2009 Moose Camp Wrap-Up 

Greetings Gang, 

It is time for a big sigh of relief! Moose Camp is a happy memory! We had a wonderful time, fabulous campers, great weather and lots of fun. I am so appreciative of my entire staff and the people that come to camp. It is a new learning experience each year. You can’t get that many clowns together in one spot for a week and NOT learn something! I learned there are new ways to teach old subjects as I revamped my “Comic Movement” class. I learned to let go and gave my 3 movement workshops to special guest star Robin Eurich and found I had more energy to devote to my other workshops and course. I learned that putting the time into planning is ALWAYS worth more than doing things on the fly. There is a place for spontaneity and being able to make changes but that kind of flexibility is easier to achieve when you have a solid footing of a well thought-out plan.  

I really think that goes for most things. I know performers who hate to rehearse because they feel it will limit their spontaneity. I believe the opposite to be true. I have found that when you really are well rehearsed you have the ability to step out of your regular routine when a fun opportunity presents itself. Then you can improv a bit, and go back to the tried and true material and keep your show on track. A little rehearsal can go a long way as long as you focus, take notes, and make it fun. I know my best performances come when I plan a bit of run-through time in advance. Why? Because I am more relaxed knowing everything is in order -- that means props, costume pieces, lighting and music. If something is amiss you have time to fix it. Even the most tried and true, well-rehearsed gag can benefit from a brush-up rehearsal. I had Robin Eurich help me with a spot in my signature “Bunny Magic” gag. It was a simple fix, but hey, I have been doing this gag for over 20 years! It took new eyes to help me find the sequence that made sense and a couple of timely quips to tie it all together. Thanks Robin!

I added a new bit to our Kazoo Band and it got a big laugh. Sometimes I have to remind myself that just because I have seen it before it doesn’t mean my audience has. And even if they have, maybe they want to see it again in a different context! The long glove is an old bit. But it is funny when you have two of them on a big stage!

Keep it up tempo

Have you been using the same music for 20-30 years? Ok maybe only three years! Think about trying something new. I learned at Moose Camp that clowns move to the beat of the music. If we put a slower piece of music behind a gag the clowns move slower! Not what you want depending on the context of the show. I needed to put 98 clowns in a show that ideally would last an hour. Slow music, even if it was fun and fit the gag slowed down the show. Not good. Now if we had 10 clowns doing a 45 min show we could use that type of music to establish a theme or reinforce a character. But not in a show that had that many clowns who needed their moment in the spotlight. New music can give an old routine new life!

Say yes!

I am a creature of habit. I like things to run smoothly and that sometimes means you get in a rut. As much as I like to keep things the same I need to make changes to Moose Camp. What I have found is that making small changes keeps things fresh. This year we said good bye to our Hobo Dinner. Next year we will be replacing it with the Moose Camp Family Picnic. Staff will be coming dressed as our favorite relative! We will do outdoor games and have picnic food.

Rex is already having trouble deciding which one of his favorite relatives he will come as! I won’t give it away, but after his appearance as the Tooth Fairy -- anything goes!

Know your limits

I learned that even if the gag is funny sometimes you need to use common sense and thing about the long haul! Literally! After stuffing 13 clowns in my new Morris Mini Minor the chassis was sitting on top of the wheels! I had to ask the coaches to take out two of the clowns so the car would not be damaged and could actually move! I love that little car and want to be sure I can use it for many years to come. Are you doing anything that might be a detriment to your health just because it is funny? Trust me, your body has a fabulous memory. While it might not bother you now, down the road it will come back to haunt you. Ask ANY Ringling clown. They will tell you their story.  

Go into new things with a positive attitude

Mark Renfro retired from Moose Camp last year. He warned me in advance that he would be moving on. There was no drama, or hard feelings. Mark needed to do some other things and I totally respect him for it and we will always be friends. But that left a huge hole in the Clowning 101 Course. Brenda Marshall stepped in and we had a ball. Was it different? Yes. Do I miss Mark? Absolutely. Was it still good? Yes indeed! Working with someone new is always exciting and challenging. I was able to use what Mark had taught me and put it together what Brenda had to bring to the table. It worked and I sincerely look forward to next year. Those of you who have to move on and work with a new partner may face this challenge. My best advice is to dive in and say yes to the possibilities. Do not hang onto the past and let it get in between the new things you can learn from working with someone new.  

Always take the time to say thank you

Say it to your audience and to the people around you. I can’t thank my staff enough. I can’t thank my campers enough. I can’t thank my family enough for supporting me with ideas, a shoulder to lean on, and the collective resources of an amazing group of talented people. So thank you!

