Check Out Toms River's Summer Programs For Kids

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Are you looking for something for your kids to do this summer besides sit at home and complain about being bored?

The Toms River Recreation Department has a host of programs available to keep them busy and engage their interests. Registration begins May 15.

There is the Summer Playground Program, held at Silver Bay, Cedar Grove, West Dover, and Citta schools from July 2 through Aug. 10, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for children ages 6 to 13. The fee is $300.

The Summer Theater Program is held at Toms River High School South and students are taught to sing and by experienced instructors and perform a recital at the end of the program. For kids ages 8 to 18. Fee: $50.

The Marine Science Camp is held at Shelter Cove Beach and has four, one-week sessions limited to 20 students each in grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The camp focuses on the preservation of the marine ecosystem through active hands on learning. New curriculum to include: Megalodons, Coral Reefs, Fish ID, Sea Horses, Sharks and more! Live animal guests along with seining and environmental awareness. The fee is $295 and register directly on www.marinesciencecamp.com or call 732-250-8124.

The Mad Science program is held at Riverwood Park Recreation Building and has two one-week sessions. It's for kids ages 7 to 12 and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Limited to 20 children per session with a $145 fee. It "brings awe-inspiring experiments paired with thought-provoking detective work to campers, nurturing scientific interests and evoking fascination." Register directly on www.madsciencenj.com.

The week-long Sports Camp and Friday-only sports camps, geared to young children, will be held at Riverwood Park.

• Multi Sports (5-11 years): June 25 – June 29(All day session & ½ day session)
• Parent & Me Multi(2-3 years): Fridays, June 29-August 3, 9-10am or 10-11am
• Sports Squirts (3-5 years): Fridays, June 29-August 3, 9-10am or 10-11am
• Senior Squirts(5-7 Years): Fridays, June 29-August 3, 9-10am or 10-11am

Visit www.USsportsInstitute.com for more information and to register.

The Swim Team and swimming lessons are held at the Toms River Township Pool, 1810 Warren Point Road.

The swim team meets Mondays through Thursdays, June 25-Aug. 3 and is open to children ages 5 to 18; the fee is $80.

There are two sessions of swimming lessons, for ages 5 to 12, and the fee is $50 per session. All classes are 30 minutes long.

• Session I – Mon. & Wed., June 25 – July 18; Tues. & Thurs., June 26 – July 19
• Session II – Mon. & Wed., July 30 – Aug. 22; Tues. & Thurs., Jul 31 – Aug. 23

There also is training for junior lifeguards. It is held at the North Lifeguard Station, 4th Ave. and Boardwalk, Ortley Beach on Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 10 – August 9 and is open to kids ages 10 to 15. The fee is $35.

Register for the swimming, theater and playground programs using the Toms River Recreation registration program at http://register.communitypass.net/tomsriver. Click the link and choose Toms River in the drop down box. Below are brief instructions on how to access the online system:

1. Log on to http://register.communitypass.net/tomsriver
2. Click on "Create an account for your family now"
3. Complete the account information and click submit
4. Click on "Register Now" to begin registering for programs
5. View Youth Service programs and click to register

Follow the instructions on the resulting pages to add individuals to your family account and register for all programs available from Toms River. Depending on the age, grade or gender of the members of your family account, the system will display the programs that each family member is eligible for.

Please check the township website at www.tomsrivertownship.com for regular updates.

If you have any questions, please call the recreation department at (732) 341-1000 ext. 8415. Click here for the summer brochure for further information.

Photo provided by Toms River Township