By Tricia Berwick
It’s hard to believe that in a few short months, another school year will be completed. Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s time to start researching day camps for your kids. Instead of sitting of sitting on the couch, munching on snacks, and flipping on the television switch or the computer, your child will have stimulating activities with peers. You won’t have to answer the daily question of, “Mom, what are doing today? Are we doing anything fun?” If you decide on a camp experience this summer, that question will be taken care of and you can feel at ease that your child will be busy and productive while having a good time.
According to the American Camp Association, (www.acacamps.org), camp encourages children to explore and learn in a nurturing environment. It’s also a good opportunity for your child to try new activities and to have a better idea of what he or she is good at and feels comfortable doing. Sending your child to camp is an excellent way for your child to learn how to be independent, too.
Another important reason to send your child to camp this summer is simply to enjoy the fresh air and to experience nature. Your child will go on guided nature walks and learn to truly appreciate nature. It’s always great to take a break from the everyday routine and to see something new. During the school year, kids are always busy with homework and after-school activities. However, summer is the perfect time to slow down, have some fun, and enjoy the warm weather. Camp is a great way for your child to do all of these things with his peers.
Before deciding on a camp, it’s a good idea to gather as much information as possible before you commit to one. A good technique to find out whether a camp would be a suitable fit for your child is to network with other parents. Getting feedback from those who have already experienced the camp is one of the best ways to determine if the camp would be a good option. When speaking to parents, be sure to ask questions about what a typical day is like, how competitive the activities are, what the camp-to-counselor ratio is and how the counselors are screened and trained.
It’s also advisable to ask how counselors deal with difficulties that may arise. For instance, how do they handle problems with discipline? Do they call parents when there’s a problem? It’s important to research the camp’s behavior policies before you sign on the dotted line. Also, it’s not unreasonable to ask for references beforehand and to research the camp’s credentials. Make sure to keep a checklist of your information to stay organized and focused while compiling research.
Another significant tip in the selection process is to determine what type of camp would work best for your child. These days, there are many options to choose from, from traditional camps which feature nature and arts and crafts activities, as well as more specialized camps. Does your child enjoying drawing pictures? If so, an art camp would be appropriate. If your child loves to shoot hoops, run the bases, and swim, a sports camp would be ideal. Or if your child likes dance, you could send her to a ballet camp. Or perhaps even a camp which studies foreign languages or filmmaking. Decide on a budget that your family can afford and then ask your child for input.
Point Pleasant Beach mother Joanna Madden, says she looks for a camp that can develop her children’s athletic abilities.
“What’s important to me is how well the counselors can coach my kids, especially my older child,” says Madden. “My nine-year-old is really involved with sports, so finding the
right sports camp is a key factor for my family. If there’s a camp that is designated for a specific skill, I would be more willing to travel. I also want to make sure the camp has a down-to-earth atmosphere and allows the kids to be social with others.”
Melissa Nagel, a mother of two, concurs with Madden and says that her kids, ages 5 and 3 have benefited from specialized camps in the past.
“The soccer camp we sent the kids to was small, with only three kids to a class which was great,” says the Point Pleasant mom. “It was very specialized which helped them a lot.”
Other factors to consider are the cost and the location of the camp. What is your family’s budget? Sure, you would like your child to have a fun and rewarding summer camp experience, but it’s also important to determine what your family can reasonably afford. What about location? Is it better for the camp to be close to your job in case of an emergency, or should your child choose a local camp so he can socialize with kids from the neighborhood? What about transportation to and from camp? Will you be able to drive your child to camp or does the facility offer bus service? Maybe you can coordinate a transportation schedule with another mom. This way, one parent can take care of drop off and the other mom can be responsible for pickup. It’s imperative to plan ahead and figure out the details before making a choice.
Once your family has decided on a particular camp, it’s important to register as early as possible. Many times camps offer discounts if you commit before a certain date. It’s also wise to book early if you have specific dates in mind that you would like your child to attend camp.
If you’re thinking about sending your child to camp this summer, start researching the Internet, visit some of the local camps and their staff, talk to other parents about their experiences, and ask your child what type of camp he or she would like to attend. By working together as a team, you and your child will pick the best camp experience for the summer.
Spring is in the air and summer camp is on everyone’s mind. Once again Kum Sung will be offering an exciting summer camp for children ages five through fourteen years old. Sung Star Academy will have a summer camp program for children ages one though five years old at the learning center. There are openings for infants 6 weeks through 12 months old year round.
