West Windsor, N.J.- While some area residents are still anxiously anticipating the big snowstorm of 2012, staff members at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) are busy prepping for the children's summer camp at the college. Camp programs are available for children ages 6 to 18, and parents can register their children for the entire summer, or for one of the college's monthly or weekly programs. All camp programs are based at Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The season kicks off June 18 and runs through August 10.

Registration is underway for Camp College, Sports Camps, and Kelsey Theatre's Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops. MCCC campers take advantage of the college's full array of facilities including the cafeteria, Olympic size pool, athletic fields, theater, tennis courts, and more. Detailed information on all camps, including before and after camp care, is available here.

Camp College's Campus Kids program is offered Monday through Thursday for children ages 6 to 12. There are two four-week sessions, the first running June 18-July 12, and the second running July 16-August 9. Campers may develop a unique schedule of six classes per day, selected from a list of nearly 100. Among the new offerings are "Bead It," "Let's Have a Mystery Party!", "Musical Munchkins," "Mostly Mosaics," and "Weird New Jersey." On Friday Fun Days, campers can either extend their camp week or just come for a single day of fun activities such as biking, hiking, baking, ice skating, and other off-campus excursions such as visiting the Academy of Natural Sciences and Grounds for Sculpture.

Camp College's Specialty Camps are offered in one- and two-week sessions, either half-day or full-day, for both younger and older children. Offerings include accelerated math, English, Engineering and other classes for grades 7-10; Science Camps for children ages 6 to 14; Marine Biology and Paleontology for ages 10 to 14; Kids in the Kitchen for ages 7 to 13; Computer Camp for ages 7 to 15; and full-day Recreational Camps for various ages. Also part of the Specialty Camps is the "Arts, Crafts & More" division, which offers several new programs this year, including "Casting Call: Acting for the Camera," "Eco Animal Adventure" and "Music and Voice Production Camp."

The cost for Camp College is $925 for the first four-week session, and $985 for the second four-week session. Those who register for either four-week session by Feb. 29 will save 50 percent off one Friday Fun Day. Information sessions for Camp College will be held Feb. 18, March 24 and April 28 on the West Windsor campus from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, call 609-570-3311, or visit the Camp College website.

Celebrating their 37th season, the MCCC Athletics Department is offering eight weeks of Sports Camps. Staffed by college and high school coaches, as well as college athletes, these camps are designed to help youngsters develop their skills in a competitive, but fun, environment.

Twenty-three one-week sessions will be offered in nine different sports for ages 6 to 15 (unless otherwise noted): Baseball Camp starting July 9, July 16, and July 23; Basketball Camp starting June 25, July 2, July 9 (girls only), July 30, and August 6; Field Hockey (co-ed) from July 9-13; Golf Camp for ages 6 to 16 on July 2, 3, 5, and 6; Mountain Biking starting July 16 and Aug. 6; Soccer Camp starting June 18, July 2, and July 23 (girls only); Softball Camp from July 30-Aug. 3; Speed, Agility and Quickness Camp starting on June 18 and July 16; and Tennis Camp starting June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9 and July 16.

Middle school and high school students looking to explore their artistic talents in a more in-depth way will enjoy MCCC's Tomato Patch Visual and Performing Arts Workshops, the longest running summer arts program in Central New Jersey. Based out of MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, the program offers classes in the visual arts, dance, theater, and vocal music, under the guidance of a highly qualified staff of arts professionals. According to Kelsey Theatre Artistic Director Kitty Getlik, the program has helped hundreds of young people develop their talents and self-confidence, and go on to pursue careers in the arts.

Session I is offered for four weeks for students entering grades 8-12 in the fall. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday, June 25 to July 19, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuition is $650, plus a non-refundable $25 application fee. Session II runs three weeks for students entering grades 5-7. Classes will meet Monday through Thursday, July 23 to August 9, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuition is $575 plus a non-refundable $25 application fee.

Both sessions conclude with a "Festival of the Arts," where family and friends can enjoy a live performance by students, as well as view an art exhibit. Tuition includes a t-shirt, pizza party and DVD of the end-of-season performance.

Students in grades 8-12 who have previous theater training are eligible for "Master Class," a special three-week class held Monday through Thursday, July 23 through August 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn the ins and outs of show business, including how to audition for theater, television and movies. The class concludes with a final performance. Tuition is $525, plus a non-refundable $25 application fee.

For more information, call 609-570-3566, or email projects@mccc.edu. Tomato Patch registration forms are available on the Kelsey Theatre website here.

Quick Links to Camp Websites:

Camp College/Specialty Camps

Sports Camps

Tomato Patch Visual & Performing Arts Workshops