Recreation Department Enrollment Increases
Program runs through Aug 4 w/ free Lakehouse Music Academy & Summertime Surf Camp Offerings
The number of Asbury Park kids attending the Recreation Summer Camp program has surpassed last year’s numbers, Recreation Director Leesha Floyd said.
To date, 210 city kids are enrolled in the program with numbers due to increase further once summer school kicks off on July 5, Floyd said. The program runs through Aug. 4 at Thurgood Marshall and Bradley Primary schools.
“We’ve already surpassed the number of kids we had in summer camp last year, so we are very excited about that,” Floyd said.
The recreation program includes field trips and afternoon sports programs for kids enrolled in the city’s grammar and middle school. Their first trips were to Fun Flex and iPlay, Floyd said.
This year more local businesses signed on to work with the recreation department. Those that will be hosting the Asbury Park kids include The ShowRoom, the Pink Elephant, Hot Sands, Silverball Museum, Cookman Creamery, Eddie Confetti, and the AP Boardwalk’s water spray park.
Floyd said 11 city teens were hired to work with the program and another 25 were hired by Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.
“Of course the issue is getting the kids to and from Six Flags,” Floyd said.
The Recreation Department will provide transportation via funds donated through the Mayor’s Rodeo for Recreation benefit. The children do have to pay a small fee that is then resubmitted to the recreation trust account. The Mayor’s Rodeo for Recreation also provides summer recreation camp scholarship.
“Nothing in this world is free and our children do have to learn that you have to pay for certain things,” Floyd said. “They pay a small fee to get to and from work each week.”
The summer Recreation programs include a basketball league, swim lessons at the local Boys and Girls Club, a soccer program, boxing and fitness program, and wrestling and mentoring program.
Lakehouse Music Academy is offering Get Started Music & Arts Camp, a gratis week-long music program for children ages 6-10; and Summertime Surf and Paddle will be offering a free week-long tutorial camp.
Floyd said a free water park, located next to the AP Middle School, at 1200 Bangs Ave, is open from noon to 8 p.m. through Labor Day, longer with warm weather continues.
Mayor Moor commended the Recreation Department and staff.
“Some towns have a lapse between when school ends and recreation starts,” Moor said. “It’s great that we start right away and great job getting kids [the Great Adventure hires] back and forth.”
The Asbury Park Recreation Summer Camp is open to children ages 5 to 12 and runs through Aug. 4 at Bradley Primary and Thurgood Marshall schools. For more information, click here.
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