09 Mar ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO INVITES CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN SPRING AND SUMMER CAMPS AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO, ESSEX COUNTY CODEY ARENA AND ESSEX COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
Published on March 9, 2017
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive DiVincenzo invites children of all ages to participate in spring and summer camp opportunities at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, Essex County Codey Arena and the Essex County Environmental Center. These affordable programs provide the campers with a fun and enriching experience while school is on recess.
“Come participate in the many recreational and enrichment opportunities available for children of all ages. Young people can learn about nature and animals through exciting hands-on activities while visiting Essex County Turtle Back Zoo or our Environmental Center. Youngsters will have a fun-filled adventure when they go to one of our affordable camps at either facility. For a great physical challenge, they can hit the ice at Codey Arena in our Learn to Skate programs. Every day brings something new in Essex!” DiVincenzo said.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has several week-long camp adventures that will introduce children to the extraordinary world of animals, nature and science.
The week-long Spring Break Mini-Camp is from Monday, April 10th to Friday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Students can enjoy their break from school and get wild at the Zoo! A camp day includes hands-on scientific experiments, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes experiences, up-close animal encounters, fun crafts and, of course, time in the Zoo. Attend for one day or all week.
The Zoo Summer Camp is available for children ages 5 to 14. Campers will enjoy age-appropriate themed camps that include hands-on scientific inquiry, teacher-led lessons, behind-the-scenes experiences, up-close animal encounters, and fun crafts and activities. Online registration opens to Zoological Society members on March 18th. Registration for the general public will open two weeks later.
To learn more about these programs or to register, visit www.turtlebackzoo.com/zoo-camp/. Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.
The Essex County Environmental Center is offering Nature Explorers Spring and Summer Camps for children in pre-school to grade 5.
The Nature Explorers Spring Camp is a three-day program for children in grades 2 to 5. Children will have the opportunity to explore the nearby environment with an experienced educator/naturalist to help restore the bond between children and nature. The sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, April 11th; Wednesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 13th from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $125 per child for all three days or $50 per child per day.
The Nature Explorers Summer Camp is a one-week program for children in pre-kindergarten to grade 4. Students will explore woodland and river habitats for insects, birds, amphibians, Lenape life and much more. Children can sign up for one or two weeks per grade level. Sessions for children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will be held July 10th to 14th and July 17th to 21st from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. each day. Sessions for children in grades 1 and 2 will be held July 24th to 28th and July 31st to August 4th from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day. Sessions for children in grades 3 and 4 will be held August 7th to 11th and August 14th to 18th from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. each day. Cost is $160 per child/per week for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten sessions; $180 per child/per week for grades 1 and 2; and $200 per child/per week for grades 3 and 4.
A minimum number of participants, advanced registration and payment are required. For information, call the Environmental Center at 973-228-8776. The Essex County Environmental Center is located at 621B Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland.
Essex County Codey Arena has sessions of its Learn to Skate camps available for young skaters.
Learn to Skate classes start the week of Tuesday, March 21st and last for eight weeks. Sessions are offered once a week: Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., Friday at 4:30 p.m. or Saturday at 11:15 a.m. All classes are 30 minutes long followed with free admission to a public skating session for those enrolled in the classes. Cost is $140. There is an additional $15 USFS fee for new registrations.
For information about and fees for the skating programs call the arena at 973-731-3828. Essex County Codey Arena is located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, a Treetop Adventure Course, three off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.