Rec department gears up for summer season

BY JENNIFER DOME
Staff Writer

FILE PHOTO Ryan Hesnan and Cassie Kissam were just two of the 23 lifeguards on duty at Brick’s Windward Beach and Beaches I, II and III during the summer of 2004. The Recreation Department’s lifeguards will hit the beach again May 28 when the township’s beaches officially open for the summer. BRICK — There’s a group of township officials who would rather hit the beach or go bowling than draw up new ordinances and calculate budgets.

These people run the township Recreation Department. But don’t think their job is all softballs, bats, nets and jet skis.

FILE PHOTO Peter Salmon and his father, Pete, participated in the Brick Challengers bowling program this winter. During the summer, Challenger children can join in horseback riding at the cultural arts center, Herbertsville Road. Andrea Zapcic, the acting superintendent of recreation, Dan Santaniello, who runs the Challenger Athletic Program, and the rest of the staff at the department’s Civic Plaza office take recreation very seriously.

On Friday, the summer camp and activities schedule was being finalized. And this task was no easy feat because the staff had to coordinate the regular camp program, the sports camp, a new basketball camp and clinic, the lifeguards, beach badges and the Challenger program, among other activities.

“There’s never a dull moment,” Zapcic said.

Zapcic became the acting superintendent last fall when Bob Russo moved temporarily to the Department of Public Works. Before, Zapcic was the coordinator of the Brick Township Municipal Alliance Committee on Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Youth Services (B-MAC), a position now held by Emma Mammano.

“It was almost more of a complete merger of the two programs than we’ve ever had before,” Zapcic said about the Recreation Department and B-MAC.

The best thing about working with the township Recreation Department is watching the children enjoy themselves, Zapcic said, and “having the opportunity to improve the quality of life in the community.”

Summer camps and other activities

The following camp programs will run from June 27-July 29 unless other dates are mentioned. The brochure for all the camps will be available mid-May and registration will be held in early June, Zapcic said.

The regular camp program, which includes arts and crafts, trips, game tournaments and other activities, will take place at Windward Beach park, Lanes Mill Elementary School and Drum Point Elementary School.

For the first time this year, parents will be asked to fill out an interest survey when they register their children. This will allow the department to separate the children into groups not just by age, but also by their interests.

“We thought it would be a more productive experience for the campers,” Zapcic said.

The department hires a director for each age group — 5-6-year-olds, 7-8-year-olds, and 9-year-olds and up. Then a counselor is assigned to each group of 15-16 campers, Zapcic said.

Some of the events included in this year’s camp schedule are a trip to Blackbeard’s Cave in Bayville, a bowling day, and a trip to Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach.

Last year, township officials reported a 69 percent decrease in the summer camp enrollment — from 991 children in 2003 to 305 in 2004. Township Council members argued about the cause of this decrease. Some said it was due to the fee increase from $30 to $100 per person for a four-week program rather than six weeks. Also, several locations of the camps were canceled.

The increase in about 30 recreation fees came after the Township Council approved a stable municipal tax rate in 2004. Led by the Republican majority of the council, the intent of the fee increase was to ensure that each program could pay for itself.

Zapcic stressed last Friday that there is an application for those who have a hardship. Certain criteria have to be met, she said, similar to the criteria for the reduced or free lunch program at school.

So far, no one has requested an application to have the camp fees reduced or waived, Zapcic said.

Some of the other opportunities available with the Recreation Department this summer include:

• A sports camp is offered for children ages 9-12 at the Drum Point Sports Complex. Children enrolled in this camp will play different sports — from kickball, to street hockey, to softball, Santaniello said.

• A two-week police camp that runs from July 18-29 is another option for children ages 10-13. During police camp, children participate in physical training, K-9 interaction, motor vehicle stops, and other activities. There is a limited number that the Police Department can take, so participants are chosen by a lottery system.

• On Aug. 2, before the police camp graduation at 7 p.m., the 13th Annual Kids Night Out Against Crime will take place at Windward Beach park from 5-7 p.m. All residents are welcome; free refreshments and games will be offered. Any youth organizations that are interested in giving out information to parents and providing something for children to do, can contact Russell Martone at the Recreation Department, (732) 262-1088.

• An outdoor basketball camp for boys and girls in grades five-eight will take place at Arrowhead Park in the Midstreams section of the township.

• A basketball clinic will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 28-July 28 for boys and girls in grades two-eight. Coaches from the Recreation Department’s winter basketball program and students from the local high schools will be on hand to help out, Santaniello said.

The Challenger Athletic Program

The Challenger children can participate in a summer horseback riding program at the cultural center on Herbertsville Road. Santaniello, who, besides being a lifeguard, has worked with the Recreation Department for six years, said the Challenger program is one of his favorites.

“I like being around the kids. [And] the smiles on those kids’ faces,” he said, shaking his head.

Karen Rytelewski, whose daughter Christine, 17, participates in the Challenger program, said the socialization aspect has helped tremendously.

“It just gives them so much self-confidence ... they have friendships,” Rytelewski said.

Her daughter has participated in the Challenger’s baseball, soccer and bowling programs. Christine and the other children also enjoy the trips and dances sponsored by the Recreation Department.

“We are so blessed to live in a town that does so much, not just for the regular kids, but for the Challenger kids,” Rytelewski said.

Besides the fun activities, Santaniello has helped some of the Challenger children get jobs on the beaches during the summer, she said. This year, five boys will work from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, and another boy will work at Windward Beach full time.

“It’s really a great, great program,” she said. “You can come into the program at a young age ... and you can stay with that program until you’re an adult.”

Beach badges

Beach badges went on sale Monday. Seasonal badges are $20 for Brick residents and $30 for nonresidents. Seasonal parking permits cost $30 for Brick residents and $40 for nonresidents. Checks or money orders will be accepted at the recreation office at the Civic Plaza, Chambers Bridge Road.

The three township beaches officially open May 28. At that time, daily badges and parking permits can be purchased for $5 each at Brick Beach I and III. Children under 12 are free.

Seasonal beach badges will go on sale at Brick Beach I and III after May 28.

For seniors, beach badges are free through June 30 only, Zapcic said in a press release. Seniors must present proof of age and must be 65 years or older by Aug. 31.

Also, volunteer firefighters and first aid volunteers, as well as active military employees and their immediate family, are entitled to free beach badges and parking and can get their daily passes at the beaches.