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Union Township Recreation Announces Launch of New Summer Camp Program!

Union Township, Hunterdon County, NJ – 11/5/25 – Union Township Recreation (UTREC) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Union Township Recreation Summer Camp, a brand-new four-week program designed to provide children with an exciting, safe, and affordable summer experience right here in our community.

The camp, scheduled to begin in Summer 2026, will be hosted at Union Township Elementary School during the month of July and will serve children ages 5 to 13, with a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for youth ages 13 to 15.  Families can choose from full-day or half-day options, along with before and after-care to accommodate working parents.

“This camp is about more than just fun—it’s about creating memories, friendships, and community connection,” said Eric Meisner, Chairman of Union Township Recreation. “We’ve designed the UTREC Summer Camp to offer parents a trusted and affordable childcare option while giving kids a summer packed with play, creativity, and learning.” 

Throughout the day, campers will rotate through a variety of sports, STEAM activities, arts and crafts, outdoor games, and special vendor-led events in 45-minute intervals.  Special theme days, trips, and interactive workshops will keep the program fresh and engaging from start to finish.

If this camp sounds familiar, it’s by design.  Over the last 6 months, Meisner partnered with Town of Clinton Recreation Camp Director, Samantha Lestrange, to model their existing and incredibly successful camp blueprint.  This process included visits to Union Township Committee meetings for conceptual approval, and to understand hiring and insurance requirements, as well as meeting with the Union Township Schools Board of Education for facilities usage considerations, and ultimate approval.  These consulting efforts culminated in a 25-page business proposal for the camp which documented their vision.

In the end, UTREC has structured the camp to be financially self-sustaining, with registration fees covering all operating costs.  This means local families can enjoy a high-quality camp without an additional tax burden to residents. “By leveraging our local school facility, and the blueprint shared from Town of Clinton’s existing camp, Eric and Samantha’s proposal was a no-brainer for us!  It’s not every day you are able to provide an incredible program that directly benefits Union Township families, and with no financial burden to residents,” commented Union Township Mayor David DeGiralamo. “I’m incredibly grateful for Eric and Samantha’s vision and dedication to make this camp happen!”

The camp will open registration in early 2026 through CommunityPass, with priority given to Union Township residents before opening to surrounding communities.

For more information about the Union Township Recreation Summer Camp, including schedules, activities, and registration details, please look for updates soon on our website at www.utrecreation.com, or follow “Union Township Recreation – Hunterdon County” on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest announcements.

Job Descriptions:

Camp Director:
Camp Director will oversee most aspects of staffing, programming, and camper relations for our summer camp season. Duties include staff hiring and training, site and resource organization and program management. Responsibilities include directing staff training, weekly staff planning meetings, managing camper information and groupings, maintaining fiscal records and working within a budget, maintaining camp resources and supplies, and interacting with parents, campers, staff and administration as needed. The director is accountable for the overall management of the program and is specifically responsible for personnel management, program development, and health and safety management in accordance with Hunterdon County Health Department and the Union Township policies.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and coordinate camp programs and activities for a safe, engaging, high quality summer program
  • Develop and maintain safety protocols within the camp, for the safety and well-being of staff and campers
  • Communicate with camp families, providing insight and solutions should the need arise
  • Provide organizational and programmatic support as necessary
  • Oversee hiring and training of all summer camp staff
  • Maintain fiscal records for summer camp program, including summer budget and fundraising efforts. This includes staff salaries, activities, and transportation.
  • Oversee camp recruitment and registration
  • Oversee designation of camper placement within groups
  • Oversee staff placement within groups and evaluate group dynamics
  • Address crisis management, discipline and troubleshooting issues related to campers and/or staff
  • Assist in determining supply and equipment needs and in ordering/purchasing
  • Support and supervise instructors in organizing, implementing, decision-making and trouble-shooting
  • Maintain a positive team atmosphere that includes campers, families, staff, and volunteers
  • Schedule, supervise and evaluate program staff
  • Assist in the evaluation of the camp itself, as well as the camping experience for youth participants
  • Research and collect data to provide value proposition analysis

Qualifications and Competencies:

  • At least 25 years old
  • At least 1 year of administrative or supervisory experience
  • Experience teaching students of all ages in a variety of outdoor settings
  • Experience providing programming for diverse populations
  • Strong commitment to teaching and to sharing an appreciation for nature
  • Works well with minimal supervision, and asks for assistance when needed
  • Required certifications include: Responding to Emergencies First Aid and CPR
  • Prior camp experience, background in outdoor skills and/or natural history, experience
  • managing a staff
  • Manages conflict situations appropriately
  • Excellent social, communication, writing and computer skills
  • Ability to pass background checks

