Jersey Shore Business Journal

April 02, 2008

Stone Harbor offers affordable Summer Camp

STONE HARBOR - Summer camp. Those two seemingly innocent words are universally known to strike fear into the hearts of parents and blast enormous holes in their bank accounts. With weekly “tuition” rates hovering around the four-digit mark, it’s no wonder the summer camp industry has exploded into a $20 million-a-year cash cow.
But Stone Harbor offers an exciting alternative to summer camp. Clever parents are now getting together and putting that money earmarked for camp into a Stone Harbor rental property, creating summer memories for the entire family that will last a lifetime.
There are, of course, the obvious diversions of an oceanfront resort town—swimming, body and surf boarding, boating, sunning, seashell hunting, sand castle building and the all-time-favorite, burying siblings’ legs in the sand—but the Stone Harbor Recreation Department goes way above and far beyond to ensure that the kids living and staying on the island enjoy an activity-filled, unforgettable summer. And they’ve been doing this for 50 years.
“Our summer recreational program is so successful because of the consistent and dedicated staff of professionals, college students and local high school students. Year after year, these staffers form a bond with the kids in the program that creates an atmosphere unlike any other,” explains Van Cathcart, Director of the Recreation Department.
And what can parents expect to pay for such a well-established recreational program? Just $30 for the entire season which begins the last week of June and runs through the third week of August. Short-term vacationers are not left out in the cold either. Most of the summer programs offer a $5 per week option for families visiting Stone Harbor.
Little athletes can brush up on their skills over the summer with their choice of weekly sports clinics: Tee Ball (ages 4 – 6), Junior Baseball (ages 7 – 10), Junior Soccer (ages 7 – 10), Pee Wee Basketball (ages 5 – 8), Field Hockey (ages 10 – 14), Lacrosse (ages 10 – 13) and even Fishing (ages 7 – 13).
In addition to these clinic-style sports programs, the Stone Harbor Recreation Department runs separate Girls and Boys Basketball Leagues with twice-weekly games for Beginner (Girls ages 8 – 10; Boys ages 9 – 10), Intermediate (Girls ages 11 – 12; Boys ages 11 – 13) and Advanced (Girls ages 13 – 16; Boys ages 14 – 16).
Stone Harbor also boasts a thriving tennis program, whether you plan to use the courts for casual play or sign on for lessons. Seasonal memberships are available for full use of the well-maintained courts or visitors can pay an hourly rental fee. Lessons, clinics and tournaments are held throughout the summer and are available for both children and adults. To learn more about Stone Harbor’s Tennis Programs, call Ryan Cuevas at 425-1224.
If sports aren’t your child’s thing, the Recreation Department also offers a flourishing Arts & Crafts program from June 23 through the third week of August with class offerings every weekday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for ages 4 – 6 and from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for ages 7 – 10.
“The projects are all fun and creative and can include everything from beaded jewelry to tie-dyed T-shirts,” said Cathcart.
The summer recreational programs culminate in a free, end-of-the-season Awards Picnic with a complete spread of pizza, hot dogs and other kid-friendly treats and refreshments.
Cathcart said, “All participants and their families are invited to the picnic to collect their awards and enjoy each other’s company. It’s our way of saying thanks.”
Registration for all sports (with the exception of tennis) and arts and crafts programs begins June 16 at the 81st Street Recreation Building. Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available and programs fill up quickly. If you have any questions about these recreational programs, call Van Cathcart at 368-1210 (in-season) or 368-5102 (off-season).
And when the kids aren’t playing hard or creatively crafting in the summer recreational program or frolicking in the sand and surf, Stone Harbor has even more pursuits of happiness for the younger set. With three well-designed municipal parks, there is always something fun to do. The newly remodeled 81st Street park, just across the street from the beach, offers a wide array of playground equipment and a bocce court. In the heart of the mid-town shopping district lies the 96th Street park, complete with entertaining playground sets and free shuffleboard. Chelsea Place also has playground equipment for the little ones in addition to another bocce court, volleyball courts and a picnic area.