42 / 96
www.theconnectionsnj.com
Serving kids Age
6 mos. to 6 yrs.
10 North Road, Warren NJ 07059
908-360-5188
www.SpringAcademyUS.com
For ages 6 mos. to 6 yrs.: Bi-weekly
theme is built into the program
for more Summer fun!
Grades 1–10: Learning Friends
& Fun Camp! Academic preview
classes, tons of enrichment,
& Friday full day trips.
A Montessori Preschool that promotes
independence, excellence & creativity
2017 Summer Camps
June 26th – September 1st, 7am-6pm (minimum 3 week registration)
Call for tours
and registration!
Looking for a way to spend out-
door family time together on a
weekend but don’t want to ven-
ture too far? Whether you are a
family with young children or
young adults, or empty nesters
looking for new scenery, I highly
recommend the South Mountain
Recreation Complex in West
Orange. The 36-acre Essex
County recreational facility, locat-
ed at the intersection of
Northfield Road and Cherry Lane,
has something for everyone.
Let’s start with food.
McCloone’s
Boathouse,
overlooking the
South Mountain Reservoir, offers
an extensive American menu for
the entire family. Patio seating is
available in the warmer months.
For those who like mini golf, the
Essex County Safari Mini Golf
course next door offers a 19-
hole adventure through three
distinct regions of Africa, com-
plete with water features and
life-sized animals.
Behind McCloone’s lies the
waterfront, with a
1.7-mile
walking/jogging path,
perfect
for a post-meal stroll. Leashed
pets are permitted on the trail
(but not in the restaurant.)
Along the path are
paddle
boats,
some shaped like swans,
available for rental by the half
hour and a
picnic area
with a
snack bar. A little further along
is the
children’s Regatta
Playground,
with climbing
structures suitable for multiple
aged children.
On the other side of the
Reservoir, walkers can see the
Zoo train go by. The renowned
Turtle Back Zoo,
established in
1963 and completely refur-
bished in 2000, houses a vast
array of exotic animals, birds
and aquatic creatures from
around the world in their natural
habitats. Adjacent to the Zoo is
the
Treetop Adventure Course,
a world-class aerial obstacle
course. The Adult Course (Must
be 54”) has 30 unique challenge
elements and takes approxi-
mately 1 to 1.5 hours to com-
plete. The Junior Course (Age 6
and up) takes 30-45 minutes
and offers 15 challenge ele-
ments. There is also a 40-foot –
high zip line about the length of
a football field.
The
Cody Arena
lies in the cen-
ter of the complex. Public skat-
ing and lessons in figure skating,
speed skating and ice hockey
clinics are available year- round.
The Arena also hosts local and
national skating competitions,
as well as high school, college
and professional teams.
I hope that the next sunny
Saturday or Sunday that you
have no plans, you will lace up
your sneakers, grab your sun-
screen and pile into the car and
head East to West Orange and
experience family togetherness
and fun at the South Mountain
Recreation Complex!
DIRECTION: EAST TO WEST…
WEST ORANGE
DESTINATION: NORTH TO SOUTH…
SOUTH MOUNTAIN
RECREATION COMPLEX
By: Jill Stolz
PAGE 42
Summer Programs 2017
Summer Programs 2017