Camp Tales - A Clown in Camp

It's not easy been a clown... but it an be a lot of fun.

My first summer at camp my roommates learned that I did a little clowning on the side, not the typical side hobby, but since do I go for typical. One of my roommates had her own county coming into camp and asked me if I would be willing to clown for her county for their carnival night. I agreed and we let their staff know, making the necessary arrangements.

My roommates had never seen me in clown costume and make up, let alone watch me get ready The guys were watching TV when I started getting ready but putting on my top and tights then laid out the colorful make up. I started with my layer of white make up, covering up my skin thoroughly then sat for a few moments in front of the fan, letting it dry completely. The guys soon seemed more fascinated with watching me put on clown make up than whatever they were watching on TV (probably a movie they had already seen, since we had no cable and only got about 1 1/2 channels depending on the day and the wind being just right). Before long they had watched me transform from me to a face painted, costume wearing, wig wearing clown. Then I headed down to the recreation hall for the carnival.

I am a silent clown, often prone to bouts of shyness in response to shy kids. (It also helps keep my identity from kids who might know from the Craft Hall.) I spend the time making balloon animals for kids and having visiting adult staff trying to catch me up and get me to talk (which I did not let them succeed).

After the carnival, the kids headed to the next event on their evening agenda while the staff got to play on the bouncy thing without them.... even the clown. (And there she did talk.... or scream as she played with the rest jumping, pushing, and being pushed.)