Patch's Summer Camp Roundup

It's nearly here: Come the end of June, the kids will leap off the bus and scream, "Summer!" And Mom and Dad will give a little shudder. Yes, it's time for the annual scramble to reign-in the chaos that is summer vacation.

If it's day care you're looking for -- or academics, athletics or even some culture -- Patch has got you and your brood covered. Check out our roundup of all the summer offerings, right here at home. We guarantee these will get your kids sweaty and exhausted as they get out there and play all those "sports" they mastered all winter on Wii. And you might actually get some work done.

Because Wii Dance Party just isn't cutting it anymore.

Traditional Irish step dancing and music. Register now for Claddagh na nGael's (Gaelic for "Irish Shore") Summer Camp to be held in Sea Bright at the Sea Bright Recreation Hall Aug. 1 through Aug. 5, 9 a.m. to noon. Irish music expert, Erin Loughran, and Irish dance expert, Shannon Dunne, will teach music and dance for children K-8. Cost is $150 per child. Financial assistance is available. For more information e-mail.

Because baseball is totally different for people with arms.

• Summer tune up and tone up baseball camp is open to players ages 7 - 16. Camp will be held Aug. 15  through 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at in Eatontown. The cost is $145. For questions call (201) 304-3004 or e-mail.
•  Ted Jarmusz and Joey Pignitore will host their Pride and Hustle Baseball Camp at June 27 through July 1 and July 11-15. Cost is $180 for those who pre-register before June 1. After June 1, $200. Campers ages 7 to 17 can choose their week or attend both for a reduced rate. For more information call (732) 708-1667 during the day or at night, (732) 493-3639.

Because some kids want you in the bleachers all year.

Falcon Sports Camps:  Monmouth Regional's coaches say they are on a, "mission to improve our sports program here and offer lower prices with high caliber coaching." This year Falcon Sports will host seven high school sports camps:

• Wrestling, $130 - June 20 through 23, 9 a.m. to noon at .
• Softball, $130  - June 28 through July 1, 9 a.m.to noon at
• Field hockey and soccer, both $130 - June 28 through July 1, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Monmouth Regional.
• Girls and boys basketball, $75 - July 19 through 22, 9 a.m. to noon or 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at .
• Football, $50 - July 18 through 21, 9 a.m. to noon at Pop Warner Field.

Multiple child discounts are available and the cost for two camps is $200. For more information contact Angela Dello Russo 732-672-3420 or e-mail.

 Because a little structure is mom's best friend.

• Tinton Falls Recreation will host its summer camp in air conditioned from July 6 through Aug. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Camp includes Mad Science and Kidz Art and fun activities like DJ day, movies, ice and sundae day, carnival day and water tag. The cost is $386 per child. Trips to places like Dorney and Hershey parks are available for an additional cost.
• Eatontown Recreation Day Camp for kids pre-k through grade 8 starts July 5 and runs through Aug. 12. at , Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon.  Campers will participate in sports, special events, quiet games, arts and crafts and weekly trips.   The Pre-K group will have a maximum of 15 campers.  Registration done on a first-come-first-serve-basis. For more information (732) 389-7607.
• Eatontown Recreation is offering a Summer Counselor Intern Program to Eatontown boys and girls who are currently in 7th and 8th grades.  Interns must have previous experience with children in a leadership capacity. The application and interview process is mandatory. A program fee of $30 per counselor intern is due upon acceptance.  Space is extremely limited. Returning 2010 eligible CIP's have preferance.  Registration forms due by June 3.
• Ranney School  offers a wide variety of camps and academics this summer. The school's day camp is open to kids 3 to 13 years old. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June 27  though Aug. 19. Prices vary by week. Activities will include: swimming, sports, science and nature, arts and crafts, music, computers, drama and more.

Because even super moms can't always put a zipline in the backyard.

The Monmouth County Park System runs an array of summer programs. Here are just a few:

• Park-A-Day Camp is for kids entering grades 3 - 5. Activities include kayaking, fishing, zipline, a trip to the beach, inline skating, archery and more. Transportation is provided. Camp includes five 7-hour sessions that visit the Manasquan Reservoir, Seven Presidents, Thompson, Holmdel and Turkey Swamp parks, each on a different day. The program runs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with sessions during the weeks of June 20 and Aug. 29. Cost is $225 per person.
• Here's one near and dear to the heart of Patch:  Camp Correspondents is for kids entering grades 4 - 7. This just in: your child can learn the basics of good news reporting. Campers will learn to gather news, check facts, craft a lede and write a cohesive story. The budding journalists will visit camps at the park to report on their activities and produce their own paper at the end of the week. They may even take a field trip to see how the pros work. (We'd better clean-up around here) The writers will also have some pool time and a healthy dose of games. Camps run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dorbrook Recreation Area, June 27  though July 1 (fashion reporting week!) and July 18 through 22. The cost is $185 per child.
• And one for the grown-ups ... Remember summer camp? Join the county parks system for a week-long, adventure-based camp designed especially for adults longing to recapture those fun summer memories. Spend five days in the Monmouth County Park System enjoying kayaking, canoeing, geo caching and the zipline and you don't have to sleep on the ground! Camp is five 4-hour sessions, Monday through Friday, Aug. 1 through 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $175 per person.