Avoid the Summer Slide with a Little Academics

Summer break is usually a little over 2 months and studies have shown that students are most likely to experience learning losses during this long vacation. Adding a little academic stimulation throughout the summer can ensure your student does not forget what they worked so hard to learn throughout the school year and even improve on critical skills necessary for their future success. Summer academic programs typically infuse education with games and activities, reducing the student’s stress levels and increasing their joy for learning and possibly their retention for the subjects at hand.

For 2025 here is our Guide to Academic Camps, including camps that incorporate a good part of the camp day to academic learning for kids to enjoy learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

Apple Montessori Summer Camp

20 locations throughout New Jersey
Summer camp at Apple Montessori Schools is full of educational, exciting, fun-filled activities that create memories to last a lifetime! Apple camp includes hands-on STEAM activities, Montessori lessons, music, drama, art, sports, and more. Most locations offer swim lessons with Red Cross certified instructors, while others include opportunities for water play and plenty of fun in the sun. Campers experience outdoor activities and nature experiences and are led by year-round teachers and staff. This year's theme is One Wild Summer, an exploration of animals past, present, and legendary complete with weekly themes. For students ages 2-12, the fun starts June 30! AppleMontessoriSchools.com

Ability School Summer of Learning & Fun

Children can enjoy a summer filled with both learning and fun! Working on individualized programs in the mornings, students can enhance their academic skills in subjects like reading, writing, science, study skills and math. Afternoons are spent celebrating and enjoying outdoor activities, crafting, sports, water fun, games and art. Engaging weekly field trips to nature centers and museums. Full Day Camp 9:00am-4:00pm. Three, Four or Seven week sessions June 23rd - August 8th, 2025. Each week is themed and includes an engaging field trip! AbilitySchoolnj.com

St. James Preschool

We offer a variety of indoor and outdoor exciting activities consisting of games, art, music, science experiments and more! We have fun themes weekly as well as Pizza Fridays! Our staff members are enthusiastic, caring and engaging. 10 weeks: June 9-August 15 – Choose any or all weeks. Located in Montclair, NJ. Camps run Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm or 9am to 3pm. We also offer Before care from 8:00am-9:00am and After care from 3:00pm-5:00pm. We offer 4 Camp Age Groups: 25 months old, 3 years 8 months, pre-k, and kindergarten. Come join us for Summer Fun! StJamesPreschoolnj.org

Bergen Community College's Kids and Teens Summer Learning Academy

Inspire your child’s intellect and uncover hidden talents at Bergen Community College this summer. Introduce your child to a new hobby or take their skills to the next level. Choose from six weekly sessions that run Monday through Friday. Full-day sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., half-day sessions will run from either 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Before and after care and lunch supervision are available. Enroll your child for individual weeks or the entire six weeks. Space is limited!. ce.bergen.edu

Camp Middlesex at Middlesex College

Join us for summer fun and exploration! Camp Middlesex runs from June 23-August 15 and is geared towards children ages 5-13. Located at Middlesex College in Edison NJ. There is nothing more rewarding than sparking children’s imagination and inspiring them to dream. That’s 8 weeks of fun learning camps. You can enroll your child for just one week or as many as 8! We offer: arts and crafts, chess, computers, dance, magic, music and voice, science/STEM, sports, theater and more. MiddlesexCollege.edu

The Elisabeth Morrow School Summer Exploration

Summer Explorations, the summer program of The Elisabeth Morrow School, run from June 23- August 1, 2025. Weekly options with half or full day programs for children ages 2 through grade 9. Summer Explorations is located on our beautiful 14-acre campus in Englewood, NJ. All enrichment classes and programs taught by certified, experienced educators. Lunch program and aftercare hours available. ElisabethMorrow.org

Essex County College Summer Youth Program

The Summer Youth Program is designed to promote a positive atmosphere for learning. Our program provides educational, social and cultural enrichment activities that play an integral part in the lives of the youth enrolled and includes classes in math, literacy, writing, phonics, STEM, art, fashion, sports, video gaming/coding, and more! Variety of 2 week programs for 6 weeks. Tuition includes breakfast, lunch, and field trips. For students entering grades 1-8. Camp located in Newark NJ. Essex.edu

Summer At Far Brook

Offering students from Nursery to grade 10, high quality, meaningful experiences that are consistent with Far Brook School’s values, extending the school’s mission beyond the academic year. Programming will include fun and engaging multidisciplinary day camp programs, sports instruction, outdoor exploration, leadership development for our oldest campers, and unique week-long Master Classes taught by highly credentialed and knowledgeable camp staff, including Far Brook faculty. Far Brook is located in Short Hills NJ. FarBrook.org