What a Bunch! Here are the folks who are members of the internet chat group Clown Forum who attended Mooseburger Camp. It was great to see folks use this medium to communicate and meet each other before they actually met in person. Part of the reason Moose Camp went so smoothly this year is because folks really knew what to expect and had their questions answered early on. Thanks Clown Forum!!!!!!! 

And thanks to the generous donations and equally generous bids during the Ralph Pounder Memorial Scholarship Auction, we were able to raise over $6,000.00!  Your hearts are so big! Just think of all the clowns who will now be helped in their clown arts education because of YOU! If you know of someone who is hesitating to register because of the price of camp (which is $825.00), remind them to apply for a $350 scholarship!  Download an application for your friends here: http://www.mooseburger.com/camp/scholarship.html and make sure they turn it in by February 1, 2010.

I hope you enjoy some of these Moose Camp memory photos. You can find even more photos on our Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237927340313&ref=mf) and even some videos on our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/mooseburgerclowncamp).  If you would like to come, we would love to have you. Even in these tough economic times we reached maximum capacity and had to turn people away. I hate that when people call and say “I meant to register – I just put it off!” So if you want to come to camp, call and register right now. We have a payment plan you’ll really like. We even have refund insurance if you’re not 100% certain you can make it. But don’t delay if it is something you really want to do. We want to share this amazing week with you!

Pricilla

P. S. Come visit my dealer room(#114) at Clownfest later this month (September 16 – 20) in Seaside Heights, NJ!  Visit the event website for more information (http://www.clownfest.com/).  You never know WHAT I’ll be having a big sale on, so stop by my room early!

Tips of the Month

Timing is Everything!

Post-Season:

If this is the end of your big parade season, be sure to launder all the parts of your costume you used this summer. Put dryer sheets in shoes and pockets to keep them fresh. Fix any needed repairs NOW before those little rips become big ones. Make a list of what you want to make or buy for next season and tape it up in a place you are apt to see often! Or, as my friend Guido says, you’ll “Forgettabout it!”   

Pre-Season: 
 
As summer comes to a screeching halt this week, it is time to think about the upcoming holiday season. No, REALLY!  I’m not joking! NOW is the time to think ahead to ensure you will have a fun and successful holiday season! If you want to get bookings for November and December, you better start working on it in September.  
 
Here are some ideas for events and promotion between September and January:

• Put together your ads for local papers for holiday party entertainment. Call the paper now and get the job done ahead of time.  Ask about a price break for placing the same ad for 3 or 4 consecutive weeks.  Feature a photo of your character in a goofy Elf or Wizard Hat in the ad.
• Consider booking yourself as a face painter for local community parties for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc.  Parents like to have a safe alternative for their kids to enjoy, so contact the school’s PTA and Chamber of Commerce to see who is sponsoring the events.  Display your business cards on the table for the parents and offer a coupon for 10% off if they book you within a month.
• See if your local costume shop offers face painting or "make-up" services to go with costumes. You may be able to cultivate a great new business partnership with a local business. I am a marginal face painter, but my costume shop customers absolutely love to have their make-up done to match their rental costumes.
• Come up with a Halloween costume for your clown Character. The kids think it is hilarious! I have a cute witch-e-poo costume to wear as Pricilla.  Wear an elf hat, Santa, witch or wizard hat just for the fun of it. Of course, you could wear Easter bunny ears if you are the confused type! Kids will love correcting you!
• Update your show to reflect the holidays. One holiday-themed trick can be a fun addition without a big expense. For example, patter for the rope trick “Professor’s Nightmare” can be adapted to any event or message – I’ve heard dozens of different approaches for that same trick!  Add a holiday story or joke to your show. Start looking for joke books at your local library. Find used books online at www.amazon.com.
• See if you can get booked at a church Fall Festival or local library for story time reading and performing in character. You never know if they have grant money to use up by the end of the year.  If an event has no budget to hire you, you could ask the Chamber of Commerce to pair you up with a local business to be your sponsor and reduce your rate – now the event can afford you and you’ve just opened up a possible new business partnership. And even if it is a non-paying gig, it is still a great way to get your face and name out there and build a report with your community.  Don’t forget to distribute flyers and business cards!
• Dress like a friendly witch or scarecrow to do some story telling at a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch.  Or what about an elf leading Christmas carols at a fir tree farm or ice skating rink?
• Send out postcards to past customers reminding them to book you before your schedule is full. You can print them on your computer (save the template for future uses). If you save your customers in a database like Excel, you can keep track of when they last hired you and what their children’s names are – that way you can personalize the postcards with writing “Jolly Holly the Elf would love to visit Suzy again this Christmas!”
• Call the mall, community centers, and anywhere else Santa might appear. When asking about being hired as an Elf or Mrs. Claus, tell them that you are a better choice than an actor because your clown skills make you a wonderful Santa's helper. Your love of children is genuine and comes from the heart. Parents and children waiting in long lines to get their pictures taken with Mr. C need entertainment! Happy parents stay in line and buy more pictures. You can add a touch of magic, a quick wit, and warm heart to each interaction with every child.
• Need a new costume for your elf, Mrs. Claus or Santa character??? Order it NOW to ensure you will get it in time for November bookings. It takes 6 – 8 weeks from start to finish for most complete costumes, so don’t delay! Check your old costumes to see if they need cleaning or repair. Not ready to invest in a full holiday costume? Consider renting one. Ask your local shop for a discount on multiple rentals or maybe even a rent-to-own deal.
• Now is also the time to make sure you family calendar events are on your performing calendar. Block off the needed time for family NOW! No amount of money is worth missing the holidays with your family. You may have to make compromises, but now is the time to plan for it. If your loved ones know in advance that they don't get you for Christmas Eve, but you celebrate Christmas day, your absence will be easier to swallow. Call a family meeting. Talk about these sacrifices before you need to make them. You may be surprised what solutions come up. Clowning should not be a burden on your family, it should be a blessing!

