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Summer camp idea: Aerial Arts of Utah


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Warm temperatures have arrived, and with them the challenge of keeping the kids busy. Hiking, swimming and lounging around are all fine, but what about exploring new ideas and camps for the kids?

Jodi Saeland takes us to the Aerial Arts of Utah.

Chloe, 13, said, "You want to make a piece go with the music. Say if it drops really fast, then you might want to put something in there that has that same type of energy."

Chloe has been doing aerial arts for four years and has mastered the art of heights and creativity. But it starts with safety. When kids are first starting out, they're close to the ground and they're learning some knot skills. They start in a sitting position. They go to a standing position and then they learn the star.

Since it does require quite a bit of strength and flexibility, a good warm up is key. Amy gets the girls ready to go.

Kids are taught skills on the trapeze, the lyra or aerial hoop, and the aerial silks.

Since aerial arts combines so many techniques from dance to yoga, it can seem intimidating. But co-owner Annie Kocherhans says it is all taught during the camps.

"We start at square one. We teach them how to climb. We teach them how to do basic skills and then at the end they can actually choreograph their own act and go through the piece at the end to show their parents and grandparents," she explained.

Delphine, 11, said, "They think it's pretty and it's special because it's my first year that I've been doing that."

If even I can be taught some small techniques, it's certainly worth a try to learn something new. Annie has great advice.

"You've had some courage and you've been able to break through that and have some fun and learn something new," she said. "Understand how important being active in life is and carry it through the rest of their lives as well."

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Jodi Saeland

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