Camp fair set for Jan. 13

Winter is a perfect time to research summer camps for children. Some questions parents should consider when choosing a summer camp are: Would the child be interested in a horseback riding camp or a space camp or learning Spanish? How about a roller coaster camp or an adventure camp? Are the parents looking for a summer camp for a child with special needs? All of these kind of camps and many more will be attending the ACA-NJ camp fairs throughout January.

A camp fair will be held Jan. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Freehold Gardens and Conference Center, Route 537 and Gibson Place, Freehold Township. This free event is open to the public.

The free admission provides parents with a 50-plus page booklet summarizing all the camps and providing future contact information for all the camps participating in the American Camp Assoc-iation's (ACA) camp fairs.

Camp directors will show videos and talk with parents about the programs and facilities the camps offer. In addition, directors will distribute their own pamphlets and often their own camp videos and giveaways. Camp directors will offer sign-up sheets for parents to make more personal and further contacts.

Representatives from the ACA will be on hand to answer questions about "How to Choose a Camp," distribute pamphlets with the questions most frequently asked by parents who are trying to choose a camp for their child, and will offer free seminars.

Local day camps attending the Freehold Township fair include: Camp Arrowhead of Marlboro; The Atlantic Club Summer Camp of Manasquan; Country Roads of Manalapan; Eagle River Day Camp of Monroe; Frogbridge Day Camp of Millstone Township; Ivy League Day Camp of Englishtown; Camp Sacajawea of Farmingdale; LakeView Day Camp of East Brunswick; Pine Grove Day Camp of Brick, and SPARK of New Brunswick (Summer Program at Rutgers for Kids).