Boro & school district partner on summer camp program

Program will offer enrichment and recreation

BY KIMBERLY STEINBERG Staff Writer

Children enrolled in Red Bank’s summer camp this season will experience action packed days filled with a combination of enrichment classes, including creative writing, mathematical problem solving, world languages, art, music, technology and sports.

Schools Superintendent Laura C. Morana touted the new and improved enrichment and recreational summer camp program, which she said represents a true partnership between the borough and the school system, during a meeting with the press on May 14.

“If I had a child in grade one through grade eight, he or she would definitely be attending this program,” Morana stated. “We have been working diligently to design an exciting and enriching program for all students entering grades one through eight.”

Summer camp will run from July 5 to Aug. 13 at the Red Bank Middle School.

According to Morana, summer camp makes a difference for the children who participate.

“When the children come back in the fall, I feel that they are better prepared for the new school year,” said Morana. “They feel encouraged and enjoy coming into school. The students get one-onone attention and extra help during the summer.”

Morana explained that the morning enrichment program will focus on enhancing academics and is partially funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is free for participants.

Children in grades one through four will begin their day with breakfast, followed by an hour of math enrichment, an hour of an elective such as technology, followed by an hour of language arts, then lunch.

After breakfast, students in grades five through eight will participate in an hour of the reading and writing program, an hour of an elective of the student’s choosing, and an hour of preparation for algebra, before lunch.

The afternoon recreational program also works on a rotating schedule and includes arts and crafts, gym, games, and talent show preparation for a culminating showcase on Aug. 12.

The full-day summer camp is held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and costs $300 per student. Morana said that if any family cannot afford the fee, adjustments would be made to accommodate them.

Enrichment courses include what Morana said is the very popular robotics class, where students are challenged to think scientifically while they build projects that consist of roller coasters, simple and complex machines, computer programmable robots, and various solar-powered projects.

Students can also learn the basics of Mandarin Chinese through Chinese 360, an interactive online program. They will develop conversational skills while discovering the importance of Mandarin to world culture.

In addition, field trips and special weekly events will take place on a regular basis and include an excursion to the Museum of National History and the Liberty Science Center.

“We have established partnerships with local service providers to enhance the educational and recreational opportunities offered to our campers,” Morana said.

The Count Basie Theatre, Boys & Girls Club Red Bank unit, New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium and the Navesink Maritime Heritage Association River Rangers program have all come together to provide a comprehensive and stimulating experience for all students, she added.

“We’re doing a lot to expose the children to different things and to get them outdoors and fill them with as much knowledge as possible,” Morana said.

Morana said the district has hired approximately 15 counselors in training to work three hours per day either in the morning or afternoon.

“It’s great for them because they earn a little spending money and gain some work experience as well,” said Morana.

“It’s a very nice and solid program. It’s the same academic atmosphere the kids are used to but in a flexible and informal setting. It’s fun and challenging at the same time,” Morana said. “Our goal is to have 250 children, like last year.”

In addition to the 250 children Morana anticipates, 72 prekindergarten students and approximately 30 special education students also participate, totaling nearly 375 children.

Aftercare is available from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Red Bank Middle School and the Boys & Girls Club of Red Bank, and costs $25 per week.

Morana noted that while camp would begin on July 5, because it is a holiday, transportation will not be provided until the following day. Registration prior to June 10 will avoid incurring a $25 late fee.