Summer Camps Your Kids Will Love
Summer Nature Camp at The Wetlands Institute
Contact Information: wetlandsinstitute.org; 609-368-1211
Dates: Weekly, June 30-Aug. 25
Location: The Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
Age Range: Ages 5-13; Age 4 features special programming on select dates
Time: Ages 5-13, 9:30am-2pm; Age 4, 9:30am-noon
Pricing: Ranges from $105 to $275 per session
How to Register: wetlandsinstitute.org
What should campers expect: Summer Nature Camp is back at The Wetlands Institute! Campers will enjoy a week (or more) discovering the New Jersey Shore in a fun and interactive schedule of activities geared to each age group and theme. Participants will engage in science experimentation and exploration; play games; embark on fascinating field trips; explore the beach; create arts and crafts, and enjoy the day in nature. Each week has its own fun theme including Creation Nation: Crafting with Nature; Wild Walks: Explore the Shore; Nature’s STEAM, STREAMs, & STEMs; Close Encounters with the Micro-Macro Wildlife; Weather or Not Climate Science; Fins, Scutes, Scales & Tales; Secrets of the Way Down Under; Marine Mammals and the Seal Live Web; Creation Nation: Seashells in My Pockets
Highlights: It’s double the fun at The Wetlands Institute: Enjoy in-person Summer Nature Camp or bring the experience home with the weekly program Adventure Chests. Two chests are available each week – one for ages 4-7, and one for ages 8-13 – with fun and fascinating contents tied to each week’s theme! The chests are packed with everything you need to explore the weekly theme including activities, games, experiments, videos, places to explore, things to do and more, plus a special surprise from the Tidepool Shop!
Zoo Camp at the Cape May County Park & Zoo
Contact Information: 609-465-6832, capemaycountynj.gov; education@cmczoo.com;
Dates: Aug. 16, 17 & Aug. 18, 19 *
Location: Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Rt. 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Age Range: Ages 13-16*
Time: 9am-2pm
Pricing: $125
How to Register: capemaycountynj.gov
What should campers expect: This unique, 2-day advanced camp will give campers a glimpse of the most popular major of zoo professionals: zoology. Explore the diversity of the animal kingdom through special keeper talks, behind-the-scenes tours, and animal behavior studies. This 2-day camp (same for both sessions) is ideal for teenagers wanting to learn more about wildlife careers.
Additional weeks are hosted throughout the summer for ages ranging from 5-16 with topics covering Artsy Animals, Conservation, Animal Detectives, Shark Week and more; however, camp dates sell out quickly.
Highlights: Summer camp at the zoo is 100% outdoors and will include live animal encounters.
*Check the website for additional camp dates and age ranges, only a few spaces remain.
Avalon Surf Camp
Contact Information: avalonsurfcamp.com; avalonsurfcamp@gmail.com; 609-961-6156
Dates: June 28-Aug. 30 (Private lessons held June 1-Oct. 1)
Location: 12th Street beach, Avalon
Age Range: Boys and girls ages 7+ (adults welcome!)
Time: 9-11am
Pricing: $70/private lesson, $425 for weekly camp
Equipment Needed: Just your bathing suit! Avalon Surf Camp provides everything else, including the wetsuit!
How to Register: avalonsurfcamp.com; 609-961-6156
What should campers expect: Get your swimmers of all ages ready for a summer of fun and an experience they will never forget with Avalon Surf Camp. Campers age 7 and up will enjoy a full morning of surfing with International Surfing Association-certified instructors. Surfing reaches all abilities and no skill level is required to appreciate the water and catch the wave. Campers will be given colored jerseys according to surfing ability and experience from beginner to advanced. Instructors provide ocean, beach and surfing safety instruction, including waterman skills and lessons on rip currents, undertows and ocean conditions. Surfing is the fastest-growing sport worldwide, and there is no better feeling than catching your very first wave.
Highlights: Instructors are certified and require a minimum of 5 years of experience, and the camp isn’t just about the perfect wave, it’s about becoming a waterman and respecting important ocean behavior and the forces of Mother Nature.
Shore Multi Sports Camp
Contact Information: shoresportscamps.com; seitsinc@yahoo.com; 610-812-4322
Dates: Stone Harbor July 12-16, July 19-23; Avalon Aug. 2-6
Location: Avalon and Stone Harbor Recreation Fields
Age Range: Boys and girls ages 5-14
Time: 9am-noon
Pricing: $190
Equipment Needed: Water bottle and sneakers
How to Register: shoresportscamps.com
What should campers expect: Shore Sports Camps is now celebrating 33 years and continues to be the largest and longest running camp at the Shore. The one-week sessions are offered to a wide range of ages and skills, and include a goal to create an appreciation and enjoyment of athletics. Multi Sports Camp features a variety of fun activities, plus inclusion of teamwork, social skills, leadership and character development. Participants will be instructed by guest coaches from nationally ranked high schools and colleges in soccer, basketball, handball, touch football, rink soccer, yoga, tennis, baseball, ultimate Frisbee, rink hockey, volleyball, track and field, fitness and speed training, capture the flag and more. This week of fun and activity is guaranteed to keep participants on their toes and enjoying every single second of game play!
Highlights: Campers will enjoy daily awards and prizes, league and small-sided games, and fun award ceremonies throughout the week. Plus, early drop-off and extended day options are available on a daily basis for only $20/hour. The extra will include a coach-supervised lunch, field games and beach activities.
Shore Soccer Camp
Contact Information: shoresportscamps.com; seitsinc@yahoo.com; 610-812-4322
Dates: July 26-30
Location: Avalon Recreation Field
Age Range: Boys and girls ages 5-14
Time: 9am-noon
Pricing: $200
Equipment Needed: Water bottle, shin guards, cleats or soccer shoes
How to Register: shoresportscamps.com
What should campers expect: Shore Soccer Camp is here for its 33rd season, structured to teach individual technique and small-group tactics. A coach’s demonstration is followed by a warmup and specific drills and exercises designed to reinforce daily teaching themes. Participants will enjoy small-sided league games as well as award ceremonies and prizes throughout the week.
Highlights: Early drop-off and extended day options are available on a daily basis for only $20/hour and include a coach-supervised lunch, field games and beach activities.
