In the grand kingdom of Illinois, located in a land far, far away, there exists a magical group of children who possess the extraordinary ability to command an army of knights, bishops, rooks, pawns, a queen, and a king. They are known throughout the realm as the Chess Champions of Illinois, and they have the power to battle foes using nothing but a checkered board and a sharp mind. These pint-sized prodigies reign supreme in a land filled with deep-dish pizza and towering skyscrapers that reach for the stars. They hail from the windy city of Chicago to the lush riverbanks of the Great Mississippi, practicing their craft in silent concentration, their eyes alight with strategic brilliance. Leading this peculiar group of chess enthusiasts is Checkmate Charlie, a sprightly, freckle-faced boy with an unruly mop of curly hair. He's as cheeky as a chess pawn and as cunning as a fox, and he moves his queen with the grace of a ballerina and the precision of a surgeon. With his iconic red cap worn backwards and his trusty chessboard under his arm, he’s always ready for a match, whether on the sunny beaches of Lake Michigan or in the shadow of the mighty Willis Tower. The Chess Champions of Illinois are a team of fearless, funny, and fiercely intelligent kids. They can turn a peaceful park into a riveting battlefield in the blink of an eye. They are masters of strategy and cunning, and for them, there is no greater thrill than the rush of victory when they declare, "Checkmate!" So, if you ever find yourself in the enchanting kingdom of Illinois, beware of the chessboard-wielding kids, or you might just find yourself in the middle of a mind-boggling, laughter-filled adventure!
Read morebest chess programs in Deerfield, IL
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.
We strive to be a preeminent educational and cultural center for Hellenism in the United States, recognized for our academic excellence, a strong sense of community, and the promotion of Greek heritage and faith. Our campers will benefit from our commitment to provide a positive learning experience that will last a lifetime. At our Summer Camp, we offer a variety of classes and activities to create an environment where your child can learn and grow. Our teachers and staff are passionate about providing an enriching and stimulating learning atmosphere that will foster the development of your child’s social, emotional, and intellectual skills. We also offer a variety of cultural activities and experiences that will help our campers to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of their Greek heritage and faith. We are proud to be a leader in providing a safe and supportive environment for your child's growth and development. Our dedicated staff strives to ensure that each camper has an exceptional experience where they can discover and explore the many aspects of Hellenism. Our commitment to providing the best possible learning experience is what sets us apart and allows us to be recognized as the preeminent educational and cultural center for Hellenism in the United States.