Although winter is barely underway, organizations and camps are already hosting camp fairs, open houses events, and information sessions. Have you given any thought to finding the right program for your child this summer?
Would your child be interested in a horseback riding camp or a sailing camp or traveling? What about an adventure or sports camp? Are you looking for a summer camp for your child with special needs? All of these types of camps and many more will be attending the upcoming camp fair at MarketFair on Saturday, January 21. If you miss that one you can catch up with the organizers on Sunday, February 5, at Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater. All fairs will run from noon to 3 p.m. and admission is free. Visit www.njcampfairs.com to see which camps are attending the fair.
Parents receive a booklet summarizing all the camps and providing future contact information for all the camps participating in the camp fairs this season. Camp directors show DVDs, talk with parents about the programs and facilities that their camp offers. In addition, they distribute their own pamphlets, camp DVDs, and giveaways. Camp directors, who often make home visits to discuss their camp, offer sign-up sheets for parents to make more personal and further contacts.
“Although the Internet is a great way to do preliminary research when finding a camp,” says Barbara Rubin, camp fair director, “it does not have the impact of a face-to-face meeting with a camp director. The camp fairs provide a perfect one-stop shopping spot for busy parents.”
The camps, which are located from Maine to Florida, will present parents and campers a wide range of activities. Sessions vary from one week to eight weeks, and are priced to meet a variety of family budgets. For younger children and those less eager to go far from home, there are numerous camps and summer programs available nearby. Many of the day camps offer early drop off and late pick up to accommodate working parents. Numerous resident camps offer special sessions for young or first time campers; a number of the camps specialize in programs only for teenagers. Sleep-away camps offer a variety of activities, length of sessions, location, cost, and population. Some camps are coed, while others cater to one sex; some are sports camps, some camps are private, others are run by YMCAs, and several stress religious values.
“If your older teen is interested in unique adventures, traveling around the globe, or taking pre-college courses there is program out there for him or her,” says Rubin. “Certainly there are lots of traditional summer experiences available but more and more adolescents are looking for a new experience and our camp fairs are a way to find not only the traditional but what’s cutting edge in summer programs.”
#b#Mercer College Programs#/b#
Mercer County Community College invites families to a summer camps open house on Sunday, January 22, noon to 3 p.m., in the student center on the West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The snow date is Sunday, January 29.
Camp directors will be on hand to provide overviews of all programs and answer questions. Tours of MCCC’s facilities will be available, including computer labs, television studio, Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, cafeteria, and more. Before and after-camp care is available for all programs.
A variety of popular programs for children ages 6 to 16 will be offered on the West Windsor campus starting Monday, June 18, including Camp College, Sports Camps, and Specialty Camps. Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops begin Monday, June 25. Families will be able to submit their camp registration forms at the open house, guaranteeing a wide selection from Mercer’s various offerings. Visit www.mccc.edu/camps for more information and forms.
Mercer’s summer camps are designed for children to pursue their individual interests and discover new hobbies. Camp College provides an alternative to traditional summer camp in two four-week sessions. Campers ages 6 to 12 may choose from more than 60 subject areas and create a personalized daily schedule. Camp College also offers one-week specialty camps for ages 6 through 16 in science, technology, cooking, crafts, and more.
Mercer’s sports camps, for ages 7 to 15, offer one-week sessions in popular sports and are taught by high school and college coaches, as well as college athletes. Tomato Patch visual and performing arts workshops give students entering grades 5 through 12 a multidisciplinary experience in theater, dance, vocal music, visual arts, and video. Each session concludes with a performance and gallery exhibit. Older students may follow their first session with a master class that covers the business of show business, including job searches and auditions.
The summer camp season runs from June 18 to August 10 for Camp College and sports camps; Tomato Patch visual and performing arts workshops will be held June 25 to July 19 for grades 8 to 12 and July 23 to August 9 for grades 5 to 7. Camp employment opportunities are available for teachers, counselors ages 17 and up, lifeguards, and swim instructors. Call 609-570-3311 or E-mail campcollege@mccc.edu.
#b#Open Houses and Camp Fairs#/b#
Summer Camp Fair, American Camp Association, MarketFair, Route 1 South, West Windsor. Saturday, January 21, noon to 3 p.m. Also at the Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater. Sunday, February 5, noon to 3 p.m. Camp directors and staff meet parents and children and provide information and brochures on camp programs from Maine to Florida. Traditional, specialized, residential, and day programs are represented. Older teens and adults seeking a summer camp job also welcome. Free. 877-488-2267. www.acanjsummercampfairs.org.
Camp Open House, Jewish Community Center, Rider University, Lawrenceville. Sunday, January 22, 2 to 4 p.m. Pool parties for families as well as teens and tweens. Information about Abrams Day Camp and teen travel. Also seeking to fill several staff positions. 609-219-9550. www.jcctoday.org.
Summer Camps Open House, Mercer County College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 22, noon to 3 p.m. Also, Saturdays, February 18, March 24, and April 28, noon to 2 p.m. Information for Camp College, Sports Camps, and Tomato Patch Camp. Meet camp directors, tour the facilities, and register. The camps seek counselors and area teachers interested in summer employment. Many of the programs begin Monday, June 18. 609-586-9446. www.mccc.edu.
Open House, Rambling Pines Day Camp, Route 518, Hopewell. Sundays, January 22, February 5 and 26, March 11 and 25, April 1, 15, and 29, 1 to 3 p.m. Parents and children may tour the facility and meet staff members. Camp program for ages 3 to 15 and a teen program for grades 7 to 10. Register. 609-466-1212. www.ramblingpines.com.
Camps, Kids, and Sports Expo, Packet Media Group, Westin Hotel, 201 Village Boulevard, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro. Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annual event features camps, schools, and businesses geared to summer fun. Free. 609-924-3244. www.centraljersey.com.
