CAMP GUIDE 2025
Make this summer the summer to remember! These are your child’s most precious years of growth and development. Choose a camp that will allow them to expand out of their comfort zone, learn new skills, meet new friends, and become more independent and confident. There is nothing more rewarding than sparking children’s imagination and inspiring them to dream. They may learn life skills. One day, they may tell you that camp made a difference in their lives.
Traditional day camps have everything under the sun. Your child may choose from an array of experiences and challenges. Many are surrounded by woods and lakes; some may be on a campus environment. Other special interest camps allow one to fine tune a specific skill or interest. They may select a specialized program from the arts, theater, sports, sciences or academics. Perhaps consider a sleepaway camp in the woods where they can unplug completely; live in cabins and connect with nature. It’s important to gather information early, and then be able to compare and contrast.
Attending one or more camp fairs will definitely provide you with a weath of new found knowledge. Dozens of applicable camps will be at your fingertips. Mingle and meet with all sorts of camps. Ask the camp directors and staff questions, watch videos, attend an open house and tour facilities. Do your research and search our website for new camp ideas. See right column and page 12 for dates. Best of Luck!
Sandra Leu and the NJ KIDS TEAM
Looking for an Individualized Academic Summer Program?
MONDAY - THURSDAY
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Morning Academic Focus
Afternoon Activities and Fun
Simply Gourmet Lunch Options
Rolling Enrollment All Summer!
Early Drop-Off Available
Winston's Summer on the Hill offers a balanced camp experience with both academic and enrichment opportunities for children. We offer specialized programming and a flexible schedule. Our camp instructors are highly trained in a variety of multisensory programs and techniques. They are able to individualize and differentiate their instruction to meet students where they are and help them grow as learners. Summer on the Hill day camp aims to offer students the opportunity to maintain skills acquired in their previous school year and sharpen their skills for the fall.
SUMMER CAMP 2025
New Jersey Youth Symphony
Orchestral Camp
String Session
Wind/Brass/Percussion Session
Chamber Music Camp
Double Reed Camp
Performing Arts School
Music Around the World
NEW! Meet the Instruments
Piano Explorers
Violin Explorers
NEW! Broadway Adventures
Theater Explorers
Triple Threat Musical Theater Intensive
Summer Musical Theater Company
Drama Kids
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
NJ SUMMER CAMP FAIR 2025
Participating camps at the upcoming fairs January 25 - March 1, 2025. See full list online at njkidsonline.com/camp-guide.
Ability School Summer of Learning & Fun
75 Knickerbocker Road, Englewood, NJ 07631 www.abilityschoolnj.org, 201.871.8808
Ages: 4-12
A summer filled with both learning and fun! Campers work on individualized programs in the AM, while enjoying afternoon outdoor activities, crafting, sports, water fun, games and art. Plus engaging weekly field trips to nature centers and museums. 3, 4 or 7-week sessions. June 23rd - August 8th.
Apple Montessori Summer Camp
20 locations throughout NJ applemontessorischools.com, 862.314.3059
Ages: 2-12
Hands-on STEAM activities, Montessori lessons, music, drama, art, sports, and more. Most locations offer swim lessons with Red Cross certified instructors and opportunities for water play and plenty of fun in the sun. This year’s theme is One Wild Summer, an exploration of animals past, present.
Bricks 4 Kidz STEM Enrichment Camps
112 Eisenhower Pkwy, Livingston, NJ 07039 bricks4kidz.us/newjersey-newark-essexcounty/ 973.634.1277, Ages: 5-13+
Our programs provide an extraordinary atmosphere where students ignite their interest in science, technology, engineering and math as they build unique creations, play games, and have fun using LEGO® Bricks.
Buck’s Rock Camp
59 Bucks Rock Rd, New Milford, CT 06776 www.bucksrockcamp.org, 860.354.5030
Ages: 11-17, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway
A freedom-of-choice creative and performing arts camp. Over 30 world-class programs await our artists every day, including everything from glassblowing to dance to painting to sketch comedy to radio to weaving to gardening and more!
