Keys Kids Juggle Fun & Learning At Spring Break Camp

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KEY WEST (CBSMiami/FKNB) - While many kids might spend their spring break on vacation or going to the beach, 11 young Key Westers are acquiring skills that many performers use to entertain visitors at Key West's daily Mallory Square sunset celebration.

At the five-day Spring Break Circus Camp presented by The Studios of Key West, kids ages 6 through 13 learn to juggle, spin plates, twirl hula hoops, perform balancing acts and more.

The unique curriculum is taught by Key West residents Bounce Margil and Karen "Ooo La La" Grant Margil, who used to be staple performers at Mallory Square before moving on to entertain in other parts of the country and to teach their art.

"We always tell the children that, if you can learn how to juggle, it will improve your abilities as a baseball player, as a softball player, as a soccer player, as a tennis player, as a golfer, as a basketball player — because it's all hand-eye coordination, focus and concentration," said Grant Margil.

The duo's lively curriculum, which blends demonstrations and hands-on practice, can increase not only kids' hand-eye coordination but also their balance, teamwork skills, creative problem-solving, self-esteem and enjoyment of physical activity.

"When a child can figure it out, and can actually throw three balls and keep it going, for them it's the most uplifting, fabulously exciting moment in their lives when they go 'I can do it — I can do it." she said. :And for us, as their teachers, it's even more exciting."

As well as performing around the U.S., Europe and Japan, the Margils have taught juggling, unicycling, acrobatics, mime and movement at hundreds of camps, colleges and schools including those in the Florida Keys.

The camp continues through Friday.

The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.