Campus
is haven of activities
for kids in the summer
The Gifted and Talented Youth Program Summer Camp provides balanced enrichment to children who will be entering the fifth through 11th grades in fall. Students register for one non-credit course in mathematics, science and the humanities.
They can learn the fundamentals cartooning and animation, experience the justice system through mock trials and journey through the universe. High school students also can enhance their math skills for SATs. Cultural and recreational activities include watercolor and drawing, fencing, theater and drama, swimming, photography, ice-skating and a new class in beginner piano.
To participate in the Gifted and Talented Summer Camp, students must either be in the top 5 percent of their class, be in the 95th percentile of standardized tests or have been identified by their school as gifted and talented. Children may participate in either or both of two sessions. The first is July1-19 and the second is July 22 -Aug. 9.
Budding theater buffs and thespians may prefer to participate in summer programs designed by the School of the Arts to introduce children to the joys of theater. TheatreFest for Kids offers premium children's theater and educational activities to pre-school through middle-school aged children. The program provides educational and thought-provoking theater performances to all children from the community, including at-risk children. This year Pushcart Players will perform "Dear America" on July 19 and "Norman's Ark" from July 25 to August 4. TheatreFest for Kids provides a hands-on introduction to theater and a welcoming excursion to campus through Camp TheatreFest and the Arts Voyage program.
Arts Voyage is an outreach program that will be available this summer to a select group of children from third through ninth grade. "We bus in children to enjoy a full day of arts-related activities including a live children’s theater production," said Marie Sparks, TheatreFest education coordinator. "We generally sponsor grassroots organizations, summer schools and camps, and there is no charge for at-risk children."
Camp TheatreFest, which offers children the exciting opportunity to see live shows and perform in the production of “Norman’s Ark,” will run from July 8-Aug. 4 in two-week sessions. The cost is $225 plus a $25 registration fee.
If it's harmony your children are into, the Music Preparatory Division provides musical education for all ages. This summer, for the tenth year, Music Prep is sponsoring Stokes State Forest Music Camp in Sussex County. Open to students ages 10 to 18 with a background in music, Stokes State Forest Music Camp blends musical, recreational and environmental studies into fun two-week sessions. Activities include music theory classes, chamber ensemble, keyboard harmony, chamber classes, as well as master classes by performing artists and special guest musicians. Private lessons also are available. Other activities include boating, swimming, cookouts, hiking and dances. “It’s a wonderful experience,” said Patty Mulvey, Stokes Forest Music Camp registrar, “and it is a relaxing environment on a beautiful lake in the woods.”
Stokes State Forest Music Camp runs from July 7-20. Tuition is $1,200 plus a $75 registration fee. One-week sessions are offered July 7-13 and July14-20 for $625 plus registration fee. Day camp also is available at a $400 per week.
In addition to Music Camp, the Music Preparatory Division also will sponsor a junior high and high school summer Jazz Workshop, Monday through Friday, Aug. 12-23, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The enrollment fee is $360.
And finally, junior athletes may participate in sports camps open to children of all ages and abilities. Professional Sports Camps offers all-day sessions in baseball, basketball and soccer from June 16-August 2. The Rodney Hampton Football Camp will be held July 11-13, and a wrestling camp will be offered 8 a.m.-noon July 15-18. For information on the Professional Sports Camps call 973-691-0070; for the Rodney Hampton Football Camp call 713-697-4922; and for the wrestling camp call 973-887-2111.