The Township Recreation Survey Says …  !

The Mendham Township Recreation Commission would like to thank residents who completed our recent survey on township facilities and programs. We received responses from a wide range of residents – including couples with young children; empty nesters and even some families with adult children at home. Most of those who responded have lived in our community for at least seven years. We believe these responses provide an excellent sampling of our community.

Some actions are already underway in response to the survey. You told us that you prefer to learn about programs through e-mail, and we are beginning to compile an e-mail distribution list that will be used for this purpose. To get on the list, send an e-mail to Jeanne Montemarano [jmontemarano@mendhamtownship.org] You said that you find the Annual Recreation Brochure to be beneficial, and it will be updated to showcase Recreation even more than in the past. You said that you would find a combined community calendar between the Township and Borough to be helpful, and that is something the Commission is currently exploring. Also, 39% of respondents offered to help us – for which we are grateful -- and we already have reached out to those individuals who are willing to give of their time.

When it came to rating our programs/facilities, the good news is that a clear majority of respondents (72%) are satisfied with our Recreation programs and most (55%) are satisfied with our facilities. We asked what type of facilities you would like to see potentially developed in the Township or neighboring communities and the top choices were: an outdoor pool; bike trails; a fitness track; a par-three golf course; tennis courts; jogging/cross country trails; and a playground for the east side of the Township. Programs that rated highest for grade-school children were swim lessons; tennis and multi-sports camps. For high schoolers, it was a manners/interviewing/resume writing class; beach volleyball; and mountain bike clinics/club. For adults, exercise and yoga classes; and golf clinics were the most popular choices. And, for families, it was cultural trips; trips to sports games; a lobster/clambake; and Skate Night.

Our next steps are to explore some of these ideas – getting even more input from the community, as we go forward – and determine how residents’ desires will be realistically addressed and incorporated into the Recreation Commission’s goals and planning for 2008 and beyond. Again, the Commission appreciates your feedback!

Mendham Township Recreation Spring & Summer Programs

Get ready to shake off those Winter blues! The Mendham Township Recreation Commission is proud to offer activities thhis Spring and Summer for all age groups and to meet a wide variety of interests. Following is a snapshot of what’s coming. For more information and to register for all programs (unless otherwise indicated), contact Jeanne Montemarano at 973-543-4555 ext.122 or by e-mail [jmontemarano@mendhamtownship.org] to register.

Kick off the summer with the following activities!

Laser Tag: Ready, aim, fire! Celebrate the end of the school year with two hours of non-stop laser tag action on Monday, June 23. For both girls and boys in 4^th-8^th grades. Look for a pre-registration form in an upcoming school flyer.

Manners Matter: A great way to introduce children to the do’s and don’ts of everyday and dining etiquette through role playing and interactive fun. This program will be held Tuesday, June 24, at the Township Municipal Building from 9:30-11:30 AM. It is geared for children ages 7-12. Program Fees: $27.

Babysitting Certification: Get certified for sitting! The Smartsitter Babysitting Course will be offered Thursday, June 26, from 9 AM to 2:30 PM, at the Mendham Township Municipal Building . The course is for youth ages 11-15. Program Fees: $45.

Spring Hot Shot Tennis taught by USPTA/USPTR certified pros

Program fees are $180; Dates: April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 26 and June 3

Little Tennis (3-6 years old); Time: 4-5 PM

Elementary Tennis (Grades 1-4); Time: 5-6 PM

Hot Shot Junior (Grades 5-8); Time: 5-6 PM

Adult Tennis (21+); Time: 6-7 PM

Summer Tennis Programs

Program fees are $100; Dates: July 30-Aug. 3 at Mount Pleasant Tennis Courts

Pee Wee Tennis (4-5 years old); Time: 9-10:30 AM

Elementary Tennis (6-7 years old); Time: 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

Junior Tennis (8-16 years old); Call the Borough Recreation Dept. at 973-543-2610 for details.

