Once upon a time, way over on the east coast of the United States, lies an enchanting land named New York. Now, it isn't just skyscrapers and bustling streets, oh no, it's stuffed to the gills with lush green forests, sparkling lakes, and towering mountains. And in this magical place, you’ll find a bunch of sprightly kiddos, known as the "Nature Ninjas". The leader of the Nature Ninjas is a wacky, woodland critter named "Sly Squirrel". Sly is no ordinary squirrel though, he wears bright green sneakers, a cap full of acorns, and carries a magical acorn amulet around his neck. He's as funny as a chipmunk on caffeine, and with the help of his magical amulet, he guides the Nature Ninjas on their wild escapades. These sparky kids, brimming with curiosity and donned in their favorite adventure boots, set off into the wilderness. They explore enchanted forests that whisper stories of the ancient ones, climb the mighty Adirondack mountains that try to tickle the sky, and canoe down the Hudson River, which flows like a ribbon unwinding its way through the state. They try to decode the tweets of the birds, engage in muddy wrestling matches with earthworms, and hold their breath to see if they can outdo the turtles in underwater staring contests. They often lose, though, and surface gasping, faces red as ripe apples, only to burst into peals of laughter. The Nature Ninjas and their antics make New York's woods and wilds echo with laughter and life. With their funny guide, Sly Squirrel, the kids of NY make the state’s nature, not just a place of trees and trails, but a land of laughter, learning, and endless adventures.
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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.


At Akahiao, we are dedicated to building a community of passionate, eco-conscious leaders who have the determination and abilities to create the world they hope to see. We want to inspire the next generation to take a stand against any environmental issues that arise, and to do more than just watch the future unfold without them. Our students will be like the Polynesian navigators, guiding their ships to the islands in the sea – they will be empowered to bring their ideal future into reality. At Akahiao, we are striving to create a community of knowledgeable and effective environmental champions. These leaders will have the commitment and the aptitude to manifest their vision of the future, no matter the odds. We want to equip our students with the tools to actively shape the world around them, instead of standing by as the future passes them by. Our students will be like the navigators of the ancient Polynesian islands, bravely sailing the seas to reach their destination – they will take the initiative to bring their dreams to life. At Akahiao, we are focused on nurturing an empowered group of ecological stewards. This cohort of young people will have the courage and the know-how to bring about the future they have imagined. They will be the first to stand up for our planet when it comes to facing difficult environmental issues. Instead of feeling powerless while watching the future tumble down the hill, our participants will take the lead and manifest their dreams into reality, just like the Polynesian navigators who discovered islands in the sea.