Circus Maniacs & the Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme

Workshops & Training:

Circus Maniacs has lots of experience running Circus Skills Workshops specifically for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Some young people also enrol on our regular weekly courses to work towards one of the awards.

Assessment:

Circus Maniacs has Assessors who have been approved by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

About the Awards:

The Challenge is for young people between the ages of 14 and 25 throughout the world, to serve others, acquire new skills, experience adventure, and make new friends, young and old.

There are three awards:

BRONZE
for those over 14		 SILVER
for those over 15		 GOLD
for those over 16

Regular participation in circus skills over a period of time counts towards all three of these awards under the 'Skills' section (see below).

Young people can take part in the Scheme through their schools, their youth associations, or their place of employment, or by contacting an 'Operating Authority'.
Circus Maniacs is an authorised assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme.

Each award is separate, and young people may either progress through all three, or start where they wish, depending on their age.

There are four or five different sections that have to be completed to qualify for the award(s):

SKILLS

You need to include one skill genre (out of 200 listed) - and this could be Circus Skills!

Circus Skills - Introduction

This activity provides a vehicle by which individuals express themselves and communicate with others. The activities require an acquisition of technical and physical skills which provide the basis for communication upon which ideas and creativity are expressed. The programme calls for a high degree of personal commitment, as it involves physical, verbal and written methods of communication. Participants should be of a fitness standard appropriate to enjoy and execute the skills learned, and the safety precautions an all aspects of performing circus skills must be adhered to. Instruction in the safe use of equipment must be given before commencement.

Participants are encouraged to join a workshop, club or course in order to learn Circus Skills - so contact Circus Maniacs Youth Circus!

They should specialise in one chosen circus skill and have some knowledge of at least two others selected from the following five main disciplines:

(N.B. This programme is for guidance and is not to be taken as a rigid syllabus).

Participants should also learn about circus make-up and costumes, advertising and publicity and the cultural and historical background of the circus.

For Assessment:
Evidence of individual progress, sustained interest and a commitment of genuine leisure time should be shown over the required period.

Bronze - 6 months

Silver - 12 months (direct entrant) 6 months (Bronze Award holder)

Gold - 18 months (direct entrant) 12 months (Silver Award holder)

Group activities are to be assessed with regard to each individual's contribution to planning, execution and completion. Assessment should include a record of participation which can be in the form of a pictorial or written log, diary or video tape. A short presentation or performance of the skill should be planned and, depending on the circus skill chosen, participants may co-ordinate some form of musical accompaniment.

For Beginners Participants starting this activity should:

1. Under experienced guidance, show evidence of continuous study, effort and achievement in one aspect of Circus Skills, including participation in a presentation.

2. Study one aspect of the circus and keep a scrap book or log

3. If possible, observe at least two events such as a circus or street performance and provide a critical comment on one of them.

For those with some knowledge Participants should:

4. Under experienced guidance, show evidence of continuous study, effort and achievement in two aspects of Circus Skills, resulting in a final group presentation.

5. Read Books and articles on a variety of aspect relating to the circus and produce a written or oral presentation on at least two books.

6. If possible, observe at least three events such as a circus or street performance and provide a critical comment on one of them.

For the more advanced Participants should:

7. Under experienced guidance, make further study, effort and achievement on three chosen aspects of Circus Skills, resulting in a final group presentation.

8. Show some knowledge of the historical development of the circus.

9. Carry out research on the international aspects of circus life, to include a study of Performing Arts in the Ring.

10. If possible, observe at least four events such as a circus or street performance, and produce a comparative analysis on at least two of them, with special reference to the aspect selected for special study.

Useful Organisations/Contacts: Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain Circus Friends' Association 1994

EXPEDITIONS

Participants choose one from three types of venture:

Circus Ideas: - This could be your chance to plan a Stilt-walking or Unicycle adventure!

Bronze - Try 2 Days stilt-walking 20 miles or unicycling 50 miles?

Silver - Try 3 Days stilt-walking 30 miles or unicycling 75 miles?

Gold - Try 4 Days stilt-walking 40 miles or unicycling 100 miles?

Where:-

Bronze - Any rural area; or a canal, river, lake or inland water.

Silver - Rural or open country; on a canal, river or other inland waterway or, if sailing, an estuary or sheltered coastal waters.

Gold - Wild or open country, remote from habitation. For water ventures you may choose a river, lake, loch, estuary, or sheltered coastal waters. Yachts and keelboats may venture into the open sea.

PHYSICAL RECREATION

Participants are required to take part in some form of organised physical recreation and achieve individual progress.

Activities are divided into three groups:

Activities with relevant National Governing Body Awards
eg. Athletics, Badminton, Ballet, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Orienteering, Swimming

Activities which have participation programmes listed
eg. Boxing, Fitness Activities, Rock Climbing, Squash, Tennis, Yoga

Team Games
eg. Baseball, Canoe Polo, Hockey, Rounders, Rugby, Volleyball, Water polo,

Minimum improvement points gained:

Bronze - 24 points Silver - 30 points Gold - 36 points

SERVICE

Participants choose one form of service out of any of the following groups:

Group One - practical involvement in the community
eg. Helping people in need (children, elderly, special needs, homeless); conservation projects; fund-raising for charities etc.. Bronze - at least 15 hours, spread over 3 months Silver - at least 30 hours, spread over 6 months Gold - at least 60 hours, spread over 12 months

Group Two - activities require a specialised training course & practical involvement with the community
eg. Care for Animals, Emergency Service, Youth work, Road safety etc.. Bronze - at least 15 hours, spread over 3 months Silver - at least 30 hours, spread over 6 months Gold - at least 60 hours, spread over 12 months

Group Three - require a nationally recognised qualification & practical involvement with the community
eg. Child Care, First Aid, Sports Leadership, Life saving, etc.. Bronze - at least 15 hours, spread over 3 months Silver - at least 30 hours, spread over 6 months Gold - at least 60 hours, spread over 12 months

RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS (Gold Award only)

During the residential project you work on a purposeful project in an unfamiliar enviroment with people you do not know.

It gives opportunities to work in a team, develop communication skills, increase self-confidence and have fun There are many different Residential opportunities, they are divided into four areas:

Normally, this should be at least 5 Days and 4 nights away!

Information as extracted from the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Handbook & Publicity Leaflet.

Back to Awards and Accrediation Index

Office 8a, Kingswood Foundation, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8DB, England. info@circusmaniacs.com
UK Company Limited by Guarantee (not for profit). Reg: 05551548.