Juggling Club teaches fun, builds self-esteem

COEUR d’ALENE – Sandy Lisle, a renowned juggler from the early 20th century wrote in his book “The Art of Juggling,” “An audience wants to see fast juggling, and while an artist should be a fast worker, he must also be a graceful one, handling his material with cool, quiet ease, making it appear as though juggling is as easy to do as to walk.”

Go to Independence Point in Coeur d’Alene any Monday evening during the summer and you’ll find a group of dedicated jugglers doing just that – making juggling appear as easy to do as walk.

The Coeur d’Alene Juggling Club, a member of the International Jugglers Association, officially started nine years ago under the direction of David Groth. A fifth-grade teacher at Sorensen Elementary School, Groth,who started juggling at 17, remains enthusiastic about juggling and what it offers to kids and adults.

“Adults come to learn with their kids and are fun because they get as excited as kids when they accomplish a new skill,” Groth says. “Kids have the attitude, ‘Oh! I can juggle’ and adults say, ‘Oh, I could never do that!’ ” According to Groth both have to overcome their attitudes; both are fun challenges to work through.

“Juggling really helps kids to build self-esteem,” said Groth. He paraphrased psychologist Dr. Sylvia Rimm, “In order to build self-esteem and confidence one must succeed at things that are perceived as difficult.” Groth said juggling is perceived as difficult. During the school year instead of recess, his students take a “juggling break.” Referred to as props, juggling includes bean bags, clubs – that look like bowling pins, rings, unicycles and rolling globes – reminiscent of large beach balls, but much harder.

Now a magnet school for arts and humanities, Sorensen Elementary will offer juggling to all students as part of its curriculum next year. “This is wonderful,” says Rebecca Patano, whose 8-year-old son Marco has been meeting with other jugglers on Monday evenings and is also a student at Sorensen.

Patano, along with her husband owns, Doma Coffee Roasting Co. and is co-owner of Cafe Doma on the corner of Fifth Street and Sherman Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. She tells how her son became interested in juggling and the big balls when he saw them at Art on the Green last year. “He was excited when Mr. Groth invited him to participate in juggling,” said Patano, “and this year he can hardly wait for Monday evenings to get here. He counts the days on the calendar.” Patano added, “People like David Groth and clubs and programs such as Coeur d’Alene Juggling is what helps make our community grow in a positive and diverse way. David acknowledges each person and helps our kids see the potential they have to learn and do new things.”

According to Groth, the juggling club is a prolific and active group with more than 100 people attending the Monday night meetings during the fall and winter months. “More experienced members are always willing to stop and help a newcomer,” said Groth. At each meeting there is a share time where individuals demonstrate a new skill or routine. “The purpose of share time,” said Groth “is to celebrate accomplishment and encourage one another.”

Dimitri Christo has been juggling for three years. He said he likes juggling because “It gives me something to do that’s interesting and fun. It allows me to keep moving forward with new challenges.” Eleven-year-old Sam Wood says, “Both my friend and I juggle and help each other get better. If my friend learns something new then I’m motivated to learn it too – to go further with a new prop or technique.”

Groth said one of his favorite things about the juggling club is the sense of community it brings. “We’re all learning together,” he says, “and do well about encouraging one another.”

He explains, “Juggling is a visible thing. Everyone knows who the best is. After six months and a kid has been struggling and finally achieves a juggling move and seeing others being so supportive – it’s a nice thing to witness.”