________________________

Assistant Director:
Assistant Director will oversee most aspects of staffing and camper behaviors during the camp season. Duties include assisting in staff training, acting as director in the absence of a director, logistics, and staff support. Responsibilities include directing staff
training, weekly staff planning meetings, managing camper information and groupings, and interacting with parents, campers, staff and administration as needed. The assistance director is responsible for camper safety, staff support, and logistics on off-site trips and serves as the director off-site. Assistant director will help to oversee camp procedures, arrival, and dismissal.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and coordinate camp programs and activities for a safe, engaging, high quality summer program
  • Develop and maintain safety protocols within the camp, for the safety and well-
  • being of staff and campers
  • Communicate with camp families, providing insight and solutions should the need arise
  • Provide organizational and programmatic support as necessary
  • Oversee training of all summer camp staff
  • Assist with staff placement within groups and evaluate group dynamics
  • Address crisis management, discipline and troubleshooting issues related to campers and/or staff
  • Assist in determining supply and equipment needs and in ordering/purchasing
  • Support and supervise instructors in organizing, implementing, decision-making and trouble-shooting
  • Maintain a positive team atmosphere that includes campers, families, staff, and volunteers
  • Schedule, supervise and evaluate program staff
  • Assist in the evaluation of the camp itself, as well as the camping experience for youth participants
  • Act as director on off-site trips

Qualifications and Competencies:

  • At least 21 years old
  • At least 3-5 years experience with working with children, camp programs, or overseeing a program where children are involved
  • Leadership experience preferred
  • Experience teaching students of all ages in a variety of outdoor settings
  • Experience providing programming for diverse populations
  • Strong commitment to teaching and to sharing an appreciation for nature
  • Works well with minimal supervision, and asks for assistance when needed
  • Required certifications include: Responding to Emergencies First Aid and CPR
  • Prior camp experience, background in outdoor skills and/or natural history, experience
  • managing a staff
  • Manages conflict situations appropriately
  • Excellent social, communication, writing and computer skills
  • Ability to pass background checks

________________________

Specialty Instructors:
Partial day seasonal position for the four-week summer camp season. Specialty instructors are responsible for leading classes to campers in a specific discipline in in order to enrich the camping experience. Specialty instructors will work either 9am-1pm or 12pm-4pm Monday through Thursday and lead classes to a wide range of ages. Specialty instructors must be certified instructors or teachers. They will report to the camp director. Must be available for the four-week camp season.

Required Qualifications

  • Certified instructor or teacher
  • Experience working with children in a group setting
  • Ability to assist in teaching/leading activities
  • Enthusiasm, patience, self-control
  • Ability to adapt to camp setting

________________________

Senior Counselor:
Full-day seasonal position for the four-week summer camp season and additional hours as needed. The senior counselor is responsible for the safety and well-being of an assigned group of campers; serves as the group leader to campers, junior counselors, and volunteer counselors. They will assist specialty teachers when the group is participating in scheduled activities. The senior counselor will supervise the group (staff and campers) at all times, oversee routine tasks related to the group, and plan and implement counselor run activities. They will supervise the junior & volunteer counselors and will report to the camp director. Senior counselors must be 18 years or older by 6/1/26. Must be available for the four-week camp season.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working with children in a group setting
  • Ability to accept guidance and supervision
  • Ability to assist in teaching/leading activities
  • Ability to provide guidance and leadership to junior and volunteer counselors
  • Enthusiasm, patience, self-control
  • Ability to adapt to camp setting
  • Prior camp experience

________________________

Junior Counselor:
Full day seasonal position for the four-week summer camp season and additional hours as needed. The junior counselor is responsible for the safety and well-being of assigned group of campers; assisting the senior counselors and specialty teachers during
scheduled activities. The junior counselor helps to supervise the group (volunteers and campers) at all times and helps to plan and implement counselor run activities. The junior counselor works under the supervision of the senior counselor and reports to the camp director. Junior counselors must be 15 years or older by 6/1/26. Must be available for the four-week camp season.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to accept guidance and supervision
  • Ability to assist in teaching/leading activities
  • Enthusiasm, patience, self-control
  • Ability to adapt to camp setting

________________________

Counselor in Training (CIT):
Full-day seasonal position for four-week summer camp season and additional hours as needed. CIT counselors are responsible for the safety and well-being of an assigned group of campers; assisting the senior counselors, junior counselors, specialty teachers, and camp director. They will participate in scheduled activities and help plan and implement counselor run activities. CIT counselors are expected to adhere to the policies and guidelines required of all staff. The volunteer counselor works under the supervision of the senior and junior counselors and reports to the camp director. Must be at least 13 years old as of 6/1/26.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Ability to accept guidance and supervision
  • Ability to assist in teaching/leading activities
  • Enthusiasm, patience, self-control
  • Ability to adapt to camp setting

How to Apply!

