Schools & Camps 2023 Guide

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Sandy Lane offers year-round private care for children

Sandy Lane Nursery School in Belleville is celebrating its 50th year of operation this fall. Mrs. Elaine Perna, one of the original owners of the school, is still the administrator (and the heart) of Sandy Lane today and personally oversees the daily operation.

The school builds its reputation on the relationships we nurture with families and our community. Through the years, this involvement has been a vital part of our program.

Being both a NAEYC accredited and Grow NJ Kids 4-star-rated center, we have continued to uphold the highest standards in childcare and early childhood education.

Aside from being a year-round private nursery- and preschool offering care from 6 weeks to 6 years of age, we also offer an engaging and age-appropriate summer camp program for children up to 3rd grade. Weekly themes, scheduled water play, lots of entertainment and hands-onactivities ensure children have fun while learning and help bridge the summer gap between school years.

Our staff are credentialed and experi-

enced, our curriculum and lessons are implemented with purpose to help each child grow, and we strive to provide our students with a solid foundation for a life

of learning to reach their full potential.

In recent years, Sandy Lane has expanded its horizon and began a fruitful collaboration with the Belleville Public

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School District and has been hosting four of their Belleville Beginner public preschool classes at Sandy Lane. We are very proud of this partnership and look forward to continuing to be a part of the forming years in the lives of the children of Belleville.

We are conveniently located on Mill Street, between Franklin Avenue and Harrison Street and have a large parking lot area in the back of the school for safe and easy drop off and pick up.

Open enrollment started February 1st for both summer camp and the new school year and spots are reserved on a first come first served basis.

For specific information about our summer camp or our year-round program, we gladly answer any inquiries via phone call to our main office at 973-7516380 or via email to sandylane634@verizon.net. Interested families are welcome to schedule an appointment to tour our facility for a first-hand experience of our program.

We look forward to hearing from you and to having the opportunity to continue to grow our Sandy Lane Family.

Free to the Community: Explore Summer Camps for Kids at NJ CAMP FAIRS 2023

The CAMP FAIRS return! Don’t miss this free opportunity for families to explore summer camps and programs for your child. Select from all sorts of camps: sleep away, traditional day, and those that specialize in sports, adventure, travel, academic, STEM, art, robotics, precollege, performing arts, and nature. Will it be a full summer away in the woods, a month traveling, a 4-, 2- or weekly camp, a general camp that offers many activities or one focused on learning a new skill?

There will be 7 camp fairs throughout NJ. Area camp fairs will be in Summit 1/22, Livingston 1/28, and Montclair 2/5. Other camp fairs outside the area include: Paramus 1/21, Ridgewood 1/29, Lawrenceville/Princeton 2/4, and Edison 3/4). All fairs run from 12-3pm. For kids Pre K through High School. Different camps will be at each fair. Come to them all and bring your kids!

This free educational resource guarantees you face to face meetings with high quality camps from various locations all under one roof. Camps will be hiring counselors too! For over 38 years, the NJ Camp Fairs and the American Camp Association, a non-profit organization, has been connecting kids to great camps.

Please RSVP www.njkidsonline.com/camp-fairs to let us know you’re coming and you’ll receive a free gift at the fair.

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Vanguard Theater Company offers inclusion for artists

A theater camp that not only offers excellent training, but also fosters a sense of community, celebrates diversity and differences, and has a staff of professional performers and educators who believe in nurturing and developing the whole person with kindness and compassion? That’s Vanguard Theater Company.

Vanguard Theater has two amazing programs to satisfy young artists, ages 8 - 12, in our VTC Kids Summer Day Camp, and serious musical theater students and techies, ages 12 - 19 in our SummerstockVTC Sleepaway Intensive. Both programs are led by our professional teaching staff of actors and directors, making this a truly unique and educational experience for all aspiring musical theater lovers and artists.

To quote a parent of a first time camper last year: "I have to tell you, you all are MAGIC! I’m CRYING. You all literally create joyful, magical, creative INCLUSION. I feel so incredibly blessed that my child is experiencing this learning/growing with VTC. It feels like we won the theater education lottery! I’m not even there with you and it feels like we’ve found FAMILY. I hope all these kids know just how lucky they are. Thank you for all you do.” Kathy M. VTC Kids campers can look forward to 5 days a week of playing theater games, learning core musical theater skills, working together as a team, all while having a great time rehearsing for a fully produced production with lights, costumes, and all the bells and whistles on Vanguard Theater’s mainstage on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ. For more about VTC Kids, click here: https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/kids-camp-2023.

