Camp Excel Academy College Coaches (ACC), located in Morganville, provides professional college coaching to high school students and their parents. ACC focuses on finding the colleges that meet the student’s academic, career and social requirements. ACC will alleviate the stress, procrastination and concerns over finding the school that will be the best fit.ACC helps organize and process the application, provides support and assistance developing the personal essay, simulates practice interviews, suggests a format for creating résumé(s), recommends test strategies for taking SAT,ACT and SAT II exams, offers tips and techniques for completing financial aid forms, and assists families with the final task of selecting a college.A free 40-minute one-on-one consultation is available for all students and their parents. To arrange your free consultation, either call 800- 605-6032 or email us at academies3@gmail.com. Academy College Coaches, LLC, is located at 281 Route 79, Suite 203, Morganville.
Community YMCA In February, Artisan Studio is celebrating its 11th anniversary in Marlboro’s historic Hobart House, as its founder Marlene Bohnyak celebrates more than 25 years of instruction and sharing her passion for art. Over the years her staff and class offerings have grown.Artisan is currently enrolling campers for their January Sunday Workshop, Spring Break Art Camp and Summer Art Camp.Artisan Studio offers many different ways for students to express themselves and gain new skills.They have all the traditional classes in drawing and painting, working in all mediums. In addition, they offer Portfolio Prep classes for teens interested in pursuing art in college; sewing, fashion design and illustration, mixed media and 3D work for students who love to make or build things with their hands. Recycling bottles, cardboard, Styrofoam and cans, artists create all sorts of characters, creatures and free form designs in Green Scene and Papier Mache classes.Artisan takes pride in the integrity and nurturing of their teachers, who truly enjoy sharing their knowledge and passion as they help their students improve their artistic abilities and gain confidence.This new confidence often transfers into academic areas, where parents tell their staff of improved handwriting, neatness, and patience in doing their homework.Art is stress free and very adaptable for all ages and ability levels, and is a creative outlet for anyone to express themselves. For more information, call 732-294-0234 or visit www.artisanstudio9.com.
Hatikvah International Academy Charter School 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 inthe 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.
Temple Shaari Emeth Early Learning Center 
Tab Ramos Indoor Sports Center 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 linksstyle 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.
ThrillCoaster Tours 
Temple Shaari Emeth’s Hebrew School 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.
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.
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.
The Lewis School of Princeton, founded in 1973 by Marsha Gaynor Lewis, is an internationally recognized, co-educational, independent private day school whose combined resources are dedicated to providing exceptional multisensory educational opportunity for bright, creative young men and women who learn differently. During the past 41 years,The school has helped thousands of young people who learn differently succeed in their educational pursuits.The Lewis School successfully galvanized local community interest in and understanding of the struggles experienced by children with dyslexia. Lewis was among the first to bring the challenges of dyslexia and language-based learning issues to the attention of the greater Princeton community. The school has recognized the many gifts, talents and great promise among dyslexic students. Their educational challenges were understood not as disabilities but as distinctive learning differences, coupled with remarkable capacities of human perception and original thought.The Lewis School also helped identify what are now termed “twice exceptional” students, those with significant language-based processing difficulties and competitive intellectual and creative acumen. Lewis pioneered and advanced the roots of a new multisensory education across the entire curriculum to address the complex needs of a diverse student body. Hundreds of teachers have been and continue to be trained in The Lewis Diagnostic Clinic and with Master Teachers in the school to deliver this education. It is difficult now to find an educational resource, private or public, in the greater Princeton area that has not been influenced by The Lewis School.As the school’s accreditation process proceeds, the vision expands and reaches farther to help underserved children with dyslexia,The School’s Tree of Light shines as a symbol of hope for all students who learn differently and, especially for those who remain without educational opportunity for a brighter future.The Lewis School is located at 53 Bayard Lane, Princeton. For more information, call 609- 924-8120, ext. 117.
The Marlboro Recreation Summer Camp Programs offer a variety of camps for kids from kindergarten through eighth grade.The camp staff is made up of seasoned recreational and educational supervisors and counselors.The summer day camp is a six-week program that serves children currently in grades K-6.This program is known for its “on the go” diverse activities including swimming, petting zoos, science shows, arts & crafts, sports, gymnastics, trips (movies, bowling, beach, mini-golf, baseball games, laser tag, water parks, roller skating) and more.The six weeks is divided into two threeweek sessions. Campers have the option to attend one or both sessions. Children in grades K-6 have the option to add a seventh camp week in the H2O program held exclusively at the Aquatic center.The travel camp is a five-week program for children currently in seventh and eighth grade that visits some of the tri-state area’s most exciting attractions. Campers will spend their days at water and amusement parks, sporting events, some of Jersey’s beautiful beaches, and so much more.The theater camp is two, three-week programs for children currently in fourth through eighth grade.Whether you can sing, dance, act, or want to be behind the scenes doing lighting, sound and set design, you can do a little bit of everything. Before and after care are available for summer day, teen travel, and theater camp. Non-residents are welcome. Go to http://register.communitypass.net/marlboro for more information.
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.monmouthcountyparks.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 Dis cover, 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.
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.
