"Once Upon a Time" at Camp Sparkler 2023
Free, Virtual Summer Camp Inspired by Folktales from Around the World! All for Families with Young Children
Eight-week virtual camp starts July 3, 2023
- Stories: Weekly folktale told by a storyteller from the culture where the story originated
- Play: Weekly learning activities for parents/caregivers and children to play together, inspired by the story of the week
- For Toddlers & Littles: Camp Sparkler is for parents/caregivers and children (birth through age 5).
Get Ready for “Once Upon a Time” at Camp Sparkler!
- Everyone’s welcome! Families with children from birth through 5 years old can participate in Camp Sparkler.
- Already have Sparkler? You’re ready! Just wait for Opening Day, July 3, 2023. “Once Upon a Time” from Camp Sparkler will appear in your Sparkler app!
- New to Sparkler? If you’re new to Sparkler, you can participate if you download Sparkler’s mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, depending on which type of smartphone or tablet you have.
- Where are you? Through Sparkler, you can connect with local programs and supports. If you’re in Connecticut, use access code CT or a local code from your CT school or program to register. If you’re in San Francisco, use access code SF or a local code from your San Francisco-based program. Everyone else, please use CampSparkler.
Camp 23 Schedule
Week 1, July 3-9: The First Fire, a Cherokee story (North America)
Week 2, July 10-16: The Two Frogs Who Hop Between Osaka and Kyoto, a Japanese story (Asia)
Week 3, July 17-23: How the Beetle Got Her Gorgeous Coat, a Brazilian story (South America)
Week 4, July 24-30: The Enormous Turnip, a Russian story (Europe)
Week 5, July 31-Aug 6: The Empty Pot, a Chinese story (Asia)
Week 6, Aug 7-13: Why the Cheetah’s Cheeks are Stained with Tears, a Zulu story (Africa)
Week 7, Aug 14-20: The Rainbow Serpent, an Aboriginal Australian story (Australia)
Week 8, Aug 21-27: Now it’s YOUR turn! Let’s tell stories! (Global)
"Once Upon a Time"
There are three ways to access the weekly stories from Camp Sparkler:
- In the Sparkler app under PLAY
- Online: They can play the videos online and access story sheets to read the stories aloud themselves (in Spanish, English, or Chinese)
- Podcast: Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler will be released as a weekly podcast. Episodes will be released starting July 3, 2023, and available on Apple, Spotify, Google, or wherever you listen.
Earn Rewards for Participating
To be eligible, families must have a child from birth through age 5, and must press “We Did It” and submit a photo of each completed activity. (The app and camp are free, no purchases necessary.)
Campers will be eligible to earn virtual badges through their Sparkler app:
- Earn a Seed Badge for your first play!
- Earn a Sprout Badge for 2 plays in a week!
- Earn a Leaf Badge for 3 plays in a week!
- Earn a Blossom Badge for 5 plays in a week!
Plus gift cards for families who participate the most:
- The 100 Connecticut families who complete the most activities all summer long will be eligible to win Target gift cards.
- The 50 San Francisco Families who complete the most activities all summer will be eligible to win Target gift cards.
Camp Sparkler Partners
Sparkler is creating this fun summer lineup in collaboration with partners including:
Find information to share with families — handouts, social posts, and more!