This Penticton after-school option includes clowning around — on purpose

PENTICTON – When you're looking for after school care, you probably want some added value — arts, sports, music, outdoors. 

A South Okanagan program offers something a bit different — circus acts. That's right: juggling, stilt walking, clowning, balancing, partner acrobatics and other games.

Inspire Circus’ Bryce Beckett, who says he co-designed the program with psychotherapist Poe Liberado, says the program actually originated at Kelowna’s Parkinson Rec Centre last spring when Beckett was asked to provide some programming for kids using the facility.

“A circus activity such as partner acrobatics involves kids physically supporting each other," he says. 

Beckett says the program uses circus acts to help children build trust, develop emotional intelligence and learn about communicating and respecting boundaries, which can be important with team work requiring high levels of trus.

Workshops begin with agreements as to how the children are going to conduct themselves and trust each other. As the kids learn to do different skills their interaction with each other is encouraged.

"We talk about asking consent, how it can be revoked, safety and performing to one’s own expectations,” Beckett says.

Beckett says he’s working towards bringing the program into public schools. A couple of private schools have asked him to set up a program for credit in their curriculum, but right now, it’s one step at a time.

“I am motivated to do what I can through play to fortify the spirit and help kids, families, and adults to look inward, listen and take courageous actions,” Beckett says. “I love it when people are having fun noticing the voice of fear in themselves and reprogramming it. I see people developing trust in themselves and respect for each other.”

Inspire Circus also has programs to help create rapid friendships amongst adults, and family bonding sessions.

If you're curious — or if you're in Penticton and want to register — check out his website.   


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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