Local Activities

For over 175 years, the Y has been dedicated to the global mission of ensuring everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, has access to the resources, relationships and opportunities needed to learn, grow and thrive. Bringing together people of all backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y works to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. At Greater Somerset County YMCA, we strive to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all. We offer programs for kids, adults, teens and seniors to engage in physical activity, build relationships and learn new skills. With nearly 30,000 members, the Y is here to help you grow, connect and thrive.

At JCC Camp Ruach, we recognize that every day is a chance for campers and staff to have a positive effect on each other. Our 8 week program is designed to help campers learn and grow in a number of ways. By participating in group activities and working together, campers build teamwork skills, develop new abilities, and gain confidence and self-esteem. From exploring new experiences to creating lasting friendships, they become part of a vibrant, supportive community. Our activities, such as Chugim (choice time) and trips, are carefully planned to ensure that our campers stay safe, have fun, and become better prepared for the future. Through their participation in these activities, they develop independence, teamwork, and leadership skills. We believe that, through their time at camp, our campers can truly thrive and reach their full potential.

Stephanie has a true passion for art that runs through her veins! As a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, with a Bachelors of Fine Art, and a Masters of Art Education from Kean University in NJ, she is no stranger to creative expression. After working as an art educator, she was blessed with motherhood and began part time work at the popular Pinot's Palette in Somerville, NJ. It was there that her vision of creating a unique art experience began to take shape. Stephanie dreamed of a business that would offer more than the average paint and sip experience. Her dream became a reality with the establishment of create heART Studio. The studio offers step by step instruction in various painting and project activities such as wood burning into cutting boards, painting on ornaments and wine glasses, and creating art journals. Additionally, the menu will soon expand to include nailhead and yarn art on wood, embossed paintings, and felted paintings. create heART studio is a unique and fun way for people of all ages to express themselves through art. With the step by step instructions, anyone can achieve a successful piece. Stephanie is excited to share her passion for art with others and to explore new ways to express creativity.

It's time to get outside and make the most of your child's early learning years in Bridgewater, New Jersey. Tinkergarten offers engaging outdoor activities and play-based learning classes that help kids build important skills such as focus, persistence, creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and communication. With a curriculum designed by education experts and certified, trained local leaders, you can be sure your kids are getting the most out of their outdoor experience. Each season, join other families in the area for live, weekly sessions, a curriculum to extend the play at home, and a rich learning community. Enroll your family in a session or even become a leader to start your own Tinkergarten group.

At Color Me Mine, we believe that The Art of Having Fun is for everyone. We offer a great family activity that’s perfect for birthday parties, team-building, date nights, and other special occasions. We also offer special events, workshops, and classes to make your experience more memorable. At Color Me Mine, we are dedicated to exploring The Art of Having Fun! Our paint-your-own pottery studio offers a wide selection of ceramic items and an array of colors to choose from. With our tools and techniques, we can help bring your vision to life. After you’re finished painting, we’ll hand glaze and fire the piece and have it ready for pick-up in one week. We offer a great family activity that can be used for birthday parties, team-building, date nights, and other special occasions. We also host special events, workshops, and classes, so be sure to check out our calendar of upcoming events. Come on by and explore The Art of Having Fun with us!

At Gotta Dance Bridgewater, we’re devoted to helping everyone discover the joy of movement. Our dance classes are designed for all ages, from toddlers to adults, and range from hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, Broadway, and acrobatics. We strive to create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential. Our team of experienced and passionate instructors are dedicated to creating a safe and positive environment for dancers of all ages and ability levels. We create classes that are both challenging and fun, helping each student to develop their skills and find their own unique style. At Gotta Dance Bridgewater, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves through movement. Our passion for dance is infectious and we look forward to sharing it with you!

Established in 1989, Gotta Dance is a collaboration of passionate educators, inspiring students to perfect their technique and perform with joy; sharing the gift of dance to encourage growth, foster spirited community, and acknowledge the potential in everyone. Our philosophy is to develop young dancers physically, mentally, and artistically. How do we do this? Challenge, train and inspire! To help a dancer find the rhythm of the music and make art with their body is our passion. At Gotta Dance, we recognize that dancers need an audience to perform their art! Therefore we have created multiple performance opportunities for our dancers. You’ll burst with pride watching your dancer perform at our yearly concert at Raritan Valley Community College. Dancers of all ages and skills perform in our amazing shows. We also offer dancers the exclusive opportunity to perform alongside The NUTCRACKER Magic of Christmas Ballet and at community performances with Nutcracker Sweets Traveling Troupe in December. We also offer Performance Opportunities for all ages: Heartbeat Dance Team, Dynamite Dance Team, EDGE Dance Crew ,Immortal Dance Force, and Showstoppers Dance Company. Gotta Dance dancers are invited to try out and/or audition for all Performance Companies in January. Dancers are also recognized and awarded for their excellence. This happens through our Syllabus Challenge.

