Area schools and camps have so much to offer

 Camp Excel Camp Excel Camp Excel is a specialized summer camp for children ages 5-17 with ADHD,Asperger’s and others with social skills challenges.At Camp Excel, they focus on developing social skills and the social awareness necessary for better relationships. They teach children problem-solving skills and build self-esteem. The comprehensive program includes academics with special education teachers to promote growth and avoid regression over the summer, therapeutic activities with master’s level therapists to assist in making friends and keeping friends, sports with certified physical education teachers to develop skills and build self-esteem, and recreational activities just for fun! Throughout the day, the staff provides encouragement and guidance in using appropriate social skills, giving children the opportunity to experience in-themoment learning — learning that stays with them! They offer weekly parent groups that provide parenting information and support along with complimentary childcare during groups. Camp Excel is a camp-like setting with activities that include art, cooking, nature, music, daily swimming, boating and weekly off-site trips. Child to staff ratio is 3:1, with all-adult staff.The six-week program (July 1 to Aug. 7), Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., is located in Neptune.Transportation from central pick-up points is provided. For more information, visit www.CampExcel.com or call 877-463- 6329.

 Hatikvah International Academy Charter School Hatikvah International Academy Charter School Hatikvah International Academy Charter School, housed in a new school facility, provides children with a high quality education in a safe, nurturing and friendly environment. The rigorous curriculum is individualized, serving students learning at grade level, below it or above.The teachers plan individually for children to guide all students to exceed expected goals.As a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate, lessons are inquiry-based and service learning is infused in order to guide students into becoming compassionate, strong thinkers and problem-solvers. The students also become proficient in a foreign language, Hebrew, which is identified as one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to master. Even Hatikvah’s kindergarten students speak it! Hatikvah’s families are culturally diverse and students attending the school benefit from working collaboratively with children from many different backgrounds and who speak many different languages at home. Beginning next year, Hatikvah will be opening its first sixth-grade class and programming to meet the requirements of an International Baccalaureate candidate school including technology design in the form of robotics and continuing its engaging science and math labs through its ongoing partnership with Rutgers University. The school will hold its third lottery on March 13, 2014. Parents of children in the lottery will receive open-house information. If you are ready for a positive change for your child, register on the school’s website at hatikvahcharterschool.com. Inquiries should be sent to the director, Dr. Marcia Grayson, at mgrayson@hiacs.org. Hatikvah is a free, public school.

 Oak Crest Day Camp Oak Crest Day Camp  Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers Unviversity Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers Unviversity The Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Brunswick is set to host hands-on summer intensives in music, dance, graphic design, painting and drawing, and theater. Programs are open to artists of varying skill levels. Residential and commuter options are available. Participating students experience life in a collegiate setting as they train and create under the guidance of distinguished professional artists at the state’s premier arts conservatory.The slate of summer 2015 programs is as follows: Rutgers Symphonic Band & Chamber Music Camp; Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute; ASTA/NJ Chamber Music Institute; Rutgers Design Intensive; Drawing and Painting Intensive; Dance Conservatory; Dance Camps, and the nationally renowned Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory, which Backstage Magazine has named among the nation’s top high school summer training programs. In addition, children ages 5 to 12 are invited to participate in the acclaimed Kids Create summer day camp, where they engage in drawing, painting, collage, movement, music, improvisational theater, creative dramatics, and playwriting. Students have the option of experiencing Kids Create on the New Brunswick campus this summer or at The Red Oaks School in Morristown.“My daughter had a life-altering time at camp,” says Jill Hanna, whose daughter attended the Rutgers Dance Camp, running in two one-week sessions.“Lauren had the time of her life; it helped her grow on so many levels.” Parent Jennifer Felder agrees.“Jair said it was an experience that he will always remember,” says Felder, whose son participated in the weeklong Rutgers Summer Jazz Institute. “I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing him the opportunity to attend this series and to work with such outstanding instructors.” Each summer intensive is designed, taught, and overseen by a Mason Gross School faculty member. In many cases participants broaden their training with field trips to New York City and visits to local arts institutions to engage with working artists. Registration is open online now. More information and registration for all camps is found at www.masongross.rutgers.edu/extension/summer-programs.