Camp Ballibay
1660 Ballibay Road, Wyalusing, PA 18853 campballibay.com, 570.746.3223
Ages: 8-16, Sleepaway
We offer deep, engaging programs for young artists at all levels in a traditional summer camp setting. Young artists come from all over N. and S. America, Europe, and Asia to spend 2-7 weeks on our pristine mountaintop campus in Northeastern PA. Established in 1964, we have a long history as a diverse, tolerant, and safe camp for creative kids. Rated #1 arts camp in N. America since 2011, and named one of 9 best arts camps in US in 2021
Camp Chateaugay
233 Gadway Road, Merrill, NY 12955 chateaugay.com, 518.565.9438
Ages: 7-17, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway Nestled in the Adirondacks, we are “home away from home”. A co-ed, traditional, sleep-away camp that’s focused as much on building independence, self confidence and deep friendships as we are on world-class training in a variety of land sports, water sports, and arts.
Camp Deeny Riback
208 Flanders Netcong Rd, Flanders, NJ 07836 jccmetrowest.org, 973.929.2901
Ages: 3 to entering 10th grade
Premier Jewish day camp in Morris and Essex counties. Choose 2,3,4,5,6,7 or 8 weeks. Color war, camp musical, Israeli staff, boating on the Budd Lake, and 25+ activities including fine arts, sports, adventure, and instructional swim. Bus transportation available. Camp Friends Inclusion Program provides campers ages 3.5 yrs to 4th gr with different abilities the support in a traditional day camp setting. June 23 - August 15.
Camp Hawkeye
165 Camp Good News Rd, Charlestown, NH www.camphawkeye.com, 781.315.1297
Ages: 7-17, Sleepaway
Camp Hawkeye is the un-traditional sleepaway camp for ALL HUMANS ages 7-17 with a commitment to creating a diverse community. With 80 campers and 35 staff, Hawkeye is perfect for first time campers of any age. Hawkeye includes camp
NJ SUMMER CAMP FAIR 2025
ers and staff from a variety of social, ethnic, economic, religious, and geo-graphic backgrounds as well as across the gender spectrum.
Camp Lakota
56 Park Road, Wurtsboro, NY 12790 www.camplakota.com, 845.888.5611
Ages: 6-16, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway, CIT
Located in the Catskill Mountains, camp is a nurturing and supportive environment. Every camper has the opportunity to learn a wide range of water sports skills on Masten Lake. Our dedicated and outstanding staff, dynamic programs, and beautiful grounds & lake deliver a memorable experience!
Camp Med-o-lark
82 Medolark Road, Washington, ME 04574 medolark.com, 207.845.2555
Ages: 8-16, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway
The Creative Arts Camp of New England. Medolark is a non-competitive, non-traditional arts camp for the curious, and the free-spirited. We have created a second home for campers to grow their artistic abilities and nurture their talents. Campers design their own program and set their creative goals. Situated on 50 acres in the Maine woods, it is an atmosphere filled with creativity, arts, music, theatre, laughter, and fun!
Camp Middlesex
2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08818 https://middlesexcollege.edu/youth-programs/ camp-middlesex/ 732.906.2556, Ages: 5-13, General Day Camp
Located at Middlesex College in Edison, join us for 8 weeks of fun learning camps; enroll for 1- week or as many as 8! Arts and crafts, chess, computers, dance, magic, music and voice, science/STEM, sports, theater and more. Jun 23 - Aug 15.
Camp Southwoods
532 Route 74, Paradox, NY 12858
www.campsouthwoods.com, 518.503.2370
Ages: 7-16, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway
A co-ed, sleep-away camp located in the heart of the Adirondack Wilderness. Our 2-, 3-, 5-, and 7-week sessions allow for any busy family to be able to craft the session length that works perfectly for them. With countless activities spanning from athletics, arts, aquatics, and adventure.
Club SciKidz
Morristown, Short Hills, Basking Ridge northcentralnj.clubscikidz.com, 862.399.9942
Grades Prek-8th, STEM
Our STEM curriculum, with over 60 themed camps, is designed to be exciting and interactive, featuring hands-on experiments and projects that keep kids engaged and eager. Code SCIENCE25 for $25 off.
Day Camp in the Park
556 Tiorati Brook Rd, Southfields, NY 10975
www.dcitp.com, 845.638.2515
Ages: 4-13, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
A Camper’s paradise of summer fun 30 minutes from NYC in beautiful Harriman State Park. Experience the great outdoors while making memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Swimming, sports, arts & crafts, drama, music, dance, boating!
DNALC Summer Camps
Passaic DNALC coming soon to Wayne NJ. www.summercamps.dnalc.org, 516.367.5170
6-12 graders, Day Camp, STEM Camp
In-person summer programs at our facilities in Brooklyn, Sleepy Hollow, and Cold Spring Harbor, New York include hands-on labs that give learners the opportunity to use modern molecular biology techniques and tools.
