Bayonne is hosting a slew of opportunities for summer fun, with a whole host of offerings by the Division of Recreation.
Supervisor of Recreation Pete Amadeo described the wide array of programming available to Bayonne residents this year in an interview with the Bayonne Community News.
One main aspect of Bayonne recreation that is returning to practically pre-COVID times is the city’s annual summer camps. Each year, the Division of Recreation offers fun, excitement, and adventure with its summer camps that aim to empower campers to develop independence, self-esteem, and life-long friendships.
A wide range of activities also encourage campers to pursue new interests, cultivate friendships and develop strengths. Additionally, campers thrive as they develop fitness and sports skills, enjoy field trips, and pursue arts, adventure, and athletic activities.
“We have so many different day camps,” Amadeo said. “Our main day camps are going back to pre-COVID format, where we’re going on field trips again. It’s pretty exciting that we’re back to pre-COVID camp.”
The summer camps are open to Bayonne residents only. Students graduating 8th grade in June are eligible to attend camp. The camps generally run for six weeks, from July 5 to August 12. However, some camp dates may vary.
Registration open now
Registration is already open online since June 1. For those who register by June 17, they will receive a $25 discount. Register online at register.capturepoint.com/CityofBayonne. When registering make sure to add the child’s name to the account. After registering click on view account to add child’s name.
Registration Fee is a one-time fee for the six weeks of camp. The only additional cost of camps are the costs of individual field trips. Payment for trips is to be made the day of the trip. It is not mandatory to attend each camp day.
Registration Fees will not be pro-rated. Family discounts only apply to immediate family, such as brother and sister. Cousins are not included in family discounts.
There will be a Summer Camp Expo on June 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Veterans Stadium. Meet camp directors, receive camper t-shirts, and camp calendars.
Children do not have to be in the school district to attend camps located at schools. Camps located in schools are not run by the Board of Education, and registration is not available at schools.
The registration fee does not include the cost of trips throughout the camp. In addition to field trips, there will be pool days will be at the 16th Street Pool and or the Lincoln Community School pool.
Horace Mann, Mary J. Donohoe, and 16th Street Park Day Camps
Horace Mann Day Camp, Mary J. Donohoe Day Camp, and 16th Street Park Day Camp, are all open to first through eighth graders. The price for one of the camps is $235 per child, with a family discount of $165 for the second child, with the third child being free.
These camps begin July 5 and end August 12. Each camp starts at 9 a.m. every day and ends at 3 p.m.
Field trips for these camps include fun excursions to: Dave & Buster’s, Altitude Jump, bowling, rollerskating, Urban Air, Keansburg Amusement Park, Funplex Waterpark, Fun Station, ice skating, movies, and swimming. Buses will be provided for each trip.
Ultimate Sports and Basketball Shooting Camps
Ultimate Sports Day Camp is open to first through eighth graders. The price for the camp is $235 per child, with a family discount of $165 for the second child, with the third child being free. This camp begins July 5 and ends August 12. Camp starts at 9 a.m. every day and ends at 2 p.m.
Additionally, Ultimate Sports Day Camp has a Kindergarten Division. The price for this camp is $130 per child. This camp begins July 5 and ends August 12. Camp starts at 9 a.m. every day and ends at 11 a.m.
Basketball Shooting Camp with Coach JJ Hladik is open to ages eight to 13. The price is $35 per child. The camp will run in two sessions: from July 11 to July 15; and from July 25 to July 29. Camp starts at 2 p.m. and runs until 3:30pm at the 8th Street Basketball Courts. Raindates include: from July 18 to July 22; and from August 1 to August 8.
Skateboarding and Wrestling Camps
Skateboarding Camp is open to first through eighth graders. This camp begins July 6 and end August 15. Camp runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
On Saturdays, camp runs from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. For all four days, the price is $150 per child; for three days during the week, the price is $110 per child, and for Saturdays only the price is $50 per child.
In addition to skateboarding, Wrestling Camp is also open to first through eighth graders. The price for this camp is $75 per child per session. There will be two sessions, with the first being from July 11 to July 15.
Arts and Crafts, Intermediate Chess, and Culinary Camps
Arts and Crafts Day Camp at the Bayonne Community Museum at 229 Broadway is open to first through eighth graders. Children in kindergarten may attend.
