Summer campS 2023

Liberty Lake

Summer Camp is Hotter than Ever!

We’re all experiencing the effects of these difficult, post-pandemic times. Especially young people. They are navigating post-lockdown life with the intense pressures of screen-based friendships, self-esteem in the volatile hands of social media, academic demands, and more.

Many have found a great way to unplug and decompress — at Summer Camp! This year has seen unprecedented numbers of campers enrolling in Summer Camp, as parents are recognizing the need to pry their kids off their screens and regain their social skills. Many high school and college students have found a similar reprieve from the weight of worldly cares by WORKING at Summer Camp too.

In my new favorite book “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure,” authors/researchers Greg Lukanoff and Jonathan Haidt bring to light the unintended consequences of how raising children has evolved in the past decade.

• Fragility: What doesn’t kill you makes you… weaker? Wasn’t it “What doesn’t kill you makes you STRONGER?” Young people have been taught and encouraged of late to be risk-averse. Attending or working at Summer Camp can be super-fun and super-challenging. Research spearheaded by the American Camp Association is showing that young people attending or working at Camp come out stronger and more resilient!

• Emotional Reasoning: Always trust your feelings? We’ve all experienced negative, and even overwhelming emotions at times. To be emotionally healthy though, we need to learn how to manage these feelings — not let them rule our lives and logic. At Summer Camp, any given day can be an emotional rollercoaster. There will be winning and losing, disagreements with friends, fear of failure, and disappointments! It’s REAL LIFE in a structured setting, preparing young people for the inevitable challenges that lie ahead of them.

• Us vs. Them: That life is a battle between good and evil people. Cancel culture has become normalized by what has transpired in the news, colleges, and the workplace — causing negativity and polarization. Meanwhile, there are huge commonalities of shared beliefs between all of us. While accepting differences in others can be difficult, good Summer Camps create a training ground to practice diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It’s been a rough past few years, but a “covid silver lining” is the that families are now recognizing the significant effects on their children of increased screen time/social media, isolation, anxiety, depression, prescription drugs, and over the top parental “safetyism.” Parents are actively seeking solutions, and they have found one in Summer Camp.

Camps are filling up quicker than ever, so do your research and reserve your spot now! It’s the ultimate learning environment for young people to develop and practice the social skills essential for success in the 21st century.

Andy Pritikin is the owner/director or Liberty Lake Day Camp, and a partner at Everwood Day Camp and Camp Southwoods. He’s the Past President of the American Camp Association, NY/NJ, and the host of the Day Camp Podcast.

Liberty Lake Day Camp, 195 Florence-Columbus Road, Bordentown. 609-499-7820 www.libertylakedaycamp.com. See ad, page 11

West WindsorPlainbsoro Soccer Association

A chance for kids to develop soccer skills

Parents of soccer enthusiasts aged 7 to 14 need to mark their calendars now for the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association (WWPSA) weeklong summer soccer camps available throughout the summer beginning July 10, 2023. Experienced soccer coaches will drill boys and girls in the skills necessary to improve their soccer play. This is a chance to have skilled trainers work with you on soccer.

Our goal in the club to develop soccer skills for players at all skill levels. We have a great coaching staff for our summer camps who provide instruction with a goal of increasing skills through a variety of teaching techniques. It is an opportunity for camp participants to improve their skills — their technical and tactical soccer skills — through a variety of exercises,” said Brent Nielsen, who oversees the program for WWPSA.

Full day camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a break mid-day for lunch and an option to swim at the community pool. Half-day camps run from 9 a.m. to noon. “All of our activities and games are structured for learning and fun,” Nielsen said. “Campers will play a game at the end of each day to solidify skills learned and engage in friendly competition.”

Campers learn and reinforce fundamental soccer skills of dribbling and mastery of the soccer ball with emphasis on agility, passing, receiving, and turning. Later in the week more advanced skills of attacking play, scoring, defensive moves, and preventing scoring are emphasized. The importance of teamwork is emphasized along with core exercises and personal fitness.

WWSPA’s goal is to provide youth and adults the opportunity to play instructional and competitive soccer at the highest level commensurate with their ability, potential, and interest.

