DOWAGIAC — Starfish Circus believes a cartwheel could be the gateway to a whole new world — one where children are encouraged to think outside of the box, are taught to push their limits and make new friends.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, Starfish Circus is coming back to Dowagiac to host an informational meeting for all returning Starfish Circus participants in the Dowagiac Middle School Cafeteria, 57072 Riverside Dr., Dowagiac. Dogwood Fine Arts Festival organizers, which has hosted Starfish Circus in the past, also welcome anyone who would like to register to participate in the Starfish Circus’ fourth year in Dowagiac. Participation in the program is free. However, a $15 performance T-shirt is required. Scholarships and sponsorships through the registration form will be offered.

Sue Wiker, co-chair of circus arts, said the purpose of Starfish Circus is to teach 21st century skills through aerial arts. The aerial arts include aerial acts, partner acrobatics, parkour, poi spinning, hula-hooping and comedy.

“The kids are taught to push their limits and increase their skills while having fun,” Wiker said. “Coaches show children that they can do more than they imagined. It’s about strength building, physical skills and working together.”

One of Wiker’s favorite parts of being involved in Starfish Circus is seeing the children who participate in crossing social boundaries. As practices continue, she notices social boundaries dissolve, and the group becomes a new unit.

The two-week workshop involves building self-confidence, problem-solving, physical fitness and developing aerial skills.

Leading the workshop are coaches who come from all over the world. Allison Williams, the head coach, comes from Dubai.

Next on the timeline for Starfish Circus participants will be a casting workshop hosted on Friday, April 17. Participants ages six to 11 will attend from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Participants ages 12 and older will participate from 7 to 9 p.m. The workshop, hosted in the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center, will introduce participants to Starfish coaches.

“The casting workshop is an opportunity for the students to try all of the skills, and then the professional coaches guide them through the skills during the workshop time and gauge their propensity towards that skill,” said Maria Dahn, co-chair of circus arts.

At the end of the workshop, students are asked what area they enjoyed the most. Coaches then place the students in different groups based on their propensity in skills and their interests.

Last year, Dahn said Starfish Circus had participants ranging in age from 4 years-old to 24 years-old.

This year, Starfish Circus is working closely with the Dowagiac Union School District to help promote the show. The workshop also encourages people from other communities to join in on the aerial arts.

“Historically, we have had about 10 percent outside of the Dowagiac community join,” Dahn said.

Over the last two years, Dahn said the program has doubled in size from about 30 students to more than 60. The program’s target number is around 120 students.

“The coaches are used to handling 150,” Wiker said. “They have a program out in Utah at a large school, and they have 150 children participate. [Coach Allison Williams] said, ‘The bigger the circus, the more exciting it becomes.’”

Based on the feedback the co-chairs have received from parents and teachers, the program helps children break down social barriers and also become more focused in the classroom.

“For students who have done this multiple times, the program has affected their academic careers,” Dahn said.

“We are just going to infuse all these great skills and positive environment into the kids of Dowagiac,” Wiker added. “They need this, and we want to give children the skills to move on in life and accomplish great things.”

Readers with questions about Starfish Circus can contact Sue Wiker at sue@starfishcircus.com or Maria Dahn at maria@starfishcircus.com.