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 alladult 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.
Forsgate Country Club Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, announces the return of Camp Forsgate, a unique, full-day summer camp for children ages 4-10. Open to member and non-member families, Camp Forsgate will operate Monday through Friday from June 29 to Aug. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with complimentary before and after care. Camp Forsgate’s setting complements an array of activities for campers.The camp will offer arts and crafts, science projects, swimming, team building, cooking demonstrations and group games.Twice a week, Forsgate’s professional instructors will offer golf lessons and fitness instruction.A maximum eight-to-one camper to counselor ratio will ensure proper supervision by a team of qualified professionals. Camp Forsgate will be operated by KECamps, which runs summer programs at 70 country clubs across 26 states. Camp Forsgate weekly tuition is $275 for members and $315 for non-members. Registration is now open. For more information or to register, call 877-671-2267 or visit them online at www.kecamps.com.
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.
Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University 
Keyboard Kids Preschool, Montessori and Kindergarten Keyboard Kids Preschool, Montessori and Kindergarten is proudly celebrating 25 years of providing excellent early childhood education.The school’s winning combination of educational programs offers the parents a terrific choice. Children can benefit from attending either the traditional, proper preschool program, or the internationally respected Montessori Method of teaching. In the preschool, the children thrive and gain confidence in the loving school environment.“Creativity and imagination are emphasized because that is exactly what children need,” said Louise Kauders, the school’s co-director.The kindergarten has a superior curriculum and a limited enrollment in a private school setting.The students have individualized reading instruction in addition to math, science, social studies, art and music.The Montessori Program and philosophy is based on the development of the whole child, socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively in a nurturing and well prepared learning environment designed to meet each child’s individual needs. Flexible days and extended hours are offered to accommodate working families.The before- and after-school program focuses on homework help for elementary school children. Keyboard Kids is open from 7:45 a.m. o 6:30 p.m.To visit the school and meet the professional teaching staff and directors, call 732-821-1400 or visit www.KeyboardKids.org.
St. Bartholomew School 
Oak Crest Day Camp Who says learning has to end during the summer months? The Learning Experience (TLE) at Monmouth Junction, located at 3754 Route 1 north in South Brunswick, offers one of the best summer camp programs for children up to 12 years of age.All children can stay engaged in hands-on learning activities throughout the summer. Children complete science experiments, learn new sign language and create exquisite art projects while still having plenty of time for sun and fun in one of our state-of-the-art outdoor playgrounds.To provide further entertainment, centers are visited by special guest performers throughout the summer weeks.Things you can expect from a summer full of memories at TLE at Monmouth Junction in South Brunswick township are: weekly themes, exciting visits from entertainers such as the “Reptile Guy” and “Mr. Ray,” awesome art projects, outdoor activities, water plays, educational curriculum utilizing Smart board technology and L.E.A.P. Interactive, summer T-shirts and backpacks, and much more! Weekly field trips for school-age children are also planned for 2015-16 summer. Enroll before April 3 to get a special discount. For more information, call 732-422-7400.Visit www.thelearningexperience.com to learn more about the childcare and summer camp programs.
STEAM Works Studio Looking for a summer day camp where your child can learn, make new friends and have fun? Sign your kids up for the Little Spring Montessori Academy/JEI North Brunswick Learning, Friends & Fun Summer Camp.An open house will be held on Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (15 percent onsite discount).The day camp features academics as well as enrichment programs to ensure your child not only has an enjoyable time, but also learns something while out of school. Students will play sports, learn kung fu, enjoy arts and crafts, and participate in the following workshops: leadership and public speaking, robot building, computer game design, and dance.They will also go on field trips and engage in other fun activities. In the mornings, they will take language arts and math classes to keep them mentally sharp.The camp is split into two parts: Montessori Camp, for preschools ages 1-5 (the theme is “Ocean Life,”) and “Learning, Friends & Fun Summer Camp” for schoolage children. Students will be grouped by grade level. Little Spring Montessori Academy/ JEI North Brunswick is located at 1460 Livingston Ave., Building 400. For more information, call 908-818-9668.
Madhavi Mehta of Taal Institute 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.
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-conditioned 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-squarefoot 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.
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 all-around 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-theart 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.
Join South Brunswick Community Education (SBCE) this summer for more fun than you can possibly imagine! SBCE offers a variety of summer camps for ages 4 through high school including full day, enrichment and sports camps. Camps are located at various South Brunswick Township schools from June 29 through Au. 21, 2015. All are welcome, regardless of residency. Day camps for grades one through eight are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dedicated staff provide an excellent camp experience. BASE Camp (grades 1-5) includes exciting trips, entertainment and weekly swimming lessons.The new Camp 678 for 6-8th graders provides a new project based focus on creative arts, fitness, nature studies, community service, games and sports. Camp 678 promises a fun-filled and rewarding summer. Field trips, outdoor activities and special events round out the experience.Travel Camp for grades 1-8 is offered Aug. 17-21 where campers are on the road from 9am-4pm visiting exciting venues. Enrichment Camps are offered to K to 8 for six weeks—choose from full and half day programs. Options include a variety of STEMrelated programs, dance, academics, theatre, art, cooking and music. Our popular sports camps include baseball, basketball, cross-country, field hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, wrestling and volleyball.Visit www.sbschools.org/community_ ed to register for an unforgettable summer!
Does your child love science? Like to tinker with electronics? Want to learn how to program? At STEAM Works Studio, you will find students conducting experiments, creating animations, bringing robots to life, designing 3D models, printing 3D prototypes and more! They believe that students learn best by making, and encourage students to be curious, ask questions and take risks. Designed by teachers and engineers, the programs emphasize hands-on learning solutions for students in grades one to 12 that foster creativity and problem-solving in a fun way. Programs include robotics, electronics, JAVA Programming, Flying Machines, 3D printing and more! STEAM Work Studio offers yearround classes and camps that focus on STEAM Education (Science,Technology, Engineering,Art, Math) and the skills needed to be better prepared for the future: Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Our teachers are enthusiastic and tech-savvy, our classes are small, and our students are equipped with everything they need for a hands-on experience. Looking for a unique birthday party? We can help! The STEAM Powered Parties feature fun, theme-based activities including LEGO Robotics, Super Sleuths,Artistic Engineers, Start your Engines, Diggin for Dinos and Destination Space.Visit www.steamworksstudio.com for more information. Classes are available. Summer camp information will be available March 1. For more information, call 844-265-9880 or email info@steamworksstudio.com.
Taal Institute was formed by Madhavi Mehta with a very simple vision of creating and developing interest in the classical form of dance in children in the United States.Taal has diversified itself in to various dance forms including hip hop, Bhangra, fusion and Zumba.The school is based out of Dayton, and is run by artistic director Madhavi Mehta.Taal teaches a wide range of age groups, from age 5 to adult.The institute offers specially designed programs for adults in form of Bhangra and Zumba workout sessions.They have classes during the week as well as weekends.Taal has won many first place trophies over the years in competitions in the tristate area. Starting this spring,Taal is adding more classes including piano, guitar and Karaoke singing class. Kids and adults love fun-filled dance education provided by well-qualified instructors at Taal.Taal Institute is located at 485 Georges Road, Suite 118, Dayton. For more information, call 732-647-6472.