Best of South Jersey Education Entertainment Health & Fitness Home & Garden People Sports Star Athletes Star Citizens Star Coaches Star Students Star Teachers Star Teams New Homeowner's Resource Guide
Coupons
Current Issue Previous Issues Subscribe for FREE

Summer Camps: Meet the Directors
Getting to know the people behind some of our area’s top summer camp programs.

by Liz Hunter

John Grater (left) and Rob Bangs, co-owners
Robotech Educational Services Inc.
NJRES.org
How long have you been in this business?
Robotech Educational Services Inc. was founded in 2011 by two technology teachers preparing for retirement.

Why do you have a passion for working with kids?
We have worked with students in the STEM fields for 30 years and are not ready to stop sharing our passion.

What makes your camp special?
We help bring a child’s coding to life with robotics for grades 2 through 12 with hands-on projects.

Kim Farmer, owner
Mulford Dance Studio
MulfordDance.com
How long have you been in this business?
I've owned and operated the studio for 21 years.

Why do you have a passion for working with kids?
Working with students evokes reactions like smiles, silliness, hugs and love, making this not a job but a joy!

What makes your camp special?
Our camps are special because we combine dance, songs and crafts with fun! Students will feel a sense of belonging as they make friends and learn from our caring and compassionate instructors.

Barbara Crankshaw, director
Shining Lights Preschool
ShiningLightsOnline.com
How long have you been in this business?
Shining Lights has been serving families in the Cherry Hill area for over 20 years, since 1998.

Why do you have a passion for working with kids?
They ask why, they try harder, they are always eager and they love to question!

What makes your camp special?
Our camp is special because every day there is something new and interesting that the children are able to learn about, experience or engage with like on-site field trips, water play or craft activities.

John Billen, owner/director
Nitro1 Sports Camp
Nitro1SportsCamp.com
How long have you been in this business?
This is my first year with the sports camp but I have over 22 years as an education professional and I have been a coach at the high school, middle school and elementary school levels for over 20 years.

Why do you have a passion for working with kids?
I'm a teacher at heart. Although I am currently an elementary principal, I still find tremendous value in teaching and inspiring kids to do and be their very best.

What makes your camp special?
Nitro1 Sports Camp focuses on energizing young athletes to be their very best. Myself and the teacher leaders instill excitement, self-confidence and leadership through our supportive and encouraging styles. We really focus on the positives and help kids to foster their interest and love of sports.

Nyzia Easterling & Kim Walters, co-owners
My Little Adventures Learn & Café
Summer Camp: “Around the World Summer Fun”
MyLittleAdventures.com
How long have you been in this business?
My Little Adventures is one month new to our resume, however both of us have been in the industry for over 25 years. This is one of three childcare locations in New Jersey and Maryland. We plan to bring about many more to come.

Why do you have a passion for working with kids?
Our whole lives we have been passionate about the families as a whole, being entrepreneurs and nonprofit business women in the industry. However, I have wanted to be a teacher since kindergarten and it remained a lifetime goal. I love children and to see the excitement when they can learn through play is so amazing. The skill building through open play and sensory is more than engaging.

What makes your camp special?
Our camp is special because the youth we serve are. This makes us provide the best ultimate experiences knowing the youth we serve are special and deserve the best. We will have a fun-filled learning experience that they will always remember.

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 1 (April 2021).
For more info on Suburban Family Magazine, click 
here
For information about advertising in Suburban Family Magazine, click 
here
To find out where to pick up your copy of Suburban Family Magazine, click 
here.