Every year, parents are faced with the same question: how to make the summer both fun and constructive for their kids. More families are turning to summer enrichment programs as a way of adding value to the summer camp experience. But not all summer enrichment camps are created equal. The right summer enrichment camp can make all the difference in your child’s self esteem, personal interests, and leadership skills.

The Ridgewood Culinary Studio Summer Camp, Ages 3-15: Enjoy cooking with the Ridgewood Culinary Studio in the carefree days of summer. Each week is a new adventure experimenting in the kitchen with camps called Let’s Go Camping, All About Herbs, Art of Baking, Culinary Tour of Ridgewood, Around the World and more. To register please call the studio at 201 447-2665.

Buehler Challenger & Science Center’s Space Camp 2012, students entering grades Pre -K through grade 12: Like astronauts in training, you will learn about living and working in space, the forces of flight, or investigating the prospects of life in the universe. You might build a model rocket, an airplane, or a magnetic levitation vehicle. You will work with teammates to construct a lunar base, a futuristic airport, or design a starship. Just imagine yourself acting as a Mission Controller or an Astronaut as you fly simulated Camp runs Monday-Friday, 9 AM-3 PM.

Summer Adventure 2012, Ridgewood students in grades Pre-K through 5 are eligible in these academic and enrichment programs held at Orchard Elementary School from 8:30-3 p.m. Full-and half-day sessions or individual classes are available for 2, 4, or 6-week periods. Activities include digital design, sculpture, yoga, legos, reading/writing, math, science, tennis, American Girls, cheer leading, computers, theatre and more. Classes are taught by certified teachers or qualified college students. Contact the Ridgewood Community School for more information at 201-670-2777.

Ramapo College Explorers-STEM 2012 Summer Academic Camp, Middle School Students Entering 7th & 8th Grades: This camp focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning activities while having fun. The program, for middle school girls and boys entering 7th and 8th grades, explores STEM topics that advance the students’ problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork abilities that are a part of the new national Common Core Standards. Students in 6th grade may apply by special recommendation only. The academic courses are taught by highly qualified certified middle school teachers and are supported by trained college-age counselors who are often teacher education majors. Two Weeks Only, July 9-20, 2012. Full Day (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) or Individual Class Options.

Dwight-Englewood School Day Camp, Summer Connections at Dwight-Englewood School engages students from ages pre-K to 12 grade in a full day camp. Exploratory learning takes place in areas such as robotics, photography, soccer, and journalism. The smallest campers discover the joy of learning through a full day of guided activities by caring, experienced teachers and counselors. Connect your children to their inner passions.

Bergen Community College, Summer Camp Programs 2012 run from July 2- August 9, 2012. Full and Half Day Programs are for Ages 7-16. Offering Computers, Science, Enrichment, Sports, Visual & Performing Arts. Programs include Lego Films, Acting, Princesses and more. They also have before and after care.

Teen Cooking and Baking Camps, for teens ages 11-17.  Chef Central, 240 Route 17 North, and the curriculum is similar to that of a professional cooking school. The week-long camps include: Cooking Camps I and II, Italian I and II and Baking I and II. Each day will cover one major area of cooking. Each session will finish with a family-style meal prepared by the students.

The Art of Cake Summer Camp, appropriate for ages 6 – 17. Campers are busy every day working with fondant, making delicious treats to bring home daily and best of all they design and decorate a two tiered fondant cake to share with their friends or family!   Campers attend camp for one week:  Monday – Thursday from  9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Campers are grouped together according to age.  To register or for additional information on availability, please call 201-483-9176 or email at artofcake@gmail.com.  Camps are limited to 8 campers per session and some sessions are  full so please register early.

For more Summer Enrichment Camps see the full post here on Tips From Town.