Fun Summer Classes for Teens in NJ

It’s almost here… summer vacation. Teens are getting psyched for the long school-free months that await them, and parents are wondering, what should we do?? The beach or the lake, video games or the skate park? NJ teens have so many opportunities for summer fun; more than just lazy days basking in the sun and chilling out at the mall! Check out the variety of camps and classes that would suit even the pickiest teen.

Enrichment/Academic Activities

Storming Robots Tech Learning Center, Branchburg, NJ
Storming Robots Technology Learning Center is a learning center whose mission is to inspire children to experience and engineer robotics programs, from mechanical building to automation with robotic programming. (908) 595-1010

French Institute: Alliance Francaise, Montclair, NJ
The French Institute is offering one-week French immersion camps for teens at their satellite school in Montclair this summer. Each course focuses of conversation, reading and writing. Students are grouped by age and level; in some cases a placement test must be taken. Learning is hands-on. Students actively communicate in French and complete projects based on interest. (973) 783-0507

Leader in Training Camp, Teaneck, NJ
Camp Discovery at Farleigh Dickinson University offers a Counselor/Leader in Training Camp for older students entering grades 8-9 to hone leadership skills. Each day LIT’s will have a recreational activity, one or two workshops on leadership skills, and work beside college-age counselors with campers to gain real life leadership experience. In addition, during each session the LIT’s will join Camp Discovery on two trips and take one trip on their own. (201) 692-6500

iD Programming, Design and Development Academies, Princeton, NJ
Tech junkies can learn video game design, programming, applications for iphone and android, and web design at the iD Programming Academy at Princeton University. Alexa Cafe offers programming classes specifically for girls ages 10-15. Camps are run with a maximum of 8 students and are day or overnight. 1-888-709-TECH

Centenary College Summer Scholars, Hackettstown, NJ
Centenary Summer Scholars gives teens in grades 8-12 the opportunity to immerse themselves in one course of study in a different academic area for a full week. Students may participate in courses including forensic science, television production, fashion design, veterinary science and more. Day and residential options are offered. During the week, students also take a day trip to NYC and have a culminating dance on Friday night. A great way to get a head start on potential career interests! 866-749-6426

Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg, NJ
Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) Youth Program offers leadership and executive skills workshops as well as writing, technology and other options. Programs meet for four or five days. (908) 526-1200, ext. 8404

Acting/Performing Classes

Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ
Is your teen a fan of Glee? A future Broadway star? A hip hop dancer? Check out the summer camp offering at the Count Basie Theater. Taught by an impressive array of instructors, your teen can choose from a variety of week long camps that suit his or her artistic side. They also offer a RockIt Summer Band Camp for aspiring rock stars and a Jazz Arts Academy. (732) 224-8778

NJ Film School, Martinsville, NJ
Future Spielbergs unite! NJ Film School offers two small-group camps (limited to 10 students) that teach the art of film and film-making. Students entering grades 5-8 gain experience both in front of and behind the camera as they direct shorts, music videos, documentaries; utilize special effects and write a script all under the direction of experienced film makers. Chris Messineo, Director of NJ Film School, has offered this information… “Our film camps are focused on fun first - with the students learning about filmmaking by actually making films using professional equipment. We shoot everything from short films, to funny commercials, to music videos, and even stop motion. (732) 667-3755

Broadway Performing Arts School, Bloomfield, NJ
Broadway Performing Arts presents School of Rock Broadway Style. This summer camp is run like a rehearsal for a show with vocal, speech, dance, yoga, pilates, and and acting warm-ups each morning. After a two-week rehearsal period, the show goes on at the Little Theater. (973) 748-2787

BergenPAC, Englewood, NJ
Each year, the Performing Arts School at BergenPAC presents a summer musical featuring an all-student cast, technical crew and orchestra. Students age 13-18 work along theater staff to develop professional skills as well as teamwork and self-confidence. Separately, two-week intensive dance workshops for ages 11-17 feature daily classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary and ethnic dance. (201) 816-8160

The Circus Place, Hillsborough, NJ
Teens with an adventurous spirit can take summer classes at The Circus Place. Students can learn the trapeze, lyra, acrobatics and tumbling, silks and other skills. The school also offers an Aerial Acrobatics Summer Intensive program for kids and teens. (908) 829-3784

Arts and Crafts

Camp Can-I-Cook, Marlboro, NJ
Young Chefs Academy is offering our Camp Can-I-Cook, summer mini-camps for teens. Each session will be devoted to a different theme complete with 3-5 recipes that will be prepared and tasted each day. Students will be using their math, reading, and comprehension skills in addition to having fun creating and eating! (732) 536-7777

Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick, NJ
The Zimmerli Museum on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus offers a variety of summer art camps for teens. Classes range from “Pupperty Workshop" to "Architecture of the Imagination," "Upcycled Sculpture," "Shadow and Line: Secrets of Drawing" and more —something for every budding artist! Weeks start at $320 for members; $370 for non-members. (732) 932-8201

Visual Arts Center Teen Art Camp, Summit, NJ
The Visual Arts Center offers classes, one or two day workshops, and teen summer camp. College-bound students age 16-18 can build their portfolio in a special, intensive program. Summer campers, age 13-15, will work on several projects in various media including painting, drawing, ceramics, and digital media. Projects will vary each week so teens can sign up for multiple weeks. (908) 273-9121

Nature/Adventure/Travel

Voyagers Teem Camp, Montclair, NJ
The Montclair YMCA’s “Voyagers Teen Camp” is for 12-14 year olds. Activities include drama, art, sports, cooking and more. Day trips could include laser tag, Six Flags, rock climbing, Mountain Creek, teh beach, Bronx Zoo, movies, or bowling. Eight One-week sessions are available. (973) 415-6119

Hi Hills Tour Teen Adventure Camp, Gladstone, NJ
At Hi Hills Camp, teens spend two days at camp and attend three day-trips each week to exciting, fun local destinations, such as Delaware River tubing, the Funplex, and the Jersey shore. (908) 234-0067

Adventures in Nature: Councelors in Training, Montville, NJ
Teenagers who enjoy the outdoors and working with young children can get resume-building experience by becoming CITs. Training topics include natural history, how to work with young children, and a leadership project. Students receive a certificate detailing their hours of service. (973) 635-6629

CIT (Councelor in Training) Program Tenafly, NJ
Students age 14-18 can volunteer to help the nature center's professional education staff with Nature Day Camp. Teens will help prepare, lead, and clean up camp crafts and activities. The nature center also invites teens, age 14 and older, to help with animal are. Students will help with organizing and cleaning animal areas as well as learn grooming, feeding and exam techniques. (201) 568-6093

photo courtesy of BergenPAC

Originally published 2012