Free Camp Prepares Passaic Co. Students For Challenges Of New School

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Walking into a new building on the first day of middle school or high school can be intimidating for students. A free camp coming up in Passaic County is designed to give youth the tools and confidence to get the new year off to a great start, organizers said.

The New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services network (NJ4S) is hosting a 10-day camp in August for youth entering the 6th and 9th grades, called "Summer Rising."

The camp is aimed at supporting students' emotional well-being and helping them prepare for the transition into middle school or high school, said NJ4S. Students will be provided lunch and a snack every day, and the camp will consist of group activities and socialization as well as weekly outings on Friday.

"Lessons on navigating friendships, dealing with setbacks, and developing resilience will be woven into the fun," organizers said.

The two-week program runs weekdays from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 5-9 and Aug. 12-16. Campers will meet at 101 Oliver Street in Paterson, and use a nearby school gym and green space at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park for activities.

During Summer Rising, incoming freshmen will address academic anxiety and explore different career pathways, said Passaic County NJ4S HubDirector Kathy Barretto.

Many students entering high school face a lot of pressure to be “college ready,” Barreto said, adding she wants to also introduce students to careers in the trades and other sectors.

The 6th grade students will focus on building emotional skills and navigating social challenges, with Barretto saying that Passaic County Hub members have noticed "an overall decline in tweens' social skills" while out in local schools.

Some "aren’t sure how to hold a conversation or make new friends," and she said others "become possessive of the friends they already have and aren’t willing to get outside their comfort zones."

The Summer Rising camp will use an evidenced-based curriculum called Positive Action, which helps teach young people to care for their physical and mental health, manage their thoughts, actions, and feelings, and practice empathy and cooperation with others.

To register your student for the camp, click here.