Jeugdcircus Caroly
Jeugdcircus Caroly is an amateur circus school located in Goor, the Netherlands, welcoming over 40 children and teenagers aged 4 to 18. Students train every Saturday morning and explore various disciplines such as juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, and balance ball. The school emphasizes a teaching approach based on fun, cooperation, trust, and independence. Each year, the young artists participate in the creation of a new show and also have the opportunity to perform at regional events.
7471 SJ Goor
Jeugdcircus Caroly is an amateur circus school located in Goor, in the Twente region of the east of the Netherlands. Founded in 1999 , it offers regular circus arts instruction for children and teenagers aged 4 to 18 .
The school currently welcomes over 40 young artists who meet every Saturday morning to learn, practice, and prepare their shows. It relies on a team of instructors, a board of directors, and numerous volunteers who contribute to the running of the organization.
Caroly's project was born from the desire to allow children from Goor and the surrounding area to discover circus arts for themselves. The school has gradually developed around a collective practice combining technical learning, creativity and performance in front of an audience .
Weekly classes take place at the Sporthal in Mossendam , Goor. Children can start from the age of 4 and progress at their own pace in different groups.
The teaching is intentionally multidisciplinary. Students discover several circus techniques in order to develop their physical abilities, coordination and self-confidence.
The subjects taught
Juggling
Juggling is one of the disciplines taught. It allows children to work on coordination, concentration and precision, while discovering the pleasure of manipulating different objects.
The unicycle
The unicycle also plays an important role in training. Students gradually learn to find their balance, move around, and master new tricks.
This discipline requires patience and perseverance . It allows young people to measure their progress and develop their autonomy.
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is another essential element of learning. Children discover different body techniques and gradually develop strength, flexibility, balance and control of their movements .
The exercises can be individual or collective, thus allowing work on both physical abilities and cooperation between participants.
Walking on a balance ball
Walking on a balance ball is also one of the activities offered. Students learn to control their posture and movements on an unstable surface.
This diversity of disciplines allows each child to discover their preferences and gradually develop their own skills.
Course organization
The organization of the courses distinguishes between beginners and more experienced practitioners.
The beginners' group: the "C-tjes"
New students usually join the beginners' group, called "C-tjes", which trains on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- In this group, children have time to discover disciplines and experiment with different techniques.
- The teaching team gives them ample opportunity to try things out for themselves, start over, and gradually learn to solve the difficulties they encounter.
- This approach helps to develop perseverance and confidence in one's own abilities .
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The advanced group: the "Optreedploeg"
More experienced students can then join the advanced group, also called "Optreedploeg", which trains on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- This group devotes more time to deepening techniques and preparing performances.
- Young artists are encouraged to take initiative and develop their own ideas.
- They can, in particular, work together to imagine and build a circus act.
The goal is to enable them to gradually become autonomous in their practice, while benefiting from the support of trainers.
Teachers remain available to advise students, help them progress and support them in preparing their creations.
Values and pedagogy
The pedagogy of Jeugdcircus Caroly is based on several essential values: the pleasure of practicing , cooperation , mutual trust and learning through experience .
The school encourages children to try new techniques without fear of making mistakes.
Mistakes are considered a normal part of learning and allow young people to develop their perseverance.
Students also learn to observe others, to help each other, and to share their knowledge.
This collective dimension is particularly important in the preparation of the shows.
The annual shows
Each year, Jeugdcircus Caroly creates a new production bringing together its young artists.
The students participate in the preparation of the acts and gradually discover the different stages necessary to produce a show.
The creation is notably supported by Carla du Plessis , artistic director and main trainer of the school.
Along with the other trainers, she encourages children to develop their technical skills while working on their stage presence .
The shows combine different circus disciplines, costumes, music and staging.
They allow young people to discover the pleasure of presenting their work in front of a real audience .
The annual performances are an important moment in the life of the school and also mobilize many volunteers.
Families and members of the association participate in particular in the creation of costumes, sets, technical organization and support of young artists.
This collective mobilization helps to create an associative environment in which children can discover several aspects of live performance.
Outdoor activities
In addition to its annual productions, Jeugdcircus Caroly participates in various events organized in the region.
This allows young artists to present their acts at local events and festivals.
The school also participates in meetings with other youth circuses and in juggling festivals.
These exchanges allow students to discover other practices and to meet young people who share their passion for circus arts.
Shows and workshops for external organizers
Jeugdcircus Caroly also offers shows and workshops for external organizers.
Interventions can be organised in particular as part of summer festivals, association events or corporate events.
The workshops allow participants to discover different circus techniques and try their hand at object manipulation or balance exercises.
This activity complements regular classes and helps to introduce circus arts to a wider audience .
Functioning and involvement of associations
Caroly's operation is based on a significant commitment to the association .
The trainers provide educational support for the children while the volunteers participate in the organization of the shows, the technical aspects, the costumes and the travel.
This organization makes it possible to offer regular circus practice in a friendly and collective environment.
Note
The school does not provide professional training leading to a diploma. It is primarily aimed at children and teenagers wishing to discover circus arts, develop their skills and participate in artistic creations.
The most motivated students can nevertheless deepen their practice and acquire real stage experience through annual shows and external performances.
In summary
With over twenty-five years of existence , around forty young artists and training sessions organized every week, Jeugdcircus Caroly constitutes an important structure for the discovery of circus arts in the Goor region.
Through juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, balancing and creating shows, the school allows children to develop their physical and artistic abilities while learning to cooperate , take initiative and have confidence in themselves .
