Calling All Campers! The Tops in NJ-Area Day Camps

With snow swirling and ice storms blowing, summer seems eons away, but before you know it, the end of the school year appears and the panic sets in: “What the heck am I going to do with the kids for the summer??” We’ve got you covered with the best of New Jersey-area summer camps!  These camps take fun seriously—so much so that they plan the whole year round for the 8 weeks of summer when their sites are transformed into oases of fun and team spirit. Many camps listed have had entire generations of families pass through, and although some camps we mention are large, they offer great counselor to camper ratios, with additional support from adults supervising younger staff. So, although you may still be bundled up, soon it’ll be time to break out the sunscreen. Plan now, then you and your family can enjoy a welcome break from the grueling school year—you deserve it!

Deer Mountain Day Camp
At the base of the Ramapo Mountains in Pomona, New York  this 25-acre camp boasts an impressive array of activities and facilities: Six heated pools, tennis courts, all major team sports fields, mountain biking track, gymnastics pavilion, a nature center with petting zoo, separate nursery facility with mini-fields for young campers, outdoor ampitheater, and more! For kids 4th grade and up, they can tailor their own program—great for the kid who hates swimming with a passion, or who who gags at the thought of making one more pine cone craft! One local mommy raved about this camp—both from her memories as a camper and from a recent visit with her son, who plans to attend this summer. Word has it the staff does a great job of partnering with families to make camp a truly awesome experience. After 53 years in the business, they’ve got it down pat! Interested? Call (845) 354-2727 to schedule a tour date appointment–-the next one occurs this Sunday, February 21st. Door to door transportation to Rockland, Bergen, Orange Counties, Manhattan and Riverdale.  K-8th grade, $6,710. for 8 weeks.

Gate Hill Day Camp
This 33-acre, Stony Point, New York camp with a 59-year history,boasts the amenities listed at camps above, but also features a tree house, mini-farm, splash park, go-cart track, bumper boats, and an Early Childhood Play Center & Playground. Especially cool, the Explorers Arts & Sciences Program lets kids discover a new passion for science; digital arts; games; music and theater; and history and social science. Call (845) 947-3223 to book the Saturday, March 6th tour. Serving Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Bergen and Manhattan counties. Full day 8 week session $6,525.

Deer Kill Day Camp
Kids ages 3-14 can let loose at this 53-year old camp in Suffern, New York. It’s a smaller camp environment, but they don’t skimp in the facilities department. In fact they offer most anything you find at the large camps: pools, sports fields, dance/karate pavilions, a riding stable, a theater studio (for 200 children!), ceramics studio/woodworking shop and even a digital photography studio. They receive rave reviews for being very hands-on and really getting to know each kid. Another perk? The Free Weekend Pool club for families of campers. That’s a 4,000 square foot pool, tennis courts and athletic fields free for families’ use–so the littlest siblings can get a taste of the camp life, too! Want a look? Call (845) 354-1466 for the Saturday, February 20th tour–spaces are limited and fill up quickly!  Transportation serving Rockland, Bergen, Orange Counties, Hoboken and Montclair. $5850. for 8 weeks.

Blue Rill Day Camp
This 60 year old camp in Airmont, New York recently underwent a facility upgrade, adding 3 new pools and a sports complex. With a focus on “Fun, Family and Friends Forever,” they emphasize traditions including division sing, carnival day, and color games to create a sense of group belonging–great for the first-time camper! Over 35 crafts and specialty areas; every sport under the sun; multi-station ropes and a challenge course; and boating and fishing on the lake round out the program. Oh, and ice cream every afternoon!!! For ages 3 to 15.  Contact them at info@bluerilldaycamp.com or call 845-352-3521 to schedule a private tour. Transportation to Rockland County, Bergen County, and Upper East and West sides of Manhattan. $6,295. for 8 weeks.

