Summer Camps Galore in Warren Township

There are several camp programs in Warren Township to keep local kids busy this summer from traditional play camps to more unique offerings including  American Girl and Rock and Roll camps.

Warren Township Recreation Department has modified some of its existing programs and is introducing new ones this summer. The department also is working with the Wagner Farm Arboretum to offer a variety of themes for residents and non-residents.

"We are always looking for something new," said Recreation Director Eleanora Hermann.

Among the new themes, American Girl Doll Adventures is a full- or half-day camp for girls ages 7 to 12 years old. Girls can sign up for morning, afternoon or all-day sessions held Aug. 1 to 5 at the Wagner Farm Arboretum. In the morning session, girls will learn about the eras that the American Girls lived in and sew clothes for their dolls, make crafts and play games. In the afternoons,  participants will enjoy crafts including making their own purses and picture frames.

Another addition is the Rock and Roll Music Camp, being taught by the Rahway Music Company at the Arboretum. Children ages 5 to 8 years can attend this camp from 9 am to 12 pm on August 8 to 12 and kids 8 to 12 years can participate from 9 am to 12 pm on August 15 to 19. The Rock and Roll Music Camp will introduce children to bass and electric guitar, keyboards, drums and percussion, as well as introductory vocal lessons. Kids will play musical games and enjoy arts and crafts, including a shoebox guitar.

The Recreation Department is providing a Kindergarten Camp again this year but with a change. Last year, the program ran one day a week for several weeks. Hermann said because of parents' feedback this year it will be one full week from 9 am to 3 p.m. on August 1 to 5 at the Municipal Pavilion.

For the second year, the Recreation Department has a Teen Travel Camp; however,  sign-ups have been slow so far, said Hermann. The program requires at least 20 registrants each week to be able to run.

"We try to do something for the teens but where are they?" Hermann asked. "They hide."

The Teen Travel Camp is a series of two trips a week for four weeks beginning July 5. The Tuesday trip will always be Delaware Rafting, which includes lunch. The Thursday trips vary by week and include the Gravity Vault 2 Rock Climbing, Keansburg Amusement Park, the Fun Plex at East Hanover and Bowcraft Amusement Park.

As in prior years, there also will be the Summer Playground for 1st through 5th grades and 7th and 8th graders for all but Teen Camp trip days. From June 27 to July 29. Mondays are swim days at the Warrenbrook Pool and Tuesdays through Fridays activities at the Municipal Pavilion include arts and crafts, sports, games and playground play.

There also will be science and art programs this summer.

The Mad Science Camp will run from 9 am to 3 pm from June 27 to 30 at the Arboretum. Children ages 6 to 12 will build their own stethoscope, grow crystals, make sidewalk chalk and perform experiments. Children 6 to 12 can also choose Space: Infinity & Beyond from 9 am to 3 pm on August 8 to 12 at the Central School. Kids will learn about space exploration and how astronauts live and work. They also will learn the basics of rocket science through hands-on activities and launch their own Estes model rockets. Both sessions are conducted by Mad Science of West Jersey.

Budding artists can choose from a variety of art camps being offered by the Arboretum. In July, children in grades 4 to 6 can participate in T-shirt art classes while 2nd through 5th graders can learn to make and paint pottery. Also in July, a Fine Arts Camp will introduce kids in 3rd through 5th grade to different mediums including pencil, charcoal, pastel and watercolor. 

 
The Summer Playground and Kindergarten Camp are for Warren Residents only. The Teen Travel Camp is for township residents and residents of Long Hill, Watchung and Green Brook, who can sign up for an additional fee of $25. All other offerings are open to non-residents, who will have to pay an additional $20 per program, as well as township residents.

More information, including prices and schedules, can be found on the township's website at www.warrennj.org. People can also register online or over the phone with a credit card. Registration also can be done in person or by mail (but call first to be sure your program is open).

Registration closes when attendance is full or usually a week before the start date, except for the Summer Playground, which has a deadline of June 14. The only program full right now is the Star Wars Lego Robotics Camp, but a few others are filling up fast. If a program is full, people can opt to join a wait list.