Kids & Camp | South Jersey | February 2024

Kids & Camp

Temple Beth Sholom

There are many ways for families to express and feel the joys of Jewish living. Throughout the year, our students have opportunities to participate in hands-on Jewish experiences with their families, applying the skills they have gained with the curriculum in our classrooms.

As we work to help our families discover meaning and purpose in how they educate children at TBS, moments of religious celebration help form relationships that will engage families in our community.

Our families feel the joys of Jewish living as they are engaged in dynamic Shabbat services that are upbeat and musical which allow our families to celebrate Shabbat several times a month on Saturday mornings and Friday evenings. Prayer, especially on Shabbat, needs to be exciting, engaging, spiritual and

fun. TBS’s inclusive Family Services provide a welcoming environment which nurtures children with special needs and their families. Visual signs and prompts, gesturing, movement, and a sequenced schedule to ease transitioning throughout the service are incorporated to accommodate a wide range of students’ unique learning styles. Together in this family-friendly setting, we sing, debate, experience drama, stories, laugh and enjoy our warm community in a relaxed environment.

Our families feel the joys of Jewish living when they gain appreciation and feel the rhythm of Jewish music as they make joyful noise with the TBS community. These beautiful moments are found singing with Cantor Cohen, listening to the sounds of Alex Weinberg’s guitar as they are warmly greeted at each session, or singing together with

Rabbi Peltz and Rabbi Wexler at Family Shabbat Dinners. Parents stand with their child while singing blessings and songs as they experience the warm connection that Shabbat creates as a community.

Our families discover the tools they need to feel part of congregational life at TBS through learning that integrates student experiences in the classroom with the immersion that can only happen together as a family. From praying and making music to Shabbat dinners and family-centered programs, learning is a lifelong process. We look forward to partnering with you on that journey as we nurture our children to grow up loving Jewish living.

Temple Beth Sholom is located at 1901 Kresson Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 For more information please visit our website www.tbsonline.org or call us at 856-751-6663.

Kids Discover Their Potential at Summer Camp

By ANDY PRITIKIN

Life is hard. We know this, and yet so many children grow up sheltered from hardships, as their well-meaning parents unknowingly hold them back. In Adam Grant’s book, “Hidden Potential,” (2023) he lays out the importance of children working through tough situations, to build the character skills needed to be a successful adult.

Grant explains, “Character is often confused with personality, but personality is your basic instincts for how to think, feel, and act. Character is your capacity to prioritize your values over your instincts.” It’s more than having principles. Character is the learned ability to live by your principles.

never be gained as an adult.

In the alarming new book about A.I., “The Coming Wave,” (2023,) author Mustafa Suleyman explains how during times of exponential technological growth, “those that survive are the ones best able to adapt.”

Like it or not, technology is replacing everything it possibly can, making interpersonal HUMAN skills the priority for future generations to learn and master. At ‘old school’ Summer Camps, we hone these critical thinking skills handson.

While I’m not advocating suffering, children do need to experience and learn from the inevitable challenges they encounter, in order to strengthen their inner-resilience. “Successful people of character are able to overcome life’s hurdles because they learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Yes, Summer Camp is a lot of fun, but equally as important, are learning and honing character skills like meeting new people, trying new things, speaking up, and asking questions. Toss in some extreme heat, and the opportunity to experience life without digital screens, and Summer Camp can prove to be a seriously impactful, building block of experiences.

Starting something new –Summer Camp, college, or a new job, can be an impactful challenge. Of course, kids would rather sit home and stare at their screens! But we know better, and it’s our job to teach kids to push beyond their perceived limits and cultivate the confidence and courage to abandon their comfort zone.

Facing fears, and confronting discomfort are skills that if not strengthened in childhood, may

Andy Pritikin is the owner/director of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Bordentown NJ, past president of the American Camp Association NY/NJ, and host of “The Day Camp Podcast.”

PHOTOS

* Permissions have been granted for photos and video by Liberty Lake Day Camp and the families of the children pictured *

- Senior Girls “Yacht or Not” Winners

- Skate Park Elective Campers

- Jumping in the Lake!

