Athena Learning Center Athena Learning Center of Middletown, a year-round learning center that offers K-12 students innovative solutions for improving their math and reading skills, is offering a 90- minute complimentary Writer’s Enrichment Workshop to preview a course offered to prepare students for the upcoming PARCC and TerraNova tests.This workshop is being of fered to students from fifth grade to high school on Feb. 21 starting at 11 a.m.This workshop is limited in seating, so call ahead to reserve. The workshop will review the kind of critical writing skills that will be required on the new PARCC and the long-standing Terra- Nova tests. PARCC is one of two consortia that is charged with aligning uniform state tests to the Common Core State Standards. PARCC tests will be administered for the first time in New Jersey this spring after extensive field testing last year and replaces the NJ ASK tests. The writing techniques in this program will also benefit regular school-grade writing assignments. Athena Learning Center of Middletown students enjoy Writer’s Enrichment Workshop classes, as it offers constructive peer support and review, video, audio, reading and discussion. Certified teachers will work with students to develop pre-writing organization strategies and support their ideas with evidence from the texts reviewed.These skillbuilding techniques also inspire student confidence and a natural appreciation for writing. A complete Writer’s Enrichment Program will be offered beginning in February, with options to enroll in wither a four-, eight-, or 12- week program. Class times are flexible depending on you and your child’s busy schedules. For further information about Athena Learning Center, call 732-796-7030 or visit middletownnj. myathenalearningcenter.com. Athena is located at 1708 Route 35 south. For more information on franchising, call 855-422- 6532 or visit athenalearningcenters.com.
Community YMCA 
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 problemsolving 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-the-moment 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.
Inspired Minds Fine Arts School There is a hidden gem in Monmouth County that combines a truly memorable round of golf with a membership best defined as affordable luxury. Colts Neck Golf Club (CNGC) has all the amenities that one would expect to find only at the “all private” country clubs, but without the monthly assessments, membership share certificates, bonds and exorbitant initiation fees. If you haven’t been to the CNGC recently, you owe it to yourself to come visit and play a round.The course is known for its pristine conditions, held to the highest standards all year long.This links-style masterpiece provides both a challenging and fun layout, testing the skills of any player. To improve your skills, Colts Neck has one of the finest practice facilities in the area including a 25 station driving range. In its 15th year, CNGC is investing in the future and is committed to make the 2015 season the best ever. Recent renovations include a covered outdoor dining area, a dramatic expansion to the dining room and upstairs cocktail area, creating an elegant venue for dinner, private affairs, wedding receptions and outings. On the golf course, carts are now equipped with new Samsung GPS systems that provide layouts of each hole and yardages to the greens.The golf course is also getting attention; several tees were rebuilt and improvements were made to the cart paths and bunkers. Membership definitely has its privileges, designed to fit any age, lifestyle, and budget. For more information, call 732-303- 9330 or visit www.coltsneckgolfclub.com.
Mathnasium 
Marine Science Day Camp Trading stories and sharing a favorite book or song with a new friend. Being greeted with smiles and high-fives from staff and teammates after scoring the winning point.Always fitting in, just being you.That’s what Y day camps are all about.And the Y is ensuring that kids get more out of summer: more learning, more exploration and more achievement. For parents and guardians who want to give their kids the best summer ever,The Community YMCA encourages you to enroll them in Y day camp. The Y offers a mix of fun and educational activities aimed at improving kids’ well-being, such as swimming, sports and storytelling.Y camp programs center on three areas proven to impact kids’ development: friendship, accomplishment and belonging.Y camp activities help kids grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Kids gain confidence from archery and zip-lining, develop lasting friendships in team-building activities, and strengthen reading skills through enriching literacy based programs.The fun begins June 22 for kids 2 ½ to 15 at four locations in Monmouth County: Camp Arrowhead, Marlboro; Camp Zehnder,Wall; Family Health & Wellness Center, Red Bank; and the Children’s Achievement Center, Matawan. Convenient schedules are available and financial assistance is provided to those who qualify. For more information, call 732-671-5505 or visit TheCommunityYMCA.org.
