Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation partners with YMCA of Bucks County to bring back summer nature camp at Echo Hill Park

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – The Hunterdon County Commissioners recently approved a resolution authorizing the signing of a program agreement between the YMCA of Bucks & Hunterdon Counties and the Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation for a summer camp program located at Echo Hill Park in Clinton Township.

“As a Board we are very excited about this partnership between Parks and Recreation and the Bucks Hunterdon County YMCA and their joint efforts to make this summer camp program a reality. The benefits of fresh air, exercise opportunities, and physical activity combined with engaging educational opportunities is the perfect combination for our youth in Hunterdon County,” Commissioner Director Zach Rich said.

“My children used to participate in the parks summer programs, and I’m thrilled that they will be returning,” Commissioner Susan Soloway said.

The camp program will run from June 24 – Aug. 16, 2024, and is being offered to children in grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. The Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation will be creating a half-day nature based educational curriculum on the following schedule:

• Children grades K-2nd, will participate in programing from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Children in grades 3rd – 6th, will participate in programing from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Families will have the opportunity to enroll their children in half-day programing or a full-day camp option. Each week of the camp will be focused on a different theme, providing participants with a variety of fun, unique, and engaging experiences throughout the summer.

The YMCA of Bucks County for their portion of the partnership will be handling the logistical operations of camp including the marketing, registration, parent communications, and direct daily supervision of the campers. The YMCA offers a sliding scale of need based financial assistance and accepts the NJ Childcare Assistance Program to make summer camp financially accessible to everyone.

“The YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties is a charitable, non-profit organization committed to strengthening our communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all,” Director for the Department of Parks and Recreation Dan Bush said.