It's circus time: Craft and circus training in the heart of Bremen

CODE: ijgd 15022

Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project: Jokes die Circusschule (Jokes the circus school) In 1998, young circus enthusiasts founded their own circus school together with artists and teachers. Since then, young and young-at-heart artists from 4 to 99 years have been able to help shape the circus school. In 2020, after a long period of planning, the school was finally able to move to its own space and set up its own circus tent, where shows are performed regularly. In addition, the Circus School has a hall for training. Almost 260 children and young people use these halls every week to do circus together. In addition, there are more than 300 children and young people who are looked after at schools on a weekly basis. https://www.circusjokes.de/ (only in German) The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles: Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

Description of work: Would you like to do some manual work and learn circus skills? Then this workcamp is the right place for you. ‘Learning by doing’ is the order of the day, so you can try things out and contribute your skills and ideas to the projects. Over the course of a week, you will show off your manual and gardening skills and beautify the grounds of the Jokes Circus School, a children's and youth project with a real circus tent. In addition to the tent, there are mainly shipping containers on the site, which serve as offices, toilets, storage rooms, dining and meeting rooms and will also be used by you during the camp. You will carry out various gardening and craft activities to beautify and improve the circus grounds. You will mainly be involved in woodwork, roof construction and painting. And you will be building at a circus wagon! In the other week you will take part in an exciting artistic and circus training workshop! Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of circus and try your hand at various disciplines. Learn the art of body control through acrobatics, which includes floor, aerial and partner acrobatics. Balance on a tightrope, ride a unicycle or master complex jumps and figures. Or you can discover the skill of juggling, where you hold several objects in the air at the same time and create impressive patterns with balls, clubs, rings and diabolos. Dare to take to the air and try your hand at aerial acrobatics, which includes performances such as trapeze, vertical scarf, straps and aerial rings. This discipline requires strength, flexibility and courage. Do you prefer to stay on the ground? Then learn the art of comedy and entertainment through clowning, where you make people laugh with facial expressions, gestures, slapstick and humour. Whether you already have experience or are just curious, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and push your boundaries. You can find more information about Jokes The Circus School here: https://www.circusjokes.de/ (only in German)

Description of accommodation and food: You sleep on air beds in two rooms in a container school right next to the circus site where you work. Toilets are available both in the school and on the circus site. There is a small kitchen, a shower and a table and chairs for eating and socialising on the circus site. There is also a circus wagon for you to eat and stay in. You will cook together. Money for food will be provided. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please state any intolerances during registration.

Description of location and leisure: Your accommodation is located close to the Bremen city centre in a lively district. From there, you can explore the 1,200-year-old Hanseatic city of Bremen (www.bremen.de) with its many sights, cultural offerings, nightlife scene and shopping opportunities on foot or by bus after work or workshop. Or you can stay at the circus site and round off the day with beach volleyball, barbecues or baking pizza and bread in the clay oven. At the weekend, excursions to the North Sea coast (e.g. Bremerhaven), Hamburg or other cities are possible.

Short remarks for the project: There is 250-€ additional fee for the circus training workshop for everybody + 150€ extra teenage fee but ONLY for international Teenagers who apply for this camp (under 18) You will receive more detailed information after confirming your registration with the specific info sheet for your camp.

Description of specific requirements: Physical fitness and sporty, comfortable clothing for circus training

The nearest airport: BRE in Bremen,Germany
The nearest terminal (train-, bus-, taxi station): Bremen; 120 km west of Hamburg, Bremen main station Airport: Bremen, Hamburg We would like to invite you to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. If you have the option to go by train, bus, carsharing or bicycle that can be a great first step for you to become a climate steward.
Latitude of the nearest terminal: 250
Meeting Point and Time: at accommodation until 7:15pm on 19/07/2025 From Bremen airport please take the tram line 6 (direction "Universität") to the stop "Gastfeldstraße” (travel time approx. 6min). There you change one of the following busses: 101 (direction “Bassum, Bahnhof”) 102 (direction “Syke, Bahnhof”) 120 (direction “Kirchweyhe, Bahnhof Ost”) 121 (direction “Kirchweyhe, Bahnhof Ost”) Please take one of the busses for 2 stops (6min) to the stop "Huckelriede". From Bremen main train station you can take four different busses: 101 (direction “Bassum, Bahnhof”) 102 (direction “Syke, Bahnhof”) 120 (direction “Kirchweyhe, Bahnhof Ost”) 121 (direction “Kirchweyhe, Bahnhof Ost”) Please take one of the busses for 9 stops (25/26min) to the stop "Huckelriede". From bus station “Huckelriede” to the camp From the bus stop "Huckelriede", walk against the direction of travel into "Kornstr." and follow this road for approx. 350 metres exactly the same way as the bus did before. Then turn left onto the footpath "Huckelsrieder Friedensweg". After 200m you will reach circus square. More Information about tram connections: www.bahn.com or https://www.vbn.de/en/