Comparing summer camps might seem difficult at first, but a closer look at some of the most important factors that we as parents must strongly consider, can make the decision much easier for most of us.
As parents, we are often faced with important decisions regarding the care of our children. When considering summer camps, for example, some of the most vital factors many of us concern ourselves with are
care and supervision, the
camp’s facility, the camp’s programs and the
lunch program. While I am sure many of you will have a laundry list of other factors to consider, the four mentioned above represent the most commonly asked questions and concerns that I, as a
Director, are often asked about.
Experienced & Enthusiastic Staff
The camp’s staff is the most important factor to consider when choosing the right summer camp for your child. Look at age, experience, energy and enthusiasm of the staff members, along with the group sizes and camper to staff member ratios, which at Frogbridge are unparalleled. The individuals that you are trusting with the
care and supervision of your children can make all the difference in the world.
Did you know that the average age of a staff member at summer camps across the country is approximately 18 years old? Most summer camps in NJ staff the majority of their camp with high school juniors and seniors, along with college freshman and sophomores.
At Frogbridge, the average age of our team members is 32 years old. The average group size is 15 children (less than 12 in pre k and kindergarten). The camper to staff member ratio is 2:1. The difference? EVERY group of campers’ between ages 3 and 8 are led by an adult teacher, not a counselor. Each teacher has been finger printed and drug tested, and has previous camp experience. Each of them is hired based on the energy and enthusiasm they posses, along with the highest recommendations from their local districts, and years of experience in the summer camp industry.
Our travel programs for all 8th through 10th graders, as well as our camp activities are also led by licensed teachers and experienced coaches, further establishing Frogbridge as the summer camp with the oldest, most experienced, energetic and mature staff in the industry.
If your child is in the 4th through 7th grades, college students, most of which are studying elementary education in college, will lead him or her. Once our college students graduate, they can typically move into a teacher’s role here. This further proves that Frogbridge retains its staff members longer than any other camp you might consider. Each of your child’s teachers/division leaders are a call away should you need anything!
Our Facility
The Frogbridge facility is unmatched nationwide, and has been recognized as the premier summer camp in New Jersey. Our completely private, gated facility features a security guard at the front entrance, allowing only Frogbridge Family members onto the property on camp days.
We are proud to offer our campers amenities not found elsewhere such as a lakeside air conditioned dining hall, a dedicated fully air conditioned preschool facility for preschool through first grade campers, a
state of the art infirmary with two registered nurses on site at all times, 18 air conditioned craft and activity studios each led by it’s own adult instructor, an onsite laundry facility where campers bathing suits are washed and dried daily, poolside towel service, four heated
swimming pools,
three lakes for boating, fishing and tube rides, and much, much more.
Activities not found elsewhere include The Octagon, our covered championship gaga stadium, Little Fenway Park wiffle ball stadium,
Spin Zone Bumper Cars, a professional go kart raceway, Hops and Bops Studios, our dedicated dance and theater center, Ribbit’s ice cream parlor, and Frogarita’s frozen island oasis. Remember, each of these activities is led by licensed teachers, coaches, and
experienced camping professionals!
Our Programs
Our programs are dedicated to teaching our campers based on age, experience, and ability. Each camper’s unique personality and experience is considered, and all lessons are based on those assessments. Campers at Frogbridge are placed into groups based on gender as well as the grade they recently completed in school. These groups will stay together throughout the summer following an exciting schedule with both indoor and outdoor activities. Campers are also given several personal elective choices each week, offering them the ability to choose their own activities and experience more of the activities they like most, or gain more insight into the activities they have become more interested in throughout the summer.
The Frogbridge program also features Red Cross Certified swim lessons daily in our heated swimming pool complex. We also offer various exciting offsite travel programs for campers in the 7th through 10th grades, including overnight excursions to incredible venues such as Hershey Park, Boston, Virginia, Baltimore and more!
Finally, we are the only camp to extend it’s warm welcome to our campers and their families year-round. We offer exciting seasonal camp reunions at iPlay America with unlimited ride passes for all camp families, a camper/parent BBQ night when parents can join their children and participate in many camp activities, and best of all, an
annual fall Halloween event and toy drive called the Frogtoberfest, which features a haunted house, hayrides, pumpkin picking, magic shows, unlimited dinner buffet, carnival rides and much, much more. These unmatched events offer our campers the ability to stay in touch with their camp friends throughout the year, thus deepening the camp bonds and relationships made while here with us each summer.
An Amazing Lunch…Everyday!
Frogbridge prides itself on having the finest dining facility in any camp across the country, along with the most experienced and professional culinary team in the camp industry. Our executive chef and his team of 12 dedicated individuals create a camp menu that consists of camper favorites as well as many lunch items not offered elsewhere.
Our “International days” offer campers the unique ability to try foods they may never have tired before. All lunches are
freshly prepared on site in our 3,500 sq ft. kitchen. Daily alternatives, including a sandwich bar, cereal bar and salad bar are always available. Upon request, our chefs will kindly prepare favorites not offered on the day’s menu such as grilled cheese, pasta, chicken fingers and more for any campers that may not prefer a particular day’s featured entree.
Most importantly, Frogbridge has quickly become known as the camp of choice when it comes to camper food allergies. We are nut aware, so parents have the piece of mind knowing that we take the utmost time and energy to eliminate any foods or ingredients containing nuts of any kind. We also have separate menu items for those campers that are gluten free, dairy free, lactose intolerant or have any allergies to items such as egg, yellow dye, red dye and more. We will go to great lengths to make sure that every child has eaten a healthy, full meal each day.
As you can see, we pride ourselves on offering our campers an unmatched camp experience that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Since seeing is believing, feel free to contact our main office at
609-208-9050 to set up a private tour with our Director.
We look forward to meeting you and answering any further questions or concerns you may have.