Campers get a kick out of their day at Black Bear Lake because they help create it, choosing from more than 50 electives each and every week.
Electives comprise half a camper’s day at Black Bear Lake. Kids select fun activities from applied/fine arts, performing arts, sports, gifted and talented, and waterfront. An elective sheet is sent home weekly so parents can help kids make good choices.
“Electives make us unique,” said Melissa Magid, whose family founded the camp in 1994. “Kids spend half the day in activities they choose. This means they are learning or honing skills in small groups, with other kids that have similar interests.”
The rest of the day is spent in traditional activities, such as swimming, boating, and hiking. Groups at Black Bear Day Camp are broken down by grade and by town. They are supervised by a group leader who takes them through the day’s eight periods or classes. The camp boasts 10,000 square feet of air-conditioned indoor space, a five-acre lake, pools, and fields, making it fun for campers, rain or shine.
“We have lots of new things for 2010,” Magid added. “There’s a lower tuition rate and a second overnight trip added for Counselors in Training (10th graders). Our 9th graders, or Leaders in Training, also get an overnight trip, and our Upper Campers in 7th and 8th grades have day trip options. In fact, we’ve added something for just about every level at Black Bear Lake.”
Parents should look for two new discounts in 2010. Cubs (pre-K and kindergarten) pay a lower tuition rate, and can take the optional 3, 4, or 5 day plan. And the Central Express Transportation (rather than door-to-door) discount has increased.
Black Bear Lake, which has the prestigious American Camp Association Accreditation, has made registration easier for parents by putting its system online, part of a “green” initiative started in 2007. All forms are online, including health and elective forms. Parents can enroll and pay online, and register for the Live Webcam so they can observe from home or work.
“Parents and kids who want to learn more should attend one of our open houses,” Magid noted. “There’s no registration necessary; just drop by from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21, or Sunday, March 6.”
Black Bear Lake Day Camp is situated on nearly 30 acres in Millstone Township, minutes from Hightstown. Door-to-door transportation is included in the tuition for campers living in the West Windsor, Plainsboro, Robbinsville, Hightstown, and Princeton areas. Those who prefer to meet the bus are offered a discount. Packages of four to eight weeks are available. Camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the summer months. Learn more at www.blackbearlake.com.
Black Bear Lake Day Camp. 457 Stagecoach Road, Millstone Township. 609-259-1777, Fax: 609-259-2248. www.blackbearlake.com, mark@blackbearlake.com, fun@blackbearlake.com
