Winnipeg school becomes circus training camp for a week

Gordon Bell High School has been transformed into a circus, and thisain't no April Fools' Day joke.

More than 250 kids are learning to juggle, walk on tightropes, usestilts, and swing on the trapeze. The Circus and Magic Partnership(C.A.M.P.) is put on by the Winnipeg International Children's Festivalevery year over spring break.

The kids are selected through school guidance counselors, The WinnipegPolice Service, social service agencies, and inner-city drop-in andresourcecentres.

"They're recognized as kids that would benefit from this sort ofexperience, that perhaps don't have the financial means within theirfamily to register them for a paid program. This program is free," saidNealRempel, executive producer of the Winnipeg InternationalChildren's Festival.

The one-week camp finishes with a performance onThursday forparents, peers, family and friends.

"We're not trying to train these kids to become circus artists.Whatwe're trying to do is give them amomentand to be successful and tofeel good about themselves:to get applause, feel the love, and justhave that successful experience," saidRempel.

A number of world class circus artists, magicians and arts instructorsprovideworkshops throughout the week.Performers come from all overCanada to take part in the camp.

Rempelsays events like this help build confidence and are inclusiveto kids of all skills sets.

"There's room for everybody," he said."You don'thave to be a great athlete or really strong. No matter how small orlarge you are, we'regonnafind a way to make you shine."

This is the19thC.A.M.P. event hosted by the Winnipeg InternationalChildren's Festival. Many of the students involved in this week'sC.A.M.P will go on to take part in a performance atKidsfest, whichtakes place June 4-7 at The Forks.