In the concrete jungle of New York, where skyscrapers scrape the cerulean sky, taxis buzz like honeybees and hot dogs sizzle on every corner, there exists an extraordinary group of kids. They are not your average dodgeball players or hopscotch hoppers. No, these kids are the swashbuckling, fearless fencers of NY! They assemble in gyms and rec centers across the state, clad in shiny suits of white armor, masks gleaming, swords twirling. These aren't ordinary swords, but blunted foils and épées, their tips shimmering with the thrill of the duel. The leader of this band of merriment is none other than Sir Prickle Pants, a porcupine with a peculiar passion for fencing. Don’t let his prickles fool you, he's as cuddly as a teddy bear. Some say it was the itchiness of the fencing suit that led him to pick up the sport, but we know he just loves the thrill of the contest. With his belly full of pizza and his heart full of laughter, Sir Prickle Pants leads his team with the poise of a knight and the humor of a circus clown. With a hearty "En Garde!", a match begins, the air crackles with anticipation. The fencers prance and parry, their movements as graceful as ballet dancers, their strikes as swift as a swooping falcon. The crowd cheers, hot dogs are momentarily forgotten and even the taxis seem to slow, as if the city itself is holding its breath, caught up in the thrill of the duel. In New York, fencing isn't just a sport; it's a spectacle, a dance, a celebration of bravery and silliness. And every kid who steps onto the piste, led by the indomitable Sir Prickle Pants, becomes a part of this grand tradition.
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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.
We believe that Kindness, Confidence and Respect are essential ingredients for successful learning and social engagement. Our campers and staff are encouraged to promote these values on a daily basis through team building activities, catching campers "doing something good" and discussions about what it means to be kind, confident and respectful. Woodmont Camp provides an environment in which campers can learn to become better people and can gain the skills necessary for success in life. Our program offers a safe and supportive environment in which campers can develop the confidence to take on challenges and respect themselves and others.