Now is the time to begin your plans for the kids during summer break and take advantage of the early bird specials.   With the plethora of choices for summer camps from day to sleepaway, special themes to traditional and even academic ones, we have lots of options in our camp directory to find the right fit for your child.  The summer months are coming fast and it is a great time to explore one of the many open houses which can give you a glimpse at what you kids can expect as they prepare for their best summer yet!  

Learning has never been more fun!

Summer is a great time to explore, meander, create and play. International Ivy's Summer Enrichment Program has more than 50 classes to select from.  Classes include robotics, video game creation, computer programming, Minecraft, science, math, performing arts, film-making, animation, website design, graphic design, fashion design, brain training, chess, fencing, golf and more.  For the summer of 2015, they added some exciting new classes, such as: Java Programming, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, The Engineering of Ice Cream, Anatomy and Surgical Techniques, Musical Revue, Foods Around the World / Pasta-Making and Language Arts Boot Camp.  Get ready for the summer by enrolling your child today!   Locations: Caldwell, Chatham, Edison, Far Hills, Oakland, Paramus, Ringwood, Scotch Plains, Short Hills, Somerset and Sparta. For more information call 908.899.1338, email: info@iisummer.com or check out on www.iisummer.com

Ocean County College offers a wide variety of kids' programs that are both fun and educational. Sports camps, arts, robotics, dance, computers, foreign language, science, math and creative writing are just some of the exciting courses available. Kids on Campus provide children ages 4-16 the opportunity to learn, explore, challenge, and grow while having fun!  For more information call 732.255.0404, email cpeinfo@ocean.edu or visit http://www.ocean.edu/content/public.html

Come discover a world of adventure at Ranney Summer Programs (Tinton Falls), offering Day Camp, Sports Camps, Trip Camps, Academic Courses, Visual & Performing Arts, STEM Courses, PSAT/SAT Prep, Kindergarten & Preschool Programs, Gifted & Talented Programs, and more. Plus: Campers have daily swim instruction, crafts, electives, special Friday activities & lunch. Open House & Tour: April 11, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please RSVP and view their full brochure at www.ranneyschool.org/summerprograms.

Summer Explorations, the Summer Program of The Elisabeth Morrow School, in Englewood offers a unique blend of camp and school, with a wide variety of choices. One-week workshops include math, reading/literature, sports, arts, science, computer, cooking, LEGO engineering, woodworking, fashion design and more! The 14-acre wooded campus, playgrounds, playing fields, science and computer labs provide just the right setting for learning and recreation. Call 201.568.5566 x7132, email lhards@elisabethmorrow.org or visit www.elisabethmorrow.org. 

Dwight Englewood School Summer Connections engages learners through exceptional day camp experiences.   In Adventures & Discoveries, PreK (age 3) to Grade 4 children will explore the magic of literature. Campers in Grades 5-12 can select from dozens of Enrichment offerings including 3D Printing, Cheftastic, Stained Glass, Videography, and more.  Scholars in Grades 9-12 can earn credit in Science, Mathematics, English, and other disciplines.  NEW! this year: Enrichment 360, offering courses in entrepreneurship, mindfulness, service, String Society, Summer Stage, and more.  For more information call 201.227.3144 or email tashjs@d-e.org or register at www.d-e.org/summer

Code, Game, Create!

At iD Tech Camps, students ages 7-17 design video games, mod with Minecraft, code apps, engineer robots, build websites, produce films, and more. Hands-on learning takes place in small clusters of just 8 students per instructor, guaranteed. Campers learn 21st century skills that give them a competitive advantage for school and future STEM careers.   Check out https://www.idtech.com/locations/new-jersey-summer-camps/ to find a location near you.  Or call 1-888-709-8324 or email info@iDTech.com. 

Maker Depot Future Makers Camp offers Half-day, morning/afternoon, one-week courses: game programming with Game Maker Studio, RobotC programming, robotics using Vex Cortex, 3D design and CO2 dragster design. Introductory and advanced classes available. Classes limited to 10 students. $100 deposit required.  Located in Totowa, NJ.  For more information call 862.245.3805 or visit www.themakerdepot.com

L3 Academy features their STEMtastic Summer Camp.  It is a hands-on camp filled with science, technology, engineering and Minecraft activities. Select from ½- and full-day options in July and August from one or more of our weekly-themed camps for rising K-8 graders. Themes include: Wacky Science,

Jr. Engineers, Robotics, Minecraft Madness, Videogame Programming, The Art of Invention, Toy, Engineering & Prototyping,  and LEGO®  Robotics.  Located: Montclair, NJ  Visit www.L3-Academy.com/camp,  call (973) 783-8333 or email Info@L3-Academy.com for more information. 