Please fill out this application and email it to UTRECSummerCamp@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with the Camp Director and Assistant Director roles being prioritized for hiring.

Summer-Camp-ApplicationDownload

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Union Township Summer Rec Camp?

The Union Township Summer Rec Camp is a four-week community summer program designed to provide safe, affordable, and engaging childcare for local families. It offers daily activities, field trips, and specialty classes in a familiar and well-supervised environment.

2. Who can attend?

  • Ages: 5–13 years old
  • Counselors-in-Training (CITs): Ages 13–15, earning volunteer hours
  • Programs: Full day, half day, and afternoon-only options (for ESY students)
  • Care Options: Before and after care available for working families

3. Where and when will the camp take place?

  • Location: Union Township Elementary School (UTES)
  • Dates (2026): June 29 – July 24 (Monday–Friday)
  • Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Before/After Care: Times TBD

4. What activities will campers enjoy?

Campers rotate through activities every 45 minutes, including:

  • Sports and outdoor games
  • Arts & crafts
  • STEAM classes
  • Game room activities
  • Visiting vendors and special events
  • Off-site field trips

Groups are organized by grade and assigned unique names for fun and clarity.

5. How many campers will be enrolled?

The camp will cap enrollment at 200 campers (soft cap at 175, then a waitlist will be monitored).

6. What is the staff-to-camper ratio?

  • Age 8 & under: 1 senior counselor per 12 campers
  • Age 9 & up: 1 senior counselor per 15 campers
  • Including specialists and junior counselors, real ratios are closer to 1:10.

7. Who will staff the camp?

The camp will employ:

  • 1 Director
  • 1 Assistant Director
  • 14 Senior Counselors
  • 12 Junior Counselors
  • 8 Specialists
  • 11 Volunteer Counselors (CITs)
  • 1 Arts & Crafts Facilitator
    All over-18 staff complete background checks through CastleBranch.

8. What qualifications are required for staff?

  • Director: Administrator & Supervisor certification, age 25+, First Aid/CPR
  • Assistant Director: Age 21+, experience in childcare programs
  • Teaching Specialists: Certified teachers
  • Counselors: CPR/First Aid certified

9. What is the hiring timeline?

Applications will open in November and hiring will begin in January, with all positions filled, ideally, by February 15. Registration for campers will also open in February.

10. How will the camp operate daily?

Sample Schedule:

  • 9:00 AM — Arrival/drop-off
  • 9:15 AM — First activity (Gym)
  • 10:00 AM — Arts & Crafts
  • 10:45 AM — Playground/free play
  • 11:30 AM — Gym or morning dismissal
  • 12:00 PM — Games & lunch rotation
  • 1:00 PM — Outdoor activities
  • 2:30 PM — Game room
  • 4:00 PM — Dismissal

11. What are the safety and health policies?

  • Camp is peanut/tree nut free.
  • Staff trained in First Aid/CPR.
  • No medication administered by staff.
  • Campers with epi-pens self-carry or store with counselors.
  • No attendance if a child has vomited or had a fever within 24 hours.
  • Walkie-talkies and rosters ensure communication and safety.

12. What if there’s bad weather?

Indoor backup locations include the gym, cafeteria, and classrooms, ensuring the camp can safely operate during inclement weather.

13. How will emergencies be handled?

  • Minor issues: Bandage and incident report
  • Serious issues: Parents called immediately and 911 contacted if needed
  • Parents notified by email for general updates and phone for emergencies

14. How much does the camp cost?

  • 2026 Pricing will be finalized shortly!
  • Before/after care priced separately
  • Tuition covers all activities, staffing, and operations.

15. Are refunds available?

No refunds after June 1, as staff and vendor commitments are set at that point.

16. How do families register?

  • Registration will be online through CommunityPass.
  • Payment is due in full at registration.
  • No weekly options; all tuition is monthly to ensure staff stability.

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