Kids Play Camp Closes Another Season

Kids Play Camp, the Wall Township Recreation Department’s summer day camp, wrapped up the season today with an outdoor party at West Belmar School, the camp’s summer headquarters.

Music, dancing, limbo and bounce houses were the main attractions as the six-week camp held its last day for the throngs of campers in kindergarten through eighth grade who have come for the day, the week or for the entirety of the program, which began in June.

“In the 15 years I’ve been doing this, this has probably been the most successful season yet,’’ said Hillary Addonizio, one of the camp’s two directors. “When you hire counselors and staff and you get things going you just hope that it all comes together and when it gels, it’s great.’’

Addonizio said the summer was smooth, with a minimum of trouble and a census that overall was higher than ever. Some weeks, the program would have more than 100 kids a day, a new record. And the general census was up by 30 to 40 kids, she said.

During the summer, kids took advantage of numerous trips to area attractions. Play Campers were able to attend days at the local bowling alley, a trek to the Camden Aquarium, a laser tag excursion and a trip to Newark’s Prudential Arena to watch a WNBA game with the New York Liberty, as well as other planned activities.

The camp does not require parents to sign up children for the entire summer session. Children are welcome for the week or the whole summer.

“I think the trips really brought people in this year,’’ said Michael Manson, also a camp director.

Conor Mullholland, a 17-year-old counselor agreed with Manson, saying the trips this season were top notch and contributed to the success.

“They were just great. We had a really good time on all of them,’’ said Mullholand, a camper himself when he was younger. “I’ll be back next year.’’

The camp also held a food drive to benefit the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties during the last week of camp. The camp was able to collect 134 pounds of food, Manson said. He said the camp likely would look into expanding the food drive for the length of camp next year.

Recreation Director Ed Grill praised the teen counselors and staff for their efforts.

“This has been our best year yet,’’ Grill said. “The numbers (of kids) set records this year and it’s because of the dedication of the staff here. That’s who gets the credit.’’