In that light, WWPSA offers spring and fall soccer programs for pre-K through 12th grade students. Information about spring and fall programs can be found on the WWPSA website, adding additional opportunities for local youth.

West Windsor Plainsboro Soccer Association, West Windsor Community Park, Bernt Midland Boulevard, West Windsor. www. wwpsa.org. See ad, page 9

GraceWay Bible Church

Camp Mercyville Is a Community Favorite

If you are looking for a place for your family to thrive in their relationships with Jesus and each other, GraceWay is the church for you! With over 40 ministries, there is something for everyone! The best way to see if GraceWay is the church home for you is to visit us for Sunday Services at 9 or 10:45 a.m. Childcare and Sunday School is available. Visit our website (www.gracewaybc.org) for more information.

Summer is an especially busy time for children’s ministries. Our sevenweek summer day camp, Camp Mercyville (www.campmercyville. org), has been providing quality childcare for over a decade. Our full-day Vacation Bible School/ Adventure Camp is a community favorite! Push the Rock basketball camp helps children become better athletes, teammates, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Summer Family Nights includes familyfun, worship, and small groups for the whole family on Wednesday evenings. Visit our website (www. gracewaybc.org) or contact our office (609-586-0223) to find out more. See ad, page 10

To book a classified ad in this section, please email your text and any other information to mdurelli@communitynews.org. Classifieds run at 75 cents per word with a $20 minimum per month. For more information, call 609-396-1511, ext. 105.

SERVICES

LEGAL SERVICES Wills, Power of Attorney, Real Estate, Federal and NJ Taxes, House calls available. Bruce Cooke, Esq. 609799-4674, 609-721-4358.

Senior Concierge. Let me be your helper. In the home or on the road. Part-time/Day or evening. Very good references. Call Mary anne, 609-298-4456.

F,D,Mason Contractor, Over 30 years of experience.

Brick, Block, Stone, Concrete. No job too large or small. Fully Insured and Licensed. Free Estimates 908-385-5701 Lic#13VH05475900.

Are you single? Try us first! We are an enjoyable alternative to online dating. Sweet Beginnings Matchmaker, 215-539-2894, www. sweetbeginnings.info.

WANTED TO BUY

Wanted: Baseball, football, basketball, hockey. Cards, autographs, photos, memorabilia. Highest cash prices paid! Licensed corporation, will travel. 4thelovofcards, 908-596-0976. allstar115@verizon.net.

HappyHeroes used books looking to buy old Mysteries, Science Fiction, Children’s Illustrated, kids series books (old Hardy boys-Nancy Drew-Judy Bolton- Dana girls, WITH DUSTJACKETS in good shape), Dell Mapbacks - Good Girl Art PULPS - non-sports cards, good conditioned pre 1975 paperbacks old COLLIER’S. Call 609-619-3480 or email happyheroes@gmail.com

Cash paid for World War II military items.Helmets, swords, medals, etc. Call 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@optonline.net

Cash paid for SELMER SAXOPHONES and other vintage models. 609-581-8290 or email mymilitarytoys@ optonline.net

WANTED- QUALITY CAMERAS AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT,

FOUNTAIN PENS AND OLDER WATCHES FAIR PRICES PAID CALL JAY-609-689-9651.

COMMERCIAL SPACE

3,500 SF OFFICE SPACE, Ewing/Mercer County, FREE RENT, 201-488-4000 or 609883-7900

Space available in the Ewing Professional Park. Comfortable suite currently used by mental health professionals. Waiting room, kitchenette and restrooms in suite. Well-lighted parking lot. Available Jan 1st. For more details, email suppsoln27@ yahoo.com or call Supportive Solutions at 609-635-3751.