For over sixty five years, Loralyn Gaughran has been running Lois Allen School of Dance in Clark. She took over the business in 1991 and has since expanded to a second location in Bridgewater. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2020, LA Dance has quickly established itself as a premier dance studio in the area. At LA Dance, we strive to provide a welcoming and nurturing environment for all dancers. From those just starting out, to experienced performers looking to brush up on their technique, to musical theatre kids hoping to enhance their training, we offer a wide variety of classes to suit all levels and styles of dance. Led by our professional team of instructors, our classes are designed to cultivate self-expression and confidence. Our fully-equipped studios are designed to provide a comfortable and supportive space for our students to grow and develop their skills. We are so proud of our studio and strive to ensure that each and every student feels like they are at home. Contact us today to find out more and start your dancing journey with us!

At the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, families of all backgrounds are invited to join our close-knit community. Located on 14 acres of Talamini Road in Bridgewater, the JCC opened in December 1999 after a passionate commitment from local families to bring a JCC to the tri-county area. Our JCC serves residents of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties with a variety of offerings, from fitness and recreation to social, cultural and educational programming. We strive to create an open, safe, understanding and accepting environment for all, regardless of race, religion, culture, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic status, mental or physical disability and backgrounds. The JCC is dedicated to upholding universal humanistic Jewish values and ethics, while providing quality programs and services to meet the needs and wants of the Jewish and general communities. Our Board of Directors and Professional Staff, who are committed to this mission, govern the JCC. We invite everyone to come be part of our JCC Family!

At the Evolution Training Center, we believe that all young athletes should be able to experience the physical, mental and emotional benefits of cheerleading and tumbling. We specialize in both of these disciplines and strive to provide the highest quality instruction possible. Our facility is the home of Evolution All Stars, a competitive cheerleading team that competes at the highest levels and showcases the amazing talent of our students. We are passionate about providing an incredible experience for our students and their families. Our classes are designed to be fun, engaging and challenging, while also providing an atmosphere of support and encouragement. We strive to over-deliver on our promise to bring our students the very best cheer class they’ll ever experience. We look forward to the opportunity to meet you and have a positive impact on your children and your family. Come join us and see you on the floor!

Recognized by the U.S. Commerce Association as the "Best of Bridgewater Mixed Martial Arts Instruction," Alex Wilkie has a national reputation for his expertise and contributions to the martial arts world. His knowledge and experience have been honored by Action Martial Arts Magazine, which inducted him into their Hall of Fame. At Alex Wilkie’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy, you can experience the best in mixed martial arts & self-defense training with a respected and knowledgeable teacher. Alex Wilkie is highly regarded in the martial arts world, having been recognized by the U.S. Commerce Association as the "Best of Bridgewater Mixed Martial Arts Instruction" and honored by Action Martial Arts Magazine with induction into their Hall of Fame. Get the best instruction from a master of martial arts!

At STEAM Works Studio, we focus on providing students with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st Century. We believe in the power of hands-on, practical learning and “making” to teach students essential STEAM skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Our learning environment is both fun and engaging, so students can enjoy their learning experience while also developing skills that will set them apart in the 21st Century. We want our students to become the innovators, pacesetters, and visionaries of tomorrow. Our STEAM focused education is tailored to help our learners develop the knowledge and experience needed to be successful in the 21st Century. We strive to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills and confidence to make an impact in the world.

