Saskatoon students get a shot at the big top
CBC News | Posted: April 2, 2016 2:09 AM | Last Updated: April 2, 2016
Spring Break Circus Arts Camp teaches kids to juggle, walk on stilts
A pint-sized circus took over a school gymnasium in Saskatoon on Friday.
About 100 local elementary school students took to the stage at North Park Wilson School in order to show off their newly-acquired skills in circus acts like juggling, stilt-walking and tightrope.
The performance was part of the fourth annual Spring Break Circus Arts Camp, which gives Saskatoon-area students from core neighbourhoods a chance to shine under the big top.
Camp coordinator Melanie Vanderlinde said the week-long event gave students an opportunity to work with trained professionals in the circus arts.
"It's not competitive," said Vanderlinde. "So kids are working on a skill on their own until they accomplish it at their own rate."
The week of learning disciplined circus acts was also intended to provide children with some lessons in character-building and life skills.
"We've had kids in tears because they tried so hard at unicycle," Vanderlinde said. "Then when they finally get it, it's incredible to watch them, that sense of accomplishment that they feel, and perseverance and tenacity are skills they're going to take away and use for the rest of their lives."