Once upon a time, in the prairie wonderland of Illinois, nestled between the rolling cornfields and the mighty Mississippi River, dwelt a band of joyful, adventurous kids. These youngsters were the legendary members of 'The Illinois Tubing Squad,' renowned for their thrilling escapades on the state's magical waterways. The squad was an eclectic mix of all sorts: some were as tall as the tallest stalks of corn, while others were as small as the marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa. But one thing they all shared was a passion for tubing. Each member of the squad had their own special tube. Some were as vibrant as a summer sunset over Lake Michigan, while others were as funny as a pickle wearing a tutu. But the most exceptional tube of all belonged to the squad's leader, a peculiar and hilarious character known as Bubbling Burt. Burt was a tubby raccoon who sported a pair of neon goggles and loved nothing more than to surf the Illinois rivers on his inflatable doughnut. Burt and his team of Illinois kids would climb atop their tubes and set off on exciting adventures, racing each other down the fast-moving currents of the Illinois River. Along the way, they'd engage in crazy battles, throwing water balloons and splashing each other with giant oars. The laughter and joy that filled the air were as infectious as a giggling grasshopper. A day of tubing in Illinois was always an extraordinary adventure, filled with laughter, mischief, and the joyful spirit of childhood. And so, the legend of the Illinois Tubing Squad and their leader, Bubbling Burt, continued to grow as vibrantly and wild as the wildflowers that bloomed in the great prairie state.
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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.
Camp Akita is a youth camp and Christian retreat center in Central Illinois that is owned and operated by the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Located along the beautiful Spoon River, Camp Akita offers an amazing outdoor experience for campers. With its wide range of activities, such as swimming, boating, sports, and arts and crafts, Camp Akita offers a variety of fun activities for children and teens of all ages. Camp Akita also provides a spiritual retreat experience for those seeking a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and worship, campers will be able to strengthen their relationship with the Lord. In addition, the camp also offers inspiring presentations from guest speakers, a variety of outdoor adventures, and a variety of other activities to ensure that every camper has a great experience. Camp Akita is a wonderful place for children and teens to make lasting memories while learning about God and growing in their faith. With its idyllic location along the Spoon River, Camp Akita is the perfect place for campers to relax, explore, and have a ton of fun.