Hamilton/ Allentown

Border-Highly Traveled visible location. Commercial end unit in Globus Plaza1100sf+/- can be leased entirely or subdivided. Ideal for professional/medical offices, services, studio & retail store. Highly traveled visible location . Easy access to NJTP, Rt.130, I95. Call for info. DiDonato Realty, 609-586-2344/ Marian Conte BR 609-947-4222

Office Space For Rent: Pennington ground floor office space 32 N Main Street. Share with clinical psychologist and real estate management company. Private entrance, off street parking. 305-968-7308

Princeton Commercial

Retail Spaces for Lease: Various Locations in Town. Please Contact: Weinberg Management. WMC@ collegetown. Text 609-731-1630

VACATION RENTALS

Florida Beach Rental: Fort Myers Beach 1br vacation condo on the beach, flexible dates available. Call 609-5778244 for further information

Hilton Head South Carolina Blue Water Resort 1 week w/7 day golf package free except cart, 2 Bed & 2 Baths, Sleeps 6. $1000 Call Sam 609-586-0037

Business For Sale

Salon for sale- excellent opportunity. Priced to sell. Relocating out of state. Large space, great potential. Available to share. Call 609462-0188.

Seeking Friends

Meet other music-loving singles before enjoying a concert by Chiaroscuro String Quartet at Do-Re-Meet: Find My Friends. Sunday, March 26th, 4:00 PM, Princeton University Campus, Presented by Princeton University Concerts and The Singles Group Tickets & Info: puc. princeton.edu/do-re-meet 609258-2800.

DATING

Meet other music-lovers before enjoying a concert by jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant at Do-Re-Meet: LGBTQ+ Single Mingle. Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 PM, Princeton University Campus, Presented by Princeton University Concerts and The Singles Group, Tickets & Info: puc.princeton.edu/do-re-meet, 609-258-2800

Cemetery Plots

For sale double depth cemetery plot. Location Princeton memorial park, Gordon Road, Robbinsville. Call 609-259-7710.

National Classified

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Miscellaneous

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Attention Homeowners! If you have water damage and need cleanup services, call us! We’ll get in & work with your insurance agency to get your home repaired and your life back to normal ASAP! 855767-7031

MobileHelp, America’s premier mobile medical alert system. Whether you’re home or away. For safety & peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! 1-888-489-3936

Free high speed internet if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits,

Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/onetime $20 copay. Free shipping. Call Maxsip Telecom! 1-833758-3892

Caring for an aging loved one?

Wondering about options like senior-living communities and in-home care? Caring.com’s Family Advisors help take the guesswork out of senior care for your family. Free, no-obligation consult: 1-855759-1407

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DINE & DONATE DAY

1973

Years

RISTORANTE & PIZZA

UPCOMING CHARITABLE EVENTS:

2023

APRIL 16: Unity Tour

MAY 21: Miracle League

JUNE 11: NJ Autism

JULY 9: Joeys Little Angels

AUGUST 6: Whats My Name

1973

SEPTEMBER 10: Ryans Quest

OCTOBER 8: I Believe in Pink

NOVEMBER 12: Shine & Inspire

DECEMBER 10: OneProjectNJ & Mobile Meals of Hamilton

Years

DOUGH RAISED:

JAN. 15: Sea Girt Polar Plunge $4,733.56

FEB.19: Deborah Heart & Lung $3,680.33

2023

Please

The Ravens junior has been one of the Colonial Valley Conference’s most improved players this year, and that’s not by accident.

“I love basketball,” Bunnell said. “I play all summer, I’m working all the time.” And it shows.

Entering Robbinsville’s Feb. 20 state tournament game with Allentown, Bunnell was the team’s leading scorer with a 13.1 average, was second to Pat Kapp in rebounds (119) and second to Tyler Handy in 3-pointers (22) and assists (43). Compare those numbers to a year ago and it’s easy to see the progress. As a sophomore, Bunnell averaged 6.5 points with 72 rebounds, 19 assists and just three 3-pointers. That last stat is telling, for it’s Bunnell’s ability to shoot the ball that has opened up other opportunities for him.

“Since his eighth grade year he’s just made big strides,” coach Conor Hayes said. “He’s always had great footwork, he added his attack to the basket last year, and this summer moving forward he added the outside shot. It’s been a huge game-changer for him.

“I feel he could throw it up even more. I keep trying to push him to, because he’s the most consistent guy when we’re on the shooting machine shooting threes.

But he’s got that downhill, aggressive mentality. I don’t want to take that away from him either.”

Bunnell does enjoy going to the hoop.

