Free Summer Camp In Jersey City: Registration Starts Monday

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Department of Recreation and Youth Development will open pre-registration for Jersey City's free Summer Day Camp for residents 7-14 year old at 7 a.m. on Monday. The annual camp includes a variety of activities, from sports to financial literacy education.

The camp has run for three decades, except for 2020 (when the Recreation Department provided more COVID-safe activities instead).

The city will host six camps with locations in each ward, and expects more than 2,000 campers this year.

Pre-registration runs from this Monday through March 27.

The camp also provides summer jobs for teens.

“It is especially critical to provide these city services that are not only fun and engaging, but also provide a safe outlet for this age group that has had to endure unprecedented circumstances during their most formative years,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “What’s more, we’ve had great success staffing our camps with JC Youth Works employees who obtain paid work experience while mentoring younger camp participants from the same community."

Jersey City’s Summer Camp has been a long-standing success for over three decades. This year’s 2.0 experience puts emphasis on “starting anew” as the anticipated campers have had less in-person interaction than before.

The Summer Camp consists of weekly activities that provide campers with experiences they may not otherwise be exposed to, the city said.

The free camp includes breakfast and lunch daily. Campers will participate in active play through sports, games, art, and crafts.

Activities include:

• Money Move Mondays: Teaching Financial Literacy
• Think Green Tuesdays
• Wellness Wednesdays
• Skating
• Swimming
• Snack and Paint
• Mad Science

“In our programs, we want to give Jersey City kids the opportunity just to be kids, to get them out active and outdoors. Our Summer Camp helps to build self-confidence and leadership skills while also promoting socialization and outdoor physical and mental stimulation,” said Lucinda McLaughlin, Director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Development.

Beginning July 5, 2022, Summer Camp 2.0 will operate weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Pre-registration for camp will open online on Monday, March 21, at 7:00 a.m. through Rec Desk: jcrec.recdesk.com.

Following the pre-registration period, week-to-week camp registration will begin on Monday, April 4, until all available spots are filled. To register in person or for any registration assistance, please call the Recreation Division at (201) 547-5003.

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