The Fair Lawn Recreation & Parks Department operates a Special Needs Summer program called Camp Shining Star. This diversified program is run by the Borough of Fair Lawn with the cooperation of the Fair Lawn Board of Education.
The camp program runs for six weeks. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The participants, aged 5-18, are divided into groups according to age and ability.
From the onset Camp Shining Star is designed to reward all of those involved in the program. Before the scheduled opening all new parents are invited to a camp orientation. At this time they personally meet with the counselors and supervisors who will be working with the children and are given a “walk through” of a typical day of what their child’s summer will be like.
Located in Fair Lawn Memorial Park, the camp has the advantage of using over 29 acres of open space, shade trees, walkways, sports fields and the fully supervised Memorial Pool bathing facility. The campers also utilize the multi-functional playground structure located at Memorial Park. The participant’s daily activities include group and individual games, music and rhythmic activities, sports and fitness activities and daily supervised swimming and Splash Park.
Each week various activities are included such as interactive variety show, magic show, bounce house and snow cones to entertain the campers. The children may also take field trips to the Bowling Alley for bowling, Fair Lawn Community Center (movies, gymnasium and arcade), Bounce-U (interactive play facility), Hawthorne Theater (movies) and Fun Time Junction (interactive play facility).
The Camp Shining Star program does not close for inclement weather. If it rains during the day the participants are simply moved indoors to Memorial Middle School. They will then be transported by Fair Lawn Board of Education buses to the Fair Lawn Community Center. Pick up will then be at the Fair Lawn Community Center. Both facilities are fully accessible to the handicapped.
We are extremely proud of Camp Shining Star and hope our program can help make the Summer a very special and fun-filled time of the year for your children.