302:, although challenging, was not enough. "The Gym Dandies" held what might have been the "World’s First Juggle -A-Thon" in the spring of 1981. Funds raised from the Juggle-A-Thon went toward the purchase of unicycles. By the spring of 1982, after a great deal of hard work, “The Gym Dandies" had evolved into a stylized unicycling and juggling group normally found only in professional circuses.
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195:(2005), the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (2008 and 2012). Most recently the group was invited to participate in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Day Parade in Washington D.C. (2013). The Gym Dandies were also an annual participant in the Maine State Parade until it was cancelled. The children's circus has also been featured twice on the
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Approximately 230 children now participate each school year. There are beginner and advanced groups and each member meets once a week to practice. The age range of participants is 8 to 18 years old. Well over 4,000 Scarborough, Maine school children have participated in the Gym
Dandies circus arts
165:"'The Gym Dandies' is not about winning or . The primary goal of this program is to help children develop motor skills, confidence, and self-esteem in a noncompetitive atmosphere. Ultimately, participants will apply their skills cooperatively in performances for the purpose of entertainment."
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program. Mr. Cahill soon realized that circus arts had the potential to be much more than just an alternate activity in the physical education curriculum. There were numerous potential benefits that could be realized by children as a result of participating in this unusual, challenging, and
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Many times, the Gym
Dandies will visit other schools around New England to give lessons and community performances. They often leave a lasting impression, and many schools are motivated to start their own circus arts program. In addition to this, there is an annual performance for the town of
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exciting endeavor. But, something was missing. The children loved to demonstrate their skills. They wanted to perform, and this was the birth of "The Gym
Dandies".
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In 1981, "The Gym
Dandies", the little "Big Top" of Scarborough, consisted of ten enthusiastic fifth and sixth grade boys and girls and a box full of
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The Gym
Dandies" Children’s Circus of Scarborough, Maine came into existence when Jon Cahill, the director of this group, began incorporating
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Walking Globes, 24" to 30" high, on which children balance, walk, while jumping rope/juggling)
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A list of the circus arts equipment that the group uses in its performances:
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for any children in grades three through twelve who wish to participate.
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