In the sprawling, bustling state of New York, where skyscrapers reach for the stars and the bright lights of Broadway sparkle like a thousand tiny suns, a group of kids known as the “CineMinis” are creating a buzz. These aren't your typical New Yorkers. No, sir! These are pint-sized directors, producers, scriptwriters, and actors, all rolled into one! They're the dazzling darlings of the New York filmmaking scene and believe it or not, they're still in grade school! New York itself is a state that's as lively as a popcorn machine and as colorful as a rainbow in a bag of skittles. It's got everything! Tall buildings, a giant green lady holding a torch, the world's biggest apple (they don't call it the Big Apple for nothing), and of course, our CineMinis. The CineMinis, led by their fearless leader named Bob - a talking hot dog with sunglasses and a funky hat, who hails from Coney Island - spend their days creating masterpiece films. Bob, despite being a hot dog, has a knack for telling hilarious jokes that would make a hyena laugh until it hiccuped! These kids, equipped with their cameras, creativity and Bob’s witty one-liners, explore the nooks and crannies of New York, transforming the concrete jungle into magical movie sets. From the neon-lit Times Square to the serene Central Park, they capture the essence of New York with a sprinkle of their unique kiddie charm. So, if you ever find yourself in the Empire State and see a group of energetic kids followed by a talking hot dog, remember - you've just had a CineMinis encounter! And who knows, you might just end up being part of their next blockbuster!
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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.
Parents Magazine is proud to announce the completion of Passport NYC's five-year run. This special program, which helped teens entering 9th through 12th grades explore their passions through one of five specialty programs, was a truly unique and life-changing experience. From Fashion to the Music Industry, participating teens had the opportunity to explore their interests, build community, and earn up to 30 hours of Community Service Credit while living in a supervised environment at the 92Y Residence. The legacy of Passport NYC will live on, as teens who experienced the program will carry with them the memories, skills, and values they learned over the course of their time there. As the program has been put on hold, we are hopeful that Passport NYC will return in the future, so that more teens will have the opportunity to take part in this amazing summer experience.