Juggling workshop a hit with kids

The group of four students started with scarves of many colors including green, pink, blue, yellow and purple. Once they mastered the task of throwing one scarf in the air, then they went onto two scarves and then three.

They then moved onto bean bags. Starting with one, then two and three.

Rob Smith instructed them to throw one up in the air with one hand and catch with the other. Then toss the other. He provided one-on-one instruction having them toss and catch.

Bean bags were hitting the floor, but there was smiles as the children practiced their juggling skills.

Smith was teaching a juggling workshop at the Waverly Community House. His pupils were area elementary students who were picking up the skill with varying degrees of success.

“I started juggling at age 13,” Smith said. “A friend of mine had a brother who learned at a party. He taught us. My friend picked it up faster which motivated me to learn.”

He has no formal training in juggling but has attended juggling festivals where they have workshops which were helpful as well as videos.

He has juggled balls, clubs, rings, knives, fire, bowling ball, baseball bats, tennis rackets among other items.

He offered this advice to those who want to try juggling.

He has juggled in the Clarks Summit Ice Festival since its beginning.

“It is fun and cool. I can’t wait to show my friends,” said Colton Wheeler, who is a fourth-grade student at Clarks Summit Elementary School

“Master the flash the throwing and catching all of the objects once without moving your feet. Juggling is exercise all by itself. Break down juggling by its easiest parts,” Smith said.

“Juggling is fun, scarves were easier,” said Audrey Eagen is in third-grade at our Lady of Peace School

“I never juggled before and I want to show my family. It is fun and unique,” said Archer Harris who is a fourth grade student at Waverly Elementary.

Smith teaches seventh-grade English Language Arts at the Abington Heights Middle School.

Interested in Rob Smith coming to your event or to do a juggling workshop? He can be contacted at rjuggle@yahoo.com or 570-587-2014.