| Contributed Photo
JERSEY CITY –Registration for Jersey City’s Summer Day Camp for residents 7-14 years old opens online beginning March 20 through Rec Desk at 7 a.m. at jcrec.recdesk.com until all available spots are filled. The City will host two campsites: Caven Point in Ward A and Pershing Field in Ward C.
The Summer Camp will be staffed by JC Youth Works, a program providing meaningful summer employment to residents ages 15-24. This year, the City will also offer before and after care in consideration of working parents.
“It is especially critical to provide these City services that are not only fun and engaging but also provide a safe outlet for this age group that has had to endure unprecedented circumstances during their most formative years,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “What’s more, we’ve had great success staffing our camps with JC Youth Works employees who obtain paid work experience while mentoring younger camp participants from the same community. Everyone involved can really make the most of their summer vacation.”
The Fulop administration said Jersey City’s Summer Camp had been a long-standing success for over three decades with a curriculum designed to create a fun, safe, and enriching environment. Children can learn, grow, and play. Campers will participate in active play through sports, games, art, and crafts. The Summer Camp consists of two-week sessions, as follows:
- Session 1: July 10 – 21
-All About Me Week
-Career Week - Session 2: July 24 – August 4
-STEM Week
-Nature Week - Session 3: August 7- 18
-Super Hero Week
-Music, Art, & Fashion Week
The City will also pilot its Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program for 13 and 14-year-old campers this summer. It is an educational program with a curriculum designed to develop the technical and social skills necessary to be an effective camp counselor in the future. CIT programs teach management leadership skills and can provide basic training in first aid, group leadership, time management, and other career development-related skills.
“In our programs, we want to give Jersey City’s youth the opportunity to just be kids, to get them out active and outdoors. Our Summer Camp helps build self-confidence and leadership skills while promoting socialization and outdoor physical and mental stimulation,” added Lucinda McLaughlin, Director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Development. “We’ve seen significant growth in all of our programs over the past year, and we expect this year’s Summer Camp to be the best yet.”
From July 10 to August 18, Jersey City’s Summer Camp will operate on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Before care begins at 7:30 a.m. with aftercare through 5:30 p.m. The camp also includes breakfast and lunch daily at no cost to the camper.
Registration for camp will open on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 7:00 a.m. through Rec Desk at jcrec.recdesk.com. To register in person or for any registration assistance, please call the Recreation Division at (201) 547-5003.
–With Ricky Rillera/PDM
