Sleep Away Camps in New Jersey

Summer can be a magical time of year in any child's life. School is over and the day is wide open for fun. Enhance the magic by enrolling your child in a summer overnight camp where they learn new crafts, find a creative passion or simply go for a swim. These New Jersey camps have activities that will suit any child.

  1. YMCA Camps Ockanickon and Matollionequay

    • Boys and girls, age 7 to 16, can enjoy summer at the YMCA's Camp Ockanickon for Boys and Camp Matollionequay for girls in Medford, 40 minutes south of Trenton, New Jersey. Both camps, accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), offer a wide range of activities such as group barbecues, dance nights, swimming in Lake Stockwell, archery, photography, campfires with sing-alongs and kayaking. They can even take part in the Equestrian Program, where they can learn how to ride a horse. The program also includes more advanced horsemanship lessons in which they learn about grooming, first aid and equine basics. The camp's schedule allows for plenty of group and private time. Each camp offers two one-week sessions and three two-week sessions each summer which begin on Sunday and end on Friday.

      The campers spend the night in rustic wooden cabins with bunk beds and have access to nearby wash houses with electricity and running water. The children will enjoy three healthy meals a day. The camp tuition covers all camp activities, but there are additional fees for the Equestrian Program.

      YMCA Camps Ockanickon and Matollionequay

      1303 Stokes Rd.

      Medford, NJ 08055

      800-442-2267

      ycamp.org

    Appel Farm Arts and Music Center

    • If your child is interested in arts and music, send her to the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center in Elmer, over an hour south of Trenton. The ACA accredited Appel Farm offers two, four, six and eight week sessions for kids ages 9 to 17. Each camper chooses four areas to concentrate on during their session and can choose from such interests as music, dance, photography, creative writing and video. Campers can take classes in ballet, acting, set design, drawing, tennis, ceramics and many others. Sessions typically run from Sunday to Friday or Friday to Friday, depending on the session. The Monday through Friday schedule includes time for activities, private time and clean-up of the bunk houses. The Sunday schedule is more open and campers can try different activities, talk with friends or take a swim.

      The campers reside in bunk housing which can accommodate 8 to 12 campers. Each bunk has electricity and private bathrooms. The campers dine on three nutritious meals a day with a large bulk of the produce coming directly from the on-site organic garden. Campers can participate in sessions where they learn about gardening. The cost of camp covers all activities and housing costs.

      Appel Farm Arts and Music Center

      457 Shirley Rd.

      Elmer, NJ 08318

      800-394-8478

      appelfarm.org

    Lindley G. Cook 4-H Youth Center for Outdoor Education

    • Both members and non-members of the 4-H program will enjoy the Lindley G. Cook 4-H Youth Center for Outdoor Education in Branchville, two hours north of Trenton. The center, owned by Rutgers University, is situated in Stokes State Forest and is for kids from fourth grade to tenth grade. The camp offers six different one week sessions each with a different theme such as pirates, super heroes and camp skill competitions. The kids will participate in three classes each day in the any of the 4-H areas of water skills, shooting sports, wilderness skills and arts and crafts. Kids can take classes in drama, creative arts, pottery, survival skills, fishing, archery, swimming and boating. The daily schedule also allows for relaxation and private time.

      Campers spend the night in cabins outfitted with bunk beds and dine on three meals a day. Snacks are also available. The cost of camp covers all activities and housing costs.

      Lindley G. Cook 4-H Youth Center for Outdoor Education

      100 Struble Rd.

      Branchville, NJ 07826

      973-948-3550

      nj4hcamp.rutgers.edu

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