Classes and Instructors
Moose Camp 2027
Classes and Instructors
Mornings are for a deep dive course. Afternoons are for workshops you pick on the fly. Here is everything on the menu for 2027!
How the Week Works
Morning Courses
Pick one course and stay with the same small group and instructor every morning, all week. That is about 9 hours of focused learning you build on each day. Tricia helps you choose during your PEP call.
Afternoon Workshops
Hour long workshops on all kinds of clown arts topics. No need to decide ahead of time. Mix and match to fill out your week!
Courses and workshops are subject to change. If a special guest joins us or life changes a staff member’s plans, we may shuffle a few things, but there will always be more education than you can throw a pie at.
Balloons: Intermediate to Advanced with Rob Balchunas
Go beyond the basic dog, sword, or flower. Rob brings 35+ years of experience to multi balloon sculptures, wearables, and over the top twisting art.
Not for beginners. Bring your own balloons, and a pump if possible.
Caring Clowning with Brittany Allen
Learn how to clown in hospitals, nursing homes, shelters, and care facilities: what to do, what not to do, the props that work, and how to build a lasting program. Includes a supervised visit to a local care facility.
Best if you already have the basics of make-up and character.
Character Clowning with Karen Bell
Discover who your clown is, how it looks, moves, and acts, and connect it to a real part of you. Karen guides you through exercises that knit it all together into a performance that is uniquely yours.
Clowning 101 with Julia Swanson, Annette Darragh, Rick Hoops and Mike Fixer
Learn clowning from the ground up: make-up, costuming, character, and performance. If you have never put on clown make-up before, this is your course!
A low cost make-up kit is required (it covers both auguste and whiteface looks).
Fairs, Festivals and Events, Oh My! with Linda Hulet
Sight gags, pocket gags, walk arounds, working the crowd, plus promo, contacts, and contracts. May include a Friday afternoon trip to a small local fair.
Getting Physically Funny with Karen Hoyer
Movement, mime, music, timing, looks and takes, and partner work. Games and exercises that bring out the funny already in you, no pratfalls required.
Skits and Bits for Giggling Fits with Fred Baisch
Fred shares props, tricks, and approaches for parties, parades, circuses, hospitals, and stage, solo or with a group.
Tools for Fools: Clown Skills and More with Rex Nolen
Juggling, music, magic, and more, focused on comedy and stage presence, plus how to recover when things go sideways.
Not a beginner course.
2027 Afternoon Workshops
Grouped by instructor so it is easy to scan. Drop into whatever sparks your interest!
Brittany Allen
- Branding and Marketing Made Easy
- Puppets Alive
- Caring Clown Course Field Trip
Fred Baisch
- Change Bags: Filled With Funny!
- Well, It Was Funny in Rehearsal
Rob Balchunas
- Balloon Decor With a Twist
- Beyond a Single Balloon
- Fun, Gags, and Games with Balloons
- Wearable Wows
Karen Bell
- Character Development
- Flip Your Lid: How to Use a Clown Hat
- Make Your Clown Props Work for You
Sean Carlock
- Rope Magic for Clowns
- Super Simple Sound Tech
- Yes, YOU Can Make a Solo Show
Annette Darragh
- Beginning Face Painting
- Intermediate Face Painting
Mike Fixer and Greg Seckora
- Make and Take Props and Kazoo Horns
- Parade Props: How to Make and Use Them
- Prop Shop Open Lab
Rick Hoops
- How to Make Your Funny a Business
- Vocal Techniques for Clowns
Karen Hoyer
- Clown Dance
- Introduction to Caring Clowning
- Mime: The Language of Clowns
Christopher Hudert
- Beginning Balloons
- Character CPR
- Songs and Silliness for the Musically Challenged
Linda Hulet
- Fairs and Festivals Field Trip
- Finding Clown Work at Fairs and Festivals
- Flo’s World of Wacky Walk-Arounds
Jane Kinney
- Red Nose Readers Tea Party
- Songs, Sillies, and Stories with Puppets
Tricia Manuel
- Costumes That Work!
- Finding Your Clown Character
- VIC Special Workshop
Rex Nolen
- Clown Skits and More
- Comedy Juggling
Ron Severini
- Dare to Be a Buffoon
- The Solo Clown
Mark Simmonds
- Build It, Grow It, Revitalize It: Creating a Clown Community
Julia Swanson
- Dollar Store Marvels
- Social Media for Funny Folks
The Camp Schedule
We have been fine tuning our schedule for over 25 years so you get the most out of every day, with plenty of fun wedged in between courses, workshops, and special events.
Travel Plans
What to Bring to Camp
Our Instructors
Every one of our staff has worked as a professional clown, from circus and mime to street performing, parties, and hospitals.

Brittany "Zoē" Allen
Started as a Moose Camp camper in 2007 with a goal of clowning for sick children.

Karen Bell
Clowned with Ringling Bros. 1986 to 1994, the only female clown with a solo ring gag.

Fred Baisch
Award winning clown and accomplished magician, and a big part of our Dealer Room.

Sean Carlock
Entertaining since age six. Theater, magic, and clowning are his passions.

Annette Darragh
Professional clown and instructor for 30+ years with awards in make-up, skit, and face painting.

Mike Fixer
Has loved clowning since the late 1960s and now helps campers build their props.

Rick Hoops
Multi-disciplinary artist in Saint Paul with degrees in opera, theater, and arts leadership.

Karen "Dot" Hoyer
Has brought laughter to nursing homes and senior centers for 20 years.

Christopher Hudert
50+ years in entertainment as a performer, builder, writer, and director.

Linda Hulet
Clowning since 1987 as Shylo, PJ, and Gladys Pumpernickle, with many competition wins.

Jane Kinney
First grade teacher who left Moose Camp in 2009 as Ladybug the Clown.

Tricia Manuel
The founder, aka Pricilla Mooseburger and Miss Moose. Got her start with Ringling Bros. and Disneyland.

Rex Nolen
Hooked on clowning as a teen after seeing Otto Griebling, then trained under Frosty Little.

Greg Seckora
Camper turned staff since 2013, leading the Boys of Summer behind the scenes.

Ron Severini
Executive Producer of Castle Entertainment with 50+ years in entertainment.

Mark "Smokie" Simmonds
Found clowning after seeing what a five minute routine did for a child in the hospital.

Julia Swanson
Daughter of Pricilla Mooseburger, raised to love the art of clowning.
Ready to Join Us?
Spaces are limited and camp fills up. Lock in your spot and start your payment plan today!