For Immediate Release Youth Circus Educators Conference/Teacher Training Scheduled in Chicago October 30 – November 5 The American Youth Circus Organization (AYCO) announces two important back-to-back events for anyone involved with youth circus education: Social Circus Teacher Training, October 30 – November 3rd and the AYCO Social Circus Educators Conference – “Youth Development through Circus Education” taking place November 3 – 5th. The training and the conference will take place in Chicago, IL and are presented by AYCO in cooperation with Cirque du Soleil and our host, CircEsteem. For More Information, visit www.americanyouthcircus.org. Questions can be directed to the AYCO Office: info@AmericanYouthCircus.Org or call (603) 654-5523. More information:

The Social Circus Teacher Training, October 30 – November 3rd, will be provided by 3 professionals from Cirque du Soleil’s Social Circus Training Program, a world-wide program launched in 2000 to promote international networking around social circus teacher training and youth art intervention initiatives. The 4 1/2 day professional development program is for circus coaches already working with underserved children, to improve upon their skills working within their communities. For more information on Cirque du Soleil’s Social Circus Training Program check out www.cirquedusoleil.com.
This year’s Educators Conference, November 3 – 5th, is open to all teachers, coaches, and administrators who are interested in improving how they work with their students. The weekend’s workshops and discussions will address such topics as how we teach, conflict/resolution strategies, community partnerships, and curriculum development.  Topics will also include administrative programming, fund raising, and the legalities of working with youth.  We also intend for this conference to act as a springboard for new networks throughout our youth circus community, to initiate an Assessment Project for youth circus programs, and establish a national network to provide Social Circus internships for future educators.