Township Official Addresses Complaints About Berkeley Summer Camp

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – The first day of the Berkeley Township Recreation Department's summer camp didn't go as well as expected.

Township Administrator John Camera met on Tuesday morning with some concerned parents who were upset with changes made in the summer camp program, which began today and will run for the next six weeks.

In the past, children enrolled in the program have basically been able to pick which friends they wanted to be with.

But Debbie Winogracki, the new camp director, decided to group the children according to special needs, like those with asthma, allergies or diabetes, Camera said.

"Everything will be considered," Camera said about the parents' complaints. "We're not locked in. If they can accommodate friends or siblings, we are trying to make those adjustments."

Some parents also complained about changes in hours, but the hours are still the same, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., he said.

Winogracki tried to make some changes because the program lost a significant amount of money last year, he said.

"We did try to make adjustments so we can run it a little more efficiently, so taxpayers aren't paying for the program," he said.

If parents signed up for pregistration, the cost was $160 for the season. The price after registration is now $210. The township gives discounts for families with more than one child in the camp program.

Complicating the problem is the lack of enough bus drivers for the field trips, Camera said.

Four parents have asked for refunds from the program, he said.

"If they do want a refund, we will give them a refund," Camera said.

Image: Courtesy of Berkeley Township.