Circus camp in Chetwynd makes a difference for at-risk youth
CBC News | Posted: March 31, 2016 5:11 AM | Last Updated: March 31, 2016
Camp provided at low or no cost for participants ages 7 and up
When it comes to clowning around, Dianne Bassendowski isn't clowning around.
Bassendowski is a teacher at School District 59 and the organizer of Circus North in Chetwynd, where kids can learn things like juggling, stilt-walking, and unicycle riding.
She told Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk she sees the benefits the camp brings to at-risk students in her community.
"Seeing the looks on kids faces, seeing kids who maybe don't normally have opportunities to be in organized sports, or other activities in Chetwynd seeing them being able to come to the five-day camp, it's really life changing for these kids. It really is," she said.
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Bassendowski says the camp gives opportunities to kids who might not be interested in activities like sports.
"I think it's the kids maybe tapping into something they didn't know about themselves," she said. "It's an opportunity to shine in a very unique way."
The camp is offered for free, or at a low price, and this year, filled up in only two weeks.
Bassendowski says because the camp is low-priced or free, it relies on donations from local businesses and arts groups to keep going.
Circus North runs April 4-8, 2016.
With files from Daybreak North
To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: At-risk kids benefit from Chetwynd Circus Camp, organizer says