Best Summer Camps for Kids in Middlesex County, NJ

I have two school aged children and thinking about summer camps starts as early as March. Fortunately, after doing this for the past five years, I have figured out a few tricks in the Middlesex County New Jersey area

For children that are smaller than the age of five years, I recommend the YMCA of Edison and Woodbridge. The children have a day filled with activities, yet they accommodate the need for nap time into the day. Children in the pre-school age group are brought out for weekly trips and enjoy the benefits of outdoor swimming at the Oakcrest camping facility. Children have a host of indoor activities as well, so they are not out all day with excessive levels of sun exposure. www.metuchen-edisonymca.org/woodbridge/main.html

The next facility is the Middlesex County College summer camp for children from the ages of four to twelve. The camp operates on all different kinds of academic and theater activities, Children can take photography, theater, science, robotics, painting, math, writing, ceramics, computers etc. Up to two classes can be taken per session. Classes are offered in the morning and the other in the afternoon time. Camps are run on a weekly basis so you can schedule around your vacation time and not be forced into a monthly commitment. My son has attended for the past three years and he loves it. The campus is beautiful and plenty of trees for shade. www.middlesexcc.edu/camp/control.cfm

If your child enjoys the outdoors then the will enjoy the Oakcrest camping facility which is run thru the YMCA as well. They have a swimming pool and weekly trips to different place for bowling, golf museum visits. It is all outdoors so rain or shine the children are out all day long so that can be a downside when it is raining. The pricing is rather affordable in comparison to other privately run facilities.

The last summer camp and my all time favorite is the Edison Township sponsored summer camp which alternated between JP Stevens and Edison High School. My children attend when the facility is run thru JP Stevens and they love it as it is all in doors. The classes offered are rather academic in nature but focus more on the creative side. The camp is super inexpensive at it is open to non Edison residents as long as the classes are not filled up. Registration takes place thru the Edison township recreation department. www.edisonnj.org

These facilities are fabulous, staffed with individuals that care for the safety and well being of our children while we are at work. I tend to alternate camp and vacation for the entire summer months so my children enjoy the activity as well as the lazy days of hanging out at home with mom.