Getting Creative with Fundama

This past spring, Flow Circus created Fundama. Cheap and easy DIY skill toys that can be created using basic supplies like paper cups, masking tape, and string. The Play Fundama site includes instructional videos and activity ideas for teachers, librarians, and summer camp staff to engage children, tweens, and teens in creative play. We were thrilled in October when we received the following email from Mary Alice Hudson at Cape Fear Elementary in Rocky Point, NC:

I have been doing a Fundama Club with 25 5th graders at my school.  We meet once a week for 50 minutes and we have the best time!  They absolutely LOVE making and playing with the toys.  I am so glad I found your fantastic program and website!  So far we've made the basic, freestyle, six and twist.  They are really excited about the ladder and plan to make Paul's party before making their own parties.  Our final goal is to go on our school's morning show and show off our toys and talent.   Thank you so much for this great resource. We're having a wonderful time!

Tour Dates: 2010-2011

Flow Circus will travel! We currently have the following tours planned for the 2010-11 school year and still have openings available. Book during one of these tours and we will waive your travel costs. We are continually adding new tours to this schedule so feel free to contact us about setting up a tour in your area.

For more information about Flow Circus school and library performances, teen workshops, and staff trainings, visit www.FlowCircus.com

December 28-31: Northern Virginia & Pennsylvania

February 18- 25: Northeast Tour (CT, NY, NJ, PA)

March 9-11: South Carolina Tour

April 19-25: Northeast Tour (CT, NY, NJ, PA)

Feel free to contact Dawn at dawn@flowcircus.com if you would like more information.

November 2010 Newsletter

Greetings from Flow Circus

New Video: Just Paul Show

kyping about Fundama

Holiday Gifts and End-of-Year Budgets

Just Paul in Raleigh

Giving Back to the Community

Upcoming Tours

New Video of Paul

Paul just completed a new promo video to promote his corporate performances.  You can see his updated performer listing at his agent's site.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlJGpLyAhUI[/youtube]

Skill Toys Add Play to Community Festivals

This fall, Flow Circus had the opportunity to set up Skill Toy Play Stations at several community events to engage families in play. Kids of all ages challenged themselves with new toys or rediscovered toys from their youth.

October 2010 Newsletter

Greetings from Flow Circus

Now Booking for Summer 2011!

New School Programs Flyer

Heading to the Mountains - 2010 ACA Conference

Showcase Season Under Way

Successful Grant Writing

Upcoming Tours

Twist & Earn! Helps Teens Raise Money & Awareness

This past spring, Flow Circus sponsored a contest for librarians looking for innovative programming ideas for their teens. The Make Waves/Make Money Library Giveaway awarded Twist & Earn! tote bags to 6 libraries in the regions where we currently offer performances and workshops. These tote bags contain instructional materials and supplies needed to learn how to twist balloons in order raise money toward a goal determined by the teens.

One of the contest winners was East Greenbush Community Library in New York where teens decided to raise money for WaterAid America. WaterAid America works to provide clean, safe water and sanitation to communities in Africa and Asia. The teens twisted balloon animals at the children's Summer Reading Program kick-off event and were able to raise $86 in just one afternoon. The benefits of the program go beyond just raising money. As Tween/Teen Librarian Chrissie Morrison wrote about Twist & Earn!

I think it is a great way to work on building bridges within the community and around the world.  Getting the teens to work with other generations helps them to be seen in a positive light instead of always being looked upon as an annoyance and/or as trouble-makers.  Getting teens involved in charity work also helps them to learn more about the world around them and to DO SOMETHING about the parts they want to change/improve!

The following article highlights the work of the East Greenbush teens.

For more information about the Twist & Earn! program, visit www.twistandearn.org