Experience the theater

Taubenslag Productions is a Professional Children's Theater Company dedicated to presenting quality family entertainment and teaching children how theater arts can build confidence while also having lots of FUN! If that sounds good to you then you are ready to sign them up for their Theater Camp at Middlesex County College! Summer 2015 marks the 26th year of their very popular, national award-winning camp program that runs for 8 weeks (June 29 –August 21) and is geared for kids entering 1st grade up to 16 years old.  For more information, call 732.422.7071, email them at info@taubenslagproductions.com, or visit www.taubenslagproductions.com

Curtain Call Performing Arts Center is featuring a Summer Musical Theatre Camp for Ages 5-15 from June 29 through August 9.   They provide 6 weeks of Musical Theatre, training in voice, dance, acting as well as a strong connection to literacy, comprehension and reading fluency.  Location: Harrington Middle School Theater 514 Mount Laurel Road Tuition: $895.00 for six weeks - includes a script, rehearsal CD and camp t-shirt Performances are August 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2015. Their summer productions are Disney's Winnie the Pooh KIDS for our 5-8 year olds and Disney's Alice in Wonderland, Jr. and Shrek the Musical for our tweens, teens and advanced performers.  Placement auditions will be held in June. All children will be given featured, supporting and/or principal roles. For more information, call 856.287.5014 or email us at curtaincallpac@comcast.net or visit www.curtaincallpac.com

Cresskill Summer Performing Arts Camp runs Jun 29 - Aug 28, weekly, monthly, or all summer; half or full day; early drop-off, late pick-up available.  Creative Children (age 6 - 8) jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, acting/theater games, art, fencing, yoga, more.  Preschool Performers (age 3 - 5) jazz, ballet, broadway, creative movement, rhythm instruments, art, too. Preteen/Teen Exploring Artists (age 9 - teens) jazz, ballet, acting, improv, modern, choreography, tap, hip-hop, yoga, art.  Creative Legos Camp: weekly July 6-27 Experiment with Lego sets, create your own buildings, aircraft, vehicles, robots!

Ages 5 - 10. Mon-Fri 9 - 11am.  Fencing Camp: Wk of Jun 29 and/or Aug 24 (age 7 - teens)  Beginners as well as those with experience will get stronger with body conditioning and drills.  Try all the weapons: foil, epee, saber, rapier, and smallsword.  For more information, call 201.390.7513 or 201.266.8830, email studio-info@cresskillperformingarts.com or visit www.cresskillperformingarts.com

Sports Fun and more 

International Sports Skating & Fun Centre Summer Day Camp offers flexible scheduling, affordable payment plans and sibling discounts with lunch, drinks, snack and extended care included.  Your camper can enjoy a multitude of sports, games, theme days, field & swim trips and special guests! Their friendly staff will help facilitate a FUN atmosphere where your child can create memories that will last a lifetime. Campers are 3.5 to 8th Grade Dates: June 18th - September 4th. Time: 7AM until 6PM. Located: Cherry Hill, Deptford, Mt. Laurel For more information call 856.428.8588, email Donna@intsports.com or visit www.intsports.com

Woodcrest Juniors Camp in Cherry Hill welcomes boys and girls ages 5 to 15 for a daily or full week program including golf and tennis instruction as well as supervised swimming. The camp runs for 7 weeks, Monday-Friday with an 8:30am drop off and 4:00pm pick up.  Open House March 15th 10am-2pm For more information call 856.428.1243, email them at Proshop@woodcrestcountryclub.com or visit www.woodcrestcc.com

Dance the Summer Away

Dance Education Unlimited 2 located in Fair Lawn, NJ offers some fun and exciting programs weekly throughout the summer. It is a great opportunity to give your child something new, fun, and exciting to do while they’re on summer break.  Summer camp Sign up for 1. 4, 10 weeks (1x, 2x per wk);  Cheer/ Tumble: Mondays & Fridays 10:30-12:30, Ages 5+ or KidzKlub:  Dance / movement, games,  class/ stories:  Tuesdays & Thursdays 10:30-12:30,  Ages 3 ½-6  Call (201) 773-8588 or visit www.deustudio.com

Explore, Discover and Connect with Nature

Watershed Nature Camp is an outdoor, co-ed, day camp. They have overnights options for older campers.  Their camper to counselor ratio is 7:1 or better. 9am-4pm; extended care 8am-5:30pm. Half-day for ages 3-5; full days for campers entering grades 1-9; Counselor-In-Training for campers entering grades 10-11. Open Houses: March 14, April 18, May 16; 2-4pm.   Located in Pennington, NJ  For more information, all  609.737.7592 or by email at camp@thewatershed.org or go towww.thewatershed.org/summer-camp

