Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Director of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services Patrick Council announced today that the City of Newark will hold a virtual Camp Watershed for city youth, virtual programming at city Recreation Centers, and offer movie nights for residents this summer. All programs are FREE and open to Newark residents.

The virtual Camp Watershed will be held in two sessions, with online activities for all participants. These will include: daily arts classes in different fields; online presentations about animals; team-building activities; a scavenger hunt; magic tricks; talent-related activities; and a video equestrian program that will teach participants about horse care and riding. Participants will take a quiz based on the videos and the 10 campers with the highest scores will win a trip to Echo Lake Stables to ride horses.

“Our city has always worked to provide our residents the best possible summer, with enjoyable, safe, and educational family- and youth-oriented activities. This summer is more challenging than previous years. But we are adapting and taking groundbreaking and pioneering steps to ensure that our youth can enjoy the summer and learn new skills, all from the safety of their home,” Mayor Baraka said. “I also urge our residents to join with us at our movie nights for enjoyable family films, sharing laughter and unity under the stars.”

Camp Watershed will be held in two sessions, the first from July 7 to July 31, with the second from August 4 to August 28. Only 100 participants will be allowed in each session, so residents should register their child early at www.newarknj.gov or call (973) 697-9018.

In addition, all of the city’s Recreation Centers will offer the regular summer feeding “Grab-n-Go” programs from July 7 to August 28, with an array of virtual on-line programming in S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday.

The programs will be organized as follows:

• Creative Performing Arts Camp at Boylan Street Recreation Center

• Newark Sports Camp at John F. Kennedy Recreation Center

• Robotics & Gaming Camp at Marquis Bo Porter Sports Complex

• Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.) Camp at Rotunda Recreation Center

• Coding & Digital Gaming Camp at Sharpe James/Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation Center

For more information on these programs, visit the city’s website at www.newarknj.gov or call the Division of Recreation at (973) 733-6454.

From July 7 to August 28, the Hayes Park West Center will offer the G.I.R.L.S. (“Girls in Recreation, Leadership, and Sports”) Camp for Newark female youth aged 7-13. Operating Tuesdays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., this program is designed to teach, encourage and empower young ladies between the ages of 7–13 in the City of Newark. The program will consist of an array of activities, virtual trips, and special events that cater to the development and growth of young women. The program includes: STEAM, Coding, Drama, Step, Yoga, Sewing, Art, Self-Care, and Healthy Eating.

For more information on this program, visit the city’s website at www.newarknj.gov or call the Hayes Park West “Center of Hope for Girls” at (973) 733-3959.

Summer Fun Movie Nights, sponsored by the Centers of Hope and Census 2020 as well as the city, will bring free family-oriented movies to Military Park and other outdoor sites around the city. Attendees must practice social distancing and should bring chairs and blankets for their family. The film schedule is attached.

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2020 Center of Hope Movie Schedule