New York, also known as the "Empire State," is a land of towering skyscrapers, delicious hot dogs, shiny yellow taxis, and the wondrous Niagara Falls. But did you know? It is also home to a merry band of youthful, courageous kayakers. They aren't your everyday adventurers, though. They are led by a cool, imaginary character named Kip the Kayaking Kangaroo. Yes, you heard right—a kangaroo that kayaks! Kip sports a neon life jacket and a pair of sunglasses that are never on straight. He's always ready to embark on a new adventure with his paddle in his paw and a massive grin on his furry face. He skips and hops around, infusing the sport of kayaking with a dose of fun and laughter, and never fails to amuse his youthful crew. Every weekend, Kip and his army of kiddie-kayakers gather at the serene Finger Lakes or the mighty Hudson River. They maneuver their colorful kayaks through the waters, splashing and laughing, their faces glowing with thrill and excitement. Kip often leads the way, hopping in his kayak with a funny, exaggerated salute before he dives into the water—with a SPLASH! These New York kids love their kayaking adventures. They come from all over the state—from the bustling streets of Manhattan to the calm suburbs of Westchester—just to paddle with Kip, their beloved Kangaroo captain. Their laughter and cheer echo across New York’s waterways, earning them the name "The Empire State Kayak Krew." Whether it's racing under bridges, dodging water lilies, or having impromptu water fights, kayaking in New York is never just about the sport. It's about the adventures with Kip the Kayaking Kangaroo and the laughter, friendships, and memories they create along the way.
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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.
Skye Farm is one of five camp and retreat centers in the Upper New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Under the leadership of staff and dedicated volunteers, the camp is supervised by the Executive Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries, and overseen by the Committee on Camp & Retreat Ministries. The mission of Skye Farm is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and be God’s love with our neighbors in all places. At Skye Farm, we believe in three core truths: that there is a God, that God loves us, and that God desires a relationship with us. All of our activities and programming are designed to reinforce this.