Circustheater Stoffel – Arnhem

Circustheater Stoffel is a Dutch organization specializing in the use of circus arts as a tool for educational, social and personal support.

In particular, it offers a weekly circus club in Arnhem, intended for children and teenagers who need special attention in their development.

His approach is based on a conviction: circus arts allow everyone to discover their abilities, develop their confidence and find their place within a group.

An adapted circus club

The club welcomes children and teenagers for whom traditional leisure activities are not always easily accessible.

Some participants may experience difficulties in social relationships, participation in a group, or self-confidence.

Circustheater Stoffel offers them a caring, structured environment adapted to their needs.

The sessions allow young people to discover their talents, better understand their abilities and learn to respect their own limits as well as those of others.

The objective is also to encourage their future participation in other group activities.

Weekly training sessions

The club meets every Saturday morning from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm .

The classes take place in the gymnasium of the Floriant primary school in Arnhem.

Each session lasts three hours.

Participants rejoin their usual group and take part in activities combining discovery, technical learning and group games.

The classes are led by two professionals: a teacher specializing in circus arts and an educational facilitator.

This organization makes it possible to combine artistic learning with individualized support.

Juggling and object manipulation

Juggling is one of the disciplines taught.

Participants discover different manipulation techniques using balls, clubs, and scarves.

These exercises help to develop coordination, concentration and precision of movements.

Children can progress at their own pace and experiment with different ways of manipulating the accessories.

Juggling also offers opportunities to work together and share successes.

Unicycle and balance disciplines

The unicycle is part of the equipment used during the sessions.

Participants can discover techniques to maintain their balance and control their movements.

The school also has stilts.

These accessories help to work on stability and coordination.

Tightrope walking is another discipline offered.

The balance exercises are adapted to the abilities of the participants.

They allow you to gradually discover new bodily sensations and develop confidence in movement.

Trapeze and group acrobatics

Circustheater Stoffel also has trapezes.

Participants can discover suspended movements in a setting adapted to their abilities.

Group acrobatics plays an important role in the pedagogical approach.

Children learn, in particular, to construct human figures and to find balanced positions in groups.

These exercises require communication, cooperation, and consideration for other participants.

They help to develop mutual trust and teamwork.

A pedagogy based on success

Circustheater Stoffel's teaching prioritizes positive experiences.

Circus arts allow participants to directly observe their progress.

Successfully performing a trick, maintaining balance, or learning to juggle is a rewarding experience.

The association believes that these successes can contribute to the development of self-confidence.

The activities are non-competitive .

Each child can progress according to their abilities, without being compared to others.

This approach encourages perseverance, autonomy, and the discovery of new abilities.

Inclusive groups

The groups bring together participants of different ages, genders, and developmental levels.

This diversity is part of how the club operates.

Children learn to take into account the needs and abilities of each individual.

The activities encourage cooperation and collective participation.

The association aims to enable young people to develop their interpersonal skills in a safe environment.

Phones and tablets are not used during sessions in order to prioritize interactions and activities.

Presentations for families

The club also organizes presentations which parents and chaperones can attend or participate in.

These moments allow young people to share what they have learned.

They provide an opportunity to highlight the progress made during training.

The goal is not necessarily to prepare a professional show, but to allow everyone to have a positive experience in front of an audience.

Specialized educational support

Circustheater Stoffel is aimed particularly at children and teenagers who need extra support.

The organization offers several forms of support.

In addition to the weekly club, it also organizes stays with accommodation, individual support and interventions with families.

These activities use play and circus arts as educational tools.

The association also intervenes in the fields of education, child protection and social welfare.

Interventions in schools

Circustheater Stoffel develops projects for schools.

The organization is particularly involved in special education.

She uses circus disciplines to encourage participation, cooperation, and trust.

These projects can also be proposed to social and educational organizations.

The organization also provides training for professionals wishing to use circus arts in their practice.

A system adapted to the needs of families

Club registration takes place after an exchange with the team.

Parents or professionals accompanying the child can contact Circustheater Stoffel to present the situation and check if the club meets their needs.

The organization works with local authorities within the framework of support schemes.

For families in the partner municipalities of the Gelderland Centraal region, the costs can be fully covered by public services.

Other financing solutions may be considered depending on the situation.

A structure specializing in adapted circus

Circustheater Stoffel distinguishes itself from traditional circus schools through its educational and social approach.

Circus disciplines provide a means of developing physical abilities, but also relational and personal skills.

Thanks to its weekly training sessions, specialized supervision and non-competitive teaching methods, the club allows children and teenagers needing special support to discover the circus arts.

It thus constitutes a relevant structure in the field of adapted circus in the Netherlands.