ThrillCoaster Tours 
Tab Ramos Indoor Sports Center It’s that time again! Time to make your summer plans, family vacations, kids going to camp and more.You should definitely check out what The Gravity Vault has to offer for summertime fun. Camp Rocks is The Gravity Vault’s rock climbing summer camp. It is a fiveday camp that runs Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day (8 a.m. on outdoor days).This camp is great for both beginners and advanced climbers! They offer four different weeks throughout the summer, two in July and two in August. Save $49 with the early enrollment special if you sign up before May 31.If you’re looking for something for just a few hours during the day, then Break Camp is for you! Break Camp runs from noon to 2 p.m. on select Tuesdays,Wednesdays,Thursdays and Fridays, every other week throughout July and August. Sign up your kids to come climb in a fun and safe environment for one day or multiple days.Another fun alternative is the Kids’ Classes. The Gravity Vault offers classes for climbers of all ability levels.They offer sixweek sessions for just $199 throughout the year, including the summer. Help your child build strength and confidence through rock climbing. Check out www.gravityvault.com or call 732-856-9599 for more information including specific Gravity Vault Middletown camp and class dates.
Summer art camp at Inspired Minds Fine Arts School provides students of all ages and skill levels an outlet for creative energy and an opportunity to learn new art techniques. Students can choose from a variety of week-long day camps, such as watercolor, drawing, or oil painting.“Summer allows us the opportunity to explore projects such as Batik, which involves resisting colorful dyes with melted wax,” said co-owner Heather Brown Cadalzo. Inspired Minds campers run in the grassy yard during a mid-day break, play Pictionary, or a competitive game of Red Light, Green Light, but parents can expect highstandard, quality art instruction.“We splatter paint on canvases spread across the grass while learning about artist Jackson Pollack,” observed co-owner and teacher Rose Killmer. For 10 years, Inspired Minds Fine Arts School has been providing year-round classes taught by professional artists, holding degrees in fine art and/or arts education. Inspired Minds is a place where artists of all ages can learn techniques, enhance their abilities, improves their skills, and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment. For more information or to register, call 732-530-3444 or visit www.inspiredmindsart.com.
LearningRx Brain-training centers promise to help anyone get smarter and learn easier. The training is proven to reduce or eliminate learning problems in as little as 12-32 weeks. LearningRx specializes in treating the root cause of learning problems.The programs’ game-like exercises and 1:1 trainer-to-student ratio provide guaranteed dramatic improvement. With more than 90 centers across the country, (more than 45,000 people have been helped since 2003), LearningRx can help anyone — from 5 to 85 — increase the speed, power or function of their brain.“LearningRx does for the mind what a physical fitness center does for the body,” says Michael Ginsberg, owner and executive director of the Marlboro and Red Bank centers.“We make the brain stronger and faster by strengthening the underlying brain skills that are responsible for how well we learn and function. Our methodology is proven to bring improvement faster and more effectively than any other educational process, including tutoring. It eliminates the root cause of learning struggles and makes people smarter, permanently.” For more information about LearningRx, contact Michael Ginsberg, executive director, at 732-444-8579 or visit www.learningrx.com.
This summer the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) will offer six sessions of Marine Science Day Camp from their Sandy Hook headquarters for children in grades 3 through 9. Sessions begin on July 6 and run through Aug. 14. During each week-long session, campers will learn about marine science and enhance their science, mathematics and language arts skills through hands-on activities like seining, plant and animal identification, and laboratory experiments. Each week of camp is different and is tailored to specific age groups. For details or to register, call 732-872- 1300, ext. 19.A new session titled “Using Robotics in Ocean Exploration” is being offered this year for seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. This week-long STEM-based program explores how scientists use robots and other types of advanced technology to explore our coastlines and deep sea environments. Campers enrolled in this session will get to use their best engineering and teamwork skills to build, test and operate an underwater robot or ROV (remotely operated vehicle) of their own design. Every week of NJSGC’s summer camp will provide fun-filled opportunities to learn marine and coastal science while spending time in the great outdoors. NJSGC’s Marine Science Day Camp is popular so early reservations are strongly recommended. For more information about NJSGC’s summer camp and the organization’s many other programs dedicated to caring for New Jersey’s coastal environment, visit njseagrant.org.
Summer learning loss is a phenomenon parents and educators have long acknowledged as a significant setback to academic achievement. Math proficiency is particularly susceptible to the summer learning slide. Most students lose 2 to 2 1/2 months of the math computational skills that they learned during the school year. It is often called brain drain! According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the summer slide can have long-lasting effects on a student’s academic life.“Early summer learning losses have later life consequences, including school curriculum placement, standardized test scores, whether they attend college and which colleges they attend.” At the centers students work on a combination of review of prior, and preview of upcoming, year materials based upon their needs and your goals.And they know how to make it fun! Mathnasium students have shown significant increases in performance in fewer than 20 sessions. This number of learning sessions can easily fit into the summer months, giving kids a substantial leg up for the school year ahead. They offer flexible schedule options with both morning and afternoon sessions.They also specialize in preparing eighth graders for high school entrance examinations (MCVSD, PSAT) and high school students for the SAT and ACT. Call to find out how they can help position your student for admission success. For more information, call 732-842-6284 or visit www.SumMath.com.There are locations in Middletown, Matawan and Ocean Township.
