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City officials released a report Thursday afternoon outlining record highs for the Summer Recreation Program it runs in conjunction with the Asbury Park School District.

“Comparing the numbers, this is the best summer we’ve had in the past ten years,” said Councilman Jesse Kendle, who Chairs the Recreation Committee . “So many kids got the opportunity to participate, and the Committee, the City Council, and Recreation Department did a very good job putting it together.

From the report:

In 2015, 190 children were enrolled in the program. This summer, the camp could accommodate 300 children, and no child was turned away from the program. Eleven Asbury Park teenagers were also hired as junior counselors, the most that the program has hired in its history.

“Every time I see a camper around town, they’re still saying thank you for a wonderful summer,” Kendle said.

After 50 children were turned away from camp sign-up in the summer of 2015, Mayor John Moor and Director of Recreation Leesha Floyd made a pledge that no child would be turned away again.

An April Mayor’s Rodeo for Recreation Fundraiser at The Stone Pony garnered over $45,000, the highest amount raised for the department by any Mayor’s fundraiser, officials said.

“The camp is important because it’s fun, it gives kids something to do during the summer, and it’s also educational,” Kendle said. “It’s a ‘Good Behavior 101’ experience. They learn how to be respectful, how to take instructions, and it’s a real growing process for them. And some of our counselors have been doing this program for fifteen years. They’re involved in the kids, they’re involved with their families, it’s become a real community.”

Children ages five to twelve were given breakfast and lunch, morning enrichment classes, afternoon recreation, and supervised outings throughout the course of the camp. This year those outings included trips to Medieval Times, Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor and the beach.

The 6-week summer program also expanded partnerships with local businesses, including the ShowRoom Cinema, Cookman Creamery ice cream parlor, and the Silverball Pinball Museum, officials said.

“The activities and trips are so important,” Kendle said. “The kids get to venture outside of Asbury Park, see how other kids relate and mix with kids from other camps. Some of them, they haven’t had opportunities to go to another town. And the trips within Asbury Park are important too, so the kids get to see the whole Asbury Park, and know that we have the type of city that we have.”

Viral social media attention was given when a trip to Medieval Times resulted in the bus carrying the program’s campers broke down on the highway. New Jersey State Trooper Scott Behnke came to the buses aid, made sure the campers were safe, and made a quick trip to bring cases of water to the children while they waited for the bus repairs to finish.

Last month Trooper Behnke was honored for his heroics during the program’s End of Summer Recreation BBQ.  He was gifted a picture from the day signed by all the campers and his very own Asbury Park Recreation t-shirt.

City officials made a note to thank the following for their support of the program:

The Stone Pony, Jersey Shore Running Club, Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, McManimon, Scotland and Baumann, Johnny Mac’s, Janus Solutions, Sackman Enterprises, Asbury Wall Elks, the Asbury Park Press, Pepsi, 4th of July Committee, Archer and Greiner, Fields Development Group, iStar, Millennium Communications, Bond Street Bar and Grill, K Hovnanian, Madison Marquette, The Coaster, Craftmaster Printing, APTV, Suburban Consulting, Mr and Mrs Ronald Troppoli, Remodel America,  Chiesa, Shahinian and Ginatomsai, VFW of Asbury Park, Insite Engineering, Home Drug Store, Russell Reid, Burke Contracting, Otterstedt Insurance Agency, Ansell, Grimm and Aaron, T and M Associates, NJ Natural Gas Company, Shore Point, Asbury Park Firefighters Local 384, PBA Local 6, Monmouth County Boys and Girls Club, Wegmans, Garden State Spine and Pain Institute, Words Bookstore, A2Z Emblems LLC, and Triumphant Life Church.

[Photos courtesy of Asbury Park municipality]

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