Eagle’s Landing Day Camp
74 Davidson Mill Rd, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 eagleslandingdaycamp.com, 732.821.9155
Ages: 3-15, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
We are proud to call Eagle’s Landing home to so many campers from Central New Jersey. Summer enrollment is underway with returning and new families who will be joining us this summer.
Essex County College Summer Youth Program
303 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102 www.essex.edu/continuing-ed, 973.877.3079
Ages: 1-8 gr, General Day Camp
The Summer Youth Program is designed to promote a positive atmosphere for learning. Our program provides educational, social and cultural enrichment activities include classes in math, literacy, writing, phonics, STEM, art, fashion, sports, video gaming/coding, and more! Variety of 2 week programs for 6 weeks. Field trips too!
NJ SUMMER CAMP FAIR 2025
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps
1035 Fairview Lake Road, Newton, NJ 07860
fairviewlakeymca.org/summer, 973.383.9282
Grades 2-11, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway
Whatever comes to mind when you think of a picturesque summer camp, Fairview Lake YMCA Camps likely fits your vision! Our camp is situated on a beautiful lake with an array of options designed to cater to any skill set, interest, or personality.
Far Brook Summer Camp
52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078
www.farbrook.org/summer, 973.379.3442
Ages: Nursery 3-10 Gr, Traditional Day, Academic Offering participants high quality, meaningful experiences consistent with Far Brook School’s values. Fun and engaging multidisciplinary day camp programs, sports instruction, outdoor exploration, leadership development for our oldest campers, and unique week-long Master Classes taught by highly credentialed and knowledgeable camp staff, including Far Brook faculty.
Frost Valley YMCA
2000 Frost Valley Road, Claryville, NY 12725
frostvalley.org, 845.985.2291, Ages: 7-16
ACA Accredited, Co-ed Sleepaway, CIT Program Summer camp is more than a retreat—it’s a transformative experience where children thrive, grow, and build lifelong connections. Nestled in the breathtaking Catskill Mountains, Frost Valley offers a safe and inclusive environment where campers of all backgrounds discover the joys of community, nature, art, and recreation.
Future Stars Day Camps
County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ
Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, NJ Futurestars.com, 215.674.0494, Ages 5-13 yrs. Choose from Traditional Day Camp, All Sports Camp, Sports Jr, STEAM Camps: Fine Art, Crime Scene Investigation, Digital Media, Makerspace, Aerospace, Drone Academy among others. Plus daily swim program for all campers.
Gainville Language Summer Camp
Rutherford, NJ and HoHoKus, NJ
GainVilleUSA.com, 201.507.1800
Ages: PreK-K, Gr 1-5, Gr 6-8
Embark on language enrichment in July - August. Spanish Hola Amigos™, Italian Ciao Amici™. Viva
la Bella Lingual, Language Enrichment, Summer Camps, English for Youth & Teens! Mon-Thurs. Extended hours available. Early Bird 10% off.
Gate Hill Day Camp
750 Gate Hill Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980
www.gatehilldaycamp.com, 845.947.3223
Ages 3 years to entering 10th gr
ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Camp
Sports, swim, arts and other exciting activities — go-karting, zip lining, rock-climbing; a first rate, 33 acre facility, 4 heated pools, splash park, water slides and varied programs including unique programs for S.T.E.A.M., and early childhood campers, and included services like meals, transportation. 8 weeks of camp with flexible 4,5,6,7 week sessions.
Gill St. Bernard’s Summer Camp
25 St. Bernard’s Road, Gladstone, NJ 07934
www.gsbschool.org/summer, 908.234.1611
Ages: 3-15, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
GSB Summer Camp isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling! It’s a classic summer camp that goes beyond the ordinary, providing campers with unique experiences that extend beyond traditional activities. We focus on nurturing life and social skills, helping campers develop self-confidence and a strong sense of accomplishment and pride. Full summer June 23 - August 15.
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
www.gshnj.org/summercamp, 908.947.1708
ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Camp (K-10th gr)
Sleepaway (1st-12th gr)
Adventure, excitement, and unforgettable memories await! Camp Hoover (Middleville) - Sleep under the stars, swim, hike, and share epic nights around the campfire. The OVAL (Maplewood) - Actionpacked days full of exploration, challenges, and fun! Unleash your creativity, make lifelong friends, and experience how curiosity meets courage.
