Scotch Plains Summer Camp Registration Off to Strong Start

Scotch Plains Recreation Department has gotten off to a strong start so far with its summer day camp and small fry sign-ups.

Registration began in early January, and by the end of the month, two of its Small Fry morning time slots had already reached capacity. The department is currently putting children on a wait list for those sessions.

Several changes have been made to the program this year, after the department received feedback from parents and participants in 2009 about what worked and what didn't.

For one, parents of children in the Day Camp program will now be able to choose whether their child attends camp at Farley Park or Brookside Park. The fee structure is also back to allowing parents to pay for the full six weeks of the program. Last year, the recreation department initially tried charging parents for just two weeks since some had said they'd prefer that option over paying for the entire summer. But after suffering from a significant lack in registrants, the department reverted back to its old system.

The cost is up slightly, though. Recreation Supervisor Stephen Dahl told Patch that the Day Camp fee went up from $140 to $175 for early registration. The Small Fry fee went up from $75 to $80 (except for the 1st session since there are less days).

The Day Camp program is for children in grades 1 through 6 and includes trips to play mini golf, bowling and more. The small-fry program is open to children 3 to 5 years old who have not yet attended kindergarten and features arts and crafts, sports and more.

"Both will feature the theme dates and more special events, which made them both popular," Recreation Supervisor Stephen Dahl said in an e-mail.

Summer Day Camp Program (July 6 to August 13)

Fee: $175 before April 1; $250 after April 1

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Locations: Brookside and Farley Parks 

Campers will participate in sports, arts & crafts and more. weekly trips to bowling and mini golf. Themed activities and special events.

 Small Fry Program (July 6 to August 13)

Sessions:

Session I -  July 6 to July 16

Session II -  July 19 to July 30 (morning slot sold out; wait list accepted)

Session III - Aug 2 to Aug 13 (morning slot sold out; wait list accepted)

Each session has a morning slot (9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) and afternoon (11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.)

Fees: Session I - $75

Session II - $80

Session III -$80 

Location: Green Forest Park

Campers will participate in sports, arts & crafts and more. Themed activities and special events.