Camp Riverbend Combines Family Values with Summer Fun

Camp Riverbend of Warren Township maintains a legacy of 54 years and counting. The day camp, which graces 30 acres of fields and woods, offers a unique summer experience for children from prekindergarten age to ninth grade.

Patch: What is the Camp Riverbend story? Tell us about the early beginnings.

Camp Riverbend: This summer, we celebrate Camp Riverbend’s 55th season! Riverbend was founded way back in 1962. Harold Breene, our founder, had worked at other camps, but was always dreaming of opening his own camp. He and his wife, Marianne, found a nice piece of land of 11 acres in Warren Township, just down the road from their house in Berkeley Heights. Before it was Camp Riverbend, our property had been a small resort with its own small pool and nine-hole golf course. The building that is now the boys and girls upper and lower locker rooms was once a dormitory, full of tiny bedrooms. If you look carefully in the upper girls lockers, you can still see the room numbers on some of the doorways!

The original pool had only deep water, and we needed a pool where younger campers could stand. So, we dug one ourselves! There was no filtration system, so the water had to be pumped out each evening and replaced with fresh water daily. While Mr. Breene held the jobs of camp director and program director, Mrs. Breene was the head counselor for the second youngest camper group in what’s now the nature lodge. The entire camp office (without computers, printers, fax machine or photocopiers, of course) occupied one desk in a corner of the Breene’s family room. When it was time for a spaghetti lunch, Mrs. Breene and Teddy Napolitano, our first and long-time camp nurse, cooked all the food themselves in the house kitchen. One of our early specialty activities was riflery, which took place in a crawl space under where the auditorium now stands. Campers would lie on the ground and aim their rifles towards targets under the building.

During the very first week of camp in our very first year, the oldest boys and girls groups went into the woods, chopped down a tree and brought it back to use as the camp flagpole. Much has changed at Riverbend, but the important things stay the same! We’ve always focused on creating a safe environment, where campers make friends, learn new skills and have fun!

Patch: Camp Riverbend caters to children ages 3-14. How do you ensure that campers of all ages have a fun summer?

Camp Riverbend: Campers are grouped by their school grade level, and activities are age-appropriate. For example, our very youngest campers climb a set of stairs to a treehouse to get onto a mini zip-line, while older campers must navigate up the side of a 30-foot climbing tower to reach their zip line. Our pools have varying depths, so beginner swimmers will be in water where they can stand; more experienced swimmers learn to dive off a diving board and can enjoy a speedy water slide! As children get older, they can choose more of their activities themselves. Our rising fourth and fifth-grade campers choose their own afternoon schedules twice a week; rising middle school-age campers get to do that three times a week.

Patch: Camp Riverbend features challenge courses, a performing arts program, four heated pools and other facility highlights. Why is it important to have such a number of options for your campers?

Camp Riverbend: A big part of childhood is letting boys and girls figure out who they are and what interests they want to pursue as they grow up. We offer a wide variety of options so they can do just that. Of course, many children do after-school activities, like music, sports or dance, but at Camp Riverbend, we can give them so much more! Many children have never shot an arrow, created a clay bowl on a potters wheel or paddled a canoe before they arrive at camp—and exposure to these activities and many others may lead to a lifelong hobby or even career!

We also know that all children are different and should not be measured on the same scale. Some children are great athletes, others exceptional artists and, yet, others have a passion to explore natural world. Providing so many different things to do at camp, we give each child an opportunity to shine!

Patch: Tell us about the Camp Riverbend staff.

Camp Riverbend: We are very proud of our wonderful staff of teachers and college students, who understand and like children. We don't have a CIT program; no high school students supervise children at Camp Riverbend. Our counselor selection process is rigorous, and all staff—new and returning—are trained each year. Many of our counselors were campers themselves, so they know all our silly Riverbend traditions and can pass them on to new generations of campers.

Patch: What resources do you offer to parents?

Camp Riverbend: We have lots of experience working with children and are happy to share our knowledge to parents. For example, we have advice for families whose children are attending camp for the first time—how to get both the child and themselves ready for the separation! We want parents to be completely comfortable when their child is in our care; keeping strong lines of communication open between families and camp is a huge part of making that happen.

Patch: Camp Riverbend is family-owned and family-operated. How do concepts of family and community play a part in the camp experience?

Camp Riverbend: Our family is at camp all day, every day, overseeing every aspect of the camp program. Our daily vigilance creates the high quality that families expect at Camp Riverbend. Because we have been in operation for 55 years in this community, we have campers who are children—and even grandchildren—of former campers. Camp is such a special part of a child’s life that parents who attended Riverbend themselves feel strongly that they want their own children to experience it. It’s very satisfying for us to give the unique magic of a Riverbend summer to new generations of campers.

Patch: What sets one day camp apart from another? How is Camp Riverbend unique?

Camp Riverbend: Three things: the Breene Family has and will continue to run Camp Riverbend, so there is a strong continuity of supervision and vision for the camp; Camp Riverbend is located on 30 beautiful acres of fields and woods to explore, with top-quality facilities and activities; our mature, talented counselor staff who appreciate and honor each camper’s individuality.

Patch: What are some new things campers can look forward to in 2017?

Camp Riverbend: Lunch! This may be more a treat for parents, but we are sure that campers will enjoy the yummy offerings each day. As we speak, we are building a new dining hall and kitchen, which will prepare and serve hot and cold lunches for all, including kid favorites and healthy options. Lunch is included in camp tuition.

Patch: What is your outlook for the future of the camp? What’s next?

Camp Riverbend: In some ways, Camp Riverbend has changed greatly. Campers in 1963 could not imagine pedal karts or yoga as camp activities. Over the years, we have added a Day Trip program for young teens and part-day options for the very youngest campers. We’ve expanded to new communities. But in the most important way, we hope Camp Riverbend will never change—that it will always be a place and time where children can learn, grow, make friends, try new things, master new skills and have fun under the supervision of caring and responsible adults.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about Camp Riverbend?

Camp Riverbend: Visit our website. Call for information (908-580-CAMP). Come visit for an open house or a private tour! Open houses are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25; Sunday, March 19; Saturday, April 8 and Saturday, May 6. Private tours are available by appointment most week days and weekends.

Photo credit: Camp Riverbend