NEW! Camp SOAR Summer Camp Starts Monday, July 11, 2022!
Franklin Township YMCA, a branch of Greater Somerset County YMCA, is launching a new summer camp program called Camp SOAR, which has financial support from Somerset County and is in partnership with Somerset County Parks Commission. The five-week summer camp will be held at Colonial Park in Franklin Township from July 11 – August 12, 2022.
Camp SOAR intends to provide a Summer of Outdoor Adventure and Recreation to children from under-resourced families in Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Manville, and Franklin Township, who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The main source of program funding is a grant from Somerset County, which is made available through the American Rescue Plan. Additionally, the Y is partnering with Somerset County Parks Commission to host the camp at Colonial Park, which offers a versatile setting for a myriad of enriching summer camp activities.
Camp SOAR will run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hour opportunities beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. The camp is designed to offer children a robust camp experience that takes advantage of the outdoor opportunities afforded at Colonial Park, as well as other experiences that the Y integrates into all of its camp programs, such as STEM, literacy, arts and crafts, sports, physical activity, team-building, social-emotional learning, and character-building activities. Additionally, transportation by bus will be available from a central location in each town to bring children to camp in the morning and back at the end of the camp day. Children participating in extended hours will need independent transportation. Monday through Friday, the camp will also provide daily meals for the children.
To enroll in Camp SOAR, or the Counselor in Training program, the cost is $10 per child, per day. Interested families should talk with their school counselors to determine eligibility for the camp program.
For more information contact:
Branch Executive Director, Ben Green at bgreen@gscymca.org or 908-369-0490 x714.