When the ongoing coronavirus pandemic hit New Jersey it changed the way families went about everyday life across the state.
During 2020, the virus did not just affect the operations of businesses, health services, school districts and municipalities. The virus also altered how summer camp programs and community amenities such as pools would be organized and operated in the summer months when restrictions loosened.
The Recreation Department in Princeton has adapted its own 2020 summer camp programs to the new normal by including a virtual and in-person component that adheres to social distancing guidelines set by state and municipal officials.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my team for their work throughout this pandemic. With such a fluid situation and with guidance from the state changing often, the team put together a nice variety of programs and activities that are proving to be quite popular,” Princeton Recreation Director Ben Stentz said.
The virtual programs established this summer are the Youth Mindfulness Program and Teen Mindfulness Program. Sessions for those programs sold out, according to the Recreation Department.
In-person summer programs for 2020 are youth track (Aug. 3-7), high school track (July 13-16), a skateboard program, soccer program (July 27-31), youth soccer program (Aug. 24-28), girl’s basketball clinic (July 27-29), boy’s basketball clinic (Aug. 3-5), and multi-sport program (Aug. 17-Sept. 3).
The skateboard program has also sold out, according to Stentz.
In addition to the summer camps and activities, Community Park Pool officially reopened on July 13 with a variety of swim lessons and aquatic programs. The pool is now on a modified schedule in two week blocks with the first block being from July 13-26.
People attending the Community Park Pool, as with the summer camps and activities, are also being required to social distance when outside and inside the pool.
For more information about specific dates, pricing, sessions and activities, visit www.princetonrecreation.com.