Horse Back Riding

Seaton Hackney Stables Horseback Riding Camp has the Daily Record Best of the Best award two consecutive years!  Beautiful 25+ acres County facility, great amenities, miles of riding trails. Our team of US & international 3-1 ratio counselors and level-specific horses and ponies make your children's dreams come alive in a fun-filled, supportive atmosphere. Beginner through advanced levels.  Located in Morristown, NJ. For more information call 973.644.3355, email seatonh@verizon.net or visit  www.seatonhackney.com

Creative and Free Play

In a world that constantly tells kids they should be something different than who they are – Camp Stomping Ground is a sleep away camp that helps kids ages 6-17 learn to love themselves for who they really are.  They offer campers a chance to control what happens in their day. They have a TON of intentionally programmed activities, and they respectfully let campers to choose what they want to do within a safe supervised environment.  They can choose from a wide variety of intentionally crafted offerings like soccer, LARP, swimming, archery, high ropes, catapults, painting, fire building, basketball, dance, spaghetti mania, hiking, fort building, high ropes, gaga, meditation, and more.   It runs from June 21-27 at Camp Johnsonburg in Warren County. If you want to be a part of the magic, go ahead and register now. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Laura at (585) 451-5141 or laura@campstompingground.com.

Traditional Day Camp

Camp Riverbend offers fun, camp spirit and achievement through sports, crafts, swimming, adventure, cooking and more!  Join the Breene family for a summer of "confidence, not competition!" Door to door transportation from towns in Essex, Union, Morris counties. Bus stops in Hoboken and downtown Jersey City.  Open House on Saturday April 18 Located in Warren, NJ For more information call 908.580.CAMP, email info@campriverbend.com, or visit www.campriverbend.com. 

Pine Grove Day Camp’s Mission is to create a Summer Experience for their families so meaningful, that it makes campers for life. Located in Wall Township, Pine Grove provides a totally unique experience that mirrors what parents learned when they were growing up. This camp focuses on nurturing real-life skills that help a child grow and mature while having the time of their lives.  The CODE OF LIVING is all about:  Integrity, Responsibility, Leadership, Resilience and Fellowship. Pine Grove is situated on 36 acres with 4 heated pools, 20,000 sq. feet of air conditioned indoor space, art centers, skate park, mountain bikes, BMX courses and much more.  They offer a wide variety of activities that are appropriate for all campers.  Watch as your child’s portfolio of skills – athletic, creative, social development and intrapersonal – all grow during their Pine Grove Adventure.   Call 732-938-3760 or email info@pinegrovedaycamp.com for more information. 

Kent Place Summer Camp (Summit) is a coeducational, state-licensed, day camp program for boys and girls, ages 3 through 15 years old, providing fun, enrichment and opportunities for physical and social development in a safe, non-competitive atmosphere. Their beautiful 26-acre campus offers regulation artificial turf playing fields, playgrounds, a modern field house, five tennis courts, air-conditioned dining hall and classrooms, state-of-the-art computer labs and an arts center. Campers are well supervised by a qualified and caring staff of program directors, teachers and experienced counselors.  Call (908) 273-0900 ext. 297 or check out http://www.kentplace.org/summercamp for more information. 

Since 1998, ESF summer camp with locations in Moorestown and Lawrenceville offers a unique blend of activities, sports and special events throughout the summer, rain or shine. In addition to their pristine facilities, part of what makes their camps so special is the energy and enthusiasm of the staff. With 25+ camp programs and extensive indoor and outdoor facilities provide campers of all ages with the perfect setting to learn and grow! Camp runs June 15 - August 14. Open House Dates: April 16th 5:30-7:30 PM (Moorestown Location) & April 19 1-4 PM (Lawrenceville Location) For more information call 856.235.5300 or visit www.esfcamps.com. 

The Neil Klatskin Day Camp at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades is one of the Best, All-Inclusive Day Camp 

Right in Your Own Backyard! Featuring 21+ acre-campus featuring 3 pools, sprinkler park, fields and tennis courts, low ropes course with zip line & more. Air-conditioned classrooms with certified teacher head counselors for 3 and 4 year old campers Red Cross daily swim instruction and Indoor rainy-day facilities.  All inclusive (lunch, snacks, camp shirt, backpack, wet bathing suit bag, towel service, water bottle, weekly challah, and camp picture) so you don't worry about a thing! Ages 3-11, June 29-August 21, 9-4.  Located in Tenafly, NJ.  Call 201.567.8963, email nkdc@jccotp.org or visit www.jccotp.org/nkdc  for more information.