Day trips are designed to entertain children ages 4 years old and up. Fun Town Pier, Peddles and Paddles, bowling, movies, Pirate Adventure, Black Beard’s Cave and more is planned. Youngsters under the age of four are entertained daily in a safe environment while at Sung Star Academy. A developmentally appropriate curriculum has been created by the director and staff. It is designed to provide stimulating and engaging experience, laughter and a great desire to return to camp!
Water play, wading pools, sprinklers are readily available daily for our children to cool off with. The greatest amount of fun seems to be found at our in ground pool. Sung Star campers will receive swim lessons as well as free daily swiming. It is refreshing to see our older and younger siblings catching up with each other around the pool and outdoor playground. Our water slide, moon bounce, DJ dance party and spectacular end of the year celebration all contribute to the KS tradition of summer fun.
Sports such as soft ball, basket ball, field hockey, and beach volley ball are offered daily. Along with making arts and crafts kids love to create “art like” edible snacks and devour them for lunch! Games, contests and in camp competitions are part of the fun.
Older campers will be taught the importance of exercise and nutrition. K.S. programs are designed and supervised by experienced educators and top fitness experts. There is also a focus on self confidence,
independence, physical activity and leadership building in a positive atmosphere.
Most importantly the children receive Martial Arts and karate training weekly. Intergrated through karate, is the teaching of inner strength, loyalty, courage, bravery, kindness and most importantly respect. Students are exposed to positive and strong character building. The expectation of K.S. is designed to expose your children to these behaviors by creating life lessons. Several parents have shared that after the camp experience ended their sons/daughters have become more aware of the place respect holds for them.
All of the Kum Sung instructors are high achieving Masters. When instructors are so well trained in the art and life lesson of martial arts it transcends with ease to the students, sending a strong message. Providing this experience came through years of their own positive experience and training with Grand Master Kum Sung. The karate classes are presented on introductory basis as well as training those that may be of a higher rank.
For children spending their summer at For children spending their summer at Sung Star Academy, Grand Master and his wife Youn have designed the highly successful program that exposes and begins training youngster at the age of two! Parents are amazed by the quick growing achievements they can actually see in their toddlers in minimal time!
A plus for our working parents is that we offer before and after care hour services from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm without an additional charge! The traditional camp day is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Kum Sung and Sung Star camps are open for the entire summer beginning on June 15th through August 28th.
For our Brick campers transportation is provided to the main camp site. Drop off is a 7:30 am and the bus departs at 8 am. End of the day pick up is at 4pm. In addition, Brick campers are invited to attend additional karate classes at no additional cost. ( Brick & Toms River Locations)
Many of our children and families are return campers . Whether you are a new camper or a returning camper, the Kum Sung experience is fantastic fun! According to a KS family, “what the children experienced during K.S. camp were positive experiences and life lessons!”
For More Information
Visit our website at: www.Kumsungkarate.com
732-341-8800 www.sungstaracademy.com
732-341-7500
Zipline, swimming and horseback riding are highlights at Day Camp with the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore
Fun is the number one priority this summer at Amity Acres Day Camp and Sacajawea Day Camp.
At convenient locations in Waretown and Farmingdale, campers choose from activities that include zip line, swimming, arts and crafts and performing arts.
Specialty programs include teen leadership development, cooking and horse care and riding. To maximize the fun, optional campfires and overnights are available as well.
“The joy that I felt that she was able to learn new things and meet new friends is overwhelming,” said the mom of a camper from Keansburg. “That’s what I remember the Girl Scouts to be from when I was younger – sharing with one another, learning new things and having fun.”
“Girl Scout camp was a wonderful experience for my daughter!” added an Ocean County mother whose 8-year-old daughter attended Amity Acres Day Camp. “Everyday she was so proud of herself for trying something new. We can’t wait until camp next summer!”
Girls ages 5 and through 15 are welcome at Amity Acres Day Camp, which runs from June 28 through August 20. A special Twilight Camp is available afternoons the week of June 21 to get girls excited for the summer of fun ahead.
“Amity Acres is an exceptional place for day camp. They had very good staff there; every one was nice, including other campers,” said the mother of a 9-year-old camper. 
In addition to girls 5-15, Sacajawea Day Camp also offers a Tag-A-Long unit for brothers ages 5 thorough 11. Among the new program additions this year is a Firefly Unit for 3- and 4-year-old girls and boys.
