The latest update for The Best Budget-Friendly Summer Camps in NJ is written by Lindsay Podolak.
It’s that time of year when parents across the state start asking themselves what they’re going to do with the kids this summer. Whether you are a working parent who needs child care, or a stay-at-home parent looking for some organized fun for your kids, you’ve probably been looking into New Jersey’s many summer camp options. Here are a few tips on how to keep the kids busy this summer without breaking the bank.
Quick Click Guide: Select the type of summer camp you’re looking for to find one in your area.
| Sports Camps | Pre-K Camps | Recreational Camps | Academic Camps | Life Skill Camps |
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Sports Camps
North Jersey: New Jersey Basketball Academy
Location: Verona Community Center, 880 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona; Mt. St. Dominic Academy, 3 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell; Little Falls Recreation Center, 160 Paterson Avenue, Little Falls
Price: $95 – $195
Details: Boys and girls ages 7-16 will receive quality basketball instruction from trained professionals. Each day is spent on instruction, games and contests.
More info: www.njbasketballacademy.com
Central Jersey: Gymland
Location: 6 Tennis Court, Hamilton
Price: $212 per week of half days
Details: Your child will love spending the week at New Jersey’s largest gymnastics facility. It’s not just gymnastics, though – kids will also enjoy ice-skating, gym ninja, crafts and outside water play.
More info: gym-land.com
Jersey Shore: Kum Sung Camp
Location: Kum Sung Karate, 950 Hooper Avenue, Toms River
Price: $165 per week
Details: At this extremely affordable weekly rate, your camper will get to experience karate lessons, indoor archery, zumba and other fitness classes. Other activities include a magic show, swimming, crafts and weekly contests.
More info: www.kumsungkarate.com
South Jersey: ISC Summer Camp
Location: ISC Mt. Laurel, 1 Hovtech Boulevard, Mt. Laurel
Price: $50 per day (15 day minimum)
Details: With ISC’s indoor turf field, skating rink and FunZone climbing area, the emphasis is on sports and fun. Make your own camp schedule by picking the days the best suit your needs.
More info: www.iscmtlaurel.com
Pre-K Camps
North Jersey: Les Enfants Summer Camp
Location: Les Enfants Preschool & Summer Camp, 223 14th Street, Palisades Park
Price: $250 per week of half days
Details: Children ages 2.5 through 5 will have fun participating in age-appropriate games, swimming at the Palisades Park Swim Club and taking field trips. There is a three week minimum to sign your child up, but if you need care for multiple weeks it is definitely an affordable option.
More info: www.lesenfantschildcare.com
Central Jersey: Little Wing Pre School of Rock Camp
Location: School of Rock Clark, 1173 Raritan Road, Clark
Price: $199 per week of half days
Details: Rockers ages 3-5 learn the music of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and other legendary artists. Classes teach rhythm and socialization, and build confidence with activities and games.
More info: www.clark-sor.pike13.com
Jersey Shore: Shore Summer Camp
Location: Ocean Early Childhood Center, 58 Princeton Avenue, Brick
Price: $270 per week
Details: The year-round daycare facility offers a special summer camp program in its 4,000 square foot building. With activities like tricycle races, candy hunts and pool parties, your little one will be entertained all summer long.
More info: www.oceanearly.com
South Jersey: Lake Stockwell Day Camp
Location: YMCA of the Pines, 1303 Stokes Road, Medford
Price: $265 per week
Details: If your preschooler is potty-trained, he can attend the full day camp program offered by Lake Stockwell Day Camp. Arts and crafts, games and sports will entertain the littlest ones, plus you have the option of adding extended morning and afternoon care.
More info: www.ycamp.org
Recreational Camps
North Jersey: Camp Sunrise Lake
Location: Lewis Morris County Park, 270 Mendham Road, Morristown
Price: $250 per week
Details: Three different week-long camps are offered for kids ages 5-11 in the lush grounds of Lewis Morris County park. Campers will learn outdoor skills, do experiments, explore the park and partake in water activities like swimming and boating.
