Free camp offered to 6th-, 9th-graders

The New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services network (NJ4S) is hosting a 10-day camp for students entering sixth and ninth grades.

The free two-week summer camp is designed to help them successfully navigate the social and emotional challenges of attending a new school.

The two-week “Summer Rising” program will run from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays Aug. 5-16. Campers will be provided lunch and a snack, play outdoor games, socialize and take a recreational field trip each Friday.

Lessons on navigating friendships, dealing with setbacks and developing resilience will be woven into the activities.

Passaic County hub director Kathy Barreto plans to use an evidenced-based curriculum called Positive Action, which teaches students to care for their physical and mental health; manage their thoughts, actions and feelings; and practice empathy and cooperation with others.

“The transition from elementary to middle school has always had its bumps,” she said. “But our team has been in schools around the county a lot this school year, and we’ve noticed an overall decline in tweens’ social skills.

“They aren’t sure how to hold a conversation or make new friends. Some become possessive of the friends they already have and aren’t willing to get outside their comfort zones. Our camp will teach them the skills to navigate social challenges, be resilient, and hopefully make their transition to middle school smoother.”

While the sixth-grade cohort will focus on social-emotional skills, the ninth-grade cohort will address academic anxiety and explore various career pathways.

Many students entering high school face immense pressure to be “college ready,” Barreto said.

While she encourages students to pursue their higher-education goals, she also wants to introduce them to careers in the trades or other sectors in which they can achieve equal success.

NJ4S “Summer Rising” campers will meet at 101 Oliver St. in Paterson and use a nearby school gym and green space at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park.

For information, send email to tmonserrat@njcdc.org or call 973-413-1449.

State Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer said, “Many NJ4S programs have an open-door policy year-round to provide preventative programming or simply lend a compassionate ear. Local hub leaders across the state know their communities best and are taking these summer months as an opportunity to provide custom programming and address their communities’ unique needs.

“We encourage families to learn more about their local NJ4S program and to engage their child or young person in the various activities and services that are offered.”

NJ4S has provided services for students in several public schools throughout Passaic County beginning in the 2023-24 school year. They range from large-group presentations and assemblies about internet safety to brief one-on-one counseling for students facing a personal crisis.

The New Jersey Community Development Corp. operates the Passaic County NJ4S hub.