The Mantua school district’s summer day camp registration is now open, and with a new director on board, positive changes are expected.
From themed weeks to field trips, Director Robert Johnson has been prepping for the campers since he took on his role in January. This year, the Summer Enrichment Experience and 10-week child care program are combining for a full day camp experience run by the school district.
“There will be a four-day-a-week, half-day program that will run for eight weeks,” Johnson said. “The staff will consist predominantly of teachers running each program area with counselors taking them from one station to the next.”
Themes include Olympics Week, Around the World Week and Spirit Week, and field trips will take campers to the Cape May Zoo, Diggerland Amusement Park and other places.
“This year, we are hoping to offer campers a whole slew of new activities, like giant slip ’n’ slides, a flour-bomb frenzy, survivor challenges and amazing field trips,” said Johnson, who has worked at the summer program for seven years.
A majority of the campers are Mantua Township residents, but the camp is open to kids in the region as well. Located at J. Mason Tomlin Elementary School, the program allows families to choose from various camp options, including half-day, full-day and before-and-after care packages.
The camp is open to students entering kindergarten, up to students entering sixth grade. For older students who want to participate, the summer day camp also offers a CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) program for seventh and eighth graders. It lasts four weeks and is targeted for students interested in future working at a camp.
“This program will offer a blend of being a camper as well as the experience of what goes on behind the scenes at camp,” Johnson explained. “They will assist the supervisors in setting up activities, and they will shadow counselors for parts of their day.”
Mantua’s summer camp, which has had summer programs for more than 25 years, takes place from June 27 through Aug. 19. For more information on registration rates, visit mantuaschools.com. Other questions can be directed to Dr. Robert Johnson via email at [email protected] or by calling (856) 468-0818, ext. 4209.