- Happy Kid on the Zipline

- Welcome Back to Camp

Westfield Friends SchoolThe World We Seek For Children Begins Here

Westfield Friends School is a coeducational independent day school for students in Preschool 2 through grade 8. As a Friends school, Westfield develops students to their fullest potential by focusing on active learning grounded in Quaker values. A Westfield Friends School education ignites the natural wonder of childhood, channeling their curiosity as they grow into confident, capable learners.

Your student can look forward to small class sizes that include inquiry and project-based learning, personalized instruction, and well-rounded experiences in the humanities, art, music, Spanish, physical education, and technology throughout the grade levels. Our faculty strives to bring out each student’s individuality, working to develop creative thinkers, problem solvers, peacemakers, and humanitarians who will contribute compassionate, responsive, and responsible leadership throughout their lives. Students graduate from Westfield well-prepared for high school and continue a 100% acceptance rate at their first-choice high school.

We believe that a diverse community leads to a confident, empowered child. Finding strength in our differences, we use kindness and compassion to help students forge lasting friendships. A learning environment marked by respectful interactions makes us stronger, smarter, and more resilient. We celebrate each child’s unique spirit as we honor the principles that bind us together. This is a place where learning becomes a joyful collaborative pursuit.

Minutes from the Tacony-Palmyra and Betsy Ross Bridges, our historic, beautifully wooded 8.5-acre campus is convenient to students

coming from Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey, and from the greater Philadelphia area in Pennsylvania.

An inspiring academic setting, a diverse, empowering community, and a Quaker moral compass—these are the essential elements of the Westfield Friends experience. Together, they produce life-changing results. We are proud that our graduates pursue meaningful careers that help to create the world we seek.

Visit westfieldfriends.org or call Admissions (856) 8290895 x113 to schedule a private tour and learn more about enhancing your child’s journey.

SUMMER CAMP 2024 - Monday, June 24th - Friday, August 16th

Visit westfieldfriends.org/ summercamp for details

Referrals

Early Childhood Center Congregation Beth El

Congregation Beth El’ Early Childhood Center offers programs for children ages 6 weeks through our fabulous full-day Kindergarten. The ECC is committed to the task of providing a safe, nurturing, and respectful environment. Our program is all inclusive to families of all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures. Our vision is to provide a quality, developmentally appropriate program which actively engages and excites young children. With excellent student-teacher ratios, we make it a priority to ensure your children are well supervised and cared for. We recognize that every family is unique and offer a personalized program to meet these needs. You can customize your child’s program to fit exactly what you need when you need it. Our new scheduling options

offer tremendous flexibility to families.

Our program includes STEAM, art, music, sensory room, bike room, gym time, extracurricular activity options, Judaic learning, clergy involvement, holiday celebrations, special guests, field trips, and more! We maintain a balance between: Individual and group activities, emphasizing positive social interaction; Structured and “free choice” time, guided and modeled by the staff; A structured schedule and flexibility that allows opportunities for self-exploration and respect; and an academic component is integrated into the curriculum through music, games, songs, manipulatives, and enriching and stimulating activities. Jewish holidays, values, and Shabbat are important parts of our curriculum

Nitro1 Sports Camp is

The Owner/Director, Dr. John Billen, a life-long educator, coach, and Medford dad, is known for his positive and encouraging approach

and woven into our daily and weekly activities. We celebrate together as a school through cooking, music, special guests, parent involvement, community events, and school-wide events.

Our facility boasts state-ofthe-art classrooms upgraded with high quality air purifiers and daily sanitizing, 3 outdoor playgrounds, and 2 indoor play spaces. Our summer camp is led by experienced teachers and includes special activities and water play on our fabulous Splash Pad!

Congregation Beth El is located at 8000 Main Street, Voorhees, NJ 08043. For more information about enrollment or curriculum, please contact our Early Childhood Center Director, Ayelet Mittelman, at (856) 675-1166 or visit our website www.bethelsnj.org.

