Aquinas Academy Camp Celebrates 25 years

One parent, two teachers, and an open-minded priest: That’s how the Aquinas Academy Summer Camp started. The program is still going strong. On July 12, it will celebrate its 25th year.   

Maryjane Weiss, director of the Summer Camp, described how she and Estelle Riechers were running Aquinas’ afterschool program when parent Linda Gross asked if Aquinas had ever thought about starting a summer camp. After careful consideration, the teachers brainstormed with Gross and other parents to map out a program that would best suit the needs of families in the community.   

“We wanted to make it easy for the parents and lots of fun for the kids,” said Weiss. With the blessing of then pastor Monsignor William Daly, the camp was launched in 1986. 

It has evolved from a fledgling program with just a few kids, to a full-service camp for children from preschool through 7th grade. 

In the 25 years the camp has been around, Weiss has seen kids become more tech and media savvy. While rising to the challenge of motivating today’s kids, the staff has also excelled at keeping parents happy.

 “We have a very flexible program,” she explained. Parents need only commit to sending their children for a minimum of ten days – those days do not have to be consecutive. Camp is offered for seven weeks on a part-time basis with sessions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or full-time basis from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

In addition to flexible hours, Aquinas Summer Camp offers air-conditioned facilities, water play and activities, which include theme days, ceramics, baking, cooking, painting, candy making, jewelry making, science experiments, crafts, music, sports, games and more. The children are divided into age-appropriate groups with the average sized group from 10 to 15 children. New for 2011 is a hot lunch program with mouth-watering meals, including pizza delivered from Cammarata's Pizza. And the emphasis is always on fun.

Several campers from years past have returned to become counselors, including Weiss’ niece, Amanda.  “I’d like to think that we pass on the ‘Aquinas spirit.’ I’d like the children to remember the fun and good times Aquinas Camp provided. I’d like them to reflect on the friends they met, the activities they did, and that they felt happy and safe here,” said Weiss.  “We just want everyone to be happy.”

Aquinas Academy Summer Camp is located at St. Philomena Catholic Church, 388 South Livingston Ave.  The camp is inviting all members of the community, especially camp families and friends, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary at tan Open House on Tuesday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Joseph Hall.  For more information, contact Maryjane Weiss at (973) 992-7158 or visit the Web @ www.aquinasacademynj.org.