Clown Programs for Kids and Teens

I really wish I had discovered clowning when I was a teen and was able to go to one of these clown programs. Here are just a few of the programs available for kids.

Sacred Heart Network Clown Academy Program
at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart,
Princeton, New Jersey

http://www.princetonacademy.org/main/forparents/summer-programs-clownacad.html

Circus Smirkus
Vermont
http://www.smirkus.org/

Amazing Grace Circus
Nyack, NY
http://amazinggracecircus.org/

My Nose Turns Red Youth Circus
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mynoseturnsred.org/

Circus Juventas
Circus Juventas is a performing arts youth circus school located in St. Paul, Minnesota and serving the Twin Cities metro area.
http://www.circusjuventas.org/

Circus Camp
Georgia
http://www.circuscamp.org/

Sailor Circus
Sarasota, Florida
http://www.sailorcircus.org/

More Clown Skits

Don Christian International Clown and Comedy The 3 Heads

Bonbon dancing puppets in Circus Finlandia 2010

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey world famous clowns in Bridgeport, CT

Late Train
Routine for the Ohio Clown College Graduation performances. What happens when the train is late?

Clown Skits

I have been looking for ideas for skits I could use at clown conventions. There are a few websites with skits for scouts at summer camp.

Skits at ScoutoRama
Campfire Skits at Camping Dude

There are also skits on YouTube

Clown Skit: Dog through hoop

Sweet Potato attempts to get her dog to jump through a hoop. When it doesn’t work, Wacko will have to improvise to save the trick!

Bakery Gag

Reducing Machine Gag

Reducing Machine gag on the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus in the early 90’s. The gag was produced by Jimmy Douglass.

Clowns on YouTube

Ringling Clowns Visits the Children’s Hospital

Skit at WCA Convention 2012

WCA Convention 2012
1st Place winners, Group Skit Competition
“MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC ”

Clown Parade Videos

Clowns in St Charles parade

Clowns before the Washington DC Cherry Blossom Parade
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpUculGYeFE

March 17, 2012 Stretch prepares for the Denver St Patrick’s Parade

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

On Saturday, April 14th, 26 clowns from the FreeState Clown Alley, Kapitol Klowns, and Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia got together to participate in the 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC. The parade organizers asked us to have all of the clowns on wheels, so we all found our favorite bike or scooter and got it ready for the parade.

Sir Toony Van Dukes

Sir Toony Van Dukes before the 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

Entertainers Liability Insurance

Two years ago, when I was finally ready to go from doing volunteer events to paid events, I knew I wanted to have liability insurance. It seemed like most of my friends had their insurance through the World Clown Association. They offer insurance as an additional option when paying the annual membership dues. It seemed like the easiest option.

World Clown Membership and Insurance

If you get your insurance through the World Clown Association, their
policy year ends on April 30th, 2012. It is time to renew your membership
and pay for another year of insurance.

New Members – $40
Membership Renewal – $35
Liability Insurance – $139

They do offer Additional Insurance for a client who requests being added
to your policy.

From their website:

Coverage: This is a Comprehensive General Liability Policy provided by an A-rated insurance company with coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate per event.

Deductible: None The price remains the same regardless of number of months covered (The fee is NOT prorated) and includes Premium, Brokerage fee and Association handling fee.

Policy Exclusions: This program is designed for Clowns and Magicians.

The following types of performances are NOT ACCEPTABLE.

  1. Hypnosis
  2. Hot Air Balloon Events, Circuses (production), overnight camping Tractor pulls, Rodeo and roping events, motorized events, Mechanical amusement devices, inflatables, rock climb,Bounce Houses, laser tag, sky diving, competition racing.
  3. Pyrotechnics, Explosives, Fireworks or similar materials except “concussion effects, “flashpots”, and “smokepots” (Flashboxes covered up to $5,000)
  4. Production Management or Promotions Management for hire
  5. Animals except performing dogs, doves and rabbits
  6. Musicians and Disc Jockeys, except clowns/magicians who engage in these activities as part of their act
  7. Copyright infringement exclusion (i.e. Barney, Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny)
  8. Throwing objects (juggling is acceptable)

Be sure to evaluate your insurance needs and pick the coverage that is
right for you. If you hire employees or have special requirements, you may want to get a different policy. Other companies that offer insurance include:

Specialty Insurance Agency
http://www.specialtyinsuranceagency.com/

K&K Insurance Group
http://www.kandkinsurance.com/Entertainment/Pages/Entertainers-Performers.aspx

Cossio Insurance Agency
http://entertainerinsurance.com/

Clowns in Parades

Here are some YouTube videos of clowns in recent parades

RI Shriner Clowns Newport, RI in the 2012 St. Patricks Day parade

Clowns in the Winter Park St Patrick’s Day Parade 2012

Bob-A-Louie! from the Free State Clown Alley

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2012 in downtown Toronto, Ontario
http://youtu.be/XGPHZn2F178
Sorry, embedding was disabled for this one…

YMCA clown parade at the Florida clown day parade

Clown on parade – along with YMCA

The Clown Rascals from Saint Paschal’s marched in the 2012 Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Clown Newsletters

There are a few clowns who publish regular email newsletters with valuable information for clowns. My personal favorite is Mooseburger Newz, which is sent out once a month by Tricia Manuel, aka Pricilla Mooseburger. Each newsletter has an article or tips for clowns along with information about Moose Camp and sale items at Pricilla Mooseburger Originals.

Another good email newsletter is sent out by Bruce “Charlie” Johnson. In his newsletter, he sends out his “Thought For The Week”.

The Red Nose Response also has a regular newsletter. Their newsletter has information about Red Nose Response and stories about how members got involved in supporting their community after a disaster.

I am sure there are more email newsletters. I just haven’t found them all. One that may be of interest to clowns who visit hospitals is the A Heart 4 Clowning Hospital Clown e-Newsletter.

George Washington Birthday Parade

Today, I (Sir Toony Van Dukes) participated in the George Washington Birthday Parade with several of my clown friends from Just Clowning Around of Northern Virginia and the surrounding clown alleys. We had great weather for February, clear blue skies and temperatures near 50. It was a fun parade.

Sir Toony Van Dukes

Sir Toony Van Dukes getting ready for the parade