Youth Juggling Academy
YJA
The International Jugglers’ Association is proud to support educational juggling programs around the world through our Youth Juggling Academy (YJA)
Vision
The Youth Juggling Academy accumulates juggling resources, develops interest and passion, and transmits knowledge to and for young jugglers.
Values
- The YJA fosters a community to encourage a safe, inclusive, and accessible space to explore foundational juggling abilities and help create connections between advanced and beginner jugglers of all ages
- The YJA is a terminal for educators, guardians, and institutions to access scientific and best-practices information on the topic of juggling.
THE TEAM
Benjamin Domask-Ruh – Director
Afton Benson – Manager
Thayer Slichter – Graphic Design and Youth Liaison
Kayla Malmgren – Youth Program Coordinator
Gordon Tyler – Education/Facilitation
Galen Harp – Consultant/Direction
Resources
The Badge Book
The YJA has developed the YJA Badge Program, an achievement system designed to accommodate youth of all ages and juggling interests. It can be used simultaneously with any other achievement system that juggling instructors already have in place. This program is now available through The International Jugglers’ Association’s Self-Directed Juggling Journey Sticker Activity Book or ‘Badge Book’ for short!
Badge Book is an exciting new companion for aspiring jugglers! Track your progress, unlock achievements, and earn badges as you learn the art of juggling. Through its easy portability, self-motivated structure, and rewarding sticker system, Badge Book makes learning to juggle an exciting and fulfilling adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned juggler, Badge Book will be your guide to skillful juggling and a collection of well-earned accomplishments. Start your Badge Book juggling journey today by buying a young juggling their very own copy from the IJA store!
In efforts to be accessible to all programming needs, the IJA is happy to offer its members access to the ‘Open Source Badge Program.’
This Open Source Badge Program offers fun and meaningful ways to recognize progress in juggling skills! Through earning badges, jugglers celebrate each step in their journey from beginner to advanced. To earn a badge, simply complete the required skills in front of an IJA member, who will award your badge as a mark of achievement. Badges can be crafted into buttons, stickers, magnets, or more, providing a creative, personalized way to display accomplishments.
One-Week Juggling Curriculum – IJA Member Exclusive:
The One-Week Circus Curriculum: Juggling Focus is designed to introduce students to the art and discipline of juggling, blending historical and artistic perspectives with hands-on practice. Over a series of 55-minute sessions, students will learn the fundamentals of juggling, aiming to master the 3-ball cascade and develop core technical skills. The curriculum also encourages students to think critically about circus arts by applying aesthetic principles and learning terminology. Through warm-ups, practice, and feedback, students enhance their coordination, patience, and self-confidence. The adaptable structure provides a flexible daily outline, empowering instructors to tailor the experience to any age or skill level. If you would like to learn how to use this curriculum, attend the annual IJA Festival and take the 4-hour ‘How to Teach a Juggling Curriculum’ workshop and be recognized by the IJA as having completed the course and receive a certificate!
Juggling: A Not-So-Brief Introduction
Juggling: A Not-So-Brief Introduction – a short film that brings the joy and history of juggling to life! Imagine the charm of Mr. Rogers, the curiosity of Bill Nye, and the magic of Walt Disney, all blended into a lively 25-minute exploration of juggling. Perfect for all ages, this professionally filmed feature dives into juggling history, technique, and theory, with plenty of humor and hands-on activities along the way. Viewers can enjoy interviews with new jugglers and learn simple tricks to try at home, making this a fun and interactive addition to any juggling program. It’s an entertaining way to stay active and inspired!
Club YJA: A Community for Young Jugglers at The IJA Annual Festival
Club YJA is a dynamic program designed for young jugglers under 18, offering a week of workshops, games, and creative exploration at the IJA Festival. Open to all skill levels, Club YJA focuses on community building, skill development, and performance for youth jugglers ages 9-18 (4th-8th grade), with flexibility for other ages based on interest and guardian discretion.
What to Expect:
Participants will gather daily from 10:00am – 12:30pm for engaging activities that foster friendships and strengthen juggling skills. Each day features a unique workshop led by experienced jugglers, aimed at enhancing technique, creativity, and performance.
Why Join Club YJA?
Grow your juggling skills with peers who share your passion.
Experience hands-on guidance from skilled mentors.
Become part of a supportive, fun-loving juggling community.
How to Get Involved:
Club YJA welcomes up to 30 participants, so early sign-up is encouraged! Young jugglers can join for the whole week or participate as their schedule allows. Interested? Reach out to YJA@juggle.org for more info.
Program Leaders & Assistants:
Our team includes a dedicated program leader and skilled assistants (ages 14-18), all passionate about guiding young jugglers. Leaders and assistants facilitate activities, workshops, and check-ins, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Interested in being on the team? Reach out to YJA@juggle.org for more info.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced juggler, Club YJA is your place to learn, connect, and feel like you belong at the IJA Festival!
Planting the Juggling Seed
HELP SUPPORT UPCOMING PROJECTS:
Juggling Education in the 21st Century: Case studies from juggling educators.
Juggling literature spans history, technique, science, and culture. This first-of-its-kind book aims to catalog a comprehensive conversation surrounding juggling education and all its facets. From elementary education to one-on-one coaching, from summer programming to higher circus education, Juggling Education in the 21st Century is a collection of chapters written by current and leading educators across the world attempting to give insight and process to our artform and culture.
These projects require funding!
If you are interested in helping fund part or all of one of these projects, please reach out to us at: yja@juggle.org
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE TEAM?
Let us know what you are interested in helping with by emailing: yja@juggle.org
Positions we are looking for help with:
YJA Marketing (Social media, Promoting Badge Book to Education Systems, Book Promoting)
Teachers for youth focused workshops
Youth Showcase Coordinator/Director
Planting the Juggling Seed Show Director
Want to help the IJA & YJA reach more people?