Oak Knoll Summer Programs

Located on the beautiful 11-acre campus of Oak Knoll School in Summit, New Jersey, our summer programs offer excitement and fun for children ages 3-17. Online registration opens on January 15, 2025. Summer Adventures Day Camp offers swimming, fencing, science and nature, sports, arts, and more! Also available Kindergarten Ready Program, Middle and High School Academic and Enrichment Programs, and Summer Sports and Camps. OakKnoll.org

Spring Academy

Summer camps are available for students 6 months to 8th graders. Students are grouped by ability and grade level to experience strong academic classes, creative arts, as well as enriching field trips. Half and full day options are available along with various subjects for each grade level. Summer in Action: (1) Montessori + Fun Camp for toddlers (Warren location), preschoolers, kindergarten & 1st graders, participate in enrichment activities, arts & crafts, song, play, Chinese/Spanish lessons and more! (2) Academic Camp for rising 2nd-8th graders comprises of unique learning and language camp. Locations in Warren and Westfield, NJ. SpringAcademyUS.com

Summer On The Hill - Winston School Of Short Hills

A private school that offers a balanced camp experience with both academic and enrichment opportunities for children in grades 1-8. We offer specialized programming and a flexible schedule. Our camp instructors are highly trained in a variety of multi-sensory programs and techniques. They are able to individualize and differentiate their instruction to meet students where they are and help them grow as learners. Summer on the Hill day camp aims to offer students the opportunity to maintain skills acquired in their previous school year and sharpen their skills for the fall. Inquiries are welcome! Located in Short Hills NJ. WinstonSchool.org

Wardlaw + Hartridge Summer Adventures

Wardlaw+Hartridge in Edison NJ offers Summer Academic classes for our older campers who want to review concepts and stay ahead. Summer Programs: A Traditional Day Camp for students in PreK - 12th grade, specialty camps, sports camps, and creative arts camps. Mix and match different programs for a diverse and balanced summer. whschool.org

Winston Preparatory School Summer Enrichment Program

The Summer Program is an extension of the Winston Prep philosophy, principles, and model that takes place during the summer months, providing students with the unique opportunity to participate in an individually designed program aimed to enhance academic skills and foster independence. Students come from many NJ counties, including Essex, Morris, Bergen, Union, Somerset, and Middlesex. Students ages 3-12. Camp runs June 30-July 25. Whippany NJ location. WinstonPrep.edu

Language Based Summer Camps

L'Alliance New York French Summer Camps - The Montclair Campus

Kids will laugh, play, explore, and stay active all summer long during week-long day camps. At L'Alliance we use an authentic French-language immersive approach that will benefit all children whether they are complete beginners, native French speakers, or somewhere in between. Our camps are open to all levels. Whether your child is brand new to French or already proficient, these day camps will help them learn and improve their French while having fun and making new friends! There will be exciting new themes each week. Camper ages 3-18. lallianceny.org

Gainville Language Summer Camp

Offering language immersion for ages PreK to 12 grade. Embark on language enrichment in July - August. Spanish Hola Amigos™, Italian Ciao Amici™. Viva la Bella Lingual, Language Enrichment, Summer Camps, English for Youth & Teens!  Mon-Thurs. Extended hours available. Ask about Early Bird 10% off incentive. Locations in HoHoKus, Ridgewood, and Rutherford NJ. GainContact.com

HudsonWay Immersion School Summer Day Camp

Campers ages 2+ experience a fun immersive environment integrating language, science, math and art. Develops listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Mandarin or Spanish. Other activities: soccer, dance, tennis, ping pong, and more! Half day and Full Day sessions. Located in Stirling, NJ. HWIS.org

YingHua International School Summer Camp

YHIS Summer Camp offers an enriching schedule where mornings are dedicated to Theme-Based Chinese Immersion, enhancing language skills through fun and interactive activities. Afternoons are a journey of exploration and creativity with our Bilingual STEAM & Creative Workshops. Exciting weekly field trips and events. Join us for a summer filled with discovery, creativity, and friendship. Camp runs July 7- August 15 for children in nursery through grade 6. Located in Kingston, NJ. YHIS.org

Links to Find More Camps:
2025 Camp Guide eBook
Traditional Day Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Sleep-away Camps 2025 in and around NJ
STEM / STEAM Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Performing Arts Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Special Needs Camps 2025 in and around NJ
Online Camp Directory