In the sun-soaked, alligator-infested, orange-juice-producing, roller-coaster-riding, flip-flop-wearing state of Florida, a bunch of brave and adventurous kids are turning the traditional tropical landscape on its head. They are swapping sand for ice, and palm trees for hockey sticks. Yes, you heard it right! Florida, the glorious land of the sun, has a troop of cool-as-cucumber kids, who play HOCKEY. Now, let me introduce you to our imaginary friend, Freddy the Flamingo. Freddy, with his long, bendy neck and pink feathers, is a flamingo who plays hockey. He stands on one leg and scores goals with the other, and he plays as the star goalie for the Florida Feathered Fury. He's probably the only flamingo you'll ever meet who prefers ice skates over flip-flops any day of the week! These Floridian kids are as unique as our friend Freddy. They slap shots in the sunshine and practice puck handling under palm trees. They race around the rink, faster than a gator down a slip-n-slide, turning the heat up on the ice. Their parents watch, sipping on cold drinks, and wondering where their beach-loving, sand-castle-building babies have gone. But, it's not all fun and games. These kids put in hard work. You should see their alarm clocks, ringing before the sun even thinks about waking up. And they might be the only Floridians who love when the temperature drops a bit. Because down in Florida, you don't need snow to have fun. All you need is a hockey stick, an ice rink, and a group of friends who don't mind falling on their butts every now and then. So next time you think of Florida, remember it's not just about beaches and oranges. It's also about a bunch of cool kids and a hockey-playing flamingo named Freddy!
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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 Parents Magazine, we believe in the power of sports and education to create opportunities for our kids. Participating in athletics is an excellent way to teach children the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. Training and educational tutoring can also provide children with the knowledge and skills to succeed in and out of the classroom. For those parents who have children aiming to compete in collegiate athletics, there are programs that can help guide student-athletes through college preparation. These programs can provide resources and advice on the college recruitment process, from deciding which schools to apply to, to getting the most out of the college experience. By taking advantage of these programs, parents can help give their children the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond. Whether it’s through athletic participation, training, educational tutoring, or student-athlete college preparation, Parents Magazine encourages parents to create opportunities for their children.