How to Be Summer Camp Clown - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 21, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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Summer camp clowns can have a positive effect on the campers by providing entertainment and laughter. They can help to break the ice between children who are new to the camp and create a more relaxed, fun atmosphere. This can lead to better relationships between children and provide a sense of community and belonging.

clowns can help to distract children from their homesickness and provide a memorable experience that they can look back on fondly. The presence of a summer camp clown can bring joy, laughter and fun to the camp, which can create a positive environment and lasting memories for the campers.

Steps How to Become

Become trained as a clown. Consider taking a clowning class or attending a clown camp to learn the basics of clowning. You can find a variety of workshops offered at local community colleges or recreation centers.
Practice your clowning skills. Once you have completed your training, you can practice your clowning skills in front of friends or family. You can also join a clown organization to get feedback from other experienced clowns.
Build a clown costume. Create a unique costume that stands out and will be recognizable to kids at the summer camp. Make sure you have all the necessary accessories such as big shoes, colorful wigs, hats, and makeup.
Create a portfolio. Put together a portfolio that contains pictures of you in your clown costume, samples of your clowning skits, and letters of recommendation from people who have seen you perform.
Contact summer camps. Reach out to summer camps in your area and inquire about positions for a summer camp clown. Make sure to include your portfolio when applying.
Prepare for your performance. If you are hired, make sure you are prepared for your performance by planning out skits, jokes, and activities in advance.
Interact with the kids. When you are performing, be sure to get the kids involved in your skits and activities. This is the best way to keep them entertained and engaged throughout your performance.

The key to staying ahead and efficient as a camp clown is to be organized and plan ahead. Making a schedule and sticking to it helps prioritize tasks and prevents unnecessary stress. It's also important to set realistic goals and break tasks into manageable chunks to ensure each assignment is completed efficiently.

it helps to stay focused on the task at hand and limit distractions. Taking short breaks throughout the day can help refocus and prevent burnout. Finally, a camp clown should make use of helpful tools such as an online calendar or organizational app to help stay on track and make sure all tasks are completed on time.

By following these steps, camp clowns can remain productive and ahead of their tasks.

You may want to check Street Clown, Stilt Walker/Clown, and Character Actor/Clown for alternative.

Job Description

Greet and welcome campers to the summer camp
Create and lead camp activities, such as skits, games, and crafts
Perform clown acts and skits in front of campers
Teach campers how to juggle and perform simple magic tricks
Facilitate group discussions and activities with campers
Supervise and monitor activities to ensure campers safety
Set up a clown show for the campers
Organize field trips for the campers
Provide emotional support to campers who are having difficulties
Assist with the daily operations of the camp

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to engage children in playful activities
Knowledge of basic juggling, magic tricks, and storytelling
Understanding how to create a safe environment for children
Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults
Patience and understanding when dealing with difficult situations
Creativity in coming up with new activities and games
Organizational skills for managing supplies and equipment
Knowledge of camp rules and regulations
Ability to work well in a team setting
Understanding of physical and emotional safety of children

Having the right skills can make the difference between a successful summer camp experience and a less than desirable one. One of the most important skills for a successful summer camp clown is the ability to effectively communicate with children. This means having the ability to talk to children in an age-appropriate manner, that keeps their attention and encourages them to participate in activities.

a summer camp clown must be able to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions to any problems that may arise. They must also be able to remain calm and patient in difficult situations and make sure that everyone is having a good time. Finally, it is important for a summer camp clown to have the right attitude; they should be enthusiastic and have a good sense of humor.

These qualities will help them create an environment of fun and learning that will bring joy to the children they interact with.

Theater Clown, Clown Mentor, and Poet/Clown are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a Summer Camp Clown?
What kinds of activities do you plan to provide for campers?
How will you choose which props, music and jokes to use for your performances?
How do you handle situations where children may be disruptive during your performance?
What do you think makes a successful Summer Camp Clown experience?
How will you engage with the audience, both adults and children?
What methods do you have in place to keep everyone safe while enjoying the entertainment?
Describe a time when you had to think quickly and creatively while entertaining a large crowd of children.
How do you ensure that all campers, regardless of age or cultural background, are included in your performances?
How do you stay up to date with current trends and materials to use in your performances?

Common Tools in Industry

Face Paint. for creating fun face paintings on children (eg: red nose, painted moustache)
Juggling Balls. for entertaining campers with juggling tricks (eg: three ball cascade)
Magic Kit. for performing magic tricks during shows (eg: card tricks, vanishing coins)
Puppet Show. for creating fun puppet skits (eg: ventriloquism, marionette)
Balloon Animals. for making balloon animals or sculptures (eg: giraffe, swan)
Arts & Crafts. for helping campers make arts and crafts projects (eg: paper mache, tie-dye shirts)
Music & Dance. for teaching campers songs and dances (eg: hokey pokey, Macarena)
Improv Games. for entertaining campers with improvisational theater games (eg: freeze tag, charades)
Costume Closet. for dressing up in silly costumes (eg: clown suit, wizard hat)
Games & Sports. for organizing fun outdoor activities (eg: soccer, capture the flag)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Clowns
Clowns of America International
World Clown Association
European Clown Association
Canadian Association of Professional Clowns
Australian Clown Alliance
British Clown Association
American Clown Academy
The International Jugglers' Association
The World Juggling Federation

We also have Clown Technician, Comedy Juggler/Clown, and Mime Artist/Clown jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Circus Arts. A type of performance art that features acrobatics, juggling, clowning, and other physical feats.
Prop. Any object used in a performance, particularly in clowning and other circus arts.
Costume. Clothing and accessories worn to create a character or to enhance an existing character in a performance.
Makeup. Cosmetics used to create and enhance a character's look in a performance.
Improvisation. The art of spontaneously creating a story or scene on stage.
Joke Writing. The craft of writing jokes for use in a performance or comedy routine.
Storytelling. The art of telling stories or anecdotes in an entertaining manner.
Puppetry. The use of puppets to create a character or to tell a story.
Physical Comedy. A type of comedy that relies on physicality and movement instead of verbal humor.
Parody. A type of comedy based on exaggeration and imitation of existing works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who organizes Summer Camp Clown?

Summer Camp Clown is organized by The Clown Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing fun and educational activities for children of all ages.