From Chess to Camp, Parks and Rec Has A Full Schedule Of Programs This Summer

Another summer of fun, learning, and friendship is set to begin in Newtown Township.

The Parks and Recreation Department has organized a range of summer activities covering everything from science to theatre and sports. The biggest, though, will again be the camps for kids, which will run this year from June 27 to Aug. 5.

There are three different camps, which are geared towards different age groups.

Camp Beechtree, which features activities including arts and crafts, is open to children ages 4 to 6 and runs from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Camp Newtown covers grades 1 through 5 and goes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Weekly Friday pizza, special trips, themes, and swimming are among the highlights of the program.

Teen Camp is available for grades 6 to 8 and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch is provided on Fridays. Kids enjoy weekly swimming, plus trips to mini-golf. Dorney Park and Camel Beach are among the scheduled events.

Residential costs for the camps are $411 for Beechtree, $831 for Newtown and $1,024 for Teen. Beechtree and Newtown also have extended childcare availability for additional fees. All camps operate Monday through Friday, with the only off date July 4.

Nonresidents are also welcome to register and attend all programs. (Fees are slightly higher for nonresidents.)

“We welcome people that aren’t part of the Newtown community and we have many, many nonresidents that do take part in our programs,” said Kathy Pawlenko, director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

In addition to camp, the Parks and Recreation Department will offer more than 50 programs and classes for this summer. Among them are drivers’ education, Babysitting and Beyond (a guide to improve skills and teach emergency preparation), summer ballet and Zumba workshops, Create Your Own Video Game, Little Mermaid Theatre, cartooning, chess, Fairy Tale Theatre, and Mythbusters Camp.

For adults, there's also A Walk through the Winery at Rosebank, drawing, sketching, and cooking classes, including one that teaches how to make homestyle curry and another that focuses on cuisine from Northern Italy.

Sports and fitness lovers also have many options, including kayaking, spinning, yoga, New Mom Shape and Stroll, fencing, and Tae Kwon Do. Additionally, many sessions are available for football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and more.

“They’re all wonderful,” Pawlenko said. “We do great programs.”

Ages, levels, class sizes, dates, and fees vary. For more information or to register, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 215-968-2800, ext. 239, or visit its website at www.newtownfun.com. A full brochure of camps and activities is also available at that site and included as a PDF link with this story.

“We plan to have another great year,” Pawlenko added.