hello again - and thank you so much for all of the great suggestions for my first clown appearance at church :D

After Church - where do I go - Please let me know where you started clowing - I don't want to be all dressed up with no place to go - Although the nose, shoes, wig, etc. are awesome!

Cymbaline

Why don't you stop by a local nursing home? Visit with the residents for awhile. They are very accepting and it is very rewarding.

Nursing homes are a wonderful Ministry. I go to two nursing homes every Wednesday. I visit every room and if residents just want a hug...that's what they get. If they want to talk....we talk. I also have stickers for them ... we've put small posters in their rooms and I either put the sticker on the poster or on the resident and they put the sticker on the poster at the end of the day. They look forward to my visits as much as I do and always want to know where I was ... when I happen to miss a week. Good luck in your clowning!!!

Great Idea - I am going to get some stickers - and off I will go. Please wish me luck - :)

You could also get set up with your local hospital and visit there when possible.

Is there an orphanage close by?

Hospital clowning is great, but don't go there, without prior approval. Hippa [privacy act] and newer quidelines. There are ususally strick guidelines and particular requirements that must be met before a hospital will allow you to visit the floors. Nursing homes are much more easy going, but I'd stll call ahead and get approval before going. The one we go to will usually have them in the dayroom before we come. we can visit in the hall, but are not allowed into any residents room. [this is one way that they address the privacy, residents are notifed we're coming and if they want to see us will be in the day room. [personally I'd like to go room to room, ask if they would like a visit and visit one on one, but we adhere to the nursing homes policies].

Some hospitals have a class they offer to "certify" you to visit their hospital as a clown. You then have to plan the visits ahead of time, not just pop in whenever you want.

I'm staying away from hospitals. They have been trying to "certify" me for years. I don't even like those funny jackets, and you are not supposed to wear white after Labor Day.

I am doing charity events - and getting good contacts there when I go for other things. I have just been asking organizers of already planned events if it would be OK if I came and clowned. Pro bono.

I have found that all I need for this type of gig is a few good things, and do them over and over and over and over. It is great practice.

Hasn't been one yet, where someone hasn't asked me for a card.

So MAKE CARDS. And always take them, and have 'em handy.

I am planning to go the nursing home route, too, but not hospitals. I don't mind white after Labor Day, although I prefer PINK at anytime. However, I'm really skeered of hypodermic needles. TRuly. Could be really funny to watch me when I see them, but I don't think the nursing staff would ask me back after they resuscitated me.

you are not supposed to wear white after Labor Day.

Fitzwilly,
Were you in the Dukes of Hazard movie? Everytime I hear anything about Labor Day I can't help but think of that scene...

I had talked to the activity director of one of my nursing homes prior to my first visit...She was thrilled. The day I made my first visit there...I just popped in at the second one. Went to the office and they said to make myself at home. The following week they even took me to every room and made my picture with each resident.... HOWEVER, I must remember it's a very small town. I do knock on the door of each room...if it's closed. If a resident is sleeping, I do not wake them but do leave a sticker to let them know I've been to see them. I've only done an activity room visit one time at each home and I did my magic routine that time. It was well received...but they enjoy my informal visits much more.