Shalom Torah Academy of Western Monmouth County prides itself on providing excellent education in a warm, supportive environment. Small class sizes and commitment to individualized attention allows for every child to attain his or her highest academic potential. Beginning with preschool, children are engaged in activities that stimulate growth in literacy, premath, and scientific experimentation. Openended art, music and dramatic play develop academic and life skills while the children enjoy themselves throughout the day.The elementary and middle school curricula emphasize creativity, critical thinking and self-directed learning across all the disciplines.Technology is part of the curriculum at every grade level. Classrooms utilize Smartboards, and Smart Response Systems and iPads are used throughout middle school for multidisciplinary learning. Robots come alive as students are engaged in programming and assembling them employing Lego Mindstorms Robotics Kits EV3 Software in the STEM Suite. STA students are involved in making choices about their learning, selecting different roles in collaborative work and finding original ways for applying their knowledge.The result is a student body that loves to learn.The competitive general studies program is complemented by a Judaic studies program that emphasizes Hebrew language, textual skills and appreciation for Jewish holidays and traditions and a love for Israel. Jewish values permeate the school, creating an inviting, happy atmosphere in which the children thrive. For more information, call Mrs. Gold at 732-536-0911, ext. 23.
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 all 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.
Friendships begin at the Temple Shaari Emeth Early Learning Center and last a lifetime. Shaari Emeth’s Parent & Me program for children ages 3-30 months offers interactive experiences for children and their parents or other caretakers. New and supportive friendships are encouraged while you and your child learn songs, play instruments and participate in fun activities. Your child will be introduced to his or her Jewish heritage through songs and stories. This is a wonderful opportunity for you and your baby to strengthen your bond while the teachers create a calm and soothing experience.As your child grows, Shaari Emeth’s programs adapt to his or her changing developmental needs.Transition classes are offered with a supportive environment that allows for easy separation, making preschool an easy next step. Music, free play, bubble fun and puppetry are favorites, and a giant, colorful parachute evokes squeals of delight. In Shaari Emeth’s preschool and full-day kindergarten, a warm and nurturing atmosphere is provided, and the hands-on director, Jayne Lieberman, makes sure your child gets plenty of personal attention.The staff is fully licensed and dedicated to the success of every child.As students grow, Shaari Emeth’s curriculum adapts to meet developmental markers and guidelines. Each age level has a specific age-appropriate curriculum infused with academics, arts, discovery time and spirituality. Programming exceeds the requirements of the state and surrounding school districts, and students are fully prepared for public school when they graduate. Students also experience the joy of sharing Shabbat with Shaari Emeth’s Rabbi Panken and Cantor Siet. Trips, special events, holidays and celebrations round out your child’s experience. Days and hours are flexible, and the needs of parents are also met by optional early drop-off and late pickup hours. Pizza, bagel, and chicken tenders lunches are offered and the Friday challah program is always a favorite. Shaari Emeth’s indoor gym and large, enclosed outdoor playground offer students the opportunity for exercise and major motor skill development while the wellequipped classrooms have a wide variety of manipulatives to address fine motor skills. Summer Camp at Shaari Emeth is a wonderful experience for children ages 2-6, and for the last two summers has completely sold out. Shaari Emeth’s staff is warm and loving and the staff-to-camper ratio is unbeatable. Summer camp runs for seven weeks on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays, days and weeks are flexible and there are full- and half-day sessions.Temple Shaari Emeth is a progressive, egalitarian Reform congregation and interfaith families are welcome. For more information and a tour, contact Jayne Lieberman at 732-462-3264 or jlieberman@shaariemeth.org. Shaari Emeth’s website is www.shaariemeth.org.
Temple Shaari Emeth’s Hebrew School rocks! Shaari Emeth’s goal for their K-12, oneday per-week Hebrew School students is to develop a positive Jewish identity in a fun, community-oriented and warm environment. This encourages lifelong friendships and active membership in the Jewish community. Students learn to read and understand Hebrew and develop an appreciation for Jewish holidays, liturgy, ceremonies and traditions.Above all, Shaari Emeth instills Jewish values.The school’s success in teaching Hebrew comes from a mixture of careful classroom instruction with the students’ own enthusiastic use of online activities and assessment features. Shaari Emeth’s warm and friendly clergy is personally involved with every student’s education. Temple Shaari Emeth is a full-service Reform synagogue, with family education, events, religious services and outstanding activities in which Jewish identity is strengthened and great friendships blossom. Interfaith families are welcome. Shaari Emeth’s Hebrew School fully prepares students for Bar or Bat Mitzvah and for Confirmation, but a Jewish education is much more than that. Shaari Emeth provides the support of a full Jewish community. Shaari Emeth instills Jewish values, Shaari Emeth pursues social justice, and Shaari Emeth provides the preparation for a life of Jewish learning, to ensure a Jewish future.To register your child, call director Janis Knight at 732- 462-4245, or email her at jknight@shaariemeth.org. Shaari Emeth’s web site is www.shaariemeth.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.
Turtle Creek Learning Academy has been serving the surrounding communities for 18 years. Its reputation as an exceptional private preschool was confirmed by the school being voted as the Best Preschool in Marlboro/ Colts Neck by a Patch Reader’s Poll.Turtle Creek prides itself in being able to deliver the most balanced curriculum that is engaging, academically stimulating and developmentally appropriate.Teachers are the most highly qualified and the low teacher-to-student ratio assures that your children will get the individual attention they deserve. Camp Turtle Creek has been restructured for 2015.They have developed eight different themes for the eight-week summer program. Parents can select as many weeks as possible with the option of a miniday or full day program; after- and before-care are also available.Turtle Creek offers everything from robotics to cooking.The teachers also lead the summer camps.The groups are small and the summer fun activities will keep your child happy and engaged all summer. Water play and walks on the shady nature trail are part of the summertime experience. If you want a small camp that is specifically tailored for the preschool child with ages 3-6, then Turtle Creek is the best option. For more information, call 732-780-9656.