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Gamma Phi Circus

Basic, Intermediate, & Advanced Circus Camp

Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Circus Camps are a challenging and exciting experience. Participants engage in a full day of vigorous physical and mental activity in an energetic team-oriented atmosphere. The camps combine physical skills, teamwork, creative self-expression, and performance experience in a fun and supportive environment. Youth participants* have the opportunity to learn and perform their favorite circus skills. We hope to impart an appreciation for the history of circus and our community connection to circus as part of the overall camp experience.

*Youth particpants include ages 7-the summer after senior year of highschool

Registration is open!

Register for Basic, Intermediate, or Advance camp through our online registration portal, by downloading our 2024 camp brochure and mailing it in, or by calling (800) 877-1478 or (309) 438-2160 Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. 

To be added to the waitlist for any of our camps that are full please email lmmork1@ilstu.edu. 

2024 Season: June and July 2024

Camp Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Horton Field House South Gym, ISU

  • Session I - Basic Camp (One Week Session) FULL

    Dates of Camp: June 24 - 28
    Camp Registration Fee: $310

    General circus skills development for youth performers age 7 and older at all levels of experience (beginner to intermediate learners).

  • Session II - Basic Camp (One Week Session) FULL

    Dates of Camp: July 1 - 5 (camp will be held on 7/4)
    Camp Registration Fee: $310

    General circus skills development for youth performers age 7 and older at all levels of experience (beginner to intermediate learners).

  • Session III - Intermediate Camp - (One Week Session) FULL

    Dates of Camp: July 8 - 12
    Camp Registration Fee: $310

    Intermediate youth campers need to have successfully completed at least 1 or more years of Basic Camp, or have director approval. This level expands circus skills development for campers who have mastered basic skills camp competencies.

  • Session IV - Advanced Camp** (Two Week Session)

    Dates of Camp: July 15 - 26
    Camp Registration Fee: $535

    **Prerequisite of competency in Basic or Intermediate Camp skills, or comparable gymnastic, cheerleading, athletic performance/skills development experience. Advanced campers need to have successfully completed at least 2 or more years of Basic Camp, or have director approval. This is not a basic level camp.

    • Please Note: A $20.00 discount applies to sessions of Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced camps if registering for two or more sessions as an individual or as a family. Discount does not apply to registrations for CircusLings.
      To receive multi-registration discount, all registrations must be made in the same transaction. 
  • Example 1: Family registers camper A & camper B for Basic camp. Camper B's registration will be discounted $20.
    Example 2: Family registers camper for Basic 1 & Intermediate camps. Registration for Intermediate camp will be discounted $20. 

Basic Circus

Basic camp is for campers age 7 and over who want a camp experience where they can learn a variety of basic circus and performance skills. It is a full week session, Monday through Friday. Campers are not required to have prior gymnastic, tumbling, or other circus experience to enroll in this basic camp. These camps provide a challenging and exciting experience to campers who want to learn circus arts and performance. Campers participate in a full day of vigorous physical and mental activity in an energetic team-oriented atmosphere.

Intermediate Circus

Intermediate camp is for campers who have successfully completed at least 1 or more years of basic circus skills camp and are ready to advance in their skills development. Intermediate campers are instructed in furthering competencies and confidence in act execution, skills expansion, safety, and style.

Advanced Circus

These camps are designed for more experienced campers with prior basic camp progress in skills development or comparable gymnastic, cheerleading, athletic background. Advanced camp is a two week camp, Monday through Friday. Advanced Circus skills campers need to have successfully completed 2 or more years of basic circus camp experience, and/or comparable gymnastic, tumbling, dance, cheer, or acrobatic experience, or have director approval. Advanced campers build on their competencies and find the challenge of an advanced session just the right catalyst to hone their circus abilities to the next level. If you are not certain if your camper would be better suited for advanced camp, contact us.

Note: All camps are for youth participants ages 7 through summer after senior year of highschool.

About the Camp

Overview

The Gamma Phi Circus Camp has been established to promote the circus arts and is open to children ages 3 and up. The camps combine physical skills, teamwork, creative self-expression, and performance experience in a fun and supportive atmosphere. Participants have the opportunity to learn and perform their favorite circus skills. Circus campers, parents, and siblings alike will enjoy the live circus performance set to music on the final day of each session. It makes everyone want to run away with the circus!

After morning warm ups, campers are directed to various act stations to learn what that act entails, what the safety considerations they need to think about to do that act safely for themselves and for others are, circus coaches demonstrate and assist campers in how that act should look and work, then campers work with trainers through practice and repetition to become more confident in performing the techniques of that act. As the camper becomes more proficient, they learn presentation style that comes with preparing for a performance. There are breaks for snack and lunch-and cooling off activities to refresh. The afternoon session involves other act stations and developing other strengths, and enjoying the fun of camp activities. Specific daily camper drop off/pick up instructions are included in camp registration confirmations.

Act Stations

Each act station has one or more focus areas that may include: balance (globes, rola bola, tightwire, pyramids), tumbling (tumbletrak, trampoline), aerial (silks, aerial hoop, ladders), wheel gymnastics (German Wheel), cycling (unicycle & bike made for 10), juggling (clubs, hoops, balls), Russian Swing, Low Casting Trapeze, clowning, and more.

Camp Shows

  • Show time: 2:00pm

    By the end of each camp session, our "performers" are ready to show their family and friends what they've learned in an amazing camp show. Camp show is held at Horton South Gym on the last day of each session. Families will receive an invitation from their camper about the show day and time, and other helpful info, like parking. The show highlights each act and campers will have an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a variety of acts.

  • Photography and Videography are permitted

    Families and friends can feel free to bring their camera and/or camcorder. We do ask that photographers and videographers keep to the audience seating area, so the performing area is safe and clear for the show.

  • Little ones LOVE our camp shows

    If you plan to bring younger family members, we ask that grownups keep little ones close to them in the seating area, and away from circus equipment. Little ones can be very curious, and quick, and the equipment is very tempting. We want everyone to have a safe time and enjoy the show.