Long Branch Summer Camp Gives Students an Array of Fun Activities

Who says summer school can't be fun?

Long Branch School District's Kelly McOmber is making sure students have the best experience possible during the Long Branch Middle School's Summer Express Camp 2012.

First year camp planner McOmber said students entering grades six, seven and eight get to choose from 22 electives they want to participate in during the course of the camp.

The camp runs from July 2 through Aug. 10 and is held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Long Branch Middle School.

The day begins with a free breakfast before students have 90 minutes of language arts and 90 minutes of math. Then it's off to a free lunch and electives for the rest of the afternoon.

The electives offered for students are: Yoga/Meditation, Zumba, Arts & Crafts, Marine Biology, Community Service, Sports, Gym Games, Student's Choice Book Club, Creative Writing, New Jersey Cultures, World Geography, Greek Mythology, Lego Robotics, History of Hip Hop, Singing, Music Exploration, Spanish, US Geography & Current Events, Skateboarding at Monmouth County Skate Park, Botany, Photography and Weird Science.

Students get to pick four of these electives for the summer and participate in two each day.

"We tried to come up with new things and find something for everyone," McOmber said.

The students also have field trips to the beach, Monmouth County Skate Park, Sandy Hook and a full day boating trip.

Guests also come to the school for student programs throughout the summer.

An off-Broadway production company will be performing "Do You Still Dream," a story of Martin Luther King as a boy, on July 24. Earlier this summer an artist held a pouring paint art demonstration for students.

A book fair was also held at the school and students could purchase their summer reading books if they had not already, or simply grab a book they wanted to read for pleasure.

The Monmouth County’s Mobile Recreation department visits the Middle School every Thursday in the afternoons to play organized games and activities with the students who participate in gym games and sports electives.

Every Friday the students take part in Spirit Day with activities such as Jersey Day (wearing their favorite team jersey) Crazy Hair Day, Crazy Hat Day, and Green and White Day to show their Long Branch Pride.

"The kids have been excited and enrollment has been up this summer," McOmber said. "The students are coming up to us and telling us how much they love camp."