Not sure what you should bring to camp? Whether you are a tadpole or a senior camper, here is a list of what you should and shouldn’t bring to camp to enjoy all of our amenities. Everyday is a new adventure, and we can’t wait to see you! To see what fun you can have this summer in addition to our new pool, view our amenities.
Camp News
Category: Tips for Parents
Harry J’s Healthy Snack Ideas
We strive for our campers eat healthy food throughout their day. Eating healthy can promote optimal growth and development of children, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Our Executive Chef Will and our cooking instructor Chef Susie always make sure to cook and teach with the freshest ingredients. In honor of National Nutrition Month, we are celebrating by giving you a few snack recipes from “Chef Harry’s,”our official camp cooking studio brought to you directly by Harry J himself! Some “healthy snacks” can be thought of as unappetizing, however, these snacks are so delicious you’ll want to make them again and again.
Please note that Frogbridge Daycamp is a nut aware facility, which means that we do not serve anything that may contact nuts or are produced somewhere that processes nuts of any kind. For the below recipes with any type of nut or nut butter, please substitute with another ingredient.
Red, White, & Blue Parfait
Be patriotic with this fun recipe for a Memorial Day treat this year. Ingredients:- Vanilla yogurt (can be Greek or regular)
- Strawberries, sliced
- Blueberries
- Rice Krispies
- Put two scoops of yogurt into bottom of a cup.
- Lay strawberry slices on top of yogurt.
- Add another two scoops of yogurt.
- Sprinkle blueberries.
- Add another two scoops of yogurt.
- Top off parfait with Rice Krispies.
Flag Toast
Source: mrbreakfast.com Show your pride in this snack that is not only pretty but tasty too. Ingredients:- Whole grain toast
- Strawberry jelly
- Cream cheese
- 1 banana, sliced
- Blueberries
- Spread layer of cream cheese on toast.
- Use strawberry jelly to create the red stripes.
- Use banana slices to create the white stripes.
- Add blueberries to create the space where the stars go.
Apple Cookies
Source: rachelschultz.com Using an apple slice as the base of this “cookie” will add a crunch and keep the nutritional value. Ingredients:- 1 apple (type of your choice)
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup almonds, sliced
- ¼ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- Remove the core of the apple and slice it into thin rings.
- Spread peanut butter on top of one side of the ring.
- Top with walnuts, almonds, coconut, and chocolate chips.
Impossibly Easy Banana Ice Cream
Source: mylifeandkids.com A healthy type of ice cream that everyone will enjoy. Ingredients:- 3 large, very ripe bananas (peeled, sliced, and then frozen)
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh chopped fruit of your choice, chocolate chips, coconut flakes (optional)
- Remove bananas from freezer and allow to thaw for about five minutes.
- In a blender, add bananas, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt and blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture into a bowl and mix in additional ingredients if needed.
- Serve immediately or add to popsicle molds and freeze for another time.
Sweet Potato Banana Bites
Source: theleangreenbean.com This is a great snack for picky eaters. They won’t even know what they are eating is good for them. Ingredients:- 1 medium sweet potato, cooked and mashed (about ½ cup)
- 1 medium banana, mashed (about ½ cup)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup peanut butter (type of your choice)
- Cinnamon, to taste
- Dark chocolate chips, sliced fruit, seeds (optional)
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix sweet potato and banana together in a small bowl until somewhat smooth.
- Add eggs, peanut butter, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in any additional ingredients if needed.
- Spoon mixture into greased mini muffin tins. Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown.
Infographic: Benefits of Sending Your Child to Frogbridge
Learn what sets Frogbridge apart from the rest and why we are considered the best summer day camp in NJ.
Bring Camp Home
Counting down the days until camp during the offseason can seem like a never ending process. Help the time pass and warm up on a cold winter’s day by bringing the Frogbridge fever into your home! Try one of the following day camp inspired activities with your children.
Note for Parents: Remain close by to oversee all the recommended activities below.
Note for Campers: Let your parents handle the cooking chores that involve hot water or the oven.
Silly Science
Source: lemonlimeadventures.com Try Silly Science at home with this fun dissolving candy cane science project! Supplies:- 4 cups/jars (must be see through)
- 3 cups cold water
- 3 cups hot water
- 3 cups oil
- 3 cups vinegar
- 4 candy canes
- What do you think is going to happen?
- How long do you think it will take to dissolve?
- What do you smell?
- What do you see?
- Why do you think this is happening?
DIY Nail Art
Source: chloesnails.blogspot.com Bring Ms. Lily’s Salon into your home and have your child add a little sparkle to their manicure. Supplies:- Color nail polish of your choice
- Glitter nail polish of your choice
- Tape
- Decorative edge crafting scissors
Funfetti Cupcakes
Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com Make Miss Susie proud by baking this easy funfetti cupcake recipe at home with the family. Ingredients:- 1 2⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. baking powder
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup yogurt (plain, vanilla, Greek or substitute for sour cream)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake lines. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine baking powder, flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave. Whisk sugar into the melted butter. The consistency will be gritty. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 minute.
- After chilled, stir in yogurt, egg, vanilla extract, and milk until well combined. Slowly start to add the dry ingredients until mixture is smooth. The batter will be thick.
- Slow stir in the sprinkles but do not overmix because the sprinkles will begin to bleed their color.
