Somerset County Summer Camps Open For Kids, Teens At 3 Local Parks

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Somerset County Park Commission is offering summer camp programs for children and teens ages 6 to 18 at three locations in Basking Ridge and Bridgewater.

The programs will be held at the Environmental Education Center, the Stable at Lord Stirling Park, and the Therapeutic Recreation Program at North Branch Park.

The camps include activities centered on nature, horseback riding, and therapeutic recreation.

The county says children in the programs can take part in hiking, exploring nature, playing games, and horseback riding, depending on the camp and age group.

The Stable at Lord Stirling Park

At the Stable at Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, one-week camp sessions will run from July 6 through Aug. 14 for children and teens ages 6 to 18. Camps are grouped by age range and focus on horses, basic horse care, grooming and riding through activities, crafts and hands-on experience. The camps are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The stable schedule includes:

• Pony Rides and Hike with Mini Horses: Ages 6-8 from July 6-10
• Introduction to Riding a Horse: Ages 9-12 from July 13-17
• Trail Riding and Horse Care Workshop: Ages 13-18 from July 20-24
• Introduction to Riding a Horse: Ages 9-12 from July 27-31
• Pony Rides and Hike with Mini Horses: Ages 6-8 from Aug. 3-7
• Introduction to Riding a Horse: Ages 9-12 from Aug. 10-14

Environmental Education Center

At the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, teens can take part in a nine-day program in the Great Swamp in Lord Stirling Park. The camp uses the park's more than 500 acres and trails to teach ecology, conservation and stewardship through hikes, group and individual projects, and environmental exploration.

That program, AWESWIM Teens, is open to ages 13 to 16 and will run from June 22 to July 2. The name stands for Animals Wetlands Environment Science Imagination Minds Teambuilding, Education, Engagement, Natural Study.

Therapeutic Recreation, North Branch Park

In Bridgewater, the Therapeutic Recreation Program at North Branch Park will host Camp Curiosity from June 22 to 26. The weeklong day camp is for children ages 8 to 13 with learning disabilities, high functioning Autism, or a mild intellectual disability.

Campers at Camp Curiosity will explore space through activities including making astronaut ice cream, space-themed games, building and launching rockets, and a trip to Monster Golf. The goal of the camp is to help participants build recreation and leisure skills, positive peer relationships, confidence, social skills and a positive self-image.