Medford’s newest camp!

with all kids! Nitro1 allows children ages 4-13 to find success in various sports including flag football, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and

street hockey. Nitro1 Staff believe that every child can fulfill his/her athletic potential. Staff provide an encouraging, supportive, and positive environment for kids to learn a variety of sports by building their self-confidence and leadership skills all while having fun!! There are Spring Break and Summer Sessions. Sessions are 3 hour days four days a week. Two camp styles are available- Flag Football (all 4 days) or a Sports Camp that focuses on a different sport each day including age appropriate skills and games, ending in a scrimmage each day to focus on their skill development. Come visit us or register at www.nitro1sports. com to check out both camp options for our Spring Break Camp (April 1-4), Summer Sessions (June 24-27, July 15-18, July 22-25, August 5-8). Hope to see you soon!

Fusion Academy: Pioneering Personalized Education for Grades 6-12

In an era where traditional educational models often struggle to meet the diverse needs of students, Fusion Academy emerges as a beacon of innovation. With its groundbreaking 1:1 personalized education approach, Fusion Academy in Cherry Hill offers a transformative educational experience that caters to the unique learning preferences, interests, and aspirations of each student.

At Fusion Academy, the traditional classroom setup is replaced with a dynamic, student-centric environment where individualized attention is paramount. Instructors serve not only as teachers but as mentors, guiding students through a curriculum tailored to their specific academic goals and learning preferences. This personalized approach fosters a deeper understanding of subject matter, enhances critical thinking skills, and cultivates a genuine passion for learning.

One of the most significant advantages of Fusion Academy Cherry Hill’s personalized education model is its ability to accommodate diverse learning needs. Whether a student is gifted, has learning differences, or simply thrives in a non-traditional educational setting, Fusion provides the flexibility and support necessary for success.

“We have the unique ability to meet every student where they are at,” shares Doug Albright-Pierce, Director of Admissions & Outreach. “By recognizing and celebrating the unique strengths of each student, Fusion Academy empowers kids to reach their full potential socially, emotionally, and academically.”

With the guidance of their teacher mentors, students set personalized academic goals, track their own progress, and take ownership of their education in a way that is both empowering and motivating. This

level of autonomy not only prepares students for success in higher education, but also instills a lifelong love of learning and a strong sense of self-efficacy.

Fusion Academy Cherry Hill individualized education represents a paradigm shift in the way we approach teaching and learning. By keeping students at the center and tailoring instruction to their individual needs and interests, Fusion is not only transforming the lives of students but also redefining what is possible in education. Interested in learning more about the world’s most personalized school? Contact Doug Albright-Pierce, Director of Admissions & Outreach at (856) 229-9329. dpierce@fusionacademy.com or you can also visit us at our website https:// learn.fusionacademy.com. We are conveniently located at 923 Haddonfield Road Suite 2B Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002.

Future Scholars

Early Learning Center

Early childhood education is the foundation of your child’s future development. Future Scholars provides an environment where children can learn the social and cognitive skills needed throughout their lives. Future Scholars is family owned and operated, and has been accommodating the needs of parents and their children for over 16 years. They offer infant & toddler programs as well as Pre-K 3 & 4 and before & after school care in a state of the art educational facility with certified, experienced and friendly teachers and staff.

Future Scholars uses the award winning, nationally recognized, Creative Curriculum, a play-based learning program which encourages confidence, creativity and critical thinking. Classrooms are formed

according to ages and abilities, challenging children to focus on keeping their minds and bodies moving, all in a caring and loving environment.

Future Scholars is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:30pm and offers flexible scheduling to meet your needs.

Do you have a plan for your child this summer? Future Scholars is open year round and offers Summer Camp for children up to age 13! Your child will enjoy daily, age appropriate activities, as well as field trips. Call for details and to secure your child’s spot this summer.

Future Scholars is located at 1351 Route 38 West, Building B Suite 1 (Behind Lab Corp), Hainesport NJ. 609-518-1333. www.FutureScholarsLearning. com

Moorestown Theater Company Summer Stage ’24

Moorestown Theater Company Summer Stage ’24: MTC hosts ‘Summer Stage’, an award-winning musical theater camp for children who will be ‘rising’ 1st Graders through 12th Graders in the 2023-24 School Year. MTC was named the ‘Outstanding Community Theater of the Year’ for 2022 by the NJ Association of Community Theatres. In addition to that award, MTC has been honored to receive 60 other ‘Best Of’ Awards from various Delaware Valley publications and organizations since 2007, including a dozen for ‘Best Summer Camp’. Besides these local awards, MTC has also won two Regional Awards in 2017 at the Eastern States Theater Association Festival (ESTA Fest) in Wilmington, DE, and 16 Cast and / or Individual National Awards at the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival (JTF) since 2013.

