Summer Camp Activities -Clowning in Guelph,Kitchener,Waterloo,Cambridge
Summer Camp Activities - Clowning
This year, 2012, we have the previlage of hosting Zoe the Clown. She has been part of our program every year for our March Break Camp and kids Summer Camps here in Guelph since 2010. One of the main aims for having her with us is not only that she is amazing with the kids, she has the special ability of leting the children look beyond themselves. Come out of their shells and use their imagination. We try and do that with all our summer camp activities. Below a detailed program with Zoe the clown, we hope to see you soon.
CLOWN WORKSHOP LEVEL ONE - Day 1
Everything has structure. Even the seemingly fun loving, chaotic world of the clown. This workshop is strongly based on theatre principles and the principles of common human values. So we 
start off with an introduction by the instructor, Arlene Penlington aka Zoe the Clown and each child introduces themselves so that I can refer to them by name.
1. Short talk and present pictures on the types of clowns existing in North America and that we commonly see performing.
* Auguste - German word meaning "clumsy, stupid"
* Whiteface - 2 different kinds - Neat whiteface and Grotesque whiteface and explanation
* Tramp or Hobo - made famous by Charlie Chaplin
* Personal - developed in the 1960's in Europe
We need to know who our "clown relatives" are to give us a sense of where we are coming from. We need to know the established conventions to have a sense of how each clown will act and their basic look.
2. The Mask of the Clown - The Red Nose!
Though it is very small, it can utterly transform the wearer and lets others know that they have permission to approach what is about to happen with a light hearted attitude.
3. What does the clown silently say with their presence when they first step in front of the audience?
* Here I am!
* Look at me!
* I'm here for you!
A demo is given and an explanation.
4. NOW! Being given the above teaching and tools we play a game called Nothing in the Nose.
The child gets to experience standing in front of an audience with the mask... the nose on. Emphasis is made on making genuine contact using open friendly eyes, face and body. They practise, using their presence, to say: Here I am! Look at me! I'm here for you!
5. The Stick Game and The Mirror Exercise
We want to loosen our bodies, heighten our awareness of each other and learn to see and listen to each other.
6. Props - short word for "property".
Children respond to objects and play naturally. It's how they learn about their world. We take ordinary objects and do extra-ordinary things with them.
This gives the children quite a good feeling of accomplishment. It builds their self esteem as well as their imagination and sense of humour.
Some of the props used include balancing a feather on your nose, creating the illusion of catching a ball in a paper bag and pie throwing (very popular).
7. Makeup Demo
Explanation of the elements that go into designing a clown face and instruction on how to apply makeup the way professional clowns do.
8. Balloon Sculpture
Chaotic, noisy and by far one if the most popular aspects of the workshop!
Each child takes home their creation.
9.Time to talk about the workshop and answer any remaining questions. I also want to get their feedback.
10. Presentation of certificates.
CLOWN WORKSHOP LEVEL TWO - Day 2
1. Review of Workshop I
What does the Clown say to the audience and how does the clown make contact with them?
What are the four main types of clowns?
What is the mask of the clown look like?
What does it say to the audience when we wear the mask of the clown?
And other relevant questions...
2. Nothing in the Nose Exercise
3. Characterization
We can now start to flesh out our own personal clown. So, we play and experiment.
· Walking - exaggerated, small, quick, slow, etc. to various types of music.
· Talking - We deconstruct language by learning the fine art of gibberish. We communicate through body language, intonation, facial expression, and the eyes.
We ask the questions as "budding" clowns, who are we? What is our name? Where do we live? What would we like to tell the world?
And other relevant questions...
Makeup Demo using new volunteer
Blank clown face sheets are given out and the children get to create their own personal clown face and write down the name that they would like to give themselves as a clown.
4. Props
We bring out new props for this workshop as well as practicing more with the props learned in workshop one.
5. Time to talk about the workshop and answer any remaining questions. I also want to get their feedback.
6. Presentation of Certificates for completion of Workshop II
Kids Summer Camp Activities - Imagine the possibilities
Serving the cities of Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge Ontario, Georgetown, plus the Fergus and Elora Communities
