In the wild and wonderful state of Oregon, nestled between the thick, moss-laden forests and the rugged coastline, a band of adventurous kids have taken to the waterways. They aren't pirates, although they do love a good treasure hunt, and they aren't sailors, but they've mastered the art of navigating the water. These brave young souls are the Kayak Krew, a team of kids who have swapped their bicycles for kayaks and their backyard games for wild water escapades. Leading the pack is their trusty guide, Otter Oscar, a giant talking otter with an irresistible sense of humor and a knack for storytelling. Oscar, with his shiny sleek fur and a belly that jiggles when he laughs, is quite the character. He loves nothing more than a good splash and is always ready with a water pun - "Water you waiting for, kids?" he'd yell, and they'd all break into peals of laughter. The kids, dressed in bright life jackets, would paddle along the sparkling rivers, under the watchful eyes of Mount Hood and amidst the lush greenery. The roar of waterfalls and the chirping birds formed the soundtrack to their thrilling adventures. They'd learn about the state's rich history, from tales about the famous Oregon Trail to the legends of the Native American tribes. Whether they were gliding along Crater Lake's mirror-like waters or battling the rapids of the Deschutes River, every day was a new adventure for the Kayak Krew. They had their fair share of spills and thrills, but with Otter Oscar's guidance and their own undying spirit of adventure, they would always emerge laughing, drenched and eager for more!
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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.
Most youth organizations talk about preparing kids for the future or future leadership positions. This is great, but we believe kids and teens are leaders now. They don't need to wait for the future to shape the world. We help youth be the best 7-year-old they can be or the best 17-year-old. We guide kids and teens of all ages to boost their confidence and unlock their potential so they can thrive—where they are now. Thrive{ology} is our research-based approach to teaching every kid or teen how to be a better friend, student, son, daughter, member of society, sister, brother...today. Every Camp Fire program across the country uses Thrive{ology} to teach youth to identify sparks, develop a growth mindset, learn goal management, and take time to reflect.