Once upon a time, in the hearty, cornfield crisscrossed state of Illinois, lived an eclectic bunch of kids who had a peculiar activity they loved more than anything - horseback riding! The Land of Lincoln became their stampede of dreams, every neigh echoing through the bustling streets of Chicago to the peaceful prairis of Shawnee National Forest. Among these brave and buoyant children was a uniquely entertaining character, a girl named Kooky Katelyn. As her name suggests, Katelyn was a barrel of laughs with a hearty spirit that was as big as the Illinois skies. She was known far and wide for her outlandish antics and her magical, talking horse, Mister Giggles. Yes, you heard that right, a talking horse! Mister Giggles was as funny as a stand-up comedian and as wise as an owl. Sometimes, he’d even crack a joke halfway through a gallop, making Katelyn laugh so hard that she’d nearly tumble off. From racing across the Great Plains to practicing dressage in the outskirts of Springfield, these kids spent their days in the sunny golden fields, riding their beloved horses with laughter echoing across the state. Kooky Katelyn and Mister Giggles, with their infectious laughter and playful pranks, brought a joyous spirit to the horseback riding community, making it the most delightful activity kids from every corner of the state looked forward to. Thus, Illinois turned into a whimsical wonderland for horse-loving kids, where every horse whinny echoed with laughter and every trot left a trail of boundless joy.
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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.
Camp Widjiwagan, located six miles south of Springfield, is the perfect destination for your family’s next adventure! This 67-acre camp facility features a 40-foot climbing tower and zip line, three main lodges, an in-ground swimming pool, lake access for boating, platform tents, covered wagons, and an arts and crafts shack. Parents, you can rest assured that your kids are in good hands at Camp Widjiwagan. Every activity is carefully supervised and the facility is American Camp Association (ACA) accredited. Swimming, canoeing, creative arts, outdoor living skills, archery, and environmental education are just some of the exciting programming on offer. Make memories that will last a lifetime at Camp Widjiwagan! With its stunning location on Lake Springfield and plethora of activities, there’s something for every family member to enjoy.