AYCO Timeline

Spring 1998 - First meeting called. Having worked in youth circus for 13 years and feeling a need to connect to others in youth circus, Kevin O’Keefe puts out the call to what is known to him of the national youth circus community. Eight youth circus directors and educators (Berkshire Children’s Circus, Atlanta Circus Camp, Circus Smirkus, Van Lodofstov Circus, Hilltop Circus) take the plunge for an all-day conference to share and talk-story on our common ground. Enough commonality and interest is discovered to continue meeting.

Fall 1998-Spring 2000 - Baby stepping, AYCO (as it has come to be known) meets in various locales for weekend retreats that are part skill-sharing, open exchange, and dream circles for how a national organization might address the common needs. The first newsletter goes out. The website goes on-line. Stationary and T-shirts are designed and realized. A bank account is opened and membership dues collected. AYCO Board meets bi-annually to discuss these and many other issues: membership, website, policy, structure, election, dues, promotional materials, out reach, workshops, skill sharing, non-profit status, and anything else brought to the attention of the board. Organizations attending include Cirque du Monde, Circus Smirkus, Hilltop Circus, Berkshire Kids Circus, Circus Minimus, Cascade Youth Circus, Sailor Circus, Children's Circus of Middletown, Van Lodofstov, Highland Hall Circus, and others in the field.

Spring 2000 - Support from Rob Mermin of Circus Smirkus and Gil Favreau of Cirque du Soleil for the fledgling organization enables it to open a national AYCO office in Temple NH. Jackie and Rick Davis volunteer to house and manage it.

July 2000 - Outreach. Kevin O'Keefe and Jackie Davis are invited to represent the US at an International Youth Circus Congress in Berlin. Kevin addresses the assembly about AYCO and is translated into three languages. The Europeans discover a connection to America's youth circus community and their lost sense of humor in our president’s speech.

Fall 2000 - AYCO board members and Sailor Circus meet in upstate NY to plan for the first AYCO Festival in 2001. Erin Maile O’Keefe agrees to direct it.

Winter 2001 - AYCO Board flies to Sarasota for a weekend planning session at Sailor Circus for AYCO Festival 2001.

July 2001 - The International Juggler’s Association presents AYCO founder Kevin O’Keefe with the Excellence in Education Award for his work with AYCO and Circus Minimus. O’Keefe accepts the award and the keys to a brand new Lexus convertible and drives to the AYCO Festival.

August 2001 - The Big Splash. AYCO Festival 2001 is a reality. To AYCO’s great surprise, seventy-five participants and nine youth troupes arrive in Sarasota, Florida for four days. Twenty-five workshops, one youth gala and one professional show later AYCO is on the national circus map. Reg Bolton from Australia delivers a keynote address that rocks the audience with laughter and gives them a new perspective on their work in circus. The overwhelming feeling was positive and the reviews were outstanding: "A remarkable achievement" and "An embarrassment of riches." -Spectacle Magazine.

September 2001 - December 2002 - AYCO board members met with lawyers, filed for nonprofit status, revised our bylaws, worked on a Circus Directory project, created curriculum materials, developed ideas for teacher trainings, networked circuses nationally and internationally, and searched for next festival site.

March 2003 - AYCO board members visit Circus Juventas to plan the festival.

June 2003 - AYCO receives non-profit status from the IRS. A fireworks display accompanies the announcement. AYCO Board meets again to plan the festival.

August 2003 - AYCO holds it second bi-annual festival in St. Paul, MN. It is three times the size of the previous festival with two public performances and is a success in every way. At the festival, a "Future of AYCO" meeting is attended by 40 enthusiastic circus educators and professionals. Seeds of AYCO’s burgeoning board of directors are planted.

October 2004 - Aerial Teacher's Conference, bringing together over 60 top aerial instructors from the U.S. and Canada.

August 2005 - AYCO holds its third national youth circus festival. Over 400 participants and 60 presenters make San Francisco a very happy place for 4 wonderful days.

October 2006 - AYCO, in conjunction with trainers from Cirque du Monde, provide 5 days of training in Social Circus

November 2006 - AYCO hosts the Educators Conference on Social Circus, bringing together over 60 participants and presenters.

August 2007 -  AYCO holds its fourth  national youth circus festival. Over 200 participants and 40 presenters convene for 4 days in Normal, IL on the campus of Southern Illinois University. Hosted by Gamma Phi Circus.

October 2008 - Boulder Circus Center hosts the 3rd national AYCO Educators Conference.

August 2009 -  Island Lake Camp, Starruca PA, hosts 5th national youth circus festival.