At Sawyer we have the privilege of working with hundreds of inspiring educators around the country. Whether they teach virtual classes or in-person activities, the curricula always foster enriching atmospheres for children of all ages to discover their love of learning. We got the opportunity to chat with Curious Jane, a Sawyer educator in Denver and NYC that offers creative, cool, and fun camps for girls to build confidence through making things!

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! I’d love to hear a bit more about you and why you started your business.‍

I started Curious Jane to give my girls and all girls a place to be creative and inventive in a high-energy space. My own background is in Industrial Design and love the process of prototyping, experimenting and ‘thinking with your hands.’

Can you describe an inspiring moment you’ve had as an educator?

The campers make *amazing* things that I never could have imagined, but one specific element that inspires me every summer is the incredible staff who are drawn to Curious Jane to bring their expertise and enthusiasm to ‘their younger selves’ – they are so excited to work with the campers.

What’s the most rewarding thing about teaching children?

Impact, large or small. Now that it is our 14th year of camp, counselors are applying who started as campers so many years ago. It is not uncommon for them to share about CJ projects or moments - that they still hold close - from summers far back.

What’s one time a child surprised you and made your day?

In her first-grade CJ class, Nola gathered a mess of pipe cleaners, felt, stuffing and yarn. She glued them together in a specific composition, tied it to her head and said “Look, I’m a brainstorm!” It still makes my day.

Why is after school enrichment so important for children?

The school-day and classroom learning is bolstered by after-school and summer enrichment. Students get to experiment and learn in different ways, and they compliment each other. And overall, after-school and summer give room for a lot more ‘physicality’ in their learning, which is also important.

How do you think children can discover their passions when they’re not in school or your programs?

They can discover their passions through play, curiosity, and adventure!

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us! We can't wait for more families to discover your classes and get creating.

If you are looking for awesome camps and classes in New York or Denver, check out what Curious Jane is offering. There are so many great kids activities in NYC and beyond, the world is your oyster!