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Top Teen and Tween Summer Camps in New Jersey

YMCA Camp Mason prides itself on offering families a unique blend of traditional and adventure summer camp experiences. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
YMCA Camp Mason prides itself on offering families a unique blend of traditional and adventure summer camp experiences. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
3/9/22 - By Laurie Rein

While playing Roblox may be your tween or teen's idea of summer activity, keeping this age group busy and active in the summer can pose a dilemma for parents. Too old for some traditional summer day camps and too young to find a summer job or internship, these big kids still require structured, entertaining, and challenging activities to fill the long days of summer. We've rounded up more than 10 summer camps for tweens and teens in New Jersey. These cool summer camps offer specialties ranging from sports to theater, travel, and well-rounded fun.

Bookmark our New Jersey Summer Camp Guide for more programs that may pique the interest of teens, like our picks for the best STEM summer camps in New Jersey. Plus, our Summer Camp Directory allows you to search for programs by age, interest, and location.

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Girls discover the wonders of nature at Camp Amity Acres. Photo courtesy of the camp
Girls discover the wonders of nature at Camp Amity Acres. Photo courtesy of the camp

Top Summer Camps in New Jersey for Teens and Tweens

Taubenslag Productions' Theater Camp

Edison
This theater camp invites first graders through 16 year olds to perform, create sets or costumes, and eventually become counselors-in-training. In addition to putting on seven shows, campers participate in activities like swimming, scavenger hunts, and color war. READ MORE

The Center for Contemporary Art

Bedminster
The Center for Contemporary Art offers mixed media and in-depth art summer camps for young artists ages 5-15. Students study drawing, painting, and pottery, developing a solid foundation to expand upon as they progress to explore the principles of visual art, art history, and study the work of well-known artists.  READ MORE

Camp Amity Acres

Barnegat
Camp Amity Acres offers a variety of safe, enriching outdoor summer camp experiences for girls ages 3-15, helping them develop positive self-esteem, leadership skills, and social skills, all while having the time of their lives. READ MORE

HealthBarn USA Summer Camp

Ridgewood
Something's cooking at this garden-to-fork summer camp. Housed in the beautiful Irene Habernickel Family Park, campers ages 5-15 get hands-on experience with gardening and cooking, while enjoying nature hikes and more seasonal fun in the great outdoors. Book for the season or a week-long session. READ MORE

JCC MetroWest Camp Deeny Riback

Flanders
The make-believe, the unexpected, the sense of wonder—this is everything Camp Deeny Riback is about. Campers ages 3 1/2 to 15 are served. Camp Deeny Riback is centered around Jewish values that a diverse array of campers connect with in every aspect of their summer. Younger campers experience swimming, arts, special events, and more. Older campers get a say in choosing their day-to-day activities, plus enjoy day trips and overnight options throughout the season.  READ MORE

The Performing Arts School at BergenPAC

Englewood
Offering classes and camps in a variety of performing arts disciplines and opportunities to participate in live performances, the school provides students of all ages and backgrounds with arts experiences that stimulate learning and spark creativity and imagination. Summer camp programming caters to ages 6-18, with summer dance intensives, musical theater workshops, and more options.  READ MORE

YMCA Camp Mason

Hardwick
Whether you’re looking for a traditional overnight camp, day camp, ranch camp, adventure trips, or a counselor-in-training program, Camp Mason has something for every camper from ages 5-14. Day campers participate in trips, talent shows, and weekly theme days. READ MORE

Vanguard Theater Company

Montclair
Vanguard Theater Company Kids teaches young actors, ages 8-14, to believe in their creative ideas, have the bravery to express them in front of others, and learn to be supportive of their peers. Students learn basic musical theater techniques to communicate characters, feelings, and stories, which increase their focus and exercise their imaginations. READ MORE

All Sports Summer Camps

Bound Brook
USSI offers boys and girls ages 3 through adult of all ability levels, the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports, including golf, basketball, tennis, soccer, and more. The flagship Multi-Sport Camp provides campers with a fun-packed and enjoyable time, where campers experience more than 15 sports in one week.  READ MORE

Camp College at Mercer County Community College

West Windsor
Send your kids to college for the summer! Campers ages 6-16 can choose from more than 70 programs, including arts, sciences, sports, cooking, robotics, digital arts, and more. Summer camp sessions run weekly. READ MORE

JCC Camp Ruach

Bridgewater
Located on 14 beautiful acres, Camp Ruach offers flexible day programs for preschoolers to ninth graders, plus LIT (leadership in training) and special ed options. Activities include swimming, ropes courses, karate, theater, dance, cooking, zip line, mini golf, and archery. Teens can hit the road at travel camp. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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