With temperatures still dipping below 30 degrees, it might not seem like the time to enroll your child in summer camp. Yet, for many day camps in the area, it’s a good idea to register your kids now for summer sessions, so you can get them into the camps and classes they want.
Summer day camp is a godsend for many parents who have to work over the summer months, and for kids, the camps are a great way for them to develop friendships, create memorable experiences and learn new skills.
These are just some of the local summer day camp programs:
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Mercer County Community College’s Camp College
Run by Mercer County Community College and held on the school’s West Windsor Campus, Camp College offers a wide range of half- and full-day summer programs for kids. My daughters took a few courses in Camp College’s specialty camps last year, and are looking forward to attending again this coming summer.
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Last summer, my kids took a KidzArt drawing class and a cooking class. This summer, I hope to enroll them in another KidzArt class, as well as a gardening and a cooking class (“Kids in the Kitchen’). The camp also runs Friday Fun Days, in which kids can enroll for just one day of camp and take trips like visiting the Academy of Natural Science or biking and hiking in Mercer County Park. MCC offers recreational camps for swimming, fishing, rock climbing and golf, and there are academic camps like accelerated study for seventh through 10th graders, and a science camp. Camp College will hold an informational session for parents on Saturday, March 26, and Saturday, April 30. Visit www.mcc.edu for more details. There is also a before- and after-camp-care option for working parents.
Sunny Day Camp
Run by the East Windsor Recreation Department, Sunny Day Camp is an economical camp option for area parents. The program is held weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, June 20, to Friday, August 12. (No camp on July 4.) The camp is held at two locations: the McNight School and the Black School. The camp offers day trips, organized games, arts and crafts and water play activities. The camp also offers before and after camp care. For more information: www.east-windsor.nj.us.
Westminster Conservatory Summer Music Camps
Held in various Princeton locations and taught by Westminster Conservatory staff, the Westminster Conservatory Summer Music Camps are a great way to introduce your child to music or to enrich his or her music knowledge. Children as young as 2 can enroll, and will be introduced to singing, movement and dance and percussion instruments. Older children can get voice instruction and play choir chimes and Orff instruments. Many of the camp sessions include craft sessions and outside playtime. Committed students can enroll in instructional camps for strings, winds, brass and percussion, while children in grades 1 to 12 can enroll in musical theater camps. For more information: www.rider.edu.
South Brunswick Community Education Camps
South Brunswick Community Education offers a full-day BASE camp at Greenbrook School for children entering grades 1 to 5 and an Adventure Camp at Crossroads North Middle School for students entering grades 6 to 8. Both camps run from June 27 to August 12, and include creative and physical activities, special trips and swimming. There is also a week-long August Travel Camp at the Constable School for students entering grades 1 to 8. Each day will consist of a road trip to places like the American Museum of Natural History and the Franklin Institute. For more information: www.sbschools.org/community_ed.
East Brunswick Summer Camp
The East Brunswick Summer Camp program will run from June 27 through August 12 (no program on July 4) and there are full day and half day programs for students entering grades 1 to 9. Registration packets can be picked up at the East Brunswick Public Library, in the lobby of the East Brunswick Municipal Building, at the East Brunswick Division of Recreation, and online at www.ebreccamps.com. Children can participate in trips, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, games and recreational activities. For more information: http://www.ebreccamps.com/
Lawrence Township Camps
The township offers a Park Summer Camp for students between the ages of 6 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 20 to August 12. Held at Veterans Park on Oaklyn Terrace, the camp offers arts and crafts, games, trips, sports and swimming. A travel camp is available from July 11 to July 29 for kids entering the fifth through 10th grade. The camp offers trips to theme parks, the beach, water parks or athletic events. Also available is a sports camp for campers ages 6 to 13 in July.
