Children and adults could sound the siren on a fire truck, try on emergency gear, board a school bus, sit in the driver’s seat of a police car, and even climb a rock wall. New this year was the opportunity to visit with a mailman and see how your mail gets delivered to your house!

The pumper truck sprayed water while the young and young at heart cooled off in the mist. The jaws-of-life demonstration showed first hand how our emergency volunteers set to work on a vehicle donated by Taylor’s Towing. Anyone who heard the excitement came to see what all the noise and lights were about.

Blasting sirens, spraying water, and smiling faces were just a few of the things you saw or heard as children could climb into a truck, ask questions, sound a horn, and let their imaginations run wild.

Thanks to countless individual volunteers, and to the following organizations for their support: Neptune Office of Emergency Management, Neptune Department of Public Works, Neptune Township Police, Hamilton Fire Company, Liberty Fire Company, Shark River Hills Fire Department, Hamilton First Aid, Neptune First Aid, Shark River Hills First Aid, Taylor’s Towing, Monmouth County Park System, Neptune Post Office, and Neptune Township Board of Education.

Movies in the Park - Tuesday, July 22 & Tuesday, August 19 (rain dates July 23 and August 20, respectively) 8:30 pm at Sunshine Village Park. Each evening features a short cartoon followed by a feature movie - Night at the Museum (PG) on July 22, and Alvin & the Chipmunks (G) on August 19. Come enjoy a lazy summer evening watching a movie under the stars. Bring your own blanket or comfortable lawn chair and snacks.

Free Instructional Junior Sailing Program - Neptune Township Recreation has joined forces with the Friends of the Belmar Harbor and five neighboring towns (Avon, Belmar, Bradley Breach, Neptune City, and Wall) to offer a three-week instructional junior sailing program.

Neptune Recreation will offer eight Neptune Township residents, ages 10-16, a sponsorship to participate in the program free of charge. All equipment will be supplied. Transportation will be on your own. The program dates are August 4-22, 2008 (Monday through Friday), from 12:30 – 4pm. The program location is the Belmar Marina, at the “L” Street Beach. Eligible participants must be able to participate in the entire program, be able to swim, have parental consent, and have transportation to and from the program. The 3-week instructional program will culminate in a Mayors’ Trophy Regatta on August 22. Interested applicants should contact Neptune Recreation at 732-869-1202 to be added to the wait list.

Multi Sports Camp - Neptune Township Recreation is partnering with the US Sports Institute to offer a one week instructional camp, teaching the skills for 15 different sports. The full day camp, August 25-29, will be run for children ages 5 to 14, and the program will be held at Sunshine Village Park Fields. The fee is $100 for the full day program. This year we have expanded the program offering to include a mini program (same dates) from 4-5:30pm for children ages 3-5; the fee for the mini program is $60. Registration information is available at the Recreation Office or online.

Pony Grooming - Neptune Township Recreation is again partnering with Pony Share to offer a one week pony grooming, riding, and horsemanship program. Two sessions are available: one for children ages 7-11 from 9:30 – 11am, fee $195; and one for children ages 3-6 from 11:30am-12:30pm, fee $165. Both sessions will be held at Bert Willis Fields. Registration information is available online and at the Recreation Office.

Mad Science - New this year!! Neptune Township Recreation welcomes Mad Science to offer a one week program. The program is for children entering grades 2-6, and will be held at Green Grove School, from 9am – 12 noon. The fee is $110 for the one week program. Space is limited. Registration information is available online and at the Recreation Office.

Magic Workshop - A one hour magic workshop will be offered for children ages 7-10 at the Green Grove School on Thursday, August 21. The cost is $10 per individual. Space is limited. Registration forms are available online and at the Recreation Office.

For more information on these summer activities, or any other recreation program, visit www.neptunetownship.org, or call the Neptune Township Recreation Office at 732-869-1202.