Summer Sprint: Parents Race to Register for Day Camp Programs

My son became obsessed with Four square last year and a card game called “Snap.”

He learned both games while attending the half-day playground program run by Parsippany Troy Hills Recreation Department.

The summer playground programs provide a great way for the kids to stay in touch with their schoolmates during the summer and remain active in an outdoor setting.

Best of all, it’s wicked affordable. The fee is just $100 for eight weeks of camp that runs daily from 8:30 to 12:30 p.m.  The half-day camp is available at Lake Parsippany, Volunteers, Manor, Mount Tabor and Knoll playgrounds. However, the program at the Knoll is already full. 

Jennifer Zitelli is the recreation supervisor for the town and she said they serve somewhere between 800 and 900 kids every summer.

“It’s a great program with lots of activities but it’s not too strict or structured.  The kids have fun," she said. "We also have a teacher at every playground, which many parents find comforting.”

Registration for the half-day playground program began last Tuesday.  It’s open to children who’ve completed kindergarten up to seventh-graders.  When Zitelli and her co-workers arrived at their office last Tuesday there was a line of parents waiting to register their children.

The town also offers a full-time playground program that opens daily at 8 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. The cost for that program is just $400 for eight weeks.  However, if you aren’t already registered for that program, you’ve missed the boat. 

According to Zitelli and her co-workers, parents were camped out at the recreation department beginning Friday, April 8 as early as 10:30 p.m. to secure spots for their children. 

The program, which accepts 250 kids, was completely filled in just two hours.

The recreation department runs another very popular program for children ages 3 to 6 called “Tot Time.” Held at the Knoll Playground, this morning-only day camp includes arts and crafts, story telling, games, singing and more. 

Children must be potty trained and the cost is $125 for seven weeks. Registration for Tot Time begins on May 17 and you can bet there will be a line of parents waiting when the doors open.

For more information on the playground programs and other summer activities offered by the town, visit the recreation department online, call 973-263-7257, email recreation@parsippany.net or stop by its offices located across from the community center and next to the Knoll Playground at 1 Knoll Road, Boonton.