RIVERDALE — Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey is now accepting camp registrations for two summer day camp programs, Jockey Hollow Camp in Mendham Township and Lake Rickabear in Kinnelon. Parents and guardians can sign up online at www.gsnnj.org.
Girls in first grade through high school can participate in a variety of outdoor activities in one- or two-week sessions from July 6 to Aug. 21 for day camp.
“Girl Scout camp is a wonderful opportunity for girls of all ages to explore their interests, enjoy the outdoors and make friends that will last a lifetime,” said Betty A. Garger, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. “There are a variety of program themes from science to drama, and sports to cooking.”
Jockey Hollow Camp is located in Mendham Township and runs one-week and two-week sessions. Girls will enjoy the 212-acre camp, an L-shaped swimming pool, Low Ropes Challenge Course and zip line, archery range, horse corral, large playing field, new cabins and adventurous hiking trails. Camp activities include daily American Red Cross swimming lessons, outdoor cooking and hiking, environmental programs, optional pony or horseback riding, optional overnights and much more.
This year, Jockey Hollow Camp is offering the following new program sessions: “Totally Tiki,” which allows campers to experience the Polynesian world, make Tiki masks, and enjoy a Hawaiian cookout, and “Frosty Woods of Arendelle” where girls journey to the “North Mountain” and explore frosty games and crafts. Girls in grades 4 through 6 can experience a “Horsemanship Sampler” and learn about grooming, tacking and trail etiquette. New teen programs include “Jockey Hollow Stomp,” where girls can construct trash can instruments and perform in a junk band ensemble; “Woodworker Extraordinaire” where girls learn carpentry skills to build a birdhouse, write their name in wood, and build benches for the camp fire circles; “Delicious, Delectable Desserts: allows girls to learn to make scrumptious desserts under the guidance of a professional; “Teen Super Survivor,” which teaches girls how to live off the land by building a debris hut, construct a nature still for water, assemble a personal survival kit and much more; and “Camp CSI” a session that tests girls’ skills as a Crime Scene Investigator.
At Lake Rickabear, girls from grades 1 through 12 can choose between one- or two-week sessions at the 332-acre property in Kinnelon, which includes a 40-acre, spring-fed lake. Classic camp activities, such as nature, arts and crafts, swimming, and boating, are offered each week with additional theme events unique to each session. New programs this year include “Rockin’ Rickabear,” which celebrates all that Lake Rickabear has to offer – the beachfront and lake, archery, and a zipline; “Mystery Madness,” which helps girls use their senses to detect clues and test their investigative skills; Rickabear CSI Jr. which takes girls on an adventure to solve a camp mystery; “Art-rageous Fashionista,” an artsy-chic session where girls explore different art techniques and learn to make jewelry and accessories; and “Love Your World,” a session for girls who want to learn about nature, the outdoors, animals and caring for the environment. Teen sessions of “Rockin’ Rickabear,” “Rickabear CSI,” “Art-Rageous Fashionista” and “Love Your World” are available for teen campers.
A two-week program called “Day and Away” offers girls the chance to experience the fun of both day and sleep-away camp. Girls spend the first week of camp at Jockey Hollow Day Camp or Lake Rickabear forming friendships with fellow campers and counselors while participating in all general camp activities. The following week, campers venture off to Camp Lou Henry Hoover, owned and operated by Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, with the same unit and counselors to experience resident camp. This program is designed to provide a comfortable transition from day camp to resident camp. Day and Away Camp is offered to girls entering grades 4 through 6.
An open house will be held at Lake Rickabear Summer Day Camp on Sunday, June 7, from 3 to 5 p.m.
For more information about Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey’s two summer camps, call 973-248-8200 or visit www.gsnnj.org to download the camp brochures.
Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls in kindergarten through grade 12 in 160 municipalities in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and northern Warren counties. There are currently 30,150 girl members and 14,828 adult members.