NCC Summer Camp – 91��Ƭ

Smiles All Around at 91��Ƭ Summer Camp 2025

Michelle Lang — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:22:05 +0000

91��Ƭ’s Youth Services Department provided an eight-week summer camp for children ages 5 to 13. Campers enjoyed a variety of activities including swimming, sports, STEAM activities and theme days, as well as field trips to a number of locations. Photos courtesy of Youth Services.

Children Have Fun at 91��Ƭ Summer Camp 2024

Michelle Lang — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:03:04 +0000

Children Enjoy 91��Ƭ Summer Camp 2023

Michelle Lang — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 17:42:00 +0000

91��Ƭ’s Youth Services Department provided an eight-week summer camp this year, which included a variety of activities and trips. The camp serves children from 5 to 13 years old. They enjoyed swimming, sports, STEAM activities, theme days and field trips to a variety of locations, including iPlay America; Rock ‘N Air; the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum; Liberty Science Center; American Museum of Natural History; and Dorney Park. Campers also performed a camp finale. Photos courtesy of Youth Services.

91��Ƭ Mourns Loss of Youth Services Employee

Michelle Lang — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 19:15:02 +0000

Coleman Brooks always had a smile to share, whether he was with his family, colleagues or the children he served. He was employed in 91��Ƭ’s Youth Services Department for three years but was no stranger to working with children. He worked at New Horizons Community Charter School, which sits across the street from the NCC Neighborhood Center, for 19 years. He passed away Sept. 16 at the age of 59.

Coleman Brooks started his career in the corporate world, working for AT&T and New Jersey American Water, but realized he wanted to take a different path. He told his mother, Yvonne Brooks, working with children was the best job he ever had.

“He loved children,” she said. “He said all children can learn. Some just have to learn a different way. You have to know how to reach out to them.”

His kindness and nurturing demeanor showed in his work. He served as a teacher at New Horizons Community Charter School and worked at NCC’s after school program across the street when the school day ended. He also worked as a counselor for NCC Summer Camp.

“Mr. Brooks always gave 110 percent of himself to ensure the children received a positive experience while attending our programs,” said Director of Youth Services Edward Morris. “He was a valuable member of NCC Youth Services and the true definition of a team player. He will be greatly missed.”

?Coleman Brooks was born in Summit and was the eldest of four sons. He married and had two children, a son who is now 31 and a daughter who is 26. He also leaves behind a 2-year-old grandson, ?his parents, three brothers, ?aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

He was very close to his family throughout his life. His mother said the entire family has happy memories.

“I think of the good times. That’s what keeps us going,” Yvonne Brooks said. “I know he wouldn’t want us to be sad. Because he’s up there doing work with God. God didn’t want him to be in pain so he called him home.”

Coleman Brooks underwent treatment for cancer prior to his passing, but that didn’t stop him from serving children. He would receive treatment and go directly to work for as long as he could.

“He always had a smile. Even when he got sick,” his family said. “If he was in pain, you didn’t know it. He never complained.”

Yvonne Brooks said her son was a joy to be around and his passing has been very difficult for his children and the entire family. She takes comfort in knowing that he made a difference for others doing a job he loved.

“We didn’t realize how many lives he had touched until we had his services,” Yvonne Brooks said. “The outpouring of people was just unbelievable. He left a legacy.”

91��Ƭ Summer Camp Goes Virtual for 2020

Michelle Lang — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:33:54 +0000

When the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to run 91��Ƭ’s annual summer camp in the traditional way, staff members began working on an alternative to engage children in activities safely. The result was a virtual camp for children ages 5 to 13, which ran four days a week from July 22 to Aug. 27.

The virtual camp was free for families and served more than 50 children. Funding was provided through the New Jersey Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee and administered through the JJC.

Children participated in a variety of activities, including photography; STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics); Zumba; arts and crafts; music appreciation; group discussions; and virtual field trips. For the virtual field trips, the younger children got to experience a zoo by viewing live cameras showing the animals. Older children were exposed to a variety of museum exhibits with their virtual field trips.

Children who participated in 91��Ƭ’s virtual camp got to do a variety of experiments as part of the STEM session. Photo courtesy of Edward Morris.

The virtual camp ran Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon via Zoom. Children were provided with a science kit and a camera for the program. Activities were taught by traditional camp staff and outside vendors, including a photography teacher and Zumba instructor.

The response from parents has been positive. Two of Tecia Martinez’s children participated in the virtual camp: Madisyn, 11, and Kaleb, 6. She was very pleased with what was offered and believes it was a great alternative to the traditional camp.

“They’re still becoming engaged with other kids and they’re meeting other children that they may not have actually socialized with when they’re physically at camp,” she said. “You don’t want your kids to just sit there and sleep all day or just try to stay in front of the screens all day because you can’t think of anything else to do. This is still making them think.”

Children and staff members involved in the virtual summer camp shared their experiences in this finale video.

Putting together a virtual camp quickly was a challenge, but 91��Ƭ staff knew it was important to provide activities in some form and give children the opportunity to interact with their peers.

“This summer was very challenging for everyone, especially the children. The virtual camp was a chance for them to make that social and emotional connection with one another during a time when they might not be able to have personal connections,” said Youth Services Director Edward Morris. “We wanted to engage them in a fun and interesting way and at the same time, hopefully, teach them some new skills.”

Youth Services collaborated with Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, to ensure its residents participated in the virtual camp.

Beverly Jackson, a resident of Harmony House, signed up her daughter, Diana Bryant, and was pleased with the results.

Bryant, who turned 14 over the summer, enjoyed her virtual camp experience.

“I liked all three sessions that we got every day. I liked STEM, I liked Zumba. I liked everything,” she said. “The camp was very cool.”

Morris and Chief of Health and Human Services Arti Kakkar were happy 91��Ƭ was able to provide a free, quality camp to young people during the pandemic.

Zumba was a big hit for 91��Ƭ’s virtual summer campers. Photo courtesy of Edward Morris.

“STEM experiments really brought the kids to the class on time, ready to engage,” Kakkar said. “For the younger kids, we could see parents being a part of it, which I think is a beautiful thing and great bonding for them. Our goal was to engage kids by teaching photography, STEM, Zumba, music appreciation and arts and crafts without putting any stress on the parents.”

Martinez believes that goal was accomplished.

“It was definitely a blessing to have them participate,” she said. “They really enjoyed it. And I enjoyed it.”

Kakkar also praised the staff for being flexible and working through a new method of providing services.

“I think Mr. Morris and his team have done a great job considering the situation we found ourselves in with the pandemic,” Kakkar said. “We had dedicated staff working with the youth, keeping them occupied and enjoying learning.”

Funding was crucial to providing a positive summer experience during a difficult and stressful time.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without financial support,” Kakkar said.

Attend NCC Summer Camp 2019!

Michelle Lang — Fri, 17 May 2019 17:20:30 +0000

91��Ƭ is offering its annual summer camp June 24 through Aug. 16, 2019 for children ages 5 to 13. Children will enjoy a variety of activities, including swimming, field trips, academic enrichment, sports, arts and crafts. Click here for the full calendar of events.
The cost for camp is $90 per week and Program for Parents is accepted. Visit the Summer Camp portion of our website here for additional information.
Contact Youth Services for availability at 973-242-7934.