Horseback Riding & Grooming Programs

Location: Meadow Wood Park . Children should wear long, comfortable pants and some sort of helmet.

Petite Equestrian Spring Session (3-5 years old); Dates: Five consecutive Mondays beginning April 7; Time: 4-5 PM; Programs Fees: $170 (NOTE: Parental supervision required for each child.)

Petite Equestrian Summer Session (3-5 years old); Dates: June 30 to July 3; Time: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM; Program Fees: $147 (NOTE: Parental supervision required for each child.)

Ponyshare & Horsemanship Spring Session (7-11 years old); Dates: Five consecutive Mondays beginning April 7; Time: 4-5 PM; Program Fees: $200

Ponyshare & Horsemanship Summer Session (7-11 years old); Dates: June 30 to July 3; Time: 9:30-11:30 AM; Program Fees: $160

Pony Grooming Program for Special Needs Children Summer Session Only; Dates: Aug. 25-29; Time: 10:30 AM-11:30 AM; Program Fees: $160. NOTE: Volunteers are required for each child; call the Township Recreation Office for details.

Summer Mini-Camps taught by U.S. Sport Institute

Multi-Sport Camp with 15 different sports! (5-14 years old); Dates: July 14-18 at Mendham Township Middle School ; Time: 9 AM-1 PM; Program Fees: $160

Golf (5-14 years old); Dates: July 7-11 at Ralston Fields; Time: 4:40-7:30 PM; Program Fees: $115

Summer Sports Squirts (3-5 years old); Dates: July 21-25 at Mendham Township Middle School ; Time: 2:30-4 PM; Program Fees: $90

Field Hockey (7-14 years old); Dates: July 21-25 at Mendham Township Middle School ; Time: 5-7 PM; Program Fees: $110 (NOTE: Equipment provided.)

Basketball (Children entering 5th-8th grade); Dates: July 28-Aug. 2 at Mendham Township Middle School ; Times: Boys: 9-11 AM; Girls: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM; Program Fees: $120

Two-Week Summer Preschool Program: For children who turn 4 years old by May 1, this program is held at the Old Ralston Firehouse in Wysong Park . Camp includes stories, arts and crafts, songs and movement! There is a daily “theme,” and some are educational (but, shhh! don’t tell the children!). Snacks are provided by the camp, which runs Mondays–Thursdays, from 9 AM-Noon, July 7-July 17. Registration is limited to 30 and done by lottery. Forms can be obtained at the Recreation Department Office and must be returned with the fee of $105 by April 30. Parents are notified, if their child has been picked.

Mendham Borough Summer Day Camp: Don’t forget Mendham Borough offers a six-week day camp. Older children come to swim at Brookside Beach twice a week. Registration is through the Borough Recreation Department (973-543-2610) and due by the end of May.

Sign Up for Brookside Beach !

Sign-up before May 15 for a membership and receive an early-bird discount price! The Beach will offer swim lessons, a competitive swim team, story hour and all the other activities families have come to enjoy. Daily guest passes available. The fun starts on Memorial Day Weekend, including Memorial Day, and continues for the following weekends in June from Noon to 7 PM. It opens full-time starting the day after the Mendham Township Schools close. Hours of operation are Mon.-Sat. from 11 AM-7 PM and Sundays from Noon-7 PM through Labor Day. Swim Lessons are offered the first two weeks in July, with registrations taken at the Strawberry Festival.

The Swim Team, for children 5-18 years of age, participates in the North Jersey Regional Lake League, with practices every weekday morning and swim meets on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Fees: Beach members pay $60 per child/$120 max. per family. Non-members pay, $90/per child/ $180 max. per family.

Beach Mini-Camp: This first six-week session for children in 3-5 grades (Fall 2007) will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-4 PM beginning June 26. The children will swim and enjoy arts and crafts, volleyball and more. Children registered in the Borough Day Camp can extend their day through this program. (Note: Swim lessons and swim team require separate registration fees.) Fee: $25 per week.