By Wendy Humphrey
Summer lies ahead somewhere beyond the snow drifts. Planning is under way for the summer camp season beginning June 23 at Mercer County Community College (MCCC). Variety is the theme of MCCC’s popular programs for children ages 6 to 18, and families have the option to register children for the entire summer, or for one of the college’s monthly or weekly programs. All camps are based at MCCC’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Before and after camp care is available. The season runs through August 15.
Detailed information on Camp College, Sports Camps, and Kelsey Theatre’s Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops is available at www.mccc.edu/camps. General inquiries can be made by calling 609-570-3311. MCCC campers enjoy a wide array of college facilities including a full-service cafeteria, Olympic size pool, athletic fields, theater, newly refurbished tennis courts, and more.
Camp College’s Campus Kids program is offered for children ages 6 to 13. In two, four-week sessions, campers create a personalized schedule of classes selected from more than 60 options. On Friday Fun Days, campers can either extend their camp week or attend for just a single day of activities on campus and off campus.
One- and two-week Specialty Camps are for children ages 6 through 17. Topics range from technology and sciences to cooking, crafts, and academic prep in math and writing. A second session of the highly popular Aviation and Aerospace Academy, held at Mercer Trenton Airport, has been added. A Counselor-In-Training program is offered for teens ages 15 and 16.
Information sessions for Camp College will be held March 22 and April 26 on the West Windsor campus from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call 609-570-3311, or visit the Camp College website at www.mccc.edu/campcollege.
Celebrating their 39th season, the MCCC Athletics Department’s Sports Camps are staffed by college and high school coaches, as well as college athletes. These camps are designed to help youngsters develop competitive skills in enjoyable environment. Camps include Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey (co-ed), Golf, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Softball (girls only), Speed, Agility and Quickness, and Tennis. More information is available by calling 609-570-3779.
Middle school and high school students wishing to explore their artistic talents will enjoy MCCC’s Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, the longest running summer arts program in Central New Jersey. Based out of MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre, the program offers classes in the visual arts, dance, theater, and vocal music, under the guidance of arts professionals. Students select an area of concentration, while also getting the opportunity to add other classes of interest.
The first session is for students entering grades 8-12, followed by a session for grades 5-7. Older students may follow their first session with a Master Class that covers the business of show business. Both sessions conclude with a "Festival of the Arts," where family and friends are invited to a live performance and art exhibit. Tuition includes a t-shirt, pizza party and DVD of the end-of-season performance. More information is available by calling 609-570-3566, or by email at [email protected]. Tomato Patch registration forms are available at www.kelseytheatre.net.