For MTC’s Summer Stage, which we have held since 2006, all of our Directors and Counselors are all in college or beyond, and we have a Staff to Camper ratio of four to one.

Session Information:

Session I / Cinderella Youth Edition / Rising Grades 1 to 9 / Three weeks (June 15, 19 – 22, 24 – 29, July 1 – 3) / Show Dates: July 1, 2, 3

Session II / Godspell / Rising Grades 8 to 12 / Three weeks (June 24 – July 12) / Show Dates: July 9, 10, 11, 12

Session III / Willy Wonka JR. / Rising Grades 1 to 12 / Three weeks (July 15 – Aug. 2) / Show Dates: July 30, 31 & August 1, 2

Session IV / Disney’s Beauty And The Beast / Rising Grades 1 to 12 / Three weeks (Aug. 5 – 23)

/ Show Dates: August 20, 21, 22, 23

Daily Information:

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Drop-Off at First Methodist Church, 446

E. Camden Avenue, Moorestown

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Morning Classes and / or Rehearsals

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch / Play Break – Campers bring their lunch from home every-

day except for Thursday ChickFil-A Days (if you pre-order)

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Afternoon Rehearsal – Campers rehearse for that session’s musical

2:25 PM – 2:35 PM: MTC-provided Afternoon Snack

Registration & Information: Visit www.MoorestownTheaterCompany.org or call 856/7788357.

Learn Mah Jongg or Canasta

Game Friendzy in Cherry Hill is hosting two “Learn the Basics” sessions on Saturday, March 2, a morning session for mah jongg and an afternoon session for canasta.

All sessions will be held at Game Friendzy’s spacious location at 7 Carnegie Plaza, a welcoming environment with free parking and complimentary coffee and snacks.

These three-hour sessions are an ideal way to quickly and easily learn the basics of either or both of these classic and popular games without committing to a multi-session course.

and strengthening competence each time they play.

The mah jongg session runs 10 am-1 pm and the canasta session 1:30-3:30 pm. All supplies are included. Canasta players will receive a takehome instructional handout.

The fee for each session is $30. Reserve your spot today! Sign-up details below.

Mah Jongg

Learn the basics, including the tiles, the Charleston, the wall, the rhythm of the game, and how to read the National Mah Jongg League card and form hands.

Start laying melds, building canastas, and amassing points!

Canasta originated in Uruguay in 1939, took the United States by storm in the 1950s, and is still going strong.

Canasta is a card game for two to four players played with two regular decks of cards, including the jokers.

“Graduates” will be prepared to continue their playing journey as beginner players – mastering the flow of the game, honing strategy skills,

Mah jongg originated in China, was introduced to the United States in the early 20th century, and is enjoying a new popularity.

Canasta

The session focuses on four-person partnership canasta but will touch on twoand three-person variations. For those who already have a basic grasp of canasta, Bernadette will also share playing strategies and special hand combinations. For more information or to reserve a session seat, visit www.gamefriendzy.com/calendar, email info@gamefriendzy. com or call 856-795-PLAY (7529).

The Joy of Learning Child Care Center

The Joy of Learning Child Care Center was started in 1995 by three professional women who understood the value of quality childcare. The focus of the Joy of Learning Child Care Center (JOL) is to provide children with a safe and comfortable environment that promotes healthy and positive learning experiences.