Girl Scouts of Maine
Camp Pondicherry / Camp Natarswi
Ages: 7-17 yrs, Sleepaway, Girls Camp, CIT www.girlscoutsofmaine.org/camp, 888.922.4763
Set in beautiful natural settings in Maine, Camp Pondicherry and Camp Natarswi are full of endless possibilities to enjoy the great outdoors. Archery, paddle sports, rock climbing, high ropes, hatch throwing, outdoor skills, with dozens of specialty
NJ SUMMER CAMP FAIR 2025
camps—drama, horseback riding, water sports, Junior Maine Guides, CIT, and more. Scholarships. No prior Girl Scout experience needed.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey
Jockey Hollow Camp: Mendham, NJ Lake Rickabear Camp: Kinnelon, NJ www.gsnnj.org, 973.248.8200
Grades 1-11, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Girl Scout camp is where girls thrive in the great outdoors. At both camps, you can go swimming, learn to cook, ride horses, zipline through the trees, try archery, explore nature, earn badges, make new friends. 1, 2, or more weekly sessions. CIT.
Harbor Hills Day Camp
75 Doby Road, Mendham, NJ 07945 www.harborhillsdaycamp.com, 973.895.3200
Pre-K – 8th Grade, Traditional Day Camp
The moment you step on the grounds, you’ll know it’s the people, it’s the place, it’s the program. It’s people who really care. It’s a place where kids feel comfortable instantly. It’s the program designed to understand the uniqueness of each individual. We start the summer as friends and end as family. Sports, Swim, Arts, Rock climbing and Ropes Course, Boating, Fishing & Horseback Riding. Door-to-door transportation.
HealthBarn USA Summer Camp
1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 www.healthbarnusa.com, 201.444.2955
Ages: 3-13, Nature, Cooking
The only camp where you can eat, plant, cook and play! Summer Camp (ages 4-6, 7-9 and 10-13) and Summer Seedlings (ages 3-5). Campers learn to master organic gardening, culinary, nutrition and life skills - all while having a fun time!
HudsonWay Immersion School Summer Day
249 Bebout Ave, Stirling, NJ 07980 hwis.org, 908.598.8088
Ages 2+, Day Camp, Academics
Campers experience a fun immersive environment integrating language, science, math and art. Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Mandarin or Spanish. Other activities: soccer, dance, tennis, ping ping. Half and Full Day sessions
Independent Lake Camp 70 Clark Rd, Thompson, PA 18465 www.independentlake.com, 800.399.2267
Ages: 6-17, ACA Accredited, Sleepaway, CIT
A premier overnight summer camp in the Pocono Mountains offering an impressive array of activities. Established over 30 years ago, ILC is dedicated to celebrating diversity, promoting creativity, and empowering individual growth with our individualized, elective programming. In 2-8 week sessions, campers choose from: Circus, Trapeze, Sports, Fitness, Archery, Art, Theatre, Dance, Magic, Music, Recording Studio, Skatepark, Digital Arts, Moviemaking, Rocketry, Climbing Wall, High Ropes, Water-ski, Wakeboard, Lake, Pool, and Horseback.
International Ivy Summer Enrichment Programs
Basking Ridge, Chatham, Saddle River, Scotch Plains, Short Hills, Somerset, Summit, Wayne iisummer.com, 908.899.1338, ages: 4-14
International Ivy promotes creativity and hands-on learning for students in subjects such as Robotics, Video Game Creation, Computer Programming, Minecraft, Technology & Design, Science, Engineering, Math, Business, Language Arts, Visual Arts and Humanities. Enroll for one week or multiple weeks, full-day or half-day. June 23 to August 15.
Jeff Lake Camp
38 Jefferson Lake Rd, Stanhope, NJ 07874 www.jefflakecamp.com, 973.376.1962
Ages: 3 1/2 -15, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
For 60+ years, this family-owned camp has offered a diverse range of activities tailored for every age and personality. From arts and crafts to sports, fishing, performing arts, adventure activities, and a variety of opportunities typically found only at overnight camps, there’s something for everyone. Plus a comprehensive swim program across 5 heated pools and a lake with exciting features: inflatable playground, paddle boats, kayaks and sailboats.
Kids and Teens Summer Learning Academy
400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 ce.bergen.edu/kidsandteens, 201.879.5809
Grades 1-12
Inspire your child’s intellect and uncover hidden talents this summer at Bergen Community College. Six weekly sessions, flexible full-day and half-day options plus before and after care. STEAM, Leadership and Business, Visual and Performing Arts.