Soaring to Great Heights: Sailor Circus Summer Camp

By Anne Weintraub

Off of Bahia Vista Street, near Sarasota High School, sits a blue and white tent that is part of the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC). But don’t be fooled. This is no ordinary tent. It is a tent under which incredible circus acts have delighted kids of all ages for many, many years. 

In summer, it becomes the place where kids and teens between the ages of six and fifteen flip on hammocks, balance on the low wire, spin on a Spanish web, climb silks, master the flying trapeze and rolling globes – it becomes CIRCUS CAMP.  

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.