Jeugdcircus Atleta – Warmond

Jeugdcircus Atleta is an amateur circus school located in Warmond , in the municipality of Teylingen , in the Netherlands . Founded in 1960 , it has over sixty-five years of experience in the practice and transmission of circus arts to children and teenagers.

The association welcomes young artists aged 7 to 17 , primarily from Warmond and the surrounding towns. Younger children can also express their interest in joining the school and be placed on a waiting list.

The Jeugdcircus Atleta project is based on an important feature: the young people do not simply learn circus techniques during their training. They also participate in the preparation and presentation of real shows.

This artistic dimension is a central element of the association's life.

The students train twice a week , on Wednesday and Thursday evenings , at the Het Trefpunt cultural center and theatre in Warmond.

The training sessions allow young people to discover different disciplines, to perfect their techniques and to prepare the acts that will then be presented in front of an audience.

Juggling is one of the disciplines practiced. Students learn to manipulate different objects and gradually develop their coordination , concentration and precision .

The unicycle also plays an important role in the association's shows. The young artists work on their balance , their control of movement , and their ability to perform tricks.

Acrobatics is another specialty of Jeugdcircus Atleta.

Participants develop their physical abilities and learn various acrobatic techniques intended to be integrated into individual or group acts.

The trapeze is also one of the disciplines taught. The association notably features several trapeze acts in its shows.

Young people thus discover aerial work and the physical and artistic demands of this discipline.

Walking on a tightrope is another important technique. It helps develop concentration , stability , and body control .

Balance exercises on a large circus ball complement this teaching and allow students to work on their posture and coordination .

This diversity of disciplines offers young people the opportunity to discover different facets of circus arts and to gradually develop their own specialties.

Training sessions are organized throughout the year, except during school holidays .

They constitute a regular meeting during which children and teenagers can progress and meet other members of the association.

The sessions are led by a team of volunteers , several of whom themselves practiced circus arts within Jeugdcircus Atleta when they were younger.

This transmission between generations is an important characteristic of the association.

Former artists can thus share their experience with new members and contribute to the continuity of the educational project.

Preparing for the shows plays a crucial role in training.

The young people gradually learn to master the techniques necessary for their acts, to work on their presentation and to participate in a collective production .

The performances of Jeugdcircus Atleta include approximately sixteen different acts .

They include unicycling , acrobatics , trapeze , juggling , tightrope walking and ball balancing .

The shows are entirely presented by the young artists of the association, aged 7 to 17 .

This responsibility allows them to develop their autonomy and confidence in front of an audience.

The children also discover the importance of teamwork in the success of a performance.

Each act requires preparation, concentration, and coordination among the participants.

The association organizes several shows each year , mainly in the Leiden region, but also in other regions of the Netherlands.

These performances can be offered during local festivals , community events , cultural events or celebrations .

Jeugdcircus Atleta performs at company parties , events organized by local associations and family events .

The association also presents shows in establishments housing elderly people or those requiring special assistance .

This diversity of venues allows young artists to meet different audiences and gain real stage experience .

The shows can be adapted to the organizers' needs.

Jeugdcircus Atleta has its own lighting and sound equipment , which allows it to organize performances in different configurations, both indoors and outdoors .

The association also offers workshops to discover circus arts.

These interventions allow other children to discover certain disciplines and to learn circus techniques.

Activities can be organised as part of school , community or festive events.

Beyond technical learning, Jeugdcircus Atleta places great importance on collective life .

Each year, the association organizes, in particular, a week-long stay bringing together its young artists.

This camp allows participants to share different activities in a natural environment and to strengthen the bonds between group members.

The primary objective is to promote cooperation , conviviality and the pleasure of living a collective experience .

These trips complement the weekly training sessions and help to create a true team spirit .

Jeugdcircus Atleta also has a long experience of meetings between circus schools .

The association has participated in several youth circus festivals , during which its artists have presented their acts and won various awards .

These events allow young people to discover other practices and to meet children who share their passion for circus arts.

Throughout its history, Jeugdcircus Atleta has also participated in several significant events .

In 2000 , its young artists notably had the opportunity to present a short show as part of the Grand Russian State Circus in The Hague.

In 2012 , some members of the association participated as extras in the Dutch youth television series SpangaS .

These experiences illustrate the place occupied by Jeugdcircus Atleta in the cultural and associative life of its region.

The school's operation relies on a particularly significant volunteer commitment .

The supervisors accompany the young people during training and help them prepare their shows.

The presence of former members among the volunteers helps to pass on know-how and maintain continuity between generations of artists.

This organization allows us to maintain a strong associative and collective dimension.

Learning circus arts naturally promotes the development of many skills .

Juggling and balancing require coordination , concentration and perseverance .

Acrobatics and trapeze help develop strength , flexibility and body control .

The preparation of the shows, meanwhile, encourages creativity , artistic expression and self-confidence .

Young people also learn to work together and take responsibility within a group.

Performing regularly in front of an audience allows them to gradually gain confidence .

Jeugdcircus Atleta is not a professional school offering diplomas . Its main objective is to allow children and teenagers to practice circus arts within an associative framework , while participating in real artistic projects .

The association is distinguished in particular by the regularity of its training sessions and by the importance given to performances .

With over sixty-five years of existence , two weekly training sessions and numerous performances organized in the Netherlands, Jeugdcircus Atleta constitutes a historical structure for amateur circus arts education.

It allows young people to discover different disciplines, develop their technical skills and experience a collective artistic activity .

His project thus combines learning , creation of shows , volunteer commitment and transmission between generations , in an environment where the pleasure of practicing together occupies an essential place.