GReeN FooLS
SOCIAL CIRCUS PROGRAM
A fun, free, immersive & engaging program for kids in challenging situations
YOUR SUPPORT HELPS KIDS
LAND IN SAFETY
FIND THEIR BALANCE
RISE UP & SOAR
Every child deserves a place where magic comes to life, where creativity and courage take centre stage.
Since 1998, Green Fools has used Social Circus to help thousands of young people across Canada and beyond build confidence, resilience, connection, and a sense of belonging through circus arts, mentorship, and community.
In 2013, Green Fools officially launched its Social Circus programming in Calgary and has continued to build on that work by creating safe, supportive, and empowering experiences for marginalized, at-risk, Indigenous, newcomer, and refugee youth.
Social Circus:
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Removes barriers for kids to access life changing programming
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Opens the door to creativity, movement & joy
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Builds confidence, resilience & trust
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Creates a space where kids feel included supported & empowered
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Provides access to mentorship, skill-building & self-expression
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Promotes mental well-being & social connection
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Helps kids to discover what they are capable of on stage & in life
Double Your Impact
Every 50/50 ticket purchased and every donation made from now until August 31 helps support Social Circus programming and can be matched by up to 50% through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink.
Help us expand programming, increase participant capacity, and provide more young people with access to safe, supportive, and
life-changing Social Circus experiences.
This is more than circus –
it’s a lifeline for at-risk youth.
OUR IMPACT
Since 1998, Green Fools has delivered Social Circus programming across Canada and internationally, reaching thousands of young people through camps, workshops, outreach programs, conferences, retreats, and community partnerships.
25+ YEARS
Using circus arts to support youth development
76,975+ PARTICIPANTS
Reached through workshops, camps, and Social Circus programming
CANADA & BEYOND
Programs delivered across Canada and internationally
WHAT IS SOCIAL CIRCUS?
Social Circus is a specialized form of circus arts programming that uses circus skills, creativity, mentorship, and community to support personal growth and positive youth development.
Participants learn skills such as juggling, balancing, unicycling, aerial arts, acrobatics, stilt walking, and creative movement while building confidence, communication skills, resilience, trust, and meaningful connections with others.
While circus arts are the vehicle, the impact extends far beyond learning circus skills. Social Circus creates opportunities for young people to challenge themselves, discover their strengths, develop life skills, and experience a sense of belonging within a supportive community.
HOW DOES
SOCIAL CIRCUS WORK?
Social Circus programs take place at the Green Fools studio and are offered free of charge through partnerships with community organizations and youth-serving agencies.
Programs typically run in 12-week sessions, with participants attending 90-minute weekly classes led by highly trained artists, facilitators, and mentors.
Each group is supported by 2–3 dedicated facilitators who help create safe, supportive environments where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and grow at their own pace.
Participants explore a variety of circus arts including:
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Juggling
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Diabolo
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Plate Spinning
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Unicycling
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Tight Wire
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Slack Line
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Stilt Walking
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Aerial Arts
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Acrobatics
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Creative Movement
While participants learn circus skills, the true impact is helping young people build confidence, develop meaningful connections, strengthen resilience, and discover what they are capable of.
1998–2024
Northern Manitoba
Winnipeg International Children's Festival
Approximately 400 youth reached annually
2000–Present
Northern British Columbia
Social Circus camps in Chetwynd and Dawson Creek
Approximately 90 youth reached annually
2007–2012
Northern Quebec & Nunavik
Social Circus programming through Cirque du Monde
Approximately 40 youth reached annually
2005–2006
Lesotho, South Africa
International Social Circus programming
More than 480 youth reached
2013–Present
Calgary, Alberta
Social Circus camps delivered throughout Calgary
hosted up to 130 kids annually. Studio G Social Circus Classes September through June.
2020–Present
Across Canada
Partnership programming with Cirkaskina
Six months of Social Circus programming with youth nationwide
2021–Present
Across Canada
National Social Circus retreats and conferences
supporting youth participation, learning, and leadership
development
SOCIAL CIRCUS ACROSS
CANADA AND BEYOND
MORE THAN JUST CIRCUS PROGRAMMING
Social Circus is more than circus arts programming. Research shows programs like Social Circus help young people build confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, communication skills, and meaningful social connections.
53% → 19%
Youth struggling
with self-regulation improved from 53% to 19%
350+ Programs
Social Circus programs outperformed more than 350 after-school programs in social and emotional learning outcomes
$1 = $7
Every $1 invested in social-emotional programming can generate approximately $7 in long-term social value
OUR SOCIAL CIRCUS INSTRUCTORS
Jessica Barrera
Circus and Visual Arts Instructor, Professional Aerialist, Performer & Clown
“Social Circus helps young people move from spectators to active participants in their own lives. It creates a space where everyone has a place in the circle and the freedom to grow through structure, trust, and play.”
Anne-Marie Hivert
Circus Instructor, Professional Aerialist, Performer & Clown
"Social Circus is the celebration and acceptance of diversity in all its beauty and its difficulties. Watching participants build friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging is what makes Social Circus so meaningful."
Lok Holmes
Social Circus Lead, Performer, Magician, Circus Instructor
"Social Circus saved my life, and it has saved countless others as well.
It is a powerful tool for transformation, providing social and emotional learning to the most vulnerable sectors of society. It builds the confidence to allow kids to begin to carve out their own unique path, explore and grow in safe spaces."
Jennifer M
Youth Support Worker, Circus instructor, Professional Performer
"I love watching participants find the courage to express themselves in new ways. Social Circus creates a space where young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to discover strengths they never knew they had."
Norma Araceli Chávez Mejía
Circus Instructor, Professional Aerialist, Dancer and Performer
"To me, Social Circus is one of the most beautiful ways to plant the seeds of art and creativity in children and youth. I truly believe that art heals, empowers, and brings people together. I love witnessing the kids' growth — seeing them overcome challenges and feel proud of themselves always melts my heart."
Kristin Langille
Circus Instructor, Professional Aerialist, Dancer and Performer
COMING SOON
HELP MORE YOUNG PEOPLE
ACCESS SOCIAL CIRCUS
Significant reductions in arts funding have dramatically impacted our ability to provide Social Circus programming at the scale we once could.
While demand for the program continues to grow, opportunities for young people to participate have been significantly reduced. In previous years, Green Fools had the capacity to support programs serving hundreds of young people. Today, Social Circus programs are limited to approximately 14 participants per session and operate for only part of the year.
For every young person we are able to reach, there are many more still waiting for the opportunity to experience the confidence, connection, creativity, and sense of belonging that Social Circus provides.
Your Support Helps Us:
• Keep Social Circus programs free for marginalized, at-risk, Indigenous, newcomer, and refugee youth
• Expand programming and increase participant capacity
• Support highly trained facilitators who create safe, supportive, and impactful experiences
• Provide equipment, resources, and mentorship opportunities
• Reach more young people through community partnerships and outreach
Together, we can create more opportunities for young people to land in safety, find their balance, and rise up & soar.
Donate today and help ensure more young people have access to the life-changing impact of Social Circus.
OUR CURRENT & PREVIOUS PARTNERS
My son loved Social Circus! He learned a number of new skills, was exposed to more performing arts, received great guidance from the instructors, and was encouraged to be himself.
– Parent –
Social circus broke through my child’s anxiety, trauma, and self-doubt. For the first time, I saw him smile, plan performances, and truly engage. It was life-changing and maybe life-saving.
– Parent –
Green Fools is just the best! It’s incredibly confidence-building and my girls just have fun while they’re there.
– Parent –
