Circus Camp

Contact: Tim & Samantha Dwyer, Camp-Directors: 404-370-0001
www.CircusCamp.org - Email address - info@CircusCamp.org

Greg & Abbie McMahan, Camp-Clownselors: 404-525-1865
www.MrGreggy.com - greg@mrgreggy.com

Sherry Perkins - Nordstrom: 770-394-1141 x1480

Hi-res photos and additional info available at www.CircusCamp.org

- press release - for immediate release -

Nordstrom Perimeter Mall has chosen Circus Camp as the "Greatest Summer Camp on Earth"

Juggling, clowning and magic are on the playbill at Nordstrom Perimeter Mall on Saturday, May 6 from noon till 4pm. Learn how your child can run away with the circus this summer.

Professional circus and variety arts entertainers will be on hand to entertain, teach and just have fun at Nordstrom Perimeter Mall to celebrate summer camps.

Circus Camp is a day-camp experience designed to introduce children to circus, performing, and visual arts in a safe and noncompetitive environment. Camper age begins at 5 years old and includes teens. Any level of physical development & skill is welcomed.

Two locations help make camp accessible to many children in the metro Atlanta area. (Dunwoody and Decatur) The Dunwoody camp, held at the Davis Academy Lower School on Roberts Rd, is just a short drive from Perimeter Mall. The Camp runs for 8 one week sessions from June 5 thru July 28, 2006 (Mon-Fri, 10:00am-3:30pm). More information is available on their website, including online registration: www.CircusCamp.org

Circus Camp began in 1993, and will be celebrating their 14th year this summer.

The circus skills taught include trapeze, juggling, clowning, magic and many others. Here is a longer list: Trapeze - Triple Trapeze - Spanish Web - Juggling - Magic - Clowning - Mime - Puppetry - Theater Skills - Face Painting - Arts & Crafts - Hand Balancing - Acrobatics - Storytelling - Music - Tightwire Walking - Unicycle - and more.

As a member of the AYCO (American Youth Circus Organization), USAG (United States of America Gymnastics) and ISERA (International Special Events & Recreation Association), Circus Camp provide campers with the opportunity to learn something new and exciting every day, while developing their unique skills.

Professional circus and performing artists comprise a large part of the Circus Camp staff. Many of the counselors hold memberships in such organizations as the WCA (World Clown Association), the IBM (International Brotherhood of Magicians), and the newly formed KIDabra Children's Entertainer Association

Greg & Abbie McMahan, a husband and wife clown troupe, teach clowning, magic and face painting at Camp. Greg performs as The Wizard of Odd - Mr. Greggy and Abbie performs as Abbie-Cadabra. "I've been with the camp since the first year" Greg says, "and I can't imaging a summer without it." During the summer of 2003, Greg traveled with the Cole Bros Circus on a 9 month, 110-city tour. "I missed being at camp during my circus tour" Greg says, "but I did get to teach a week or two when I was in town".

Abbie joined Circus Camp in 2002, before she & Greg were married. "I was a little nervous at first" Abbie remembers, "but after the first day at Camp I couldn't get enough... there's nothing better than seeing the look on a child's face when they learn how to walk on a tightwire".

The sense of pride that children develop while learning circus skills is what keeps campers coming back year after year. Tim Dwyer, co-director of the camp, notes that many campers sign up for multiple weeks of camp. "We've had a few people who started out as campers, went on to become counselors, then went to college and joined the Florida State Flying Circus and some have even become circus professionals." Tim said. "We're very proud of them".

Samantha & Tim Dwyer, the Circus Camp Directors, have over 20 years in the children's and family entertainment business.

Samantha is a certified USAG Gymnastics Instructor who introduces tumbling and creative movement to pre-schoolers and daycares throughout Atlanta with TumbleBus, a gym that comes to your school or home.

The aerial trainer and camp founder is Carrie Heller. She has practiced and taught circus arts in Atlanta for over 15 years. Additionally, she worked with Camp Winnarainbow and Cirque du Monde, a Cirque du Soleil Outreach Program.

Find out more about Circus Camp on their website: www.CircusCamp.org, and visit them in person at Nordstrom Perimeter Mall on Saturday, May 6 from noon to 4pm.

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