interest to the CFA because of its pioneering efforts in youth circus performance opportunities. The appearance of our Circus Camp coincides with a seminars on the growing importance of Youth in Circus.

Campers will be treated to a cookout and will have the opportunity to meet some of the greatest contemporary figures involved in the Circus Arts. It's hoped that as many of our campers as possible can participate in this historical event.

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Circus Camp On The Web

Here's another first for Circus Camp: their very own web page. Check this site weekly for updates and news stories.