 Wardlaw-Hartridge Wardlaw-Hartridge  St. Bartholomew School St. Bartholomew School Oak Crest Day Camp, located in Somerset, is the premier day camp in Central Jersey.The beautiful 35-acre facility has acres of field space, indoor air-condi tioned creative studio, and a full challenge course with a 40-foot climbing tower and zip line.They have four heated pools, including a brand new, state-of-the-art, 7,000- square-foot aquatic complex.The Oak Crest experience includes door-to-door transportation, hot lunch, Red Cross-certified swim instruction, and professionally screened and trained staff.Activities include sports, arts and crafts, archery, ceramics, jewelry, dance, drama, go-karts, cooking, rocketry, mountain biking, skateboarding in the skate park, and BMX biking on the track. For more information, check out www.OakCrestDayCamp.com or call 732-297-2000.

 Wesley Preschool Wesley Preschool Rutgers Prep Summer Programs, located in Somerset, is delighted to offer many new programs as well as annual favorites.The goals for the Rutgers Prep Summer Programs are to provide a wide range of options for growth academically, artistically, and athletically in an environment that is safe, caring, and enjoyable for all ages.All of the camps are designed with one overarching principle in mind: summer is all about fun! The summer staff is charged with the responsibility of giving your child a tremendous summer experience.They strive to see each child achieve personal growth in whatever aspect of the program he/she participates, whether it is in the classroom through the summer school program or enjoying an allaround adventure with one of the summer camps.There is something at Rutgers Prep for every child. For more information about all of the camps and summer school classes, visit www.rutgersprep.org or call 732-545-5600.

St. Bartholomew School focuses on nurturing your child from Pre-K to grade eight, offering art, music, Spanish, National Junior Honor Society, before and after school care, and many extracurricular programs such as band, chorus, drama, Latin, sports, and more. The birthday cutoff for enrollment is Oct. 31.Your child’s learning adventure begins with 3- and 4-year-old preschool and full-day kindergarten in a family environment with electronic surveillance, a full-time nurse, and guidance counselor. St. Bart’s School is AdvancED Accredited and has state-of-the-art technology with digital whiteboards, advanced microscope.The next open house will be held March 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.To reserve, call 732-254- 7105 or visit www.stbartseb.com.The school is located at 470 Ryders Lane.

Wardlaw-Hartridge, located in Edison, offers a great variety of activities, both academic and adventurous, for children ages 3 to 18.There are fun and educational day camps for ages 3 years to eighth grade that incorporate learning with many exciting and social activities. The campus has an indoor pool, several playing fields, two gymnasiums and air-conditioned rooms.The Summer Scholars Program offers challenging academic courses for grades six through 12 in math, science, and English/writing courses.The courses are taught by talented educators and can be taken for credit or enrichment. New this year, they are offering Brain Booster Camp for grades one through five, which focuses on reading, writing and math skills to give them a jump start on the next school year.They are also offering sports camps (soccer, baseball and basketball) and a wilderness training week, all run by certified athletic trainers.Also on the campus will be International Ivy and the JCC Theatre Camp. For more information or a personal tour, call 908- 754-1882, ext. 319, or come to one of the open houses on March 7,April 11 or May 16. Early registration discounts are available.Wardlaw-Hartridge is located at 1295 Inman Ave., Edison.Visit www.whschool.org.

Are you looking for an affordable preschool or summer camp with caring teachers and flexible schedules? Then look no further than Wesley Preschool. In operation since 1985, Wesley Preschool is a state-certified, non-denominational preschool providing a nurturing environment ready to meet your family’s needs.The certified teachers and experienced aides can offer your child one-on-one attention and an atmosphere in which to grow and learn. Students’ days include individual and group learning, language arts, literacy, crafts, science projects, outside play, inside play and socialization. Open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.,Wesley Preschool offers half- and full-day programs and extended care solutions for children ages 2 1/2 to 5. Choose from two to five days per week.Wesley Summer Camp runs for eight weeks beginning June 22 for children ages 2 1/2 to 11. Choose halfor full-day programs, three or five days per week.Weekly theme-based activities, arts and crafts, and outdoor play are offered. An open house for summer camp and fall 2015 registration will be held at Wesley Preschool, 5053 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, on Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to noon (snow date Feb. 28). For information, visit www.wesleypreschool.net, call (732) 738-0885 or email wes- leypreschool1@verizon.net.