Once upon a time, in the majestic state of Oregon, sandwiched between the rolling Pacific Ocean and the towering Cascade Mountains, a cheerful gang of kids embarked on an adventurous hike every weekend. Now, these weren't your ordinary kids, oh no! They were part of the "Oregon Chipmunk Squad," led by their fearless, furry leader, Chippy Chip! Chippy Chip, a lively, fast-talking chipmunk, didn't just love Oregon's famous hazelnuts, he adored the state's vast, lush forests and grand, sparkling rivers too. His eyes twinkled brighter than the evening stars when he saw the kids lacing up their hiking boots. "Alright, Chipmunks! The wild awaits!" he'd cheer, his bushy tail whisking with excitement. The chipmunk squad comprised of energetic kids from all over the state. There was Benny, the brave from Beaverton, who could talk to bees, and Lola, the fast from Forest Grove, who could outrun even the fastest squirrels. And let's not forget Daisy, the wise from Willamette Valley, who knew every leaf, every bird, and every pebble in Oregon. These kids were not just hikers; they were protectors of the wilderness, adventurous explorers, and best of all, a band of best friends. They enjoyed wandering through the whispering pine trees, climbing Oregon's rocky paths, and crossing over tinkling, crystal-clear streams. They loved the thrill of spotting a deer grazing quietly or a bird soaring high. And the laughter and stories shared in the soft glow of the campfire were unforgettable. With Chippy Chip at the helm, the Oregon Chipmunk Squad transformed their hiking adventures into epic tales of joy and discovery. Oregon, with its beautiful landscapes and thrilling paths, was their playground, and they wouldn't have had it any other way!
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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.
Most youth organizations talk about preparing kids for the future or future leadership positions. This is great, but we believe kids and teens are leaders now. They don't need to wait for the future to shape the world. We help youth be the best 7-year-old they can be or the best 17-year-old. We guide kids and teens of all ages to boost their confidence and unlock their potential so they can thrive—where they are now. Thrive{ology} is our research-based approach to teaching every kid or teen how to be a better friend, student, son, daughter, member of society, sister, brother...today. Every Camp Fire program across the country uses Thrive{ology} to teach youth to identify sparks, develop a growth mindset, learn goal management, and take time to reflect.