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Community Corner

SOUTH MOUNTAIN YMCA'S VACATION CAMPS HELP KEEP CHILDREN IN GRADES K-5 ENGAGED AND ACTIVE WHEN SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED

The South Mountain YMCA located at 13 Jefferson Avenue in Maplewood is offering fun-filled Vacation days at “Camp” for children in Kindergarten through 5th grades when the South Orange/Maplewood School District is closed during the school year. These programs are available to members as well as Non-members.   The programs are held at the South Mountain YMCA, utilizing the Y Gym and Program Center, or at the Civic House at 124 Dunnell Road in Maplewood, with special activities and field trips planned to ensure a healthy, safe and engaging day. All three programs run from 7:15 am until 7:00 pm.  

Vacation Camp activities being held at the South Mountain YMCA’s Program Center, for children in Kindergarten through 5th grades are as follows: 

  • Thursday, February 13th:  Children can take a trip to the Morris Museum.  The bus leaves at Noon and returns at 3:00 pm.  Children will be able to see the different exhibits including:  block art, trains, dinosaurs, musical instruments and more.  All they need is a bag lunch.  Snack will be provided in the afternoon.   

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  • Friday, February 14th:  A Valentine’s Day Pizza Party will be held.  The day will be full of Valentine’s Day surprises.  There will be special art projects, a pizza party and everyone will make a special Valentine’s Day dessert.  There will be music and a whole lot of fun! 

  • Monday, February 17th: Mad Science.  Children will enjoy an interactive science presentation and workshop with Mad Science of Bergen County.  The show is an hour that will allow children to learn and be mesmerized by science and interactive experiments.  Each child will make something to bring home.  The workshop begins at 12:30 pm.  

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    A Mini LEGO’s Camp, a two-day program held on February 13th and 14th at the YMCA Civic House, 124 Dunnell Road in Maplewood, is for children in Grades 2-5.   Bonnie Spring, a LEGO specialist from Building Kidz, will introduce “Imagination LEGO,” a robotics and computer program which makes LEGO projects come alive with movement and sound.  Children will also be creating projects with the LEGO Educational Program; “Simple Machines” will introduce scientific concepts through LEGO’s.  Friday will include a trip to see the LEGO Movie at a local movie theater and additional LEGO time. Children need to bring a lunch.  Snack is provided in the afternoon.   

    Project Fashion Camp, for children in grades 3-5, will be held on Monday, February 17th at the YMCA Civic House located at 124 Dunnell Road in Maplewood.  Children will learn the basics of fashion sketching with Anjole King, deconstruct and up-cycle an existing garment and present it on the catwalk at the end of the day.  No drawing or sewing experience necessary.  This is a great program for those who are inspired when watching the Red Carpet and can imagine their designs on the runway for a day!  If Project Runway, Styled to Rock, Fashion Star and Fashion Police are your child’s favorite shows on television, your child will love this vacation camp.  Bring a bagged lunch and a used top and pair of jeans that will be “up-cycled” during this program.   

    Space is limited for all dates and advance registration is required.   These programs are available to members and non-members.  Registration forms can be found online at www.smountainymca.org and should be completed and returned with payment the South Mountain YMCA, 13 Jefferson Avenue, Maplewood, NJ or faxed to: (973) 762-2064.   For more information about South Mountain YMCA’s Vacation Camp Program, please contact Tommy Donaldson at (973) 762-4145 or email him at tdonaldson@metroymcas.org.

    The Y is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being while providing opportunities to give back and support the community. 

    The South Mountain YMCA serves the communities of Maplewood and South Orange, a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges which is the largest Y in the state of New Jersey. Its Mission is to strengthen community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Its six branch facilities are located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston, Stillwater, and Wayne and provide a wide variety of services and activities:  

    • Quality all-day and after-school childcare, pre-school classes, recreational and enrichment programs e.g. basketball, soccer and other sports, arts, and Summer Day Camps and
      sleep-away camps.

    • Programs for adolescents and teens that include sports, parties and club activities.

    • Programs for adults and seniors. 

      Visit www.smountainymca.org to learn more about South Mountain YMCA programs, please call (973) 762-4145 or “Like” South Mountain YMCA, NJ on Facebook.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. 

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