Another parent quote: "I am always amazed at how talented these kids are and what Vanguard is able to achieve in such a short amount of time. The show was fabulous!! My only regret is that the full performances are only for one weekend!!! Thank you for allowing my daughter to show her talents, boost her self esteem, and develop a greater awareness of the world around her.” Jamie M.

Teen participants in our Summerstock VTC Sleepaway Intensive enjoy three weeks in the woods at Camp Vacamas in West Milford. In addition to all

the usual features of sleep away campthink swimming, boating, hiking, zip lining, ropes courses, archery, and morecampers take workshops in Shakespeare, acting technique, character analysis, musical theater dance, songwriting, puppetry, and dialects, to name a few, while rehearsing for one of three fully produced productions. This year’s shows under consideration are Heathers, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and Peter and the Starcatcher. More pictures, videos and info here: https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/summerstock-2023

Quoting former campers: "I believe that as a human race we segregate ourselves because we find safety in those who share our background and common values. But at Vanguard, we all embrace individuality, diversity, inclusion, and theater (of course), giving us a safe environment where we all have the freedom to break free from the racial and social boxes and cliques that are so widespread.” Jordan M.

"Vanguard has never let me down. From camps to shows, I am always so happy with my experiences in this theater company and have met amazing people who have offered me constant guidance and support, even when I can't pay it back. Vanguard has helped me grow as an actor and person, and today I am blessed to say that I am working on my first national tour!” Aaron B. Students from our Summerstock Intensive have gone on to prestigious musical theater, drama, and music programs at MSU, HARTT, Pace, Emerson, Webster, Berkely, and many more! Check out Vanguard Theater Summer Programs, at https://www.vanguardtheatercompany.org/summercamps.

Founded in 2015, Vanguard Theater is a not-for-profit company challenging social and cultural narratives through theater dedicated to DREAM: Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism & Mentorship. We are located at 180 Bloomfield Avenue, in Montclair, NJ. For more information about the company, visit www.VanguardTheaterCompany.org or find Vanguard across social media @VTCNJ and #dreamVTC.

jazz & poetry theater

hip hop

Summer Performing Arts Programs

There’s no better place to explore the performing arts this summer than NJPAC! Connect with accomplished faculty and other young artists of all ages in a variety of programming.

Visit njpac.org/students to learn more Email artseducation@njpac.org to inquire about registration & pricing

Generous support for Arts Training is provided, in part, by BD, Jennifer A. Chalsty, Judy and Stewart Colton, Toby and Lee Cooperman, Mimi and Edwin Feliciano, Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, McCrane Foundation, Inc., care of Margrit McCrane, M&T Bank, NJ Advance Media, Richmond County Savings Foundation, David & Marian Rocker, Santander, TD Charitable Foundation, Victoria Foundation, WBGO Jazz 88.3FM, Women@NJPAC and an anonymous donor.

Essex Youth Theater builds self-esteem, confidence SCHOOLS SCHOOLS CAMPS CAMPS &

Essex Youth Theater is a specialized acting program for kids ages 6-13. They use custom-written scripts so that each student gets an equal part in the show. Class size is small, with each student receiving lots of individual attention. Theirs is an atmosphere of fun learning, where self-esteem and confidence building are the primary focus. They provide a nurturing, caring environment where every child blossoms.

Each child is gently encouraged to explore their natural creativity while building communication and theatrical skills. Finally, students experience the indescribable feeling of accomplishment that is the joy of performing.

The theater classes they teach focus on building selfesteem and confidence. For over 30 years, they have heard numerous reports by students’ parents about how this has positively affected them in school. Formerly shy children to have had the confidence to stand up in class, read aloud, solve math problems on the blackboard, and in general find the school experience just a whole lot less stressful socially.

This boost in self-esteem has also translated to their kids having the confidence to try new things that, in the past, might have seemed daunting, like entering the Science Fair or joining a club.

