The SHAC Summer Circus & Physical Theater Camp runs for nine weeks from June 29 through August 28 and is designed to be flexible, engaging, and welcoming for campers ages 7–17.
Each week follows the same daily structure, with campers rotating through a variety of movement and creative studios led by experienced instructors. While the structure stays consistent, every week brings a new creative focus—so each session feels fresh and different. Campers are welcome to attend one week or multiple weeks, with no prior experience required.
This approach allows new campers to jump right in while giving returning campers the chance to deepen their skills, confidence, and creativity over time. Throughout the summer, campers explore movement, teamwork, imagination, and self-expression in a supportive, playful environment.
Weeks wrap up with informal moments of sharing that celebrate effort, creativity, and collaboration rather than performance—making the camp a joyful, low-pressure way for kids and teens to stay active, curious, and connected all summer long.
Each week has a theme that shapes games, stories, movement prompts, and creative challenges across all studios. Campers may attend one week or multiple weeks—each week stands on its own while still rewarding returning campers with deeper exploration.
Weekly Themes & Dates
Week 1 (June 29 – July 3): Here We Go
A welcoming introduction to camp focused on getting comfortable with movement, space, and one another. Campers explore play, curiosity, and collaboration while settling into the rhythm of the studios.
Week 2 (July 6 – July 10): Finding Our Center
This week explores balance in many forms—physical, social, and creative. Campers investigate how bodies move, pause, and work together across different studios.
Week 3 (July 13 – July 17): Ways of Moving
Inspired by movement through space, this week invites campers to explore direction, level, and pathways—high and low, near and far—using imagination and curiosity.
Week 4 (July 20 – July 24): Becoming
Campers explore expression and storytelling through movement. Across studios, they experiment with gesture, personality, and playful transformation.
Week 5 (July 27 – July 31): Our Shared Space
A week focused on making and imagining environments. Campers design props, structures, and creative spaces that inspire movement, play, and shared stories.
Week 6 (August 3 – August 7): In Time
This week highlights group movement, timing, and awareness. Campers explore how individuals move within a group and how collaboration shapes creative play.
Week 7 (August 10 – August 14): What If…
A curiosity-driven week that encourages experimentation and invention. Campers are invited to explore ideas, remix movement, and follow their interests across studios.
Week 8 (August 17 – August 21): At the Edge of Things
Campers engage with playful challenges and movement puzzles that build confidence, adaptability, and perseverance in a supportive environment.
Week 9 (August 24 – August 28): Stories in Motion
A storytelling-inspired week where movement, imagination, and creative play come together. Campers explore how stories can be shared through action, gesture, and collaboration.
Camp Fees: $325/Week | A 10% sibling discount is offered. We are committed to making our programs accessible to all—financial assistance is available for those who need it. Please write to info@thebigtopgroup.org with questions and for more information.
More Information about Program Goals
The SHAC Summer Circus & Physical Theater Camp is designed to support young people’s growth through movement, creativity, and collaboration. Across the nine-week program, campers are encouraged to explore their abilities, connect with others, and build confidence in a supportive, playful environment.
Build Self-Esteem & Confidence
Campers are invited to try new things, take creative risks, and celebrate effort as much as achievement. Through movement and play, they develop confidence in their bodies and trust in their own ideas.
Foster Collaboration & Teamwork
Working in rotating studios and mixed-age groups, campers learn how to cooperate, communicate, and support one another. Collaboration is central to every activity, reinforcing shared responsibility and respect.
Encourage Friendship & Belonging
The camp environment emphasizes inclusion and connection. Campers build friendships through shared challenges, creative play, and collective problem-solving, helping them feel seen and valued within the group.
Cultivate Perseverance & Resilience
Physical and creative challenges encourage campers to practice patience, persistence, and adaptability. Campers learn that progress comes through effort, curiosity, and learning from experience.
Develop Kinetic Awareness & Body Literacy
Through circus arts, dance, yoga, and martial arts-inspired movement, campers increase awareness of how their bodies move in space. This growing body literacy supports coordination, focus, and physical confidence.
Support Self-Expression & Creativity
Movement, storytelling, and creative design offer campers multiple ways to express ideas and emotions. Campers are encouraged to explore their own creative voices and communicate through movement in ways that feel authentic to them.
Daily rotating studios include:
Acrobatics & Partnering – balance, tumbling, lifts, and cooperative movement
Aerial Foundations & Vertical Play – age-appropriate aerial skills, climbing, and spatial awareness
Creative Movement & Dance – exploring rhythm, flow, dynamics, and self-expression through guided movement and improvisation
Physical Theater & Character Creation – storytelling through movement, gesture, and expression
Movement Games & Obstacle Challenges – agility, coordination, teamwork, and playful conditioning
Martial Arts & Mindful Movement – focus, coordination, strength, and respectful use of energy through age-appropriate martial arts principles
Yoga & Body Awareness – flexibility, breath, balance, and grounding practices that support focus and recovery
Creative Build Lab – props, puppets, costumes, and simple set pieces that spark imagination
