Clowns have been around since almost forever, recorded as early as 2270 B.C. and there have probably been care clowns since then. A definition of a care clown is *a clown who meets the needs of individuals with specific physiological, psychological, spiritual or social needs*. More recently, the 20th century circus clowns visited local children's hospitals whenever the circus came into town and the Shrine clowns of the Masonic Order have been visiting children's hospitals for over a century. However, it wasn't until the early 1980's that there were actual inhouse clown programmes. These consist of therapeutic clowns (paid and working with the medical staff) and care clowns (unpaid and usually working under the Volunteer or Recreation Department).

There are many other places besides hospitals where you will find care clowns: nursing homes, shelters, prisons, rehabilitation and hospice centres. Anywhere there is stress can use a care clown's presence. The places you'll find the care clown visiting are unique in that it is not usually a residence of choice for the audience. Pain, worries, regrets, boredom are just a few of their daily companions. The clown's job is to get people out of their heads and into their hearts, offering the experience of the moment. Play is one of the things that make us fully present and totally absorbed. The play of the care clown is soft and inviting, giving permission to play by connecting to the child that still resides in all of us. The clown's wardrobe and face may be funny but it is their sense of play that makes them fun.

The base of all clowning is spontaneity; this is essential in care clowning as there is no way of predicting what the clown will encounter. The care clown's setting is one big improv stage where there is spontaneous interacting and adjusting routines to meet the circumstances in that particular room. The clown is vulnerable (but not weak) because it is open to all people and all possibilities. By listening and acting according to the environment and the audience, whether of one or several, the focus is on the person to person connection - funny, sweet, gentle, kind, patient, whatever is needed in the moment. The care clown is like a living Teddy Bear - never asking for anything and giving unconditional love. The clown shares strength by merely directing it's attention to the person. It's not a show being put on; it’s having a relationship, even if for only those few moments together. Since the clown is an anonymous being (not part of the staff, family or soci al network) it allows it's audience a freedom to say or do what might otherwise be unthinkable in certain circumstances or to other people. A care clown is magic that can lighten very heavy situations, bringing humour into the hurts of the world and showing their true littleness in the larger view. Gentleness eases fear from the other person's heart.

If an organization is considering having care clowning as part of their programme, it will want to make sure that the clown(s) received proper training. Clowning is an art form. It is not just putting on makeup, mismatched clothes and acting silly. There are numerous places that offer clown courses - contacting a clown alley, visiting a clown organization's web site, or contacting a university can direct one to locating courses. In 2000, Clown Camp (University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse), began a one week programme dedicated to the Caring Clown. As well, many of the existing clown programmes offer their own courses for care clowns. In addition to teaching what care clowning consists of (the things mentioned in the above paragraphs), courses should include that clowns need to know and respect the facility's protocols. There are numerous books and special workshops that pertain to this gentle art. www.caringclowns.org is a website that is dedicated to care clowning.

Not everyone is cut out to be a clown and not all clowns can be care clowns. It takes a special kind of person as you have hopefully discovered in this article. The care clown needs a well developed clown character as well as personal characteristics of kindness, sensitivity, gentleness, compassion, respect, and courage. Knowing clown skills helps but it is also knowing yourself and having the courage to open the heart and be vulnerable that makes one a genuine care clown.

* An adaptation of the definition given by Richard Snowberg "The Caring Clowns: How Humor, Smiles and Laughter Overcome Pain, Suffering and Loneliness" 1992

Judy Carscadden is a care clown who lives in London, Ontario, Canada. She has helped develop two care clown troupes in London: The Clown Jewels which operates from St Joseph’s Health Care, and The Giggle Gang which operates at Chelsey Park Nursing Home. She is currently developing a curriculum for teaching care clowning. In addition, she speaks to various groups and organizations about care clowning and therapeutic humour. She is president of the Clown Alley of London and clowns for many community charities. Judy is also a Registered Nurse, working 28 years in mental health as a Head Nurse before retiring in 1991. And that’s when she discovered clowning!

Being a very conscientious group of clowns, the Clown Alley of London was wondering how we could pay our dues for the use of our monthly meeting room that Chelsey Park had so generously donated. Since we have members who do care clowning, the alley decided that we could do "clown rounds" in Chelsey Park's Nursing Home. Initially, there were eight members interested, three who had care clown training and five who wanted to participate and learn. We anticipate that there will be more that join us as the Alley grows and members hear how rewarding this aspect of clowning is.

The nine of us attended the Chelsey Park orientation session and began meeting together to decide how the troupe would operate. Since Judy Carscadden had the most experience in care clowning, she helped the troupe get organized and supervises the clown rounds.