Summer camps embody adventure and academics all in one place. It’s one of the best ways to let your child learn and enjoy themselves during a summer filled with personal growth. Camps allow your child to develop a deep connection with their environment, their peers, and themselves.
Besides, it’s better than having them sit idle on their phones or computers all summer long. If you’re looking for a place where your child can grow physically, mentally, and creatively, check out these summer camps in New Jersey that are accredited by the American Camp Association.
There are both sleepaway camps and traditional day camps for your preferences.
Spring Lake Day Camp
Located in Ringwood, Spring Lake Day Camp is an ACA-accredited camp that started in 1989. It’s a family-owned camp made up of 30 acres of beautiful and natural terrain. The campus is surrounded by the Ramapo Mountains, which give children an excellent opportunity for hiking and camping.
Due to the day camp’s unique location, children from Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, and Hudson counties can easily come to receive an outdoor education. SLDC offers two options — a full-day and a mini-day camp. The full-day option enrolls students in kindergarten to 10th grade, whereas the mini-day camp is for toddlers.
The activities are age-appropriate, perfect for keeping kids of different age groups entertained. The programs provide various sports, aquatics, performing arts, and adventure-related activities. It strives to enhance your child’s current skills, and incorporate new ones for a camper’s personal growth.
Dream Summerstock VTC
The Dream Summerstock VTC is a musical summer camp intensive for young performers who are interested in musical theater. Their campground offers 230 acres of land, a spring-fed lake for water activities, and is located right at the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains.
At Dream Summerstock VTC, campers are led by a production team of professional actors and directors. They offer workshops in songwriting, musical theatre, and dance, plus an abundance of other lessons. It’s not all just theatre performances either, as fun activities like archery, boating, and ziplining are all part of the rage. At the end, campers will star in one of three fully produced show.
They have a strong reputation and a network of previous alumni who have made it into prestigious universities like the University of Michigan, Berklee School of Music, NYU, Syracuse University, and many more.
No auditions are required for enrollment and only for placement, and they welcome campers from all parts of the United States and overseas. Apply early, as enrollment is offered on a first come and first serve basis and with a goal to make camp accessible to everyone, spots fill up fast. Payment plans and financial assistance are offered as well.
National CSI Camp
The National CSI Camp is a STEM Camp focused on forensics, perfect for fans of CSI. The class is usually formatted during weeklong live, in-person camp or hosted on a Saturday or other holiday when the students are not in school. Every class provides hands-on activities and is taught by current/retired detectives.
Campers work on unique activities like solving missing person cases, analyzing blood patterns, extract DNA, fuming for fingerprints, collecting fingerprints from a mock crime scene and rolling-classifying fingerprints, creating and examine glass breaking patterns, casting footprints, and other interesting things you won’t find anywhere else. This is a very hands-on class, so kids learn effectively.
It’s a great choice for students in 5th to 12th grade who are interested in a future career or have an interest in science or law enforcement. Campers are provided with mentoring from highly qualified professionals with experience in the field.
There are many in-person classes throughout New Jersey, PA and NY for students in the tri state area. It’s one of the most unique specialty year-round camps in New Jersey.
Camp Riverbend
Camp Riverbend is situated in Somerset County, which is merely 35 minutes away from New York City. The campus expands over an area of 30-acres right next to the Passaic River, which gives it a breathtaking view. It has a wetland sanctuary, open fields, vibrant woods, nature trails, athletic facilities, and of course, the river bank.
They offer amazing camp programs that help your child embrace their individuality, explore the wonders of the world, and learn essential life skills in a supportive environment. They have both an overnight camp and day camps for children ages 3-14 years old. It also promotes positive reinforcement and healthy competition.
You can enroll 1st to 8th-grade kids in the camp, where they can engage in various activities like swimming, arts and crafts, performing arts, outdoor adventures, and more. The older kids (6th to 8th graders) are given the choice to choose their own afternoon schedules, which promotes a sense of freedom and responsibility at the same time.
KidzToPros
Are you looking for an exciting, enriching summer camp experience for your child? KidzToPros offers all kinds of programs all over the Northern New Jersey area.
KidzToPros camps are perfect experiences for your little innovator, your budding artist, or your professional-athlete-to-be! STEM camps offer fun and enriching curricula for the 21st century with courses like robotics, minecraft, and Makerspace engineering.
Their other creative camps let children’s imaginations run wild with performing, creative, and digital arts. Sports options give your children valuable leadership and teamwork skills.
Don’t let your child miss out on all the summer fun! Visit www.kidztopros.com to see the New Jersey locations and while you’re there, use promo code SCH-50 to save an extra $50!
Additional Reading: New York Camps
Pine Grove Day Camp
Pine Grove Day Camp offers an opportunity for children ages 3 to 15 years old. The summer camp is found on Herbertsville Road in Wall Township. The 36-acre land consists of ever-green grass, swimming pools, a village theater, sports fields/courts, and more.
The programs are designed to cater to your child’s developmental and physical growth. The organization’s mission is to create a unique environment for kids to learn new things by doing activities to help them grow.
These counselors work tirelessly to provide the campers with an atmosphere that is educational and adventurous as well as build meaningful relations. The ultimate goal is to empower a child to become a determined and vigorous person.
Black Bear Lake Day Camp
Black Bear Lake Day Camp is located in Millstone Township. It’s a 42-acre day camp that creates lifelong experiences for its campers. The summer programs are designed to allow children to explore new activities beyond their horizons.
Black Bear Lake Day Camp is aimed at children ages 3 to 15 years old. Each camper is given a choice to create their schedules each week and choose activities they find interesting. The camp has sports, arts, and other activities bundled in a flexible, well-rounded program.
The camps are divided by age group to provide them with companions similar in age and also to participate in age-appropriate activities. If you have a picky child, this day camp provides them the freedom to forge their own path.
Camp Creek Run
Camp Creek Run is spread over a beautiful and green 50-acre land in Marlton, NJ. It’s one of the best camps if you want your child to learn about nature, science, and environmental sustainability.
They enrich children 4 and 12 with meaningful experiences that include interacting with the community, environment, and wildlife. The various programs typically run eight weeks and provide kids with typical camp activities like swimming, sports, and wall climbing.
The atmosphere at Camp Creek Run is non-competitive and supportive to help shine in their individuality. Each child’s dreams are protected and encouraged so they become self-confident. Its unique specialty makes it a great camp in New Jersey worth considering.