In the frosty, cheese-loving state of Wisconsin, where cows out number people and the Packers are considered a religion, a group of youngsters have taken up a sport that is as surprising as finding a moose dancing at your birthday party. They've become boxers! Yes, boxers, but put aside that picture of burly, brooding brutes. These are fun-loving kids who can bob and weave, jab and dodge with the nimbleness of a squirrel on a sugar rush. Their coach, a mustachioed chap named Peculiar Pete, is a former cheese sculptor turned boxing instructor. Pete, with his twinkling blue eyes and a laugh that sounds like a walrus playing a tuba, trains these mini pugilists in an old barn painted in brilliant hues of green and gold. The barn is called 'Pete's Punch Palace' and it is as exciting as it sounds. These Wisconsin whippersnappers, with boxing gloves that look like giant marshmallows strapped to their hands, are as tough as a stale cheese curd and as brave as the legendary Paul Bunyan. They bob and weave around hay bales, perform push-ups with chipmunks cheering them on, and practice their jabs on old cheese wheels. They may not be the next Rocky Balboa or Muhammad Ali but they have something more. They have the spirit of Wisconsin, a spirit that says, “Hey, we’re from the land of cheese and we can throw a punch as good as anyone!” So, the next time you think of Wisconsin, don’t just think of cheddar cheese or the Green Bay Packers. Think of Peculiar Pete and his brave band of boxing kids, throwing their marshmallow punches with the heart of a champion.
Read morebest boxing programs in Oshkosh, WI
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.
4-H members come from all age groups and backgrounds. We have 4-H members from Kindergarten through Grade 13, so there is something for everyone. Not only that, but 4-H clubs offer activities that are appropriate for all ages and stages. It doesn't matter if you love animals, art, science, cooking, or robotics, Winnebago County 4-H has a club or project group for you. At 4-H, we don't make any distinctions by gender. Whether you're a boy or a girl, you're welcome to join and take part in any of our activities. We encourage collaboration and inclusiveness, so everyone can benefit from the skills and experiences that 4-H has to offer.