More than 400 students from remote Manitoba communities will participate in the Circus and Magic Partnership (C.A.M.P.) taking place at Minegoziibe Anishinabe School on the Pine Creek First Nation from March 22-26, 2010.

C.A.M.P. is an artistic intervention project spearheaded by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival. The outreach program’s objective is to provide a positive and proactive arts and education opportunity for youth. This year’s Northern C.A.M.P. participants will come from the following communities: Duck Bay, Camperville, Barrows, Gypsumville, Pelican Rapids, Skownan, Waterhen, Peonan Point, Rorketon, Crane River, Birdtail Sioux.

Each child will learn to become a well-rounded variety performer, using materials like stilts, unicycles, tight wires, and magic and juggling supplies during the course of the program. All of these training tools will remain in the community; while local teachers, recreation staff and community mentors will be trained in their safe usage.

C.A.M.P. Tour Manager Neal Rempel, Minegoziibe Anishinabe School principal Cynthia Nepinak, and select participants will be available for on-site interviews at the school.

Winnipeg Media Availability:

Approx. 12 noon, Sunday March 21, 2010

The Northern C.A.M.P. instructors will be loading up/departing from the Norwood Hotel (112 Marion Street, Winnipeg).

Northern C.A.M.P. Media Availability

10 a.m. to noon

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Minegoziibe Anishinabe School, Pine Creek First Nation (approx. 2 hours north of Dauphin)  Address:

Directions: From Dauphin, take Hwy 20 north to Camperville.

Follow Hwy 20 through Camperville. Road will turn left (west) toward Swan River.

Drive ¼ mile (past bridge) to Provincial Road 272.

Turn right on PR 272 and drive north for approx. 3 miles. School is at the far end of Pine Creek.

For more information, contact:

Lisa Saunders, publicist, Winnipeg International Children’s Festival                

204.799.4641 or lisa@soundstrategy.ca