Summer Camps and Programs 2026

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Now that March is here, it is about the time that families begin considering options for summer camps and summer programs. There are a number of different opportunities in Rutherford and in neighboring towns for children and young adults to socialize, learn, and have fun.

Kiddie Academy located at 306 Union Ave in Rutherford is offering a summer camp from July 1st through August 27th. See the flyer below for more details.

JDK Social Station, located at 780 Post Place In Secaucus, also hosts summer programs from August 2nd through August 28th. They have daily social skills groups, sensory taekwondo, fine motor classes with an O.T., group obstacle course classes with our P.T., music therapy, art therapy, water activities and so much more!. Everyone is highly trained in social skills and children and young adults ages 3-16 are welcome. The programs have a child: teacher ratio of 3:1.

Code Wiz Summer Camps (June 22 – August 29) offer an exciting, hands-on tech

experience for kids and teens ages 6–17. Campers explore coding, game design,

and technology through fun, project-based learning—whether they’re beginners or

experienced coders.

New this year! We’ve added teen-focused programs like Virtual Reality Game

Development, AI Explorers, Java Foundations and the Robotics Innovation Lab,

giving older students access to advanced tech experiences that are often hard to find.

Why Choose Code Wiz?

• Diverse programs including Minecraft modding, Roblox, Python, Robotics, &

  more

• Hands-on, project-based learning with real creations

• Small groups for personalized instruction

• Builds creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence

• Weekly Half-Day and Full-Day camp options

• Before and After-Care options available

By the end of camp, students walk away with new skills, completed projects, and a

stronger passion for technology and innovation. Whether it’s their first game or an

advanced tech project, Code Wiz Summer Camps deliver an unforgettable learning

experience.

To book your spot in any of this summer's camps, click this link. Use promocode SUMMER2026 for 10% off booking done in March and 5% off for bookings done in April.

Located across Route 17 at 225 Highland Cross, Kulture Kool will offer summer camps in Theater, Cultural Immersion, Creativity, Science, Culinary, and Robotics for ages five through thirteen. This year, they will also offer a Teen Culinary Camp from August 10-14 for ages thirteen through eighteen in Bloomfield. Click here to learn more about Kulture Kool and its summer camps.

Camp Invention is a camp that is offered all across the USA. The closest location to Rutherford is Lyndhurst Middle School, where Camp Invention will be held from July 6-10. Children enrolled in this camp will complete many hands-on, STEM activities including learning about forensic science, building a boat, launching a DIY rocket, and creating other new inventions. Click here to read the full description of the camp and to register.

School of Rock, located in Carlstadt, will also have summer camps available througout the summer. They have camps for all different levels of young musicians. Most are no experience required! Please click this link to register for any of the available summer camp options.

Backstage Performings Arts Center located at 194 Park Ave. One of their summer camps will take place from August 3-14 (Monday-Friday). Students will learn and perform a full scale musical through this camp and learn all aspects of theatre like acting, singing, dancing, set & costume creation, etc! The cost is $800 but families can save $50 when they register by March 31st. BPAC will also offer several other camps.

Rutherford Recreation Summer Day Camp Registration Opens WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST AT 8:30 AM

(FIRST COME – FIRST SERVE ~ limited spots available)

The Rutherford Recreation Department Day Camp will be held from June 29 – August 7, 2026. Our Day Camp program is available to all resident children, entering Kindergarten through 8^th grade in Fall 2026. Children will enjoy six fun-filled weeks of activities, sports, arts & crafts, special events & themed days.

• Campers must be entering the grade in Fall 2026

• All campers will receive two t-shirts (additional t-shirts may be available to purchase for $10.00 each after all initial t-shirts have been distributed). Camper t-shirts will be distributed on the first day of camp.

• Movies may be shown.

• All camps pricing will be for 6 weeks. You must register for ALL 6 weeks.

• Field trips will be available at all camps. A list of specific trips to be announced at a later date. Trip registrations will be available to registered campers after registration has closed once all trips are confirmed. There is limited capacity on all field trips.

• No makeup days, refunds or credits are offered for weather cancellations or any kind of absence. To attend camp, tuition must be paid in full prior to attending and the camper’s information forms must be 100% complete.

• There will be NO camp on July 3rd

Online registration at Recreation Department through Rec Desk Programs (recdesk.com). You must create a family account with each child listed as a family member. We suggest you do this BEFORE registration opens.

Elks Camp Moore is a camp for special needs children ages 7-18 located in Haskell, NJ. The Rutherford Elks Lodge 547 proudly supports this camp each year. The camp includes a number of exciting activities, including daily themes, swimming, crafts, music and movement, sports and recreation, a talent show, a carnival, and so much more.

Camp Veritans Day Camp, accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), has provided exciting and enriching summer experiences for children ages 3-15 for over 75 years. With transportation provided to and from our 64-acre campgrounds in Haledon, New Jersey, summer for you and your child has never been more convenient or fun. As explained in their media release, "We offer exciting camp activities that cultivate friendships, build confidence, and create lasting memories. Our tuition is inclusive of all activities and trips and includes hot lunches, snacks, and daily transportation. Our program is designed to keep children active and engaged all day with outdoor adventure courses, sports programming, daily Red Cross swim instruction, creative arts, exploration, STEM programming, unique special activities, and even dynamic trips for campers entering 2nd grade and up. Eighth and ninth graders participate in our outstanding trip and travel program. Call us to find out more! 973-956-1220." Click this link to view more about the lower (ages 3-9) and upper camps (ages 10-15) available and for registration information.