By Wendy Humphrey
Mercer County Community College (MCCC) continues to be a destination of choice for thousands of young people ages 6 to 18 in the summer months, offering a wide variety of programs including Camp College, Sports Camps and Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts workshops. The camp schedule is equally varied, with options ranging from eight weeks to four weeks to one-week, one-day and even half-day sessions. All camp programs are based at Mercer’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The season kicks off June 24 and runs through Aug. 16.
Registration is now underway for all camp programs. Campers have access to the college’s full-service cafeteria, Olympic size pool, athletic fields, theater, tennis courts, air-conditioned classrooms and gymnasium. Before- and after-camp care is available. More information is posted to the college website at www.mccc.edu/camps.
Camp College’s Campus Kids is offered Monday through Thursday for children ages 6 to 13. There are two four-week sessions, from June 24-July 18 and July 22-Aug. 15. Campers can choose from more than 70 options to create an individualized schedule of daily classes. Among the new classes this summer are “A Stitch in Time,” “Broadway Love,” “Digital Fiction,” “Google-Eyed for Google Earth,” “How America Works,” “Origami,” “Personal Power Publishing,” and “Summer Math Challenge.”
On Friday Fun Days, campers can either extend their camp week or just come for a single day of fun activities on campus or to off-campus destinations such as the Academy of Natural Sciences and Johnson’s Corner Farm.
Camp College’s Specialty Camps are offered for both younger and older campers. Popular favorites include Computer Camp, Science Camp, and Kids in the Kitchen. Older campers will get a window into the world of civil and electrical engineering technology, game design, and architecture. Academic Prep for grades 7-10 includes algebra, geometry and English, as well as creative writing. Those who sign up for Sea Camp, Archaeology/Paleontology, or Aviation/ Aerospace will travel to off-campus destinations. Other specialty camps included advanced chess and juggling, and a variety of art classes.
The cost for Camp College is $930 for the first four-week session, and $990 for the second four-week session. Those who register for any four-week session by Feb. 28 can save 50 percent off of one eligible Friday Fun Day. Information sessions will be held on Feb. 16, March 23 and April 27 on the West Windsor campus, from noon to 2 p.m. For more information call 609-570-3311, or visit www.mccc.edu/campcollege.
Celebrating their 38th year, MCCC Sports Camps are offered by the college’s Athletics Department. The camps are staffed by college and high school coaches, as well as college athletes, and are designed to help youngsters build their skills in specific sports while enjoying friendly competition.
The season runs from June 24 through August 16. Nine different sports will be offered in one-week sessions for youngsters ages 6-15. Camps include Baseball from July 8-12, July 15-19 and July 22-26; Basketball from July 1, 2, 3, and 5, July 8-12, July 15-19 (girls only), August 5-9 and Aug. 12-16; Field Hockey from July 8-12; Golf from July 1, 2, 3 and 5; Mountain Biking from July 29-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-9; Soccer from June 24-28, July 1, 2, 3, and 5, and July 22-26 (girls only); Softball (girls only) July 29-Aug. 2; Speed, Agility & Quickness (co-ed) June 24-28 and July 15-19; Tennis (co-ed) June 24-28, July 1-3 and 5, July 8-12, July 15-19, and July 22-26.
Camps are co-ed unless otherwise noted. Tuition is $250 per week, except for the week of July 4, which costs $200. For questions about Sports Camps, call (609) 570-3779.
Fifth through 12th graders with a passion for the arts will enjoy MCCC’s Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, the longest-running summer arts program in Central New Jersey. Based out of MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre, these workshops explore dance, theater, vocal music, the visual arts and more, under the guidance of a highly qualified staff of arts professionals.
Session I meets for four weeks for students entering grades 8-12 in the fall. Classes meet Monday through Thursday, June 24 to July 18, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuition is $675 plus a non-refundable $25 application fee. Session II is three weeks for students entering grades 5-7. Classes meet Monday through Thursday, July 22 to Aug. 8, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuition is $600, plus a non-refundable $25 application fee.
Both Tomato Patch sessions will conclude with a “Festival of the Arts,” where family and friends can see a live performance by students, as well as an art exhibit of student work. Tuition for both sessions includes a T-shirt, a pizza party and a DVD of the end-of-camp performance.
Students in grades 8-12 who have had theater training, including participation in other Tomato Patch workshops, are eligible to take a “Master Class,” a 3-week program held Monday through Thursday, July 22 through Aug. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In this class students will learn the ins and outs of show business, including how to audition for theater, television and movies. The class will conclude with a final performance. Tuition is $550 plus a non-refundable $25 application fee.
For more information, call 609-570-3566 or email [email protected]. Tomato Patch registration forms are available at www.kelseytheatre.net.