“I’ve gone to Camp Sacajawea for the past three years. I would like to say thank you to you and all my counselors. I had a great time at camp. I love the activities. I especially like swimming, archery, boating, the Thursday night campfire and learning about nature. However, I don’t like the bugs! You are doing a great job,” said a camper from Seaside Heights.
Operated by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, Amity Acres and Sacajawea Day Camps provide girl-led and girl-focused activities, rooted in Girl Scout values and traditions. Its counselors support, nurture and care for girls, encouraging them to try new activities and make new friends.
“My daughter, Abigail attended Sacajawea and she loves it,” said a mother from Middletown. “She has worn her Camp Sac shirt every day; I had to wash it every night. My husband just bought two more!”
Outdoor fun is all around as girls safely fly through the trees on a zip line, paddle around the scenic lake in a canoe, kayak or paddleboat, or learn to take aim at success at the archery range.
Bus service, before and after care options make life easy for parents. Basic camp costs start at only $135 per week at Amity Acres Day Camp and $220 per week at Sacajawea Day Camp. Many discounts are available to make a summer of fun more affordable.
For more information about Amity Acres Day Camp, visit www.amityacresdaycamp.com or call (732) 751-2755. Sacajawea Day Camp can be reached at www.sacajaweadaycamp.com or call (732) 751-2766.
Parents may be familiar with The Goddard School® and its exceptional academic program for children from six weeks to six years old, but are parents as familiar with Goddard’s summer program? The summer program is a unique blend of fun and learning.
Goddard’s energetic teams of teachers plan summer days filled with developmentally appropriate activities that foster children’s skill building, self-confidence, and cognitive development. Children learn about creepy crawlers, send letters to pen pals, and ‘travel’ to the stars in a positive atmosphere that offers the ideal balance to the school year.
As important as the learning component is to parents, an equally important factor is the opportunity for children to socialize and build memories that will last a lifetime. Every aspect of the summer program at The Goddard School® takes these corresponding needs into account.
Goddard’s exceptional summer program includes:
• Science and Nature
• Arts and Crafts
• Drama
• Computers and Technology
• Literature and Language
• Cooking
• Music and Movement
• Sports and Games
• Manners
• Special Visitors
Goddard’s summer program is parents’ choice for a safe and nurturing program. Each school develops a unique learning experience for the children in their neighborhood. Teachers create lesson plans based on Goddard Developmental Guidelines in order to provide a stimulating experience full of age-appropriate activities and oodles of fun.
As important as the learning component is to parents, an equally important factor is a safe environment. Goddard answers this aspect with its comprehensive Goddard Quality Assurance Review. While Goddard Schools must maintain state regulations, they are additionally required to meet the stringent standards of Goddard QA to ensure health and safety as well as curriculum standards in their schools.
Goddard Schools’ summer calendars include special visitors and cultural events throughout the summer. Visitors provide exciting learning opportunities, in a safe environment, and may include, community helpers; performances by storytellers, musicians, and magicians; as well as outreach programs through local museums.
To learn more about the Goddard
summer program in your
neighborhood, please call
1-800-GODDARD or visit www.goddardschool.com.
Imagine a week where you go on a field trip on Monday, went swimming on Tuesday, had water play on Wednesday, moon bounce on Thursday, had a special guess visitor on Friday at your ultimate scavenger hunt pajama party. Imagine that days are filled with science experiments, fun games, education, research and lot of arts and crafts. YOU CAN”T WAIT TO RETURN TOMORROW.
We have planned summer camp activities filled with fun educational experience to create memories that will last a life time. From visiting the Statue of Liberty and Eliis Island to taking a cruise to see dolphins in their natural habitat to hands on experience at the Liberty Center, we have you covered.
One day your children are scientists discovering new facts with fun experiments, digging for fossils at a park and net fishing identifying different local aquatic species. Another week they are artistes at a live play, and being part of a silent masquerade ball where they have to use clues to find the missing jewel. They will be pirates and take a real voyage and find the villain and win the prize. They will swim weekly and be entertained every week. They will have so much fun they won’t even know they are learning. And if you don’t tell we promise we won’t.
Join us at Tutor Time where learning is fun, because it’s always a fun day at Tutor Time.
Choose from our CUB CAMP for children ages 3-5years and ADVENTURE CAMP for children ages 5-12years old.
Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty * Poricy Park Fossil Hunt
Pirate Adventures * Cattus Island Beach Combing
Point Pleasant Beach and Amusement Park * Gymboree
Creative Experience * Bagel Making at Shore Bagels & Deli
Point Pleasant Aquarium * Weekly swimming
Discovery Children’s Museum * Sky Line Dolphin Cruise
Classes now forming for Sports,Parent/Child, Tumbing and
Music Classes.
732-262-0037
There are so many fun and exciting activities that will take place at Ocean Gymnastics Academy’s Sizzling Summer Camp. Gymnastics plus so much more fun fill each and every moment of our camp. As in previous years, our campers tend to educate their parents with facts obtained from each of the weekly
themes. This year’s themes include:
*UNDER THE SEA* SUMMER FUN
*KNIGHTS,PRINCESS,AND CASTLES
* MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU
*EXTINCT AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
* GO WITH THE FLOW
At Ocean Gymnastics Academy children are respected for their feelings, supported for their desire to explore, and encouraged to feel powerful. Our goal is to help our campers gain a sense of competence in all areas of development within our camp. At all times the development of our campers self-esteem and confidence is of paramount importance.
Ocean Gymnastics Camp is extremely fast paced, and there is never a dull moment. Campers constantly rotate from project to project, to gymnastics, to projects, to snack, and back to gymnastics. A stage provides campers with the unique opportunity to entertain fellow campers with joke telling, songs, dance, or whatever else they would like to perform. IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR CAMPERS!
Allow your child to experience and grow in a loving, fun, and safe atmosphere which encourages positive self-esteem and fun learning.
WE KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN AT
OCEAN GYMNASTICS’ SUMMER CAMP!!!
1200 Fischer Blvd. • Toms River
732-270-4500
Help your kids avoid the summer slide with Mathnasium of Toms River’s MATH CAMP! Summer is a great time to catch up and get ahead! In our relaxed, homework-free environment, Mathnasium enables students to focus on what they need most. Students keep their minds active throughout the summer months by participating in programs designed to develop, maintain, and challenge their math skills and understanding.
According to directors Wayne Gray, Barbara Koehler, and Neil Rankin, all students can excel in school and on standardized tests when they’re given the chance to really understand the materials. When they start the school year prepared, without losing two or three months of knowledge, the results astound parents. All of a sudden, homework and tests are a totally different experience!
Mathnasium of Toms River is offering a MATH CAMP for July and August. Students can attend Mathnasium for as little as 4 weeks and as long as 9 weeks. The center will be open from 10AM – 12PM and from 3PM -
7PM Monday to Thursday. Students are encouraged to attend two times a week for one hour each session.
The MATH CAMP programs are specifically designed to help children get ready for the next school year in a more relaxed environment. In addition, students who will be taking Algebra, Geometry, or Algebra II in the fall can work on a Preview Course at Mathnasium during the summer. Mathnasium’s MATH CAMP students find learning math is fun, rewarding, and even inspiring!
For more information on
Mathnasium of Toms River, or to register for a MATH CAMP session, please call 732-255-MATH(6284)
or send an email to tomsriver@mathnasium.com
BBQs,Beaches, & Better Grades!
Eagle’s Crest Summer Camp
“WHERE FRIENDSHIPS LAST FOREVER”
Quality and Affordable Summer Camp for every family!
Summer camp is about personal growth, friendships and fun. Our job as camp professionals is to create an atmosphere that enables kids to experience the freedom of summer in ways that they could not at home. It is an opportunity for campers and staff alike to build new friendships and experience new things.
At Holy Family’s Eagle’s Crest Summer Camp we try to think of ourselves as cruise directors giving these young people a different experience each day that they attend camp. Our great facility enables us the opportunity to provide sports, water activities, fine arts, carnivals and so much more.
We see our campers as “unique” and unique children need unique opportunities. At camp they get to do things that they never did before. Our best days are when campers do not want to leave camp or leave saying, “guess what I did today”!
Most camps offer similar activities. But we offer something that most camps can only hope to achieve. All of our counselors are former students. Every counselor has a special tie to Holy Family School and when people care about something it creates a very special place!
Our principal goals are to help our campers learn something about themselves and to promote a healthy respect for each other and the values that we stand for. Our Kinder, Junior, and Teen Leadership Camps do exactly that, by creating a one of a kind camp experience for all.
By Tricia Berwick
