Chatham's Colony Pool Camp Revival Could Be Cancelled

CHATHAM, NJ - Chatham Township's plan to revive the Colony Pool Camp could be dead on arrival if enrollment doesn't increase soon, officials said.

The revival of the camp, shuttered in 2016, was spearheaded by Chatham Township Committee member Tracy Ness.

"At the beginning of my term we reformed the Colony Pool Committee with a full complement of members," Ness said. "They put together a terrific program - one that would bring back an affordable and fun community camp and provide much needed revenue as the pool lost membership revenue last year."

But in an email to Patch, Ness said that despite reaching out to schools and advertising, the number of campers enrolled in the program was low.

"We were late to the camp sign up period just due to logistical matters and an approval delay as a committee member wanted to significantly increase the weekly fees, which was disappointing," Ness said.

According to Ness, the town is not invested in running the camp in any way.

"We have not committed any funds to the camp so if we can't run it," Ness said. "Aside from disappointed kids who signed up, there is no loss to the township."

Ness said if the camp revival fails, it will not be for lack of trying.

"We have done the best we can to bring this community program back and be in line with our surrounding towns," Ness said. "Its now up to the community to support it and we hope they will."

Those interested in signing up can do so here.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.