Our Curriculum

We use the Creative Curriculum for all our programs. The Creative Curriculum is a research-based approach that supports the development of the whole child and is:

1. Innovative

2. Responsive

3. Supportive

4. Comprehensive

5. Developmentally Appropriate

With this curriculum we can focus on building a child’s:

1. Social development

2. Physical development

3. Emotional development

4. Cognitive development

· Winnie the Pooh: 6 weeks –18 months

· Cubs: 18 months - 2 years

· Busy Bees: 2 - 3 years

· Butterflies: 3 years

· Pre-K: 4 – 5 years

SAAC 6yr -13yr before and after school and Summer Camp

Our Staff

Our staff consists of 12+ teachers with experience in early childcare and a Certified Child Development Specialist. All our staff are trained in CPR and First Aid training and the Creative Curriculum.

Locations and Hours

2902 US-130 Delran, NJ 08075

6:30am-6:00 pm Monday-Friday

Contact Us

Phone: 856-764-3383

Email: joltenby2@gmail. com

Fax: 856-764-9272

The Symphony Summer Camp Masquerade Theatre

The Symphony Summer Camp is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to learn from Symphony in C’s talented roster of teaching artists, who hail from such institutions as the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, the Curtis Institute of Music, and other renowned music conservatories. Professional musicians play side-by-side with small groups of students for two weeks, exposing campers to an exceptional level of talent and instruction.

Our program includes group lessons, chamber music, and large ensembles (String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Full Orchestra), as well as unique elective courses that we offer on a rotational basis. The elective courses for the 2024 camp (each camper chooses two) are: Arranging, Conducting Seminar, Exploration of Opera and Ballet, Fiddle Class, Music Theory, and Skills for the Stage. The camp will culminate with a final concert where professionals and students perform together in various small and large ensembles.

The Symphony Summer Camp will be held at Rutgers-University Camden from

August 5 - 16, 2024, meeting weekdays from 8:30am12:30pm. Students ages 10-18 with at least a year of experience playing one of the following instruments are eligible to participate: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass. Tuition for the full two weeks of camp is $625, and we offer a sibling discount as well as an early-registration discount for applications received on or before March 31, 2024. We do have some additional financial aid available as well. For those in need of financial assistance, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, as these funds are distributed on a rolling basis.

Join us this summer and discover why campers have given us feedback such as “This camp helps me feel more confident in my playing skills when I go back to school during the year” and “I really enjoyed the camp because I was taught things that I never knew I could play!”

Call us at 856-240-1503 with any questions, and visit our website, www.symphonyinc.org/summer-camp, for complete details and to apply today!

Masquerade Theatre (Riverside, NJ) – Founded in 2019 by husband and wife team Megan and Tommy Balne, Masquerade Theatre’s mission to “explore the humanity beneath the masque” began with their first ever production going virtual during the pandemic, being one of the first theaters in the country to navigate the virtual theater landscape and finding unique ways to continue to bring full productions and live theater experiences to audiences. Post Pandemic, Artistic Director, Megan Balne, having years of educational theatre experience, inaugurated their first educational programs in 2021. They opened their new studio in Riverside, NJ in 2022 with rehearsal spaces and an intimate and unique black-box. They produce Principal Series and New Works productions with adult actors as well as their growing educational program with productions for all ages several times a year including a very flexible summer program. Their all-ages

production of Madagascar, Jr can be seen performing March 22nd-24th, their teen production of “Clue” auditions April 2nd and performs May 24th-June 1st, and their summer 2024 education series is also set. First up for the summer, “Finding Nemo, Jr.” For ages 5-18, camp runs 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday, June 24th-July 13th. “The Play’s The Thing”, their summer drama camp, focusing on fundamentals of acting, is also for ages 5-18 and runs 9am-3pm, Monday-Friday, July 29th-August 16th. Both camps are extremely flexible, with options for all 3 weeks, individual weeks, ala cart days, half days, and even before and after care. In addition to their summer day camps, they are offering a summer teen production of “Drowsy Chaperone, Jr.” For ages 12-18, rehearsals run 4pm-7pm, Monday-Thursday, July 29th-August 15th with performances August 16th18th.

For more information and to register, head to www.MasqueradeTheatre.org

Summer Stage, hosted by Mainstage Center for the Arts

Summer Stage, hosted by Mainstage Center for the Arts in Blackwood, NJ, is a pillar of creativity and opportunity in Southern New Jersey's youth theater realm. For 36 years, it has provided children of all ages with a premier platform to refine their theatrical skills and revel in the enchantment of live performances.

