Local Summer Camps for Kids
Many summer day camp programs are still accepting registrations – check out what's happening locally
School ends this week, ushering in a few months of warm-weather fun for kids. If you're looking for some structured summer adventures for your school-aged children, check out these day camp options, from municipal recreation department activities to nonprofit educational programs.
Camp Funtime, Barnegat
- Seven-week day camp program run by the Barnegat Recreation Department for first- through sixth-grade students.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday (before care and after care are available as well), July 5 through Aug. 19.
- Campers are divided by age group and will participate in games, activities and field trips to destinations like water parks and skating rinks.
- Rates are $700 for the entire summer, $100 per week, $20 per day and $3.33 per hour.
- For details, visit the Barnegat Recreation Department homepage.
Adventure Camp, Barnegat
- Twice-weekly trips for older kids organized by the Barnegat Recreation Department.
- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 12 through Aug. 18.
- This twice-weekly destination day camp is for sixth- through ninth-grade graduates. Kids will take trips to water parks and amusement parks, go kayaking and more.
- Rates are $350 for all six weeks (12 trips total) and $65 for individual weeks.
- For details, visit the Barnegat Recreation Department homepage.
Ocean Township Day Camp, Waretown
- Morning camp for kids entering kindergarten through sixth grade.
- 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 29 to Aug. 11 at the Waretown Elementary School.
- Children may attend for a day, a week or the entire time. Several special events will be included, such as trips to local parks and a hockey clinic.
- Rates are $60 for a two-week session and $30 for one week.
- Details and registration information are on the Ocean Township Recreation website.
Stafford Day/Trip Camp, Manahawkin
- Day camp with activities and lots of trips for youngsters. Registration is now passed, but there is still limited availability. For more details, call Jason Hazelton at 609-597-1000, ext. 8578
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Ocean Acres Community Center.
- A detailed camp schedule is available on the Stafford Township website.
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences Summer Camps, Loveladies
- Arts and crafts and nature day camps for elementary, middle and high-school aged kids on Long Beach Island.
- 9:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday at the LBIF, 120 Long Beach Boulevard, Loveladies.
- The LBIF, a nonprofit center with a free gallery, art and craft classes, science discussions and more, offers a variety of summer day camp classes for kids ages 3 to 16. Children ages 6 to 11 get to choose from a wide selection of daily programs including photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, fibers, sculpture, theatre, and more. Nature Studies lets kids ages 7 to 9 learn about the beach and bay through field trips, while Marine Biology camp gives those ages 10 to 12 a more detailed look at local ecosystems. A Teen Arts Apprenticeship program gives older art students the chance to work alongside artists in the studio.
- Rates range from $165 per week for LBIF members ($225 for non-members) to $185 per week. An LBIF family membership is $180 and offers a year’s worth of class discounts.
- Signup information and a schedule of all camps offered is available on the LBIF website.
Barnegat Bay Coast Camp, Harvey Cedars
- Science day camp on Long Beach Island for kids entering grades 5 through 8 run by the American Littoral Society.
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18-22 at the Maris Stella Retreat and Conference Center, 7201 Long Beach Boulevard, Harvey Cedars.
- Kids will spend a week learning about coastal ecology through marsh exploration, birding, shell collecting, seining and more.
- Rate is $225 for the week.
- Call the American Littoral Society at 732-291-0055 for more details and to register.