If you were to flap open the gigantic atlas, situated somewhere between the hustle and bustle of New York and the historic charm of Pennsylvania, you would find a little jewel named New Jersey. Often affectionately referred to as the "Garden State," it's not just famous for its juicy tomatoes or the taste-bud tingling corn, but it's also a big splash in the world of swimming! The kids of New Jersey, or as our imaginary character, Captain Flipper likes to call them – the "Jersey Water Wizards," are quite the aquatic aficionados. With a backstroke as smooth as butter sliding down a hot ear of corn, they swoop through the water, leaving a trail of bubbles and awestruck onlookers. In the morning, as the sun peeks over the Atlantic Ocean, Captain Flipper, a funny, oversized dolphin with sunglasses and a neon swim cap, rallies his team. With a hearty "Flippity, floppity, let's get hoppity!" they dive into the pristine pools that dot the state, from Hoboken to Hackensack. These wizards are not just swimming for gold medals, but for the golden rays of the sun and the cheer of the crowd. Captain Flipper, with his blowhole that sounds like a laughing trombone, instills in them a spirit of fun, friendship, and a love for the magical dance between water and body. He often tells them, "In New Jersey, we don't just swim; we glide, we play, we make the water our stage." And so, from the tiniest of tots to the tallest of teens, the swimming pools of New Jersey echo with laughter, splashes, and the occasional trombone-like blowhole sound - a tribute to the watery wonderland they call home. And the "Jersey Water Wizards" continue to swim, following the flipper-steps of their funny and lovable mentor, Captain Flipper.
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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.
For over 175 years, the Y has been dedicated to the global mission of ensuring everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, has access to the resources, relationships and opportunities needed to learn, grow and thrive. Bringing together people of all backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y works to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. At Greater Somerset County YMCA, we strive to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all. We offer programs for kids, adults, teens and seniors to engage in physical activity, build relationships and learn new skills. With nearly 30,000 members, the Y is here to help you grow, connect and thrive.
At JCC Camp Ruach, we recognize that every day is a chance for campers and staff to have a positive effect on each other. Our 8 week program is designed to help campers learn and grow in a number of ways. By participating in group activities and working together, campers build teamwork skills, develop new abilities, and gain confidence and self-esteem. From exploring new experiences to creating lasting friendships, they become part of a vibrant, supportive community. Our activities, such as Chugim (choice time) and trips, are carefully planned to ensure that our campers stay safe, have fun, and become better prepared for the future. Through their participation in these activities, they develop independence, teamwork, and leadership skills. We believe that, through their time at camp, our campers can truly thrive and reach their full potential.
At the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, families of all backgrounds are invited to join our close-knit community. Located on 14 acres of Talamini Road in Bridgewater, the JCC opened in December 1999 after a passionate commitment from local families to bring a JCC to the tri-county area. Our JCC serves residents of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties with a variety of offerings, from fitness and recreation to social, cultural and educational programming. We strive to create an open, safe, understanding and accepting environment for all, regardless of race, religion, culture, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, mental or physical disability and backgrounds. The JCC is dedicated to upholding universal humanistic Jewish values and ethics, while providing quality programs and services to meet the needs and wants of the Jewish and general communities. Our Board of Directors and Professional Staff, who are committed to this mission, govern the JCC. We invite everyone to come be part of our JCC Family!