Camp Fire New Jersey’s Teens On Fire will holding its third annual 5k event on Thursday, May 23 at Veterans Park in Hamilton. The theme for this year is “Spark in the Dark” and the event will be held at night.
The festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with a one-mile fun run for children ages 12 and under. The 5K night run/walk will commence at 6:30 p.m. Onsite registration will open at 5 p.m.
The measured course is flat, fast and lined with trees, with a view of Robert C. Martin Lake. Runners will be provided with course maps and glow-in-the dark accessories at the registration table to light up the night!
The 5K race will be broken down into the following age groups (male and female): 14 and younger, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-plus. Early registration is available online.
Those who do early registration will pay a fee of $25 for adults for the 5K, $15 for students for the 5K and $10 for children for the fun run. The fees will increase by $5 on the day of the event. Organizers say all pre-registered participants will receive a T-shirt, while day-of-race registrants will receive shirts while they last.
Following the race, runners and guests will be invited to meet at the pavilion for a night of food and entertainment with Jersey Roll Food Truck, a DJ from Rider University’s The Bronc Radio, balloons and magic by Dennis James, face painting and an awards ceremony.
Organizers say funds raised will benefit Teens On Fire, a youth-led service learning program which focuses on leadership, community engagement and positive peer-to-peer mentoring. This program is designed to create connectedness within a diverse group of teens throughout Central New Jersey and to guide them to discover their full potential.
A portion of the funds will also be allocated to a scholarship in honor of Michael Kotch, a Camp Fire New Jersey volunteer and father of a Teens On Fire alumna. The annual 5k event is held in Kotch’s memory.
For more information or to find out about sponsorship opportunities, contact associate executive director Kelly Nitti by phone at 609-695-8410 or via email at knitti@campfirenj.org.
Camp Fire New Jersey is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide youth development programs that empower children and youth, from preschool through high school, to rise above everyday challenges and become the best they can be. Camp Fire New Jersey’s evidenced-based programs address substance abuse, bullying, internet safety, self-esteem, sexual abuse, peer pressure and leadership skills.
