The state of California, known affectionally as the Golden State, is as beautiful and as golden as a sunflower basking in the afternoon sunshine. It's a magical place where majestic mountains share the horizon with lush vineyards and the roaring Pacific Ocean. But the real magic happens in the gardens, where a peculiar group of kids, the 'Green Thumbs Gang,' spends their time. The leader of this gang is a funny little character known as Muddy Boots. With a hat as wide as a satellite dish and a spade that doubles as his scepter, Muddy Boots rules his garden kingdom with a green thumb and a hearty laugh. His eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as bright as the starlight, and his laughter is as contagious as a wild daisy spreading across the field. The other kids in the Green Thumbs Gang all look up to Muddy Boots. They're a bunch of dirt-smudged, sun-kissed, worm-chasing, seed-planting oddballs. They spend their sunny California days laboring in the soil, planting the weirdest and wildest plants they can find. From rainbow carrots to striped tomatoes, their garden is as varied as a painter's palette. Every so often, Muddy Boots would declare a "Garden Giggles Day." On this special occasion, the gang would throw rotten tomatoes at each other, stage worm races, and have a contest to see who could make the funniest vegetable face. After all the hullabaloo, they would sit under a big shady tree, munching on their home-grown snacks, their laughter echoing across the garden, nearly as heart-warming as the Californian sun above them.
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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 Connolly Ranch Education Center, we believe that connecting children and families with nature is essential for the development of the next generation of environmental stewards. Our historic property in the heart of Napa is the perfect setting for children of all ages to explore and discover the wonders of the outdoors. We strive to preserve the natural beauty of the property through sustainable land management and farming practices, as well as providing educational opportunities to promote environmental stewardship. The Connolly Ranch experience is a unique one that allows for children and families to make a conscious connection with the natural world. From visiting our animals to working in the edible garden, or exploring our WildSpaces area, there are plenty of activities to ensure everyone feels connected to the environment. At Connolly Ranch Education Center, we strive to provide children of all ages the opportunity to learn and discover the joys and wonders of nature. Through sustainable land management and farming practices, as well as educational programs and activities, we are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. Our beautiful, historic property in Napa is the perfect place to make a mindful connection with the natural world.