In the sunflower-studded state of Kansas, a team of adventurous children spent their days not on the prairie, but on the water. They were the Kansas Kanoe Kidz, a brave band of little paddlers who swapped cowboy boots for canoe paddles. Instead of riding wild stallions, they rode wild waves in their colorful canoes. The flat farmland turned into a vast blue ocean in the eyes of these imaginative kids. Leading the Kidz was an imaginary friend named Captain Cornstalk. Tall as a corn stalk and as powerful as a tornado, Cornstalk was a former scarecrow who came to life when thunder clapped and lightning struck his straw-filled body. With his corn husk hair, button eyes, and a smile sewn from sunflower seeds, he would spin wild tales of sea monsters and treasure chests hidden beneath the Kansas rivers. Captain Cornstalk would stand at the helm of the lead canoe, his straw hand gripping the paddle, and his button eyes scanning the horizon for adventure. The Kansas Kanoe Kidz would follow him, their laughter echoing across the water as they splashed and playfully shoved each other's canoes. They learned to ride the currents, race the wind, and always, always keep an eye out for Captain Cornstalk’s imaginary sea monsters. Rain or shine, summer or winter, the Kansas Kanoe Kidz and their corn-stalk captain were a familiar sight on the Kansas waterways. Every splash, every paddle stroke was an act of defiance against boredom and a toast to the joys of childhood adventures. They were the paddling pioneers of the prairies, proving that even in the heartland of America, you could still find a little bit of the high seas.
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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.
At AGBC, our mission is to provide the ultimate spiritual retreat for campers. We strive to create an environment free of worldly distractions and filled with godly preaching, people, and activities. Each day begins with “God & I Time” to set a spiritual tone for the day, followed by morning sessions, activities, one-on-one camper and counselor time, evening services, and cabin devotions. Not only will campers be challenged spiritually, but they’ll also have a blast with our wide range of activities. We invite your family to join us this summer for a unique and life-changing experience. At AGBC, we recognize the importance of providing a safe and faith-filled atmosphere for campers to grow. We fill each day with spiritual nourishment, including “God & I Time”, morning sessions, activities, one-on-one camper and counselor time, evening services, and cabin devotions. But that’s just the beginning! Our campers also have the opportunity to have fun and make lasting memories enjoying all the exciting activities we have to offer. We hope you’ll come and see what AGBC is all about this summer!