Koko NYC
- South Slope
440 19th Street, New York 11215, New York, Kings County
See Map | Get Directions - kokonyc.org
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Description
KoKo NYC provides art-based science and engineering classes throughout New York City. We also offer annual Soap Box Summer Workshops and after-school programs such as Boat Building and Inventor's Lab and workshops out of our own mobile Tiny House.
KoKo is educating kids and adults alike to be conscious of our impact in our environment. Koko workshops empower kids of all walks of life to act more responsibly towards their peers and their environment. We push them to take risks and believe in their own ability to make a difference. But the most important part is our approach: Koko means having fun!
Reviews (16)
Review from the 2024 After School Survey
Type of Program: Construction/art/creative play. Skills Learned: Construction/art/creative play Changes: We love Koko. Children are creative and play with recycled materials, making their own creations and working as a team. Counselors are thoughtful and supportive and creative.Review from the Spring 2024 Afterschool Survey
Program: day camps when school is closed Age: 9 and 13 Types of Program outside play and building Review we have loved koko for many years and the lot on 19th street is a terrific space, the kids play and build outside, are creative, social and accomplish tangible tasks having lots of fun along the way Skills Learned building, play and collaboration Changes love koko no notes :)Review from the 2024 Summer Camp Survey
Soapbox Car Derby Location: Windsor Terrace REVIEW: My son is very into engineering/building but not very physical/down and dirty. He absolutely loved Koko - planning, building and racing his soapbox car. He chose to stay for aftercare 3 days of the week bc he enjoyed his time so much. It was a big confidence builder for him (partly bc he had a very successful race outcome but partly bc he just felt a general sense of achievement). I think he really loved being trusted with power tools and being taken seriously by the adults, and he really enjoyed the counselors a lot. Normally getting dirty and sweaty outside all day wouldn't really be his jam but he loved every minute. From a parent's perspective, the camp was very organized and communicative. CHANGES: DETAILS: Age of child; 8 … Weeks attended: 1Review from the 2024 Summer Camp Survey
Location: South Slope REVIEW: Kids spend the whole time outdoor in a "junk yard" making anything they want. Our kids LOVE the camp and want to go back again. CHANGES: DETAILS: Age of child; 5 and 6 … Weeks attended: 1Review from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey
Location: 440 19th St, Brooklyn How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 5.5 Review: Amazing, really kind and enthusiastic counselors. The only camp my son has not cried about attending! What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? NothingReview from the 2023 Summer Camp Survey
Location: 440 19th Street (Koko lot) How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 9 and 10.5 years respectively Review: Absolutely fantastic experience- for kids this young to learn how to make cars (fully road ready) with recycled materials is unique. Monica and her team were so skilled in keeping the kids both curious and safe - and enjoying it all. They use “actual tools” and learn to get down and dirty in a great way. We are definitely going back next year. The mini derby and the “Grand Prix” is something to experience!! Too cute and too hilarious. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? Nothing! Maybe one more porta potty-?Hands-on STEM providers?
My son goes there for camp, and I love it!Review from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey
Location: 19th Street btwn PPSW & 8th Ave How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 10 Review: This camp was phenomenal! The staff are just the best and the new build lot location is a dream. It’s spacious, airy and shaded by some beautiful trees which protected them from the hottest 90 degree weather. Communication from the camp was excellent and they were quick to address any issues. My kid had so much fun putting together his soap box car and the final derby was an absolute blast. Really well run with a great mix of older kids helping out and grown-ups who keep things running smoothly. My 10 year old is already talking about next year. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? It’s a little bit of a hassle to push the cars down to the start point but completely understand why that needs to be done.Koko NYC
My 7 year old and 9 year old both LOVED the soap box derby camp this summer. Both kids felt empowered and excited by the plans they made. I felt the kids were given appropriate safety guidelines and supervision. And the space on 19th street is terrific! Really inviting, and nicely shaded- seems important for these hot summers! We will definitely sign up again!Review from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey
Location: 19th st How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 7 Review: My son loved the idea of being able to make "treasure from trash" and just build and do his own thing. i love the philosophy of letting kids do their thing with less direction. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? nothing.Review from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey
Location: South slope lot on 440 19th st How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 6 Review: The camp was very attentive to my child who can sometimes get overwhelmed in large groups and is very anxious. They have a high teaching artist to camper ratio and max out at 12 kids (with 3-4 TAs). That helped a lot. He was outside all day but never came home exhausted as they have a wagon to help carry backpacks and are in the shade most of the day. The kids take apart machines like printers then focus on their own projects. There’s building and art and the whole week seems devoted to expressing their creativity. I can’t rave about this camp enough. My kid came home happy every day and I could tell the TAs truly cared about helping him have a good experience. They also did a fabulous job educating parents about what the camp was like ahead of time with a recorded zoom orientation. And were very available to speak about my kids needs. What would you change about the program, if anything, and why? My kid didn’t like the porta potty but as a parent I had no complaints and that was a small inconvenience for the overall great experience. Would you like to add anything related to COVID and how the camp handled it? Their policies made sense. No issuesReview from the 2022 Summer Camp Survey
Location: South Slope How old was your child when they attended camp this summer? 6 Review: Lots of room for creativity in the building process. My kid loves it - using the tools and creating things out of recycled materials.Recommendation: Koko NYC Inventors Lab
I am writing to recommend an incredible after-school program called KoKo NYC. Koko is an arts based science and engineering camp and after-school program. They are a fantastic small business, doing myriad STEM classes: inventors lab, video production, boatbuilding, tiny house construction and soapbox building and racing camps! I appreciate that they are teaching real STEM concepts through fun and challenging projects that the kids LOVE. They are smart, talented and warm professionals with great report with both kids and parents. They have the perfect amount of control over the kids in regards to behavior and safety balanced with creating space for kids to figure out a problem, explore a new concept and create their own inventions. I HIGHLY recommend that you check out their website and sign up for a day camp during school breaks or a class for next semester. My son is OBSESSED and I love to support a quality, small privately owned business in our town :) www.kokonyc.orgcool afterschool classes for Middle Schoolers?
My son is younger than your daughter (he's 10) but he's done the KoKo open source program in the summers where they build soapboxes and he's loved it. I love the organization and their hands-on building approach. We haven't done their after school classes yet, but they have a "boat building" class and an "inventor's lab" specifically for kids aged 10-13. Not in North slope, closer to Textile Arts Center down on Butler Street and 3rd ave if that's an option.2018 Summer Camp Reviews
Summer 2018 Review: Amazing! My son adored his week at Soap Box. At pick-up every day, he’d beg, “Can I please stay longer?” It builds creativity and skills such as engineering, carpentry, planning and design. My son worked one-on-one with a counselor who supported him throughout. Kids can choose to work in teams or on their own. At the end, they’ve built their own vehicle. No two are alike. Age of child: 7 What would you change about the program, if anything? NothingReview from 2015 Summer Camp Survey
Age of Child: 9 Likes: A fantastic place. Great counselors. It's fairly free range and fun. And the summer ends in a soapbox derby race! What would you change? There is an extended day option but it would be kind of great if the whole day was just a bit longer. Would you send your child(ren) again? Yes Do you recommend? Highly recommend
