Once upon a time, in the splendid, sun-kissed state of Alabama (or AL, as our cool imaginary character, Buzzy the Bumblebee likes to call it), there lived an energetic group of kids with a shared passion for everything nature. AL is a wonderland of lush forests, meandering rivers, and towering mountains, with a sky so blue, it makes Buzzy think someone spilled a giant bucket of blueberry ice cream on it! Now, these kids were not your ordinary youngsters. Oh no! They were daring explorers, brave adventurers, and nature detectives. They could talk to birds, decipher squirrel chatter, and even knew how to placate a grumpy old tortoise named Terrence. And they loved nothing more than to dash outdoors every morning to meet their best buddy, Buzzy. Each day, Buzzy, with his bright yellow and black stripes and wings that buzzed like a mini helicopter, would lead the kids on a wild adventure. Marvelling at the dexterity of the spiders spinning their intricate webs, they'd chuckle as Buzzy tried to spin his own web, ending up in a tangle of silk and laughter. They would trek up the majestic Appalachian Mountains, panting and giggling, with Buzzy often mistaking pine cones for weird, brown flowers. At the end of each day, tired but thrilled, they would lay under the star-studded AL sky, listening to Buzzy’s absurdly funny tales about his chats with a posh-sounding porcupine or a bashful beetle. Their laughter would echo across the valley, mingling with the melodious night sounds. Buzzy and the kids of AL, through their fun-filled nature adventures, truly knew the heartbeat of the earth. They show us that every day can be an exciting journey, where all you need is a curious mind and a buzzing companion!
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
McDowell is a place of inclusion and connection. We foster an environment of exploration and discovery, and our mission is to create an enriching experience for all who visit. McDowell is the largest Episcopal camp and conference center in the United States. With 834 beds, it is a ministry of the Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Alabama and has been welcoming people from all faiths and backgrounds since 1947. This 1200-acre campground features canyons, trails, streams, rivers, and waterfalls, and includes the McDowell Environmental Center, McDowell Farm School, the Alabama Folk School, Summer Camp on Clear Creek, Bethany Village, and the Conference Center. At McDowell, we strive to create a supportive environment of exploration and discovery. Our goal is to provide an enriching and inclusive experience for everyone who visits.