- Divide batter evenly among the muffin tin and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool.
- Top with frosting of choice and add sprinkles if desired.
Put on a Play
If your children love to dress up and perform then this is perfect for you. Turn your living room into an at home theater. Use blankets as curtains and move couches around for a stage. Dig up those old Halloween costumes to create the outfits for a variety of characters. You can even get the pets involved by dressing them up to. Make it feel even more real by setting up a specific time for them to perform and having the other members of your family sit down to watch it. Let their performing arts skills be unveiled and enjoy.Plastic Bottle Bowling
Although we’d love to say build a Gaga court in your basement, playing sports like that inside can be hard to do, and sometimes a little dangerous. But if your children are the athletic type, they may not take no for an answer on a snowy day. Plastic bottle bowling is a great alternative and a way to let out some energy while indoors. Supplies:- 10 plastic bottles
- 10 shades of acrylic craft paint
- 1 Tbsp. of water for each bottle (only if needed)
- Ball
- Remove the cap and labels from the bottles. Wash and clean thoroughly.
- Place a few drops of paint inside of each bottle, enough to cover the bottom and then a little extra. If your paint is thick, add a tiny bit of water.
- Close the bottles and shake them up to spread the paint inside.
- Remove cap and pour the excess water/paint. Leave the caps off and let dry. Ideally overnight but if not, then a few hours at least.
- Once dry, set up your bowling pins and have fun!
What to Consider When Choosing a Day Camp
Dear Parents and Friends,
As the director of Frogbridge Day Camp, I am frequently asked many questions by camp parents concerning the care and supervision, facility, and programs that children receive and experience not only here at Frogbridge, but also at summer camps across the state. While I cannot answer for the dozens of summer programs throughout central New Jersey, I can give definitive and detailed insight as to what makes Frogbridge stand apart from the rest. In addition, I can provide you with in depth information regarding our extremely high standards, our dedicated and experienced camp employees, our facility, our programs, our policies, and so much more. Choosing the right camp for your child can at first seem like a daunting task, but don’t get overwhelmed, in actuality it’s quite simple. Remember, thousands of parents just like you have faced the very same process throughout the years, so you are certainly not alone feeling this way! The first thing to do is narrow your choices down to the two or three camps you are considering to be the best fits for your children. Among the items to consider most should be the:- Care and supervision offered to your children
- Age and experience of those caregivers
- Camp’s facility
- Food served (especially if allergies are a major concern)
- Medical team in place
- Daily activities program your children will experience
- Daily communication between camp and parent
Things Parents Need to Know About Frogbridge
We’ve been told that there are many things that set us apart from other day camps in New Jersey. Some parents have even said we are like the Disneyland of New Jersey, because of our summer camp’s atmosphere and activities for campers. We’ll take it! As a parent who is looking to send your child camp, we understand it’s a big decision and that there are several important factors to consider. Before you make your decision, there are five things in particular you should really know about this Monmouth County day camp. To some extent, we credit them for making us the summer day camp that thousands have come to know and love.
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Safety is our No. 1 priority when it comes to your children.
Our day camp is fenced and gated at all times. When camp is in session, a checkpoint located at the main entrance is manned. There’s a password system that requires an ID check upon entry. Only family members of registered campers are permitted to visit our grounds while camp is in session. This policy is heavily enforced. -
Our worry free, risk-free registration policy will give you peace of mind.
We want you and your children to be 100 percent sure that Frogbridge Day Camp is the right choice. If for any reason after you register through the Friday before camp begins, we’ll refund every penny you paid. In addition, once camp begins, if for any reason you and your children are unhappy and we cannot rectify the issue, all unused moneys will be refunded to you. -
Campers eat lunch in an air-conditioned space and our staff is extremely mindful of children with food allergies.
Children enjoy fresh lunch in a fully air-conditioned catering space appropriately named as Windows on the Water. They look forward to eating delicious meals that are made by the same culinary experts who cater weddings that we hold on-site on weekends. Due to the fact that many younger children are allergic to nuts, we are nut aware camp. Not to mention, there’s always a wide variety of food selections for campers to enjoy. Our executive chef is happy to meet with parents of highly allergic campers prior to camp opening to discuss any and all food allergies. We have an onsite journal that logs each food item served throughout the summer for parents to review. This assures peace of mind. (Hundreds of families have chosen Frogbridge for this very important point.) -
In less than desirable weather, our campers stay on-site.
Extremely hot and humid summer days can be quite bothersome for most children. You don’t need to worry about your children being out in that heat or traveling to a cool location. Our campers stay on-site in one of our many air-conditioned spaces. As part of our 86-acre resort like facility, there are over 70,000 sq. ft. of air-conditioned indoor spaces with plenty of fun activities. Our most impressive space is our 6,000 sq. ft. gymnasium. Campers also really love Ribbits Icecream Parlor and Frogeritas (our tropical oasis). The most popular indoor activities of our 25+, always seem to be cooking, chocolate making, gymnastics, and arts and crafts. For more information, please visit our page on rainy day activities. -
Our staff is the best in the industry.
We hire a mature staff that has experience working with children. All Pre-k through 3rd grade campers are lead by experienced and licensed teachers. Each year, we get more than 4,000 applications and pick the best of the best from New Jersey. Stay tuned for an article on our hiring process!