Changes are in the works for summer rec program
BY KATHY BARATTA Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - It will be back to basics for the Manalapan youth summer recreation program in 2008, according to recreation superintendent Mona Cholowinski.

Cholowinski, who was recently named head of parks and recreation, said, "We are learning from our mistakes and we are trying to make a better program and I believe we will."

She said getting back to basics means the summer recreation program for children will rely less on trips and more on developing activities at the Manalapan Recreation Center.

Cholowinski said the Parks and Recreation Department staff will be working to add a seventh week to the recreation program. She said parents have indicated that a seventh week is something they would like to see from the local summer program.

She said she is examining the possibility of developing a before- and aftercare program that would allow parents to drop off their children before the regular daily recreation program begins and to pick up the youngsters after the regular daily hours conclude.

Cholowinski said an innovation that may be available by the end of February will allow residents to register online for any Manalapan recreation program, including the youth summer recreation program, and to pay by credit card.

She said she knows that in order to effect the proposed program developments the staff must be restructured and competitive compensation must be offered. In an effort to achieve the goal of providing an outstanding program, Cholowinski said additional supervisory positions will be created.

Cholowinski said that this summer "cluster supervisor" salaries will go from $12 per hour and $13 per hour to $20 per hour.

"Increased responsibilities will go with the raises," said Cholowinski, who also said the entire fee structure has been finalized but noted that administrators are looking to offer salary increases for experienced counselors.

Cholowinski said additional training for staff members will be offered before and during the summer recreation program. She said the proposed salary increases were approved by the Township Committee.

She said in addition to incorporating some suggestions offered by parents, another move that will help facilitate the changes will be the hiring of a recreation veteran. Cholowinski said David Bleakley has been hired as the new summer recreation coordinator. He will be paid $16,000.

Cholowinski said Bleakley's resume includes experience running the summer recreation program in Freehold Township for the past two years.

"He (Bleakley) is excited about being part of the changes" that are being planned for the summer program, she said.

Bleakley will succeed Larry Richmond, who retired as the director of the summer recreation program at the end of the 2007 season. Richmond ran the Manalapan summer program for several decades.

Cholowinski said the department is accepting applications for summer recreation counselor and lead counselor positions for the 2008 summer recreation program. One of the requirements is that counselors must be at least a high school freshman, while lead counselors must have a minimum of three years camp counselor experience.

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 8. Applicants must be available for an interview on Feb. 23.

Applications are available at the Manalapan Parks and Recreation office in the municipal building and may be downloaded from the Manalapan Web site at www.twp.manalapan.nj.us. For more information call (732) 446-8355.