Our Programs
VIDA (the Spanish word for “life”) is an acronym for Vision, Immersion, Diversity, and the Arts. VIDA is an extracurricular Spanish-immersion cultural program for youth ages 8 to 18.
Our programs are designed to foster a passion for language learning and an appreciation for the diversity in the Spanish-speaking world. VIDA offers an immersive Spanish-language cultural experience in art, cooking, dance, literature, and music through engaging activities that make learning an adventure. Through these activities, our participants improve Spanish-language proficiency, gain public speaking, social, academic and creative skills.
Spanish Language Cultural Immersion
This program is designed for youth (ages 8-18) with a wide range of Spanish-language skills. Whether your child is just getting started on their Spanish language journey, has significant prior exposure but finds their language skills to be stagnant, or speaks Spanish fluently, VIDA has a place for them to thrive.
Each 8-week long thematic session tackles a new theme. Thematic sessions in 2024-2025 include La Calle, Los Comics, El Golazo, La Bella y La Bestia, y Hip Hop, Cenicientas en Art Deco, En Tránsito, and ¡Azúcar!. Classes meet once a week for two hours throughout the academic year. Register here.
VIDA Arts in English
This program offers a culturally rich and exciting arts curriculum in English. A sprinkling of Spanish provides our young art students with the opportunity to sample the sounds of a new language while engaging in the same themes and hands-on art projects as all VIDA students.
VIDA Literacy
VIDA Literacy is designed to meet your family's literacy goals and scheduling needs!
The program is offered in both English and Spanish. We work with children one-on-one or in small groups to master decoding and pronunciation; explore literature by reading fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; improve creative and persuasive writing; develop critical thinking skills; and discuss the themes that arise in the texts we read.
Flexible scheduling. Hourly rates. Contact us here for pricing and scheduling.
Girl Scouts
VIDA's programming covers a range of skill sets that help Girl Scouts work toward many different badges across all age levels; including Body Appreciation & Resilient, Ready, Strong!; Maker badges; Snacks, Simple Meals, and New Cuisines; Comic Artist, Book Artist, and Storytelling badges. With VIDA, make progress toward earning your badges, receive a VIDA fun patch, and learn some useful Spanish words and phrases. Contact us here for details and about scheduling a workshop for your troop.
Cultural Explorer Program
The "Cultural Explorer" Club offers a great opportunity for participants to gain exposure to both the Spanish-language and diversity of Latin American and Latino cultures by exploring Long Island and New York City through group excursions to museums, parks, restaurants, theaters, and other businesses. Contact us here if you'd like to be added to our Cultural Explorers mailing list.
Book Club
Book Club is a space for young readers to dive deeper into Spanish-language books! Students explore themes, characters, and culture through guided discussions, creative activities, and thoughtful writing prompts. Register here.
Social Club
We offer a lively series of "create & snack" pop us socials. Social Club is a place for students to practice Spanish in a relaxed environment, engaging in games, activities, and casual conversations. Our goal is to support students in initiating unprompted and natural conversations in Spanish while improving social skills and building confidence in everyday interactions. Follow us on social media so you don't miss announcements for pop ups throughout the year.
Summer
From an intensive Spanish Immersion mini session to start your summer off with Spanish to our "Sabor of Summer" and "Cooking in Living Color" cooking series, Sketchbook Saturdays, 7 different studio projects over 7 weeks of summer, VIDA offers an array of options for your family to fill the summer with art, culture, and language. Register here.