Want to make a splash with your children this summer? Send them to camp with the Monmouth County Park System for an experience they’ll never forget! From Avengers Assemble! to Kayak Crazy Odyssey, the Park System offers numerous summer camps tailored to different ages and interests. Other camps include Summertime Fun at the Fort, Garden Camp, Surf’s Up, and Circus Skills Camp. Learn more about these and other offerings in the Park System’s Camp/Swim edition of its Program Directory, which lists all of its summer camps and swim lessons for children. This issue will be available in most county parks on Feb. 27. Information will also be available online at www.monmouthcountyall parks.com. Registration for summer camps and swim lessons begins on March 8 with phone registration from noon to 2 p.m. and online registration starting at noon.To register by phone with VISA, MasterCard or Discover, call 732-842-4000, ext 1. To register online, visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com.After March 8, registration can be done online (24/7), by mail, by phone, or in person at the Thompson Park Headquarters Building, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.You may register your family members only. For more information, visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call the Park System at 732-842-4000.
Tab Ramos Indoor Sports Center, located at 17 Blair Road in Aberdeen, was established in August of 2003. Tab Ramos is a National Soccer Hall of Fame player and calls the sports center home. He oversees all the NJCSA 04 soccer programs along with coaching the U20 Men’s National Team and playing in the Men’s League.The sports center is an indoor climate-controlled facility with 46,000 square feet boasting a 165-foot by 105-foot state-of-the-art turf field, a 165-foot by 80-foot multi-sport arena, batting cage with jugs machine, snack bar, adult lounge with upstairs viewing area, and a multi-purpose room.The sports center offers various youth and adult leagues including soccer, roller hockey, flag football, basketball, dodge ball, lacrosse and field hockey.The youth classes and clinics run through the year from soccer, learn to play basketball, learn to skate, roller hockey, flag football and lacrosse.The sports center also offers a summer camp and school break camps. Adult and youth birthday parties are their specialty; they will customize any party toward your needs. Rentals are available for sports teams, individuals, organizations, schools and organizations. For more information, visit www.tabramossportscenter.com.
Temple Beth Ahm Preschool is designed to provide a happy and nurturing environment where children develop a positive self image and love of learning.The curriculum is diverse and flexible, allowing the children to utilize all of their senses while developing the foundations for reading, language, math, science and social studies. In addition to the fine secular curriculum, Judaism is integrated daily through art, holiday celebrations, books, food and song. The culture and values observed at a young age become part of the student’s general knowledge that develops and grows as they do.The students leave the program happy, healthy and ready to take on kindergarten because they have the appropriate social and academic foundations they can now build upon. They offer classes for children ages 2, 3 and 4 with half-, mini- and full-day options.The classes meet two, three or four days weekly. They have an extensive Mommy & Me program taught by “Miss Judy”Wiskin for babies, toddlers and those ready to transition. In addition, they offer a six-week summer camp for children ages 2 through 5, just right for little ones.Temple Beth Ahm Preschool is located at 550 Lloyd Road,Aberdeen. For more information, call 732-583-1010 or visit www.tbaed.org.
ThrillCoaster Tours is America’s Only Roller Coaster Teen Tour and is voted the No. 5 travel camp in the United States. Entering its 11th summer of excitement like no other camp in around,ThrillCoaster Tours promises an experience of a lifetime. Campers have come from 20 different states, and now Japan, and they return year after year as the trips change every year. Join them as they visit amusement parks throughout the country.This summer they are offering two regular tours and a continuation tour: the first one is from Aug. 2-6 (Get To The Point Tour), where they will be traveling to Knoebels Amusement park (Pennsylvania), Cedar Point (Ohio) for two days with early entry into the park, and Hershey Park (Pennsylvania).The continuation tour fills the gap between the first tour and the second tour, Aug. 6-8.They will stay in the New Jersey area and have a swimming party and a night at the movies.The second tour is Aug. 8-16 (The Mid- States Tour).The trip kicks off with Lazer Tag, followed by six incredible amusements parks in five states, Kings Island (Ohio), Holiday World (Indiana), Dollywood (Tennessee), Carowinds (North Carolina), Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion (Virginia). For more information, call 888-542-4842, email igordon@thrillcoastertours.com, or visit www.thrillcoastertours.com.