We

Our

But as a student of the game – his father coached him and several Ravens teammates in the Robbinsville Travel League – Evan knew that man does not live by penetration alone.

“What I noticed last year is I could drive, I could play down low, but really it was limited to that,” Bunnell said. “I realized a few things I had to work on was getting my shot better, so I could pump fake, drive, and have more lanes. And working on my left hand, which I still have to improve a lot. But so far this season the jump shot has made my game a lot easier.”

In assessing how his J became more lethal, Bunnell feels it has been mental as much as physical.

“I’ve always practiced my shot but the biggest thing is confidence,” he said. “Last year I had a decent shot, and I ended the season with three 3-pointers. I was never confident in my jump shot. This year I just decided I’m gonna have to go in and think every shot’s going in the basket.”

Hayes noted that there were no major adjustments in the shot, but that Bunnell just massaged it a little at a time.

“From his freshman year to sophomore year he tweaked his shot a little bit,” the coach said. “This last off-season he tweaked it a little bit more, which just helped him become more consistent in his motion. You can tweak little things that help you be more consistent—so

See BUNNELL, Page 18

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BEST ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT those adjustments to make his motion more consistent was a huge difference for him.”

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That’s not to say Bunnell lost his desire to take it to the rack. With Robbinsville’s slick passing game and philosophy of getting everyone the ball, he often finds himself underneath on the receiving end of a pass from Handy or Luke Billings.

Other times, he will give a head fake as if ready to shoot. Because defenders must defend that, Evan gets them in the air and takes off for the basket.

The thing is, he doesn’t exactly look conventional in doing it.

“When he does attack the basket he has that really good inside footwork,” Hayes said. “So when he does dribble penetration and gets in and gets cut off, he can step one way or another to throw you off. Coaches are screaming for traveling. But you look at his feet, they’re both on the ground, it’s just unorthodox with his footwork and it’s really effective.”

Bunnell feels it lulls defenders to sleep sometimes.

“It could be beneficial for me because some people may not expect me to come and drive all the way to the basket and finish on top of that,” he said. “At the end of the day all that matters is the ball going through the hoop.”

Bunnell is symbolic of the Ravens program and how it has risen to prominence. His dad got him started in the game when he entered elementary school. He grew up as one of the big men in his league, shooting up to 6-foot-2. But suddenly, the growth stopped.

“I’ve been 6-2 for years so it’s been a process from thinking I’m gonna be a big man at 6-6 to going down to being a wing player,” he said with a laugh.

After travel ball Evan joined the AAU South Jersey Titans, which he credits for improving his game due to the tough competition they play. He is also a fan of RHS going to the Hamilton Park League in Jersey City each summer.

“That Jersey City league is tough,” he said. “It’s an hour away and we have two one-hour long games in a row, with no break. You never know who’s gonna be there with us. Plus it’s outside in the summer.

“It’s one of those things that really makes our team bond and it builds our chemistry a ton. The biggest thing is the physicality. The teams there are all like that. They’re huge, they’re physical, they toughen us up for the season.”

Bunnell is ready for the challenge of knocking bodies around as he has been hitting the weight room to the point where Hayes calls him “a physical specimen.”

“He just works hard at everything,” the coach said. “It’s a huge testament to him, not just on the basketball court and in the weight room, but in school also. He’s in clubs, things like that. He’s just motivated to always do his best. It definitely rubs off on his teammates.”

Which is a good sign for the future, as the Ravens will return every regular next year except for Kapp. Bunnell is happy to have another season, but after that he’s unsure where his path will lead.

“The future’s a scary thing for me; I have a lot of interests, it’s hard for me to decide what I want to do with my career,” he said. “I’m interested in math, I like calculus. I like to solve Rubik’s cubes. I like agriculture. Any type of management. Being a captain this year, taking a leadership role definitely translates into management for a career.”

Fortunately for Bunnell, he has another year to figure it all out. Which is good news for Hayes as well, since he loves having him on the team.

“He’s just been a pleasure to coach,” Hayes said. “He’s got a great attitude, a great personality. It’s fun to be around him every day. His growth has been huge for this program.”

Bunnell can only hope his garden grows the same way.

Summer campS 2023

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