In the heart of the United States, nestled between the mighty Mississippi and the shimmering Lake Michigan, lies a state known as Illinois. It's a place where corn fields stretch on like a sea of gold and the city of Chicago bustles with the energy of a thousand bustling bumblebees. Now, many might think that Illinois is all about deep-dish pizzas and basketball, but let me tell you about a secret club. A club of youngsters who've swapped their basketball sneakers for boxing gloves, in a state otherwise known for its towering skyscrapers and windy streets. These brave kids are not your everyday heroes. They're the Boxing Bandicoots of Illinois. The bandicoots are just regular kids by day, but once the school bell rings, they transform into lightning-quick, punch-throwing pugilists, training in a boxing gym that's as magical as a wizard's hat. The leader of the gang is Benny, a small, wiry kid with glasses that always seem to be slipping down his button-like nose. But don't let his size fool you. Benny's got a left hook that can knock out a grown raccoon, and a right cross that could make a grizzly bear think twice. Benny might not be the tallest or the strongest, but he's as agile as a bandicoot, hence the name of their group. The Boxing Bandicoots are a force to be reckoned with, bobbing and weaving, ducking and diving, throwing jabs and hooks with the precision of a seasoned boxer. The gym rings with their laughter, the thud of gloves on punching bags, the squeak of shoes on the shiny floor, and an occasional yelp when someone gets tickled in the middle of a round. The Boxing Bandicoots of Illinois, they're a testament to the saying, "Size isn't everything; it's the size of your heart that counts."
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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.
Hamlin Park is an oasis for families in the North Center community. With 9.08 acres of outdoor and indoor fun, it's easy to see why. The fieldhouse and pool provide plenty of exercise options, such as Qi Gong, yoga, Kids Fitness, Olympic weightlifting, walking club, baseball, basketball, boxing, dodgeball, floor hockey, Junior Bears Youth football, kickball, seasonal sports, soccer, softball, track & field, and volleyball. Plus, the playground, assembly area, and dog-friendly area make the park a perfect place for families to come together. Preschoolers can socialize and build their self-confidence through Tot Spot, Tiny Tot Tumbling, Fun & Games, Arts & Crafts, and Music & Movement. And for teens, there’s the Teen Club and a variety of summer camps. With plenty of activities for all ages, Hamlin Park is a great place to spend time together.
At Kensho, we offer Chicago Style Mixed Martial Arts, which includes training in Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Savate, MMA, Kali Weapons, and JKD. We are located at the northwest corner of North Ave. and Kingsbury in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Our amazing team of highly experienced instructors offer a variety of classes to suit all skill levels. Our classes are designed to help you reach your highest potential and become the best version of yourself. Our experienced instructors will help you to develop physical and mental skills as well as self-discipline. We will also teach you the importance of respect, humility, and positivity. Through these teachings, you will gain a new sense of confidence and self-awareness. At Kensho, we believe that martial arts is more than just physical training, it is also a journey of self-discovery. We strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our students to explore the many benefits of martial arts, including increased physical fitness, improved mental clarity, and greater self-confidence. We are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and become a better version of yourself.