Forget the hats, gloves, coats, and snow shovels, and start thinking about summer. Now is the perfect time to start searching for a summer program for your children. Day camp, sleepaway camp, sports, adventures, travel, or education opportunities are available. There are several upcoming camp fairs in the area.
New Jersey Camp Fairs will be at Quaker Bridge Mall in Lawrenceville on Saturday, January 17, and at the Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater, on Sunday, January 18. Both events run from noon to 3 p.m., and admission is free.
Parents will meet camp directors from local day camps and sleepaway camps from around the country. There are numerous free giveaways and free snacks. Each family will receive a 50-plus page booklet with information about camps participating in any of the fairs. Free face painting by Bella Faccia will be available for the kids. Visit www.njcampfairs.com for information.
Camp, Kids, and Sports Expo will be held on Saturday, January 24, at the Westin in Forrestal Village in Plainsboro. Exhibitors include Liberty Lake Day Camp, Watershed Nature Camp, Rambling Pines Day Camp, Learning Center of Princeton, Stuart Country Day School, Ying Hua School, ESF Camps, Hun School, Fernbrook Farms, Pennington School, Lewis School, Snipes Family Farm Day Camp, NJ Audubon Society, Princeton Family YMCA, Princeton Healthcare Systems, and Princeton Dance & Theater Group.
Mercer Community College offers open house events for summer youth camps. The first is Sunday, January 25, from noon to 3 p.m. in West Windsor. The snow date is Sunday, February 1. Additional Camp College information sessions will be held on Saturdays, February 14, March 21, and April 25 from noon to 2 p.m.
Camp College offers an enriching alternative to the traditional summer day camp for ages 6 to 16. The four-week session offers more than 60 programs. Selections include swim instruction, juggling, creative writing, sports, and more. There are also one-week programs featuring cooking, marine biology, robotics, fishing, rock climbing, and more. Friday Fun Days for ages 6 to 13 can extend the camp week or introduce children to the camp experience for just one day per week.
Sports camps for ages 6 to 15 include baseball, basketball, field hockey, golf, and more. Most camps are held five days a week from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the physical education building on the West Windsor campus. Optional swimming is available from 3 to 3:30 p.m. daily.
Tomato Patch visual and performing arts workshops are for students in grades 5 to 12. Featuring theater, dance, vocal music, and visual arts, it is the longest running multidisciplinary summer arts program in central New Jersey. Session 1 from June 24 to July 18, is for students entering grades 8 to 12. Session II from July 22 to August 8, is for students entering grades 5 to 7. Both culminate with a festival of the arts. The master class from July 22 to August 9, is for students entering grades 8 to 12.
There are also open house and tour events at camps and schools in the area. The schedule follows:
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer. Sundays, January 25, February 22, March 29, April 26, May 17, and June 7, at 2 p.m. Camp tours. Register to 800-394-8478 or camp@appelfarm.org. 800-394-8478. www.appelfarm.org.
Black Bear Lake Day Camp, 457 Stage Coach Road, Millstone. Saturday, January 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information about summer day camp program. 609-259-1777. www.blackbearlake.com.
Rock ‘n Roll for Camp Moore, Elks Camp Moore, Princeton Elks Club, 354 Route 518, Skillman. Friday, January 30, 7 p.m. to midnight. Benefit concert features the band “Dusty Rivers.” $7. Proceeds benefit Elks Camp Moore. 732-494-8200. www.bninjpa.org.
Fernbrook Farms, 142 Bordentown Georgetown Road, Chesterfield. Sunday, February 22, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the farm on a wagon, visit the animals, and meet the staff. Programs include Junior Fiddleheads Day Camp for ages 5 and 6, Fiddlehead Day Camp for ages 6 to 11, and Young Stewards Enrichment program for ages 12 to 14. 609-298-4028. fernbrookeducation.org.
Meadowbrook County Day Camp, 73 East Valley Brook Road, Long Valley. Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the facility in a mini school bus. Register. 908-876-3429. www.meadowbrookdaycamp.com.
Mercer County College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 25, February 14, March 21, and April 26, 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. 609-586-9446. www.mccc.edu.
Montessori Corner Children’s House of the Windsors, 270 Village Road East, West Windsor. Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information about summer camp. 600-443-8900. www.westwindsor.montessoricorner.com.
New Jersey Audubon, Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Plainsboro. Saturday, January 10, Noon to 3:30 p.m. Meet the staff. Refreshments and a camp craft. Sample camp schedules. Free. 609-897-9400. www.njaudubon.org.
Summer Camp Fair, New Jersey Camp Fairs, Quaker Bridge Mall, Route 1 North, Lawrenceville. Saturday, January 17, 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. E-mail BKRubin@aol.com for information. 732-469-8910. .
Oak Crest Day Camp, 92 Cortelyou Lane, Somerset. Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 732-297-2000. www.oakcrestdaycamp.com.
Camps, Kids, and Sports Expo, Packet Media Group, Westin Hotel, 201 Village Boulevard, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro. Saturday, January 24, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Annual event features camps, schools, and businesses geared to summer fun. Interactive displays, meet camp owners and directors, entertainment, and activities. Free. 609-874-2145. www.centraljersey.com.
Quakerbridge Learning Center, 4044 Quakerbridge Road, Lawrenceville. Saturday, January 3 and 10, 10 a.m. Information about academic programs. Register. 609-933-8806. www.quaker-bridge.com.
Waldorf School, 1062 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton. Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. 609-466-1970. www.princetonwaldorf.org.
