Though we are barely into winter and the traditional camp issue is not until Friday, February 15, there are many camp fairs and camp open houses in the next few weeks. January is not too soon to begin researching and planning for the summer vacation from school.
New Jersey Camp Fairs, formerly known as American Camp Association, holds an event Saturday, January 19, from noon to 3 p.m., at Quaker Bridge Mall in the lower level Macy’s Court. The free admission provides parents with a 50 plus page 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, and distribute their own pamphlets and information. They often offer to make home visits to discuss their camp.
“Although the Internet is a great way to do preliminary research when finding a camp, it does not have the impact of a face-to-face meeting with camp directors when they are all in one location,” says Barbara Rubin, director of Camp Fair. “The camp fairs provide a perfect one-stop shopping spot for busy parents.”
The camps, located from Maine to Costa Rica, offer a wide range of activities. Sessions vary from one week to eight weeks, and are priced to meet a variety of family budgets. Numerous resident camps offer special sessions for young or first time campers; a number of the camps specialize in programs only for teenagers. Sleepaway camps offer a variety in the kinds of activities available, length of session, location, cost, and population.
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. 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 a program out there for him/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.”
Men and women over the age of 18 seeking summer employment may request a staff job application and often camp directors will conduct interviews on the spot. Visit www.njcampfairs.com or call Rubin at 732-469-8910 for more information.
Mercer Community College invites families to a summer camps open house on Sunday, January 27, from noon to 3 p.m., in the student center on the West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The snow date is Sunday, February 3. Camp directors will be on hand to provide overviews of all programs and answer questions. Tours of MCCC’s extensive 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.
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 for information.
Are you looking for more individual assistance in the choice department? Tips on Trips and Camps will not have a fair this year but Nurit Zachter continues the advisory service for families. “Don’t spend hours surfing the web, make your research targeted to programs carefully screened and selected,” says Zachter.
Call or E-mail Zachter for a list of programs that match your family’s needs and your student’s interest. Call 609-497-3434 or E-mail Nurit@TipsonTripsandCamps.com. She will supply websites and have brochures and DVDs mailed all at no cost to families. If you are interested in learning about overnight summer opportunities for teens or overnight camps visit www.tipsontripsandcamps.com
Summer Camp Fair, Sensational Summers, Quaker Bridge Mall, Route 1 North. Saturday, January 19, 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. 732-469-8910. www.njcampfairs.com.
Camps, Kids, and Sports Expo, Packet Media Group, Westin Hotel, 201 Village Boulevard, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro. Saturday, January 26, 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. 609-924-3244. www.centraljersey.com.
Summer Camps Open House, Mercer County College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Sunday, January 27, Noon to 3 p.m.; Saturdays, February 16, March 23, and April 27, 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.
For more coverage in the WW-P News and U.S. 1 Newspaper, camps are invited to send information about their 2013 programs to events@princetoninfo.com or by snail mail to U.S.1, 12 Roszel Road, Princeton 08540, as soon as possible.