 
 
No matter how you dress it, people love entertainment. Start thinking outside the box and expand your horizons. When customers call you to book parties in the month of September through January, ask if they are interested in a "themed performance". They may be calling to book a birthday party, but may have leads for other events. You’ve gotta love that "word of mouth" advertising. A little forethought and planning can go a long way.

MOOSE  CAMP  NEWS!

July 27 – August 1, 2010

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! 

September 1^st is the official date to open registrations to the public.  We already have 24 pre-registrations from alumni who signed up during Moose Camp last month, so that leaves 71 spots to fill up between now and July 22^nd (the official date to close registrations).  For those of you who like your privacy, you should know that there are only two private rooms left (additional $250 fee).  Otherwise, the rest of the lodging is double-beds.

You can sign up online by clicking here (http://mooseburger.com/Register/), or download a mail-in registration form by clicking here (http://mooseburger.com/camp/gov.html), or register over the phone call calling 800-973-6277 (or 320-963-6277 for our International friends).

If you would like to find out more about Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp, please send a request to katie@mooseburger.com.   Katie will email you a letter outlining every possible scrap of information you could possibly want to know.  And if that letter DOESN’T answer your questions, please call us and let us know what we forgot to put in the letter – we want to make sure you are 120% prepared for the best week of your life! 

2010 SPECIAL GUEST STAR!

We plan to bring in a new staff member each year as our "Special Guest Star", and we are very excited and proud to have Steve Smith join us for 2010!

Steve “TJ Tatters” Smith has had an immensely fulfilling career in show business over the past 38 years, starting out as a Clown College graduate and going on to become Goodwill Ambassador for the circus; Dean of the Ringling Clown College for ten years; and eventually serving as Director for the 123rd edition of “The Greatest Show On Earth”. He has also worked with the legendary, Academy Award-winning animator Chuck Jones, Walt Disney World, Cruise Lines, Off-Broadway Theatre, Television, Universities, and elsewhere across the United States and the World, teaching, directing, and playing. Most recently, Steve has served as co-creator and director of the Big Apple Circus for four productions, including “Bello is Back!” in the 2009-2010 edition of the Big Apple Circus.

Steve continued to inspire both colleagues and students with his energy, enthusiasm, and skill. We are very excited and proud to have this award-winning Clown Hall of Fame inductee join us in 2010 at Mooseburger Clown Arts Camp as our Special Guest Star! He will be teaching a Main Course as well as various Afternoon Workshops to impart his vast knowledge and to shake things up a little. We can’t wait!

EASY PAYMENT PLAN:

After you pay the minimum down-payment, we will divide your remaining balance into nine equal monthly payments between October and June.  Your credit card will be automatically charged for the amount on the 15^th of each month.  No interest accrues!  Campers have told us that they found this plan to be the easiest way to pay off the balance, and that they never could have afforded Moose Camp if it hadn’t been for our payment plan. 

