NSJ Camp

Looking for a fun, active, and engaging sports camp for your children this summer? Look no further than NSJ! This is our 12th year offering a 4-day drop-off camp for kids ages 5-11.

We are excited that Jen Johannes, a Mt. Hebron High School art teacher, NSJ member, and mom, is our Camp Director again this year.

Dates

NSJ’s Summer Camp 2023 will run for two 4-day sessions (Monday – Thursday)*

July 24 – July 27: 12:00 PM drop off – 3:00 PM pickup
July 31 – August 3: 9:00 AM drop off – 12:00 PM pickup

** Friday of each camp week will be reserved as an inclement weather makeup day.**

Registration

Cost: $160 per week
Registration closes June 1st
Camp is open to NSJ members ONLY
Campers must be entering 1st – 6th grade in Fall 2023
Registration is on a first come, first serve basis
Registration and payment will be made through your Member Splash account
Cancellation Policy: Camp no shows or notice of less than 48 hours results in no refund

Camp Details

Campers will be grouped by age, and activities are customized accordingly
Each group is assigned two counselors; counselors are trained and certified NSJ lifeguards
Groups will rotate among tennis, swim and dive lessons, along with basketball, volleyball, crafts, and other fun activities
All swim and dive lessons will be tailored to ability levels; safety is our first priority
Tennis lessons will be with the NSJ Tennis Pro, Dave Gardner
Snacks will be provided by NSJ
Children should come dressed in their swimsuit with sunscreen applied. Please also bring a water bottle, sneakers and socks, tennis racket (if available), and a towel

For more information, please review the FAQs below or contact NSJ Camp Director, Jen Johannes.

Counselor Information

All counselors must be a NSJ lifeguard and have completed the American Pool Lifeguard Training. Click here to fill out the application form if you are interested in being a camp counselor this summer.

Intern Information

Camp Intern is a non-paid position for NSJ members entering 7th – 10th grade. More information on the intern position and application will be distributed this spring.

Click below to watch the highlights of our amazing 2022 sessions!

Camp Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to pack for my child?

Required items:

Optional items:

Dry clothes
Hat
Tennis racket (we have plenty of extra, so no need to buy one!)

Please pack your child’s belongings into a bag or backpack. Bring a plastic bag for wet clothes if they change. Label EVERYTHING with their name. Things will get lost. Check the lost and found every day. Siblings should each have their own bag as children are grouped by age and not by family.

What will my kids be doing during camp?

Campers will rotate through the following activities:

Swimming activities and games
Diving and/or jumping activities
Tennis-related games and activities (taught by NSJ Tennis Pro, Dave Gardner)
Group games on the grass and basketball court, under the hose, and other water games
Snack time including self-selected crafts, group games, and board games

Does my child need sunscreen?

Please send your child wearing sunscreen. If you would like your child to apply additional sunscreen, send it in their bag with their name on it. Counselors will NOT apply extra sunscreen.

What will do campers eat each day?

Campers will receive the following items each day:

One fruit or veggie (apples, grapes, baby carrots, watermelon, etc.)
One carb-based snack (goldfish, cookies, granola bar, chips, etc.)
1 freeze pop

Campers will not be forced to eat anything they don’t want.

Please refer to the allergy FAQ for more information on allergy protocols.

How do you handle allergies?

Please be specific about allergies on your registration form! A snack will be provided each day. One fruit/veggie and one snack food such as Goldfish, pretzels or granola bars. Snacks will be on the sign-in table each day for parent to review. Please have a conversation with your child that day if they are not allowed to eat the day’s snack.

What if my child can’t eat the snack? You may drop off an allergy-free snack at sign-in (for that day ONLY). It will be tagged with their name and placed in the snack bag for the group. The counselor will hand it to your child at snack time.

Can I send a big box of snacks to share? No. Although we appreciate your generosity, it is too hard to keep 75+ kids with all different allergies safe. It would just make everything more complicated.

Can I drop off a week’s supply of allergy-safe snacks for my child on Monday? No, see above.

My child is picky. Can I drop off custom snacks? No, Camp is about trying new things. Perhaps some positive peer pressure will encourage your child to try a grape or carrot. Eat a big lunch or breakfast!

My child is not athletic, will they be ok?

YES! Our counselors are fun and engaging. When kids are around peers having fun, it is amazing what small risks they will take. If your child looks reluctant, one of our interns will sit it out with them, chat or engage them in another activity. Maybe the next day they will try the activity!! They will never be made to feel embarrassed.

Can my child be in a group with their friend / sibling?

Please list this information on your child’s registration form. Children are grouped by grade, so if they are in the same grade, it is likely they will be placed together. On the first day at sign-in, ask to see the list. If your request wasn’t honored, we will do our best to make a change.

It’s unlikely that siblings will be grouped together unless they are twins in the same grade.

If your child has special needs or is neurodivergent, we will absolutely honor all requests. Please list this on your registration form and check in with Camp Director, Jen Johannes, on Monday’s sign-in. If you’d like to discuss this before you register, email Jen at jennifer_johannes@hcpss.org.

ALL children can have fun at Camp!

Can I request my child to be with a certain counselor?

Please indicate this information on your child’s registration form, and we will do our best to honor your request.

When organizing our groups, we have to balance the counselors’ personalities and strengths with those of the campers, so requests CANNOT be guaranteed.

Is my child really going to be diving?

All campers will attend a diving rotation, with other children, all of which are in their grade. Perhaps they will enjoy this rotation by jumping into the arms of a counselor while seated on the edge of the pool. Or maybe they will just jump in from the side. Or maybe they will just jump off the board. No one will be made to dive, head first off the board…but you may be surprised by the end of the week by how brave they have become under the careful supervision of our Dive Coach and super fun counselors!

Can I drop off my child early?

There is NO before care available. Campers may be dropped off NO MORE THAN 5 minutes prior to the start of Camp.

Can I pick up my child late?

There is NO after care available. Please pick up your child when camp is over. Jen, as well as our counselors and interns, all have other obligations and cannot remain at the pool to watch your child.

If there is a TRUE emergency, please call Jen’s cell phone (443-341-7044) and we will work with you on a solution.

My child is young, will they have to go to the bathroom by themselves?

An intern will walk them to and from the bathroom, but once they are in the stall, it’s up to them!

Have a Question?

Do you have a question? Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.