Once upon a time, in the beautifully diverse state of California, stretching from the golden beaches to the snow-capped mountains, a group of young farmers was busy tending to their sun-kissed crops. Now these weren't just any ordinary kids, oh no! They were the members of the 'Funky Farmers Club', a group of children who could talk to vegetables and sing lullabies to the cows. Their ringleader was a spunky little girl named Carrot-Top Cali. With freckles as many as the stars and hair as red as a ripe tomato, she was as Californian as sunshine and avocados. She could make a grumpy onion laugh with her silly jokes, and whisper sweet compliments to the roses to make them bloom brighter. Every day, these young farmers, under the guidances of Carrot-Top Cali, would wake up with the rooster's crow, put on their hats as big as tractor wheels, and pull up their boots that squished like wet mud. They'd spend the day digging, planting, and playing hide-and-seek with the earthworms, all while learning the magic of life that sprouts from a tiny seed. Cali and her Funky Farmers Club filled their days with dirt-under-the-nails adventures and green-thumb discoveries. In the midst of the California sunshine, they were little heroes in overalls, nurturing the Earth one seed at a time. The story of their farming fun was as fresh as the morning dew and as sweet as the juicy apples they grew.
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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.
This Oakland-based organization was founded and led mainly by women and People of Color. Their mission is to challenge oppressive dynamics and environments through urban farming and access to the natural environment. ANV is dedicated to elevating the lives of youth and their families in Oakland and beyond. The organization strives to create safe and creative outdoor spaces for youth and families to learn about nutrition, food production, healthy living, and the natural environment. Through these initiatives, ANV works to strengthen the ties between the young people and their families, as well as their connection with the community.
At Park’n It Day Camp, we’re passionate about promoting the health and well-being of kids through outdoor activities. We’ve joined the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative, which encourages kids to get active in parks and green spaces. Our goal is to help them grow into eco-literate adults who understand and care about the environment. Research shows that when kids engage in active outdoor recreation, it has a positive impact on their physical and mental health. At Park’n It Day Camp, we’re committed to giving kids the opportunity to explore the great outdoors and reap the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. We’re proud to be part of the Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative and look forward to helping more kids discover the joys of being active in parks and green spaces.