Once upon a time, in the plump, cheese-loving state of Wisconsin, there was a group of kids who absolutely adored gardening. They were known as the "Cheesehead Green Thumbs," named after their state’s famous headgear and their love for all things green and growing. The state of Wisconsin, a land of lakes, farms, and bustling cities, was their beautiful canvas of adventure. Gardening wasn't just a hobby for these kids. They were the guardians of the garden, the champions of the chard, the defenders of the daisies, and most importantly, the buddies of the beetroot. Armed with their trusty trowels and playful spades, they braved the chilly spring mornings and the sizzling summer afternoons to tend to their beloved plants. Now, you might be wondering who led this gallant group. Well, let me introduce you to Wiggly Wally the Worm! Wally was no ordinary worm, he was a talking, oversized, purple worm with a green gardener's hat perched on his head. He would wriggle out of the soil every morning to share the latest gossips from the underground world. "Mr. Onion is crying again," or "Miss Carrot has a new orange dress," Wally would say, causing roars of laughter among the kids. Wally also had a knack for storytelling, and the children would gather around him, listening to the tales of heroic worms and fairytale vegetables. And it was Wally who taught the kids that gardening wasn’t just about growing plants, but also about nurturing friendships, respecting nature, and most importantly, laughing at Mr. Onion's jokes! So, for the Cheesehead Green Thumbs of Wisconsin, gardening was more than just a pastime, it was a magical journey filled with fun, laughter, and a whole lot of dirt!
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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 Camp Eagle Ridge, we also believe in healthy living skills. We prioritize physical activity, healthy eating, and outdoor education. We are dedicated to teaching our campers about the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and respecting the environment. We offer a variety of activities to help them grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Our campers learn to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing through experiences that build self-confidence and self-advocacy. Finally, we strive to build a sense of community responsibility. We believe in the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment that encourages our campers to be compassionate leaders. We teach our campers about the importance of being a part of the community and how to be respectful and responsible citizens. We focus on working together in a positive manner and learning how to be accountable for their actions. We provide our campers with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world.