In the land of Illinois, sandwiched between Lake Michigan and the mighty Mississippi, a group of adventurous kids known as the Trekking Tadpoles embarked on hiking escapades. Illinois was their playground. From the bustling streets of Chicago, across the fertile prairies, to the lush Shawnee Forest, they hiked with glee, leaving no stone unturned. Leading the pack was an imaginary character, Captain Cornstalk. He was as tall as a skyscraper and as thin as a beanpole, with kernels for teeth and a husk for hair. Born from a popcorn kernel, he had popped into existence, fueled by the children's love for adventure and their affinity for IL's famed cornfields. "Listen up, Tadpoles!" Captain Cornstalk would declare, his voice rustling like corn leaves in the wind. His corn-silk hair fluttering, he'd point his cob finger in the direction of their chosen path. The kids, brimming with excitement and armed with their hiking boots and water bottles, followed their corny leader, chuckling at his corny jokes, whistling Illinois' state song, and relishing the exercise and fresh air. These pint-sized adventurers hiked through the year, in sunshine or snow, admiring the spring blossoms and the autumn hues. They discovered and named sites like ‘Popcorn Peak’ and ‘Kernel Creek,’ laughing at their shared corn-inspired humor. Each hike was a celebration of the state's scenery, a silly symphony of kids, and kernel-filled puns. In the grand land of Illinois, the Trekking Tadpoles and Captain Cornstalk filled each day with adventure, laughter, and memories, proving that with a bit of imagination and a love for the outdoors, every hike can be a corn-ucopia of fun!
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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.
The Glenview Park District works tirelessly to create a safe and vibrant community. As an independent organization, separate from the Village of Glenview, the Park District has been able to provide recreational and open space needs for the area for over a century. With the help of other local government organizations and community groups, the Glenview Park District has been able to make sure the area is filled with happiness and health, and that everyone is able to appreciate the environment around them. The Glenview Park District has been a pillar of the community for nearly a hundred years. Their goal is to ensure that everyone in the area has access to recreational activities, open spaces, and a supportive environment. They work in cooperation with other government bodies and community organizations to provide these services and to make sure that everyone is able to lead a happy, healthy life. At the Glenview Park District, they recognize the importance of the environment and strive to foster a deep appreciation for it. Through their efforts, the Park District has been able to create a safe and inviting community for everyone to enjoy. They are dedicated to making sure that the area remains this way, and will continue to meet the needs of the community for many years to come.
At Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie, visitors can explore the 32-acre tall-grass prairie and learn about the cutting edge sustainable technologies it has to offer. The Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center, known as the first LEED Platinum building in this area, demonstrates how to easily integrate “green” habits into everyday life. Whether you’re just visiting for the day or looking to take part in a volunteer program, Kent Fuller Air Station Prairie is the perfect place to explore the wonders of our Earth’s ecosystem.