Are you looking for fun ways to nurture your child’s musical development? MusicRound provides interactive music and movement classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our classes are designed to provide a unique learning experience through singing, playing instruments, and moving to the beat. We understand that musical development is a complex process that requires exposure and innate abilities, so our classes are mixed age, allowing siblings to participate together. Our classes are held in Bridgewater, Branchburg, Whitehouse, NJ and offer four semesters each year, so you can join whenever you please. Come join us and let your little one explore their musical abilities! At MusicRound, we believe that music and movement can be the perfect combination for your child’s development. Our classes are designed to provide a positive learning experience through playing instruments, singing, and moving to the beat. We strive to help your little one begin their journey of achieving musical competence and keep up the beat. Our classes are held in Bridgewater, Branchburg, and Whitehouse, NJ, and offer four semesters throughout the year, so you can pick and choose when to participate. MusicRound is the perfect way for your family to have fun and explore music together.

Music Together Learn and Grow is an independent center serving Somerset County, New Jersey, currently offering classes in three locations: Bridgewater, Hillsborough, and Somerville. We have been trained and licensed to present the research-based programs developed by Music Together, LLC. For nearly 30 years, the Music Together program has been introducing families to our innovative brand of musical education. Today, Music Together is an internationally recognized music program being taught in more than 40 countries worldwide! Music is more than instruments and voices. It's more than rhythm and movement. Music is a powerful force that can inspire, create community, and build family bonds. And it can be life-changing to develop our inner music-maker as early as possible. At Music Together, we understand the importance of experiencing music in early childhood, even as an infant. The truth is that most people are born with enough musical aptitude to grow up to play in a symphony orchestra as an adult if they choose. Therefore, the earlier we learn how to "speak music," the more likely we are to develop that musical aptitude. The sounds we make, our movements, our rhythms - these are the building blocks of music and of early childhood learning. And that's what Music Together is all about.

Ellie Pan is a current sophomore at Wesleyan University and a Gold Award Girl Scout. She founded The Reign of the Brain in May of 2020 and has since run multiple brain events to help younger students learn about their nervous systems. Ellie has always been interested in the why behind human behavior, and studying neuroscience and education allow her to learn more about her passion. She hopes that through Reign of the Brain, she will help young scientists find their own love for science.

The Somerset County 4-H Youth Development Program provides young minds with the opportunity to grow in their communities. By giving our youth the chance to become compassionate, responsible, and skilled members of society, we are helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow. 4-H offers a wide variety of programs and activities that can be found in rural, urban, and suburban communities throughout the country. They focus on the top issues facing our nation, such as food security, climate change, and sustainable energy. In addition, the 4-H out-of-school programming and in-school enrichment programs provide STEM opportunities to keep our future generations competitive and prepared to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. The Somerset County 4-H Youth Development Program is dedicated to helping our youth become the best they can be. With the wide variety of programs and activities available, our children have the tools they need to make a positive impact on their communities and the world around them.

As children grow and develop, their motor skills and intelligence levels change. By taking these scientific facts into account, classes tailored to each level of development become more productive and enjoyable for everyone. The martial arts curriculum at our facility is developed with the latest research in child psychology and development. This means the program isn't just about martial arts, but also about the overall growth and development of the child. Kids of different ages have varying motor skills and intelligence levels. By recognizing these scientific facts, classes become more effective and enjoyable. Our martial arts program is based on the latest research and insights into child psychology and development. As a result, this program isn't simply about martial arts, but is also about the development of the child. At distinct ages, children possess diverse motor skills and intellect. With these scientific facts taken into consideration, instruction becomes even more enjoyable and efficient. Our martial arts curriculum is enhanced with the most up-to-date knowledge in child psychology and development. This implies that the martial arts program is no longer simply about martial arts, but is also about the child's overall growth and development.

At our dojo, students are given the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons and develop skills to help them develop into strong, responsible adults. Our classes promote a positive environment that is designed to help students build self-esteem, improve concentration, and learn respect for one another. We strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for children of all ages to learn and grow. Through our karate classes, students are taught the importance of respect, self-discipline, and goal setting. Not only do our students learn physical and self-defense skills, but they also learn how to apply these skills in a respectful and positive way. We believe that the best way for students to learn and develop is through a combination of fun and hard work. Our classes are designed to provide an atmosphere that is both physically and mentally stimulating. Students learn the Golden Rule and how to communicate properly with others. They are also encouraged to have compassion for one another and to have a passion for everything that they do. Our students learn that the glass is always half-full and that it is better to know karate and not need it than to need it and not know it. We understand that martial arts is more than just self-defense; it is also about self-improvement. We strive to provide an environment where our students can improve their mind, body, and soul while having fun and making new friends.