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Summer Programs 2015
Summer Programs 2015
www.theconnectionsnj.comPAGE 20
THE WARDLAW-HARTRIDGE SCHOOL Early Childhood Education Admission Information Session: Saturday, April 18 at 9:30 a.m. Register online at www.WHschool.org or contact us for a Personal Tour For more information, call (908) 754-1882, Ext. 155 1295 Inman Avenue, North Edison, NJ Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 independent, co-educational, college-preparatory school Our Early Childhood Education program provides a nurturing learning environment and stimulates growth, independence and intellectual curiosity. Prepare for a global world in a global learning environment THE ORCHARD ACADEMY AT CAMP HARMONY 206 Mt. Horeb Road Warren By: Josh Greenbaum, Assistant Director, Camp Harmony The Orchard Academy’s chalkboard wall in their main hallway that charts the students’ questions and investigations For years, the directors of one of New Jersey’s longest running day camps had heard one recurring question from their families, “Why can’t my child attend Camp Harmony all-year long?!” Well now families finally can with the opening of Harmony’s new preschool and early childhood center, The Orchard Acade- my at Camp Harmony. Camp Harmony has been a Warren Township staple since first opening as a summer retreat for families in 1926. Owner & Director Jerry Amedeo celebrat- ed his 50th summer in 2014 and has seen his campus grow tremendously in that half century. Jerry’s career not only spanned summer camp but was also heavily weighted in education, having owned and served as executive director of a private school for students with dis- abilities for more than 40 years. But while Jerry had retired from education in 2007, there was always a lingering feel- ing of wanting to do more. “It was always my dream to be able to take the ideals of Camp Harmony and wrap them into a truly incredible full-year educational experience,” Jerry says from his office in the middle of his 25 acre campus. “I’m so proud that we’ve finally been able to make that a reality.” The Orchard Academy at Camp Harmony, which opened its doors this past January, uses the many years of child care experience as a model for inte- grating core values of summer camp – concepts like experimentation, self- exploration and relationship building – in a year-round setting to enrich the growth of its students. While academic readiness plays a large role in its students’ educa- tion, The Orchard Academy also believes firmly in a holistic approach to growth. A fully integrated Arts program, offering music, dance, art, yoga and movement, is weaved into students’ days with each area having its own dedicated space and experienced arts educator. “Our music room has a grand piano and vintage Hammond organ, yoga has its own private studio – we’re really proud to be able to offer that to our stu- dents,” Jerry adds, when speaking about his facilities. But more than anything, Jerry and his team believe firmly that the experiences children have in summer camp can and should be translated to year-long school programs – and research seems to agree. A recent study by Dr. Barry A. Garst, Director of Research Application for the American Camp Association, found that the summer camp experience creates a wide array of “mores,” showing children developing more social skills, making more friends, growing more independent- ly, demonstrating more leadership quali- ties, trying more new things and maturing into more adventurous young men and women, all of which take their place in the forefront of the early learners’ educa- tions at The Orchard Academy. In addition to its educational philoso- phy, The Orchard Academy also believes heavily in a personalized approach to early childhood learning. As a family-owned business (Jerry’s wife, Carol Amedeo, holds a doctorate in edu- cation from Rutgers and a principal’s cer- tificate from the NJ Department of Edu- cation and is the school’s Academic Direc- tor while his daughter and son-in-law both serve as Directors), The Orchard Academy provides a hands-on experi- ence for families who want the comfort in knowing the names and faces of those who are caring so much for their children. The staff are all life-long educators with tremendous experience in early childhood and preschool settings. “I’ve been here for 50 years, Camp Harmony for 90 years,” says Jerry. “We’re not going anywhere. Parents deserve to have people who are person- ally invested in their children’s lives being the ones to care for them and educate them on a daily basis.” The Orchard Academy is currently accepting enrollments for the 2015- 2016 school year. Registration and tours of the school are both available on their website theorchardacademy.org.