School Year
"Idea", the Russian aesthetic center for children offers courses in Russian, art, and sculpture during the school year at the following address: 1550 Bath Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11228. Lessons run on Fridays (5-8 pm), Saturdays, and Sundays (from 10 am to 1 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm). Attendance without absences is necessary not only because this allows the child to internalize the material; rather, this is the only way for children to become immersed in an atmosphere that helps erase stereotypes, develop perception, reaction speed and memory. The child becomes attuned to this when she starts asking questions. Every one of our lessons starts with a discussion club, in which one of the teachers raises an important topic for everyone to contribute his own personal point of view. Summer Camp
In camp "Idea" our programs become more advanced and intense. Offering immersion that is not possible over the fragmented school year. The wonderful natural surroundings, friendly company, and the ability to devote a greater amount of time to projects in art and sculpture enable children to become easily immersed in the atmosphere of creativity. The main events of our summers include games, Tamara's reading by the fireplace, strolls in the forest, Friendship Club with Natalya, competitions ('Mythological Creatures", "Historical Figures", "My favorite alien", "Best New Yorker", "Color Day", "Mister and Miss Idea", "Neptune Day", and many others), creative writing assignments with illustrations, unique birthday celebrations full of surprises, Russian Day, and, of course, our theatrical performance, the main even of the summer. Some of our past performances include “Cinderella”, “The Dragon”, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “The Marriage” by Gogol, “The Adolescent” by Fonvizin, “Two Arrows” by Volodin, “The Little Prince” by Exupéry, Chekhov’s “Proposal”. Our latest performance was “The Snow Queen” adapted by Schwartz. Old or young, everyone participates in our plays; the participants are incredibly engaged in the performances, and exulted to be working on them together. After their stay at camp they return home filled with impressions and ideas, more mature, more active, and more curious. School Breaks
During school vacation the students of the aesthetic center "Idea" have the opportunity to become seriously engaged in their favorite activities (we work from 10 am to 5 pm). Trips to museums, the Botanical Gardens, the zoo, drawing from life and the exploration of New York, the incredible city in which we live. Children play sports, watch and discuss movies and perform exercises in dance and theater. This program is both for fall and spring vacations
During the last ten years we've developed the wonderful tradition of taking our students abroad during the February break. We've conquered Prague and Rome, Barcelona and Berlin, Paris,Andalusia (the southern region of Spain), Florence and Tuscany, Lisbon. We're planning a trip to Barcelona/Gerona/Figueras in 2014.
