Intensive Summer Camps - École nationale de cirque

Lasting one week for 9-12 years old and two weeks for 13-17 years old, the intensive summer camps allow young people to explore various circus disciplines: aerial acrobatics, juggling, balancing, etc. and to familiarize themselves with NCS’s pedagogical approach. For their part, participants in the 13-17 age group also have the opportunity to devote more time to the practice of a main discipline, in addition to working on their techniques in other disciplines.

The camps include the teaching of several body and artistic techniques, from physical preparation to trampoline to acrobatic. The activities are mainly focused on the development of new physical skills and on the creative aspect of performance. The camps conclude with a live performance for the family.

Participants can stay in the residences next to the NCS during their stay. Cultural outings, supervised by our team of instructors, are organized to explore Montreal. Places in residences are limited.

Participation in the intensive summer camps can facilitate admission to Preparatory Program or the Circus and High School Studies program.

WHAT’S NEW FOR THE 2026 CAMP?

In recent years, participants in the Intensive Summer Camp were housed in the School’s residences, offering rooms with a private bathroom (4 participants per room). Over the past year, these residences have been closed and converted into office spaces. As a result, accommodation for the Intensive Summer Camp will now be provided directly within the School facilities.

Participants who select the camp with accommodation option will be housed in designated rooms adapted into dormitory-style spaces, specifically set up for the duration of the camp. Shared locker rooms and bathrooms located within the School will be available to participants. To reflect this change in accommodation, the cost of the camp with accommodation option has been reduced.

We remain committed to the well-being and comfort of our participants and will continue to provide a safe, supervised environment that supports the intensive nature of the camp experience.

The intensive summer camps are offered in two components:

Day camp, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
24-hour camp, including meals and accommodation in NCS residences or in dormitories set up for this purpose.

Eligibility requirements

The participants of the intensive summer camps are evaluated and selected by the NCS.

To be eligible, the individual must:

Be between 9 and 17 years old
Pass the evaluation test described in the admission guide (see below)
Practice – or have already practiced – an artistic, acrobatic or sports discipline

Admission Guide

Please make sure that your application meets the conditions indicated in the admission guide for the intensive summer camps. You can download the guide specific to your child’s age group by clicking on one of the links below::

*Parents applying for the 13-17 age group must send only the admission video. Photos of flexibility exercises are not required.

Required documents

Status	Required documents
Canadian participant not pre-selected	Evaluation elements specified in the admission guide by age group 9-12 years old: Photos of the flexibility exercises (see below) 13-17 years old: Admission video (do not send photos of flexibility exercises) A photo of the face A photo in action in the artistic or sporting field practiced A full-length photo with clothes fitted to the body Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names Photocopy of academic transcripts from the last two years of successful schooling (only for applicants who wish to participate to the selection activity to enter the Preparatory Program (PFS) or the Circus and High School Program (CES) in August)
Pre-selected Canadian participant	A photo of the face Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names Photocopy of academic transcripts from the last two years of successful schooling (only for applicants who wish to participate to the selection activity to enter the Preparatory Program (PFS) or the Circus and High School Program (CES) in August)
International participant	Evaluation elements specified in the admission guide by age group 9-12 years old: Photos of the flexibility exercises (see below) 13-17 years old: Admission video A photo of the face A photo in action in the artistic or sporting field practiced A full-length photo with clothes fitted to the body Photocopy of birth certificate with parents’ full names

The flexibility movements required for both groups are the following:

Bridge (shoulder)	Bridge (back)	Front split, left leg forward	Front split, right leg forward

Middle split	Pike position (sitting)	Pike position (standing)

Summer 2026

Payment of the registration fee for 2026 must be made after receipt of the contract indicating that the participant has been admitted to the camps.

Day camp component

Canadian participant – 9-12 years old	$ 415†
	$ 490*
Canadian participant – 13-17 years old	$ 690†
	$ 815*
International participant – 9-12 years old	$ 720†
	$ 795*
International participant – 13-17 years old	$ 1,200†
	$ 1,320*

† Meals not included.
* Meals included.

24h Camp component

Canadian participant – 9-12 years old	$ 980
Canadian participant – 13-17 years old	$ 1,680
International participant – 9-12 years old	$ 1,290
International participant – 13-17 years old	$ 2,200

Prices do not include taxes, which are applicable to camps for 13 to 17 year-olds.
Day camp for 9 to 12 year-olds and meals are not taxable (with the exception of the 24-hour camp for 9 to 12 year-olds, for which taxes are applicable).
Fees are in Canadian dollars and may be subject to change.

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