Gabrielle “Teddy” Ment’s passion for circus goes beyond physical skills and performances: “While we are teaching circus skills,” Ment says, “what we really want to impart is the essence of being good humans in the world.” Building a show together requires teamwork, she says. And both reliability and trust are vital in partner and group acrobatics, especially human pyramids: “You have to trust your teammate underneath you to hold you up.”

Ment co-directs Payomet Cirque by the Sea Circus Camp with Eleanor Getz. The two met in 2012 while completing a professional training program at the New England Center for Circus Arts. This summer, they celebrated 10 years with Payomet’s circus program.

The summer camp runs in week-long sessions from early July to late August. Children learn skills like aerial silks, acrobatics, juggling, and physical comedy. At the end of each session, the campers show off their hard work in a performance in front of an enthusiastic audience of parents and friends.

This year, the camp took place under Payomet’s new big top circus tent outside the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater in Wellfleet. From Sept. 9 through Oct. 11, the camp will offer an after-school program on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ment encourages students to sign up for the five-week session, which costs $100. If the program doesn’t fill up, drop-ins will be welcome for $25 per class. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Ment says they will never turn anyone away for lack of funds.

Last year, students in the after-school circus program performed at OysterFest. They set up in the Memorial Garden next to Preservation Hall and put on mini-shows every hour. “It was a real blast for the kids,” Ment says. “We’re hoping to do it again.”