As the daylight grows longer and the temperatures rise we are assured that our friend the groundhog was right this year — an early spring. With an early spring, preparations for summer will kick in to high gear. The Department of Parks and Recreation has already paved the way for summer programs and registration is just a click away.
The Summer Parks Program 2016 will take place at Mary Roberts Elementary School, George C. Baker School and the New Albany Recreation Center. This day camp is geared toward children ages 5 to 12 and is a relaxed environment in which children can play with old friends, make new friends, play sports, games, do crafts and participate in special projects. This five-week program boasts a professional staff, licensed educators and a full staff of energetic college and high school counselors who enjoy working with children. Weekly field trips are an additional cost to campers and change from week to week. The Summer Parks Program is a time honored, Moorestown favorite.
As a precursor to the Summer Parks Program, Four is Fun gets children warmed up for Summer Camp in this age appropriate and physically active program. Children may attend the morning session, the afternoon session or both. Licensed educators and professional caregivers staff this developmentally appropriate summer camp for the pre-K set. From age appropriate physical activities to academic reinforcement to art and read aloud time this camp has everything your four-year-old loves.
The Summer Theater Program is one of the best, all-inclusive summer theater programs in the area. Each summer, more than 100 children are cast in the Summer Theater Program play and in the matter of five-weeks Director Sarah Dugan turns 100 individuals into a unified theatrical group. Each summer a special partnership between the Special Needs Camp and the Sumer Theater Program incorporates Special Needs Campers into the performances. With Theater Buddies and counselors each camper is given the opportunity to perform. This summer “Shrek, the Musical, Jr.” will be performed and enjoyed by all.
Entering its second year the Summer Theater for Teens offers children who have grown up in the Summer Theater Program the opportunity to continue their participation. Teens will delve into the craft of musical theater and focus on character development, acting technique, vocal technique as well as conditioning and theater history. This year this talented group of teens will perform “James and the Giant Peach.”
The Summer Special Needs Camp, will continue the expansion made last summer and will offer special needs students ages 5 to 21, two separate groups, the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities from art and swimming to computers and field trips. Children in this program will also work hand in hand with the Summer Theater Program and participate in the performances. Due to a generous donation made by Sean Fischel Connect the Department has been able to expand this program to serve older children. Sean Fischel Connect has made the Special Needs Camp a priority in its annual giving and has allowed this program and its Certified Special Education and Nursing Staff to serve these children and their families.
In addition to these five and six week programs, the department is pleased to offer a variety of one and two week camps: from Summer Art Camp to Girls Lacrosse Camp, a general Sports Camp, a weekly basketball camp and more. As these programs set dates and specific locations they will be listed on the Department of Parks and Recreation website.
For more information about these and all other Recreation programs please visit www.moorestown.nj.us/253/Parks-Recreation and use the registration link. Time to shed those outer layers and welcome in summer.