Ramaquois
“We’ve got spirit, yes we do, we’ve got spirit, how ‘bout you!” Camp spirit’s alive and kicking at this 35-year old Pomona, New York camp. And if you’ve got a swimming addict in the house, they’ll be kicking around, too, in the 5-acre "Rama Lake" that includes 2 "bongo" water trampolines, bumper boats, water bikes, paddle boards, inner tubes, "water-duckies", fountain sprays, kayaks and a professional team of lifeguards. The 7-period days give a calm flow to the days, as the kids shuttle through 8 heated pools, a spray park, an indoor gym, ceramics studio, woodcrafts, a puppetry building, a discovery science lab, a nature center with a petting zoo, a theater arts building, and a kidz zone arts and crafts building.. Call to schedule a personal tour: (845) 354-1600.  For ages 3-15.  Transportation to Rockland, Bergen, Manhattan, Riverdale and Westchester. $7,120. for 8 weeks.

Oak Crest Day Camp
This camp’s goal is that every child succeeds and becomes an "expert" in something during their stay–and they offer plenty of opportunity! Situated on a 35-acre campus in Somerset, New Jersey, kids learn at every turn with 6 pools, a mini-golf course, video production, 40’ climbing tower, ropes course, go-carts, rocketry, archery, mountain biking and even nature/ orienteering!  Stop into their open house on February 28th from 11am-3pm. Transportation serving Somerset, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Warren, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Princeton, Kendall Park, Basking Ridge, East Brunswick, Bound Brook, Flemington and more.  $4595. for 8 weeks for preschool-6th graders.

Frogbridge Day Camp
Who needs Disney World? Not these campers!  On the whopping 86-acre camp grounds, they try out arena soccer, go-karting, hang out in a retro ice cream parlor, go fishing, play outdoor laser tag, or participate in more typical offerings of sports, arts and crafts, and theater . There's also 3 natural lakes and 3 swimming pools to keep the kids cool.  As a nice perk, staff launders campers’ bathing suits every day for them--no mildewed trunks here!  Call (609) 208-9050 to arrange a tour. $4,495 for 8 weeks.

Willow Lake Day Camp
Here's the camp for the sports enthusiast! On 3 separate fields (divided by age groups), kids learn and hone their skills at soccer, football, softball (including batting cages), and lacrosse.  Then on to basketball, tennis, volleyball, newcomb, hockey (with a real rink), miniature golf, archery, martial arts, gymnastics and an extensive ropes course that includes low and high rope elements, a 30-foot-high double-sided climbing wall, and two zip lines -- one of which crosses over the lake! Of course, there's also arts and science offerings, for those who aren't worn out yet!  Located on the north shore of Lake Hopatcong in Northwest New Jersey. 8 weeks $5,585.

Spring Lake Day Camp
Located in Ringwood, NJ, this 22-year old camp spreads beautifully over 26 acres that include a  5-pool heated complex, 5-acre lake with zipline, 2 hockey rinks, baseball and soccer fields, ceramic, gymnastics pavilion, indoor dance studio, a ropes course, climbing tower and more! The 7-period day includes 2 swims, 2 athletics and 2 arts. They've got 3 staff per 12 kids w/adults overseeing the staff--a great ratio--and they offer transportation to areas in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris counties. Check them out this Sunday, February 21st at their open house, or visit the website for additional dates.  For campers ages 3-15. Full session for ages 4-15; $5995. for 8 weeks.

All camps listed above are ACA accredited camps, meaning they went through a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of operation—from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. The ACA web site  also assists in finding a camp, supplies advice about camp (http://www.campparents.org) , and offers reasons from actual campers about why kids should attend camp (Because of Camp has its own facebook page, too! http://www.facebook.com/becauseofcamp)

Seeking more affordable options this summer? The YMCA offers 9 summer camps in New Jersey, with a variety of attendance options from which to choose.  Also, NY Sports Club gyms have camps in East Brunswick, Marlboro, Princeton, Ramsey and West Nyack. Many preschools and nursery schools have summer camps that include trips and fun theme weeks, as well.

Still unsure? Truck into NYC where Big City Moms is also holding a seminar called Camp 101 on Thursday, March 4th from 7-9pm at Kidville in NYC. ($30 tix/$40 at door). They promise to demystify the camp selection process and provide an insider’s guide. http://www.bigcitymoms.com  Now, if we could just get that recipe for bug juice....