Details and Registration!

Every two years, hundreds of circus youth and circus coaches gather from all across the United States for the American Youth Circus Festival. This five-day event is comprised of over 150 workshops, two showcases, and plentiful social events and community building opportunities.

This is a life changing event that is not to be missed!

Register!

Member – $350

Non-Member – $425

Chaperone – $250

Workshops:

Workshops are included in your festival pass.  View the tentative workshop schedule here.  Workshop sign up happens in advance of the event and will open on August 1, 2015 at 1pm est.

For information about how to use our online workshop sign up system, sched.org, please view our detailed instructions here.

Hotel Information

Please note that August in Portland Maine is the top tourist season. We recommend you book your room as soon as possible to avoid inflated prices and the hotels booking up. If you think you will be coming and can estimate how many rooms you will need, reserve them now and cancel if your plans change rather waiting!

The two suggested hotels for the festival are La Quinta and The Clarion

La Quinta 340 Park Avenue, Portland, Maine — 15 minute walk to our festival site

Group rate is available through July 24th or until all rooms are booked and costs $179/ night + Tax. Includes Continental Breakfast. Free airport, train station, and bus terminal shuttle to the hotel can be arranged by calling ahead of time. Hotel has an outdoor pool. Call 207-871-0611 and ask for the Circus Conservatory of America group rate.

The Clarion Hotel Airport  1230 Congress Street, Portland, Maine — 5 minute walk to our festival site

To reserve, call 207 774 5611 by July 24th to guarantee a room and say you are with the Circus Conservatory of America group. This hotel would not offer us a group rate, so rates vary depending on when you reserve. The rate on 3/6/15 was $191 for a room with two double beds. The rate will increase as time goes on. Free airport shuttle to the hotel is available by calling 207-774-5611. Indoor pool and hot tub. Breakfast is NOT included but can be purchased on site.

Travel

The festival will be held at the Circus Conservatory of America (CCA), 4A Thompson’s Point, Portland, ME 04102. Travel Distance and time from hotel/transit landmarks to CCA:

• La Quinta = .8 Miles – 15 Minutes Walking
• The Clarion = .5 Miles – 5 Minutes Walking
• Bus & Train Station = .2 Miles – 3 Minutes Walking
• Airport = 2.5 Miles – 9 Minutes Driving

Directions From Airport

Exit Airport, Right turn onto Congress St., Right turn onto Fore River Parkway, Right onto Thompsons Point Road, continue past Portland Transportation Center and across train tracks onto the Campus.

From South: Starting on route 95 North, take exit 44 towards route 295, take exit 5 to Congress St. / Fore River Parkway, Right turn onto Fore River Parkway, Left turn onto Thompsons Point Road, continue past Portland Transportation Center and across train tracks onto the Campus.

From North: Starting on route 95 North, take exit 45 towards route 295, take exit 5 to Congress St. / Fore River Parkway, Right turn onto Fore River Parkway, Left turn onto Thompsons Point Road, continue past Portland Transportation Center and across train tracks onto the Campus.

Financial Aid

The Financial aid application deadline has passed.

Work Study

We are seeking 18–26 year olds who love circus learning, teaching, and/or performing to help us on site during the festival in exchange for a festival pass. If you are interested in an exciting, connective, circusy experience then this is for you. For full information, visit the application form.

Chaperones

Every young person aged 18 and under must have a chaperone on site. One chaperone (age 21+) may chaperone up to 8 youth.