They also emphasize collaboration in all of their classes. Theater is one of the most collaborative of the performing arts, and that collaboration is a skill that is invaluable in every facet of life, whether the student continues in theater or not. The ability to collaborate serves

our students as they go through school and beyond. They tell their kids that if one can learn to work in a positive way with a variety of people and personalities, they will be successful no matter what they do. When students collaborate in class, they learn how to give positive feedback, hear and appreciate ideas that may not have been their first choice, and give each person in the group a chance to contribute. Not only does this help bring the

quiet student out of his or her shell, it helps the assertive student develop empathy and consideration for others.

The Summer Theater Day Camp runs for six weeks, July-August. Each week there is a new play or musical to choose from. Students can do one week, all six, or any combination in between, with all roles equal size and, in musicals, a solo song. Visit www.EssexYouthTheater. com or call 973-746-3303

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Tips to help you to find the right summer camp

Summers are magical, right? School is out, the days are long, and free time abounds.

Yet after a month or so, boredom sets in, and kids and the couch start to become inseparable. Glued to smartphones while binging on Netflix, or just mindlessly mashing buttons as they play video games for hours on end.

Where’s the magic in that?

If only there was a way for kids to design video games instead of just playing them. Or perhaps encourage them to take the summer months as an opportunity to create the next must-have brand or start-up business, rather than simply being a consumer.

Good news—that’s where summer camps come in.

Great for balancing out the unstructured, school-free months, summer camps are fun, build character, and provide opportunities for campers to meet new friends and reconnect with former classmates. Plus, kids can discover new interests - like game development or app design - and stay intellectually engaged. (See more summer camp benefits.)

So, where do you start?

The good news is, with today’s overabundance of camps, there’s literally a type of camp for every child. On the flip side, with so many options, choosing can make you feel a lot like Goldilocks on the hunt for a camp that’s just right.

How to choose a summer camp

Here are tips on how to make the summer camp selection process a little more manageable—sending your brood on their merry way to months of that so called summer magic. And when you've found the perfect option, here are summer camp tips to help kids make the most of their experiences.

1. Set your expectations.

Before you can pick the right summer camp, you need to first define “right;” and you do so by setting expectations.

Start by asking one simple question— what do you want your children to gain from their experience? You send them to school so they can get smarter, and off to baseball practice so they can become a better hitter or pitcher. Sending them to camp shouldn’t be any different.

Is your goal to connect your children with kids who share similar interests? Try a specialized camp that focuses on something they're passionate about, like becoming the next great YouTuber.

2. Select the right genre.

Once you’ve established what you’re hoping your child will gain from camp, it’s

time to narrow down the types of programs that can meet those needs.

Here’s what you can expect from today’s most popular summer camp genres:

Traditional: Think back to your own summer camp experiences; campfires, archery, time in the great outdoors; these co-ed and single-gender camps build selfconfidence and character in a traditional outdoor setting.

Academic: Your kids can keep learning even when school’s out. Academic camps like iD Tech provide a fun balance of handson education and upbeat extracurricular activities. The best part is, such camps revolve around topics most schools don’t or can’t teach, with skill-building in indemand and lucrative course areas.

Art: Art camps offer students the chance to explore their artistic interests in a group setting outside of school. Kids sometimes focus on painting, drawing, or the visual arts, while other camps provide the opportunity to learn more about computer-based design and 3D printing.

Adventure: Fun, engaging, and highenergy—these camps are great for exploring new experiences.

Athletic: Athletic camps are perfect for sporty kids who are looking to learn new skills during summer. And, sports camps are great for kids and teens who want an outdoor camp experience at the same time!

Special Needs: These camps create a summer camp environment for students who, due to physical, mental, or emotional challenges, might not have the option to attend typical summer camps or activities. Camper-to-staff ratios are lower to provide individual attention and create an environment that is comfortable and tailored to the campers’ needs.

3. Decide on virtual camps, day camps, or overnight camps.

In addition to providing a wide range of topics and tailor-made content for kids' interests, virtual camps are a great option for parents exhausted by a year of "what if's," delays, and other difficult decisions. Plus, if you're looking at your family's schedule is looking action-packed, virtual camps are a wonderful way to keep kids engaged without worrying about the logistics involved in getting them there!

4. Consider camp setting, tone, and vibe.

Some academic, sports, arts, and technology camps team up with unique experts and cultivate a particular vibe in the hopes of inspiring kids. This is definitely something to look out for as you check out different options; never underestimate the power of the camp setting and tone!