Jacob Skidmore wants to learn how to juggle flower sticks, long rods with tassels at each end that are controlled by two smaller sticks.
Holding one in each hand, he spins the uniquely shaped juggling prop, catching and throwing them into the air in a swift motion.
It’s one of many objects the sophomore education and English major is working to master as part of the University of Maryland’s juggling club.
Since 2003, the club has been home to jugglers of all skill levels and aims to maintain a relaxed atmosphere for all skill sets, according to club co-president and junior electrical engineering major Caroline Colangelo. While the group is open to anyone, skilled jugglers from around the area occasionally join in on meetings on campus.
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While Skidmore joined his freshman year with no prior experience, he learned the basics of juggling in just two to three weeks.
“There are some people who stop by for one day and learn it in probably 15 minutes,” he said. “That’s always really, really impressive to see.”
Along with flower sticks, the club practices with unique objects like poi sticks, devil sticks, fake swords and diablos along with the classics like juggling balls, clubs and rings. Some members, including Skidmore, are learning how to juggle while riding a unicycle.
Colangelo said the club used to perform around campus and that it would be “really cool” to revive that tradition. Currently, opportunities for visibility and showcasing their skills are during practice and at the annual Congress of Jugglers — a convention that’s been running for more than 20 years.
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Jugglers from across the East Coast gather at the event to attend workshops, perform, hone their skills and participate in raffles to support the club,according to club treasurer Roame Hildebrand.
The aspect of teaching and trying new tricks is a good way of building trust between the members of the team and building that community sense that we’re working together to get better at what we do,” said Hildebrand, a senior mathematics and physics major.
For Skidmore, juggling club is a space that he can go to take his mind off what is going on that week and “just juggle.” After attending the convention for the first time last year, he said it was one of the coolest things he has done in college so far.
The club hopes to perform in showsand host workshops in the future. Colangelo aims to put together a ball making workshop next year and showcase the members’ skills at local senior centers and elementary schools.
While the club aims to expand its outreach, it also wants to preserve its relaxed, “just for fun” atmosphere, they said.
“Everyone has to start from somewhere,” Colangelo said. “Anyone you ask in the club would gladly help teach you how to juggle … if you already know how to juggle and you want to learn a new trick or something, everyone’s very welcoming and kind.”
