While the annual camp issue for the News is still more than a month away, there are several camp fairs and summer programs planned for the month of January. Have you talked to your child about interests in day camp, horseback riding camp, a travel experience, or do you need a program for a child with special needs?
American Camp Association offers several fairs in New Jersey. The first event is Saturday, January 15, in Bridgewater. Free admission includes giveaways, snacks, face painting, and a 50 plus page booklet summarizing all of the camps and providing contact information for all camps participating in the ACA’s camp fairs this season. There is also a DVD with camp directors and parents discussing programs and facilities.
“Although the Internet is a great way to do a preliminary research when finding a camp it does not have the impact of a face-to-face meeting with a camp director, let alone almost 35 of them in one room,” says Barbara Rubin, camp fair director. “The camp fairs provide a perfect one-stop shopping spot for busy parents.”
Tips on Trips and Camps, organized by Nurit Zachter, has two events for summer fun scheduled. The annual teen summer opportunities fair at Princeton High School on Wednesday, January 19, features tips advisors, program directors, and representatives from summer programs focusing on community service, travel, language immersion, cultural immersion, teen travel, photography, creative writing, theater, culinary, sailing, and SAT prep. For information about the fair, for summer programs, or for free advice E-mail nurit@tipsontripsandcamps.com.
Zachter also presents her first overnight summer camp fair at Johnson Park Elementary School in Princeton on Saturday, January 29. The free program is open to students and their families to meet tips advisors, camp and program directors and representatives. Zachter offers free advise about summmer programs.
Jewish Community Center has several open houses to introduce campers and their families to Abrams Day Camp at Rider University and Teen Travel programs. There are also programs for younger children. Junior and senior counselors, office staff, art, theater, and music specialists, and a transportation coordinator are needed.
Mercer County Community College invites families to learn about its summer programs for children and teens at a “Summer Camps Open House” on Sunday, January 23, from noon to 3 p.m. The snow date is Sunday, January 30.
Camp directors will be on hand to provide overviews and answer questions. Tours of MCCC’s facilities including computer labs, television studio, Olympic-size swimming pool, tennis courts, and cafeteria are available.
Families will have many options from which to choose. Camp College offers children ages 6 to 12 an enriching alternative to traditional summer camp in two four-week sessions. Campers may choose from more than 60 subject areas and create an individualized schedule to match their interests. Camp College also offers specialty camps for ages 6 through 16 in one-week full and half-day sessions. Sports camps, for ages 7 to 17, offer instruction in popular sports. These weeklong sessions are taught by high school and college coaches, as well as college athletes. Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops offer students entering grades 5 through 12 a multidisciplinary experience in theater, dance, vocal music and visual arts. Each session concludes with a performance and gallery exhibit.
Additional details about MCCC’s summer youth programs are available by visiting www.mccc.edu/camps or by calling 609-570-3311. Camp College will host additional information sessions on February 19, March 26, and April 30 in the Student Center, noon to 2 p.m.
For those who wish to complete the camp application on the day of the Open House, some medical information is required. Visit www.mccc.edu/camps for details.
The camps seek area teachers and counselors (students 17 and older) who are interested in summer employment. Call 609-570-3311 or E-mail campcollege@mccc.edu.
— Lynn Miller
Summer Camp Fair, American Camp Association, Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater. Saturday, January 15, 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.
Summer Trip and Program Fair, Princeton High School, 151 Moore Street. Wednesday, January 19, 7 to 9 p.m. Fair for teens and their parents featuring more than 35 summer programs for teens. Nurit Zachter, a consultant with Tips on Trips and Camps, offers a free consulting service for overnight camps for ages 8 to 18. Free. 609-497-3434. www.tipsontripsandcamps.com.
Summer Camps Open House, Mercer County College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 23, Noon to 3 p.m. Open house for young people’s 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. Snow date is Sunday, January 30. 609-586-9446. www.mccc.edu.
Camp Open House, Jewish Community Center, Rider University, Lawrenceville. Sunday, January 23, 2 to 5 p.m. Information about Abrams Day Camp and teen travel. Also seeking to fill several staff positions. 609-219-9550. www.jcctoday.org.
Overnight Summer Camps and Programs Fair, Johnson Park School, Princeton. Saturday, January 29, 1 to 3:30 p.m. Inaugural event for students and their families features trip advisors, camp and program directors, and representatives. Nurit Zachter, a consultant with Tips on Trips and Camps, offers a free consulting service for overnight camps. Free. 609-497-3434. www.tipsontripsandcamps.com.
Note that the annual camp issue is Friday, February 18.
