PHILADELPHIA - Stepping into the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts in Mt. Airy, I was amazed by the scale and energy of the operation. Housed in the old St. Madeleine Sophie Church at 6452 Greene Street, this facility features a soaring 40-foot-high sanctuary where children are quite literally learning to turn their world upside down. During my visit to the Camp, I witnessed kids of all ages transformed into budding acrobats, aerialists, and jugglers. Running continuously through Memorial Day Weekend, the award-winning program offers a highly immersive environment with no prior experience required. Every safety protocol is in place, and professional staff closely supervise all activities, ensuring children learn in a secure setting. Yet, every camper appears to leave with newfound confidence and a spectacular set of physical skills.
Tailored Programs for Every Future Star-with a variety of age-specific options, the camp aims to inspire confidence and excitement in parents about their child's growth and enjoyment.
Strolling past the separate gymnasium, various classrooms, and the extensive outdoor green space, one can see how carefully the camp is structured to accommodate different developmental stages. The staff divides the aspiring performers into specific groups: Kinder for ages four to five, Junior for ages six to seven, Youth for ages eight to twelve, and Teen for ages thirteen to seventeen. The Kinder sessions are scheduled from July 6 to July 31, while the Junior and Youth programs are running their longest sessions ever through August 28. The newly expanded Teen sessions conclude on August 21.
While observing, it became clear that the administration has a strong grasp of the scheduling needs of modern parents. The standard camp day runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. But for the first time, a Before Care Camp is available starting at 7:30 AM for an additional fee of $20 per day. They also have an extended aftercare program allowing campers to continue the magic circus until 6:00 PM for $35 per day. The program offers supervised practice for Junior, Youth, and Teen campers.
Expert Guidance and Thrilling New Disciplines
The undeniable heartbeat of the camp is its dedicated staff of professional performers. At the helm is Circus Camp Director Charles "Charlie" Collins, who brings a wealth of experience from his time with the Trenton Circus Squad. Watching Collins work with the teens is truly impressive; he is a specialist in the German Wheel—a massive gymnastics wheel guided by body movement—and has seamlessly introduced thrilling new elements of trampoline, acrobatics, and parkour to the older age groups. Supported by Assistant Camp Director Melissa Mellon, the trained coaching staff patiently guides children on the same equipment used by professional artists. Throughout the facility, campers can be seen mastering the trapeze, climbing aerial ropes and silks, balancing feathers, spinning plates, and braving the tightwire and rolling globe.
A Day of Concentration, Trust, and Play
Following a group of Kinder and Junior campers exposes a perfectly balanced day of skill-building and fun. After an energetic warm-up, the mornings are filled with acrobatics and juggling, along with plenty of snacks and outdoor water breaks. After lunch, the younger kids participate in both arts and crafts and circus games. While Youth and Teen campers rotate through thirty-minute blocks of aerials and balance exercises. Afternoons are reserved for specialty workshops in clowning, hula hooping, and theatre, capped off by supervised open practice time.
The week-long session ends with a family circus show, giving parents a chance to feel proud and connected to their child's achievements and fun.