MT Kidz offers a captivating introduction to theater for children aged 5-7. Through interactive workshops and games, young campers explore acting, singing, and dancing fundamentals, culminating in themed musical revues. With two sessions available, each concluding with a magical performance, MT Kidz not only cultivates performance skills but also fosters confidence, creativity, and camaraderie. This year, campers will have the chance to shine in Lights, Camera, Broadway! and The Magic of Disney.

For aspiring performers aged 8-10, the Apprentice program awaits. This dynamic experience immerses participants in the theater world, emphasizing confidence and creativity while refining performance skills. With two sessions, each leading to fully staged musical productions, participants forge friendships and lay the groundwork for a future on the stage. This year, campers will perform in Frozen (Kids) and 101 Dalmatians (Kids).

Children's Theatre caters to emerging performers aged 11-17, offering a mature exploration of acting, singing, and dancing. With a focus on confidence-building and artistic growth, this program ensures participants develop into skilled performers. Two sessions culminating in fully staged musical productions provide ample opportunity for participants to shine and con-

nect. This year, campers will take the stage in Newsies (JR) and Willy Wonka (JR).

This summer, Mainstage introduces the Spotlighters Cabaret, a one-week intensive camp. Here, students showcase individual or group performances, refining musical and dance skills under experienced guidance. Whether a seasoned performer or new to the stage, the Spotlighters Cabaret offers a unique opportunity for artistic growth and shine.

All multi-week Summer Stage programs and all performances are held at the Dennis Flyer Theater of Camden County College. Spotlighters Cabaret camp is held at Academy Hall in Blackwood, NJ. Before and after care is available for all programs to accommodate your schedule. To register or learn more, visit our website at https://mainstage.org/summer-stage/

Voorhees Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive

The Voorhees Ballet Theatre is a non-profit organization offering an educational, professional experience for the serious-minded student interested in pursuing a career in the performing arts.

Artistic Director Suzanne C. Steinbach started The Voorhees Ballet Theatre in 1986 hoping to give these eager young artists performance

opportunities. The Ensemble Members and Apprentices have performed all over the Delaware Valley at various banquets and community events, plus many nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the area.

This summer, we will once again host our Summer Intensive program, which brings together dancers from

all over South Jersey. This year’s program will run July 8-26. Dancers ages 8-18 are welcome to attend. Placement class is held July 7th, where students will be evaluated by our knowledgeable faculty. Register today by visiting vbtnj.com or by emailing us at lowedancestudion@ gmail.com. Discounted rates are available until March 15.

Enroll Now for Summer Camp at Apple Montessori Schools!

For more than 50 years, Apple Montessori summer camps have offered the perfect blend of fun and learning. Our nurturing camp staff provides educational, action-packed,

fun-filled activities that ensure children continue to advance and avoid summer learning loss while building new friendships and creating joyful memories.

Camp activities are designed to build each child’s confidence and independence and facilitate a smooth transition into the fall.

Campers enjoy coding, robotics, music, drama, art, sports, daily Montessori lessons, special events, field trips and much more! Most locations, including Mount Laurel, also offer daily on-site swim lessons with Red Cross-certi-

fied instructors. Campers also have access to our certified outdoor classroom to connect children to nature while they learn.

This summer, Apple will be celebrating some of our country’s greatest landmarks and exploring a new location each week as part of the 2024 theme: Roadtrip USA. Campers as young as 2 will go sightseeing in Washington, D.C., chase

dreams in Utah, find magic in Florida, and more.

Our Mount Laurel location is conveniently located at 1401 S. Church Street near Routes 70, 38, I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Visit applemontessorischools.com/programs/ summer-camp to learn more & schedule a tour.

We hope you’ll join us for a summer to remember!

Symphony

For

Voorhees Ballet Theatre

Summer Intensive

At Lowe Dance Studio

July

8th-26th

Dancers age 8-18 are welcome to attend

Placement class is held July 7th where students will be evaluated by our knowledgeable faculty Register today by visiting vbtnj.com or by emailing us at lowedancestudio@gmail.com Register by March 15th for a discounted price