Kids who are always being told by their parents and teachers to "smarten up!" or "be serious!" might discover an unexpected creative outlet at Capilano University this summer.
One of the university's more unique summer camp offerings, Leave 'em Laughing Stand-Up Comedy Boot Camp for youth aged 10-14, returns for another run July 8-12. This is one week where goofing off is not only welcome, it's encouraged.
Over the course of the program, professional comedian Janice Bannister will teach the day campers how to generate and deliver their own jokes, preparing them to host a stand-up comedy show for family and friends on the last day.
"They're actually learning to do stand-up comedy. In the five days they learn how to write jokes and how to perform them. They learn how to use a microphone," says Bannister.
The aspiring young comics must use age-appropriate language and clean content, but they otherwise have the freedom to create their very own set. Much like the pros, Bannister will teach the kids to draw on material inspired by their own experiences and observations.
"Most of it comes from your real life. What do you like? What don't you like? What do you worry about? What drives you crazy about your parents?" says Bannister.
The comedy camp is an alternative to the many sports and educational programs offered during the summer months. Bannister says it will likely appeal to kids who enjoy making people laugh, but might not always have the opportunity to do so.
"They're funny. They like to kibitz and carry on and do sometimes silly things, but they don't really have a place to do that," she says.
Bannister will help the more uninhibited kids learn to "rein it in," if necessary, structure their material and pause for laughter. But the comedy camp is not just geared toward class clowns. Bannister says it is also a good place for quieter kids to express their humorous observations with like-minded peers.
"It's sometimes nice for them just to share some of their thinking and connect with other kids that are creative."
Bannister, a New Westminster resident and former psychiatric nurse, started Laughter Zone 101 comedy school six years ago and now teaches stand-up to all ages.
"I was like the kids. I took a comedy class at Langara about 10 years ago and basically I haven't stopped since. I loved it and wish I had done it when I was a kid."
When it comes to trying out their comedy chops, youth take a different approach to stand-up than grown ups.
"The kids are so much more natural and uninhibited. They just say things and sometimes my cheeks ache from laughing," says Bannister. "Whereas the adults, they have worlds of experience sometimes, but they're fairly shy about bringing it to the comedy stage."
Bannister adds she is always pleasantly surprised at the quality of the kids' writing.
"They're smart. They're not just wanting to do bum and fart jokes and things like that," she says, explaining kids often jest about generation-specific subject matter their peers can relate to.
After just five short days, Bannister says the kids will gain stage confidence they can then apply to acting auditions, public speaking or even class presentations. Plus, they will have a polished comedy set to recite whenever the mood strikes.
"They can do it for the school talent show, they can do it for grandma's birthday. There's lots of things you can do with your comedy," says Bannister.
Leave 'em Laughing Stand-Up Comedy Boot Camp, for ages 10-14, runs July 8-12 (Monday-Friday), 12: 45-3: 45 p.m. Cost: $165. Call 604-984-4901 to register.
