GaragePod is a community story. It starts with Sam Bercovich, educator, his wife Ana Szyld, interior designer/maker and their neighbor Paula Rabasco,veteran special education teacher. In 2020, the trio teamed up during the worst of the pandemic to create a magical space for children in Sam and Ana’s garage. Sam coined it GaragePod.

ouR story

Original GaragePod,2020. Paula, Sam and the pioneering podsters.

9 kindergarteners (including Sam and Ana’s son) began a journey of meaningful experiences during the hard times of the pandemic. After a year of tinkering, exploring nature, crafting, reading, painting and being free-spirited children, GaragePod expanded and moved to a commercial space on Main Street in Dobbs Ferry, New York.

Where we are now. The after school program has grown and so has GaragePod’s offerings which now include Kids Night Out, custom birthday parties, Toddler JUMP, a summer program and classes for children & teens.

PHILOSOPHY

Nature and Community are intertwined. Children learn that when they care for the natural world, they also care for the community in which they live. Podsters care for their environment by tending to our garden and composting 100% of the food we eat.

Movement is vital for children's growth. The pandemic and other cultural changes have affected the spirit of childhood physical development. At GaragePod, we seek to reclaim and support a risk-taking, fearlessness in children.

Free Play means that adults take a step back and let children engage in uninhibited play. Through free play, children inevitably explore social dynamics so they can come together as a group to solve problems.

Creativity is the gem of childhood. At GaragePod, children love cardboard, tape, glue, instruments, art, putting on plays and making up games with friends, GaragePod is proud to be a screen-free environment where children focus on being kids while maximizing their imagination to the fullest.