The price for the camp is $235 per child, with a family discount of $165 for the second child, with the third child being free. Field trips for this camp include: Chuck E. Cheese, bowling, Fun Station, and the 8th Street Water Park. This camp begins July 5 and ends August 12. Camp starts at 9 a.m. every day and ends at 1:30 p.m.
Intermediate Chess Camp is open to fifth through ninth graders. The price for this camp is $75 per child. There are two sessions being offered: one from July 11 to July 15; and another from July 25 to July 29. Both sessions run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.
The Division of Recreation is also offering Culinary Camp. Two sessions are offered: from June 27 to July 1; and from July 5 to July 11. There will be no program on July 9 or 10.
There will be an a.m. and p.m. session each day teaching the same recipes. Each session will run for 3 hours: from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with 20 students per session. The fee to participate is $35 per person. Learn to make pasta from scratch, quesadillas, sauce, cupcakes, cookies, and more.
Summer Sounds by the Bay
Additionally, Amadeo touted the city’s annual concert series this year.
“We also have the summer concerts at 16th Street Park,” he said. “We have a very strong lineup this summer, probably one of our strongest in a very, very long time. We’re excited to be back.”
Summer Sounds by the Bay 2022 will begin with SUPER TRANSAM on July 13, featuring covers of classic hits from the 1970s. On July 20, the series continues with the Winslow Eagles Tribute Band. The third performance of the series will feature the “Long Live the Beatles” show on July 27, the longest running Beatles show in the country. Up next is AM Gold Yacht Rock on August 3, a New York City-based tribute band that performs adult-contemporary hit songs from the late ’70s through the mid ’80s referred to as “Yacht Rock.”
The penultimate performance on August 10 includes Lights Out Beach Boys, a band that has been described as a cross of listening to the Beach Boys while watching the smooth moves of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Rounding out the concert series on August 17 is Amish Outlaws, which play a wide array of songs from Johnny Cash to Lady Gaga, and even theme songs from TV shows. August 24 is reserved as a rain date.
Municipal pool is open
On top of all of that, the Mayor G. Thomas DiDomenico Municipal Pool is open for the summer season until Labor Day on September 5, as weather and public health may permit. Only Bayonne residents are permitted into the pool at West 16th Street and Avenue A; out of town guests are prohibited.
The pool will be open until June 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the weekends only. From June 23 to August 12, the pool will be closed to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to allow City Day Camps access. The pool will open at 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and close at 5:30 p.m.; the pool will open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. From August 13 to September 5, the pool will open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
Residents must have a City of Bayonne ID to enter the facility for the normal admission fee. City ID’s are issued at the 16th Street Pool on weekends only until June 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning June 24, residents can get a City ID Card, Sunday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee for a City ID is $5, and residents are asked to bring two proofs of residency when applying for the City ID.
Seasonal passes are available for individual children 12 years and under for $25; for people 13 to 64 years for $100; and for seniors 65 years old and above for $40. The city also offers $200 seasonal passes for families of four, including parents and or guardians and children under age 17, and each additional child is $15.
Other opportunities available
There are a number of other recreation opportunities for youth that are currently accepting registration, from the Pee Wee Basketball League to a one-week Outdoor Co-ed Volleyball Clinic, and even the Senior Boat Cruise.
Other one-off events are also scheduled, such as: the City Challenge Obstacle Course on Sunday, June 26, at 16th Street Park; 3 vs. 3 Basketball at the 8th Street Courts on June 19 at 10 a.m.; and much more.
Those interested in any camp or program should register quick, as spaces are filling up according to Amadeo: “Our numbers are actually pretty strong right now. We started registration June 1 and all of our camps have over 75 kids registered. So we are doing pretty well with registration. I think it’s a big summer to get back to normalcy and more importantly for our kids to return to life in a good way.”
For more information about any program, contact Amadeo at 201-858-6129 or email bayonnerec@aol.com. Residents should also check the city’s official website at bayonnenj.org and official social media for announcements and updates on new and upcoming recreation programs and opportunities.
“We’re doing well,” Amadeo said. “And we’re excited for this summer.”
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