Example: You register for the Complete Package and add the Refund Insurance, so your total is $850.  You pay the $200 minimum down-payment and the $25 Refund Insurance up front, so your remaining balance is $625.00.  Divided by nine, that ends up being a monthly payment of $69.44.  Pretty painless when it’s put like that, right?  So, don’t delay!  Sign up today and let’s get you started on our easy payment plan! 

$350 SCHOLARSHIP

Due to the generosity of our campers this year, the Ralph Pounder Memorial Scholarship Auction raised enough funds to provide 17 campers with scholarships for Moose Camp 2010!  We’d like to shout a big THANK YOU to all our campers and staff who donated and bid – your hearts are so big!  If you or someone you know would like to apply for a $350 scholarship, click here to download an application (http://mooseburger.com/camp/scholarship.html). Fill it out and send it back with a photo of yourself in clown makeup by February 1^st.  We’ll notify the winners by April 1^st.  

TERMS and CONDITIONS

Each package is priced per person. Must be at least 17 to attend. A $200 down-payment will hold your spot.  Balance must be paid by June 1st. No more than one discount code or scholarship can be used; discounts are not retroactive. You can add Refund Insurance (non-refundable $25 fee) only at the time of registration -- this guarantees a 100% refund if you need to cancel by June 1st (no refunds after that). Otherwise, there will be absolutely NO REFUNDS if you decide to cancel. 

---

SALES 

25% off in-stock wigs!

14 Styles included 

Punk was $18.00, is now $13.50

Bald Tramp was $23.00, is now $17.25

Fun Flip was $24.00, is now $18.00

Eve was $26.00, is now $19.50

Cindy was $26.00, is now $19.50

Braid was $27.00, is now $20.25

Bald Straight was $27.00, is now $20.25

Circus Circus was $28.00, is now $21.00

Cleo was $28.00, is now $21.00

Kurly Klown was $31.00, is now $23.25

Long Curly Deluxe was $32.00, is now $24.00

Wet Look was $35.00 is now $26.25

Bald Curly was $36.00, is now $27.00

Wavy Disco was $39.00 is now $29.25 

Many colors are available, but supplies are limited – hurry!

Call 320-963-6277 or click here to place your wig order – and don’t forget to use discount code “WIGOUT” to get 25% off!

---

But wait – there’s more…

FREE Shipping on all in-stock orders over $45!  WOW!!

Yes, you read that right: ANY items ordered from inventory totaling $45 or more will get absolutely FREE Shipping & Handling

No restrictions! 

Clearance items included!

If it’s in stock, then you’re not getting charged postage.  Load up your shopping cart and remember to give us the discount code “SIZZLE” when you check out! 

Details 
 

Go online to order: www.mooseburger.com

Call in your order: 800-973-6277 (or 320-963-6277 for our international friends)

Fax your order: 320-963-6692 

Terms and Conditions of Sales:

1. Offer good on orders being shipped to Canada and the US.  Order will be shipped by U.S. Parcel Post or First Class, depending on weight and destination.
2. You have to type the words “WIGOUT” and “SIZZLE” in the Discount Code box at the end of your online order, or write “WIGOUT” and “SIZZLE” somewhere on your fax-in or mail-in order, or tell the words “WIGOUT” and “SIZZLE” to the Mooseburger Salesperson on your phone-in order.
3. Supplies are limited. Sale prices and free Shipping & Handling offer is good only on in-stock items.  Please note: Just because the item is displayed online does not mean it is in stock – all products are displayed online regardless of immediate availability.  We try to update it everyday, but the site is not always 100% up to date with current stock.  If you have any concerns, then call us before you place your order: 800-973-6277 or 320-963-6277. Click here for our Sales Page.
4. Good on phone-in, mail-in, fax-in, or online orders.  Order must be placed during the month of September. This offer is not retroactive.
5. The Shipping & Handling will still show up on your online order confirmation; sorry, we cannot control that application online.  However, rest assured that the Shipping & Handling will be deducted from your total before we process it.  You will get an email titled “New Order from PMO” with your correct total. 

Where in the World will Pricilla be? 

Join me this autumn at the events listed below – stop by my booth and say “HI!” You can keep track of my travel schedule online here (http://mooseburger.com/cgi-bin/moose/calendar.pl).  See you on the road! 
 

September 16 - 20, 2009

Clownfest

Location: Seaside Heights, NJ

Website: http://www.clownfest.com/  

October 7 - 11, 2009

Midwest Clown Round-Up

Location: Lansing, Michigan

Website: www.midwestclowns.net  
 

November 8 - 12, 2009

Western Region Clown Association Convention

Location: Laughlin, NV

Website: http://www.westregionclowns.org/