More info: www.morrisparks.net
Central Jersey: Old Bridge Day Camp
Location: Old Bridge YMCA, 1 Mannino Park Drive, Old Bridge
Price: $291 per week
Details: Kids ages 4-15 are welcome in this ten-week program that offers flexible days to fit your schedule. Daily pool time, themed activities and weekly trips to places like Liberty Science Center and Jenkinson’s Aquarium are all included.
More info: www.ymcanj.org
Jersey Shore: Buccaneers Day Camp
Location: Dorbrook Recreation Area, 353 County Road 537, Colts Neck
Price: $225 per week
Details: The Monmouth County Park System offers an entire catalogue of summer camps, including several all-day general interest camps for various grade levels. Kids in grades 5-8 will enjoy sports, games, crafts, swimming and park exploration.
More info: www.monmouthcountyparks.com
South Jersey: Triple A Summer Camp
Location: Memorial Sports Complex, 1004 Tuckerton Road, Evesham Township
Price: $250 per week
Details: Triple A Summer Camp is designed to foster self-esteem and build confidence through teamwork. Campers participate in athletics, art and academics, plus venture out on weekly trips to places like Sahara Sam’s and Medieval Times.
More info: www.evesham-nj.org
Academic Camps
North Jersey: Immersion Summer Camp
Location: Hudson Way Immersion School, 249 Bebout Avenue, Stirling
Price: $325 per week of half days
Details: Campers acquire an appreciation for diverse cultures while developing language skills in either a Mandarin or Spanish language immersion environment. Themed weeks like “Under the Sea” or “Junior Chef” include science, geography, literature, cooking, art, music and outdoor activities.
More info: www.hwis.org
Central Jersey: International Ivy Summer Enrichment Programs
Location: Rutgers Preparatory School, 1345 Easton Avenue, Somerset
Price: $325 per week of half days
Details: Sign your kid up for innovative programs like “App Design Using App Inventor” or “Drone Programming.” If Somerset isn’t in your neck of the woods, International Ivy has additional camp locations throughout the Garden State.
More info: www.iisummer.com
Jersey Shore: Play-Well Engineering Camp
Location: Summerfield Elementary School, 1 Summerfield Lane, Neptune City
Price: $130 per week of half days
Details: Kids as young as five years old can participate in Play-Well’s “Intro to STEM” camp. The program uses LEGOs to teach engineering principles and build projects.
More info: www.play-well.org
South Jersey: STEAM UP Summer Camp
Location: Delran High School, 50 Hartford Road, Delran
Price: $225 per week
Details: This affordable four-day camp is offered for four weeks during July, with discounts for early registration and multiple week/multiple child signups. Campers get a hands-on STEAM (the traditional idea of STEM plus and “A” for “art”) experiences including engineering activities, culinary arts applications and field trips.
More info: http://www.delranschools.com
Life Skill Camps
North Jersey: Summer Theater Day Camp
Location: Essex Youth Theater at Studio Playhouse, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair
Price: $259 per week
Details: Aspiring actors can sign up for either one or two week programs that culminate in a play. This year’s musical choices include “Aladdin,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Annie” and more.
More info: www.essexyouththeater.com
Central Jersey: HQ Top Chef Camp
Location: HealthQuest Fitness Club, 310 Highway 31 N., Flemington
Price: $225 per week of half days
Details: Got a kid aged 6-12 that loves to cook? Register him for a culinary experience he won’t soon forget!
More info: www.healthquest-fitness.com
Jersey Shore: Zoo Camp
Location: Cape May County Zoo
Price: $120 per week of half days
Details: Budding zoologists will spend the day learning about and caring for the animals of the Cape May County Zoo. Each week has a different theme and special activities, so children who attend more than one week won’t be bored!
More info: www.capemaycountynj.gov
South Jersey: Nature Detectives
Location: Scotland Run Park Nature Center, 980 East Academy Street, Clayton
Price: $100 per week
Details: Gloucester County residents get first priority to sign up for this outdoor nature camp. Kids will explore the environment and learn through activities, walks, crafts and music. Call (856) 251-6710 for registration details.
More info: www.gloucestercountynj.gov
