Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 77

In II I Hi. "mi up -riwi urn, mi miimm mal survey of swim club members suggests such families comprise a large portion of members. "It's a nice, safe place for kids to hang out," says Chartwell member Rob Godshalk of Marlton, a father of three. "My 4 Mi 1 I I kids use it five, six 'days a week. "It's a family place," agrees Bob Cowley.

"It's definitely great for the kids," Carol Pizzaro, whose family belongs to Tavistock and who sits on the eight-member board of directors that operates the 37-year-old complex on War wick Road, says, "Basically, 11 By CHUCK DARROW Courier-Post Staff Summers used to mean time at the Shore for the Cowley family of Marlton. "We would go down the Shore every weekend," says Bob Cowley. "But to load up the car and drive down there was a pain. And then the kids would be rammy because they weren't in their own beds. Besides, they'd much rather be here." "Here" is Chartwell Swim Club in Marlton.

The Cowleys Bob, his wife, Linda, and kids Anthony, 7, Christina, 5, and Jonathan, 3 are just one of thousands of South Jersey families who find their summertime fun at swim clubs. There are dozens of private clubs in the tri-county area. Some, such as Crystal Lake in Haddon Township and Wedge-wood in Haddonfield, limit their membership to residents of the communities in which they're located. Others, such as Chartwell and Tavistock Swim Club in Barrington, have open membership policies. With six pools, 20-year-old Chartwell is one of the region's largest clubs.

According to general manager John Barden, more than 500 families are members. A family of four pays $500 for the season that runs from Memorial Day weekend 1 ft Vs. .1. like it for my children." "It's a great place to come in the summer. There's basketball, tennis children can join the swim team.

They have I'ing-Pong tournaments and story hours for the younger children." Pizarro says she likes the way membership in Tavistock which, unlike Chartwell, requires a membership bond of $400 in addition to annual fees of $370 for a family of four broadens the social horizons of her three children, 12, 9 and 3. "It's a mixture of different towns. During the year, you really only see Barrington residents. Then you come here and see people from Haddon Please see POOLS, Page 10E By Al Schell, Courier-Post swimmers in one of Chartwell's six pools in Marlton. are becoming the big splash these days t.k" -if i' i I If you're going i Splash World Is Inside Clem-enton Amusement Park, Route 534 East, Clementon.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through Labor Day. Admission Is $1 1 per person age 2 and older and $16 (Includes admission to Clementon Park amusement rides). After 4 p.m., Splash World admission Is $8.50 and $13.50 lor a combination ticket. For Information and directions, call 782-0263.

But if Splash World is any indication, adults are also finding such entertainment cool, in more ways than one. "We get a mixed crowd. A very big percentage of people who use it are adults, says Crea. And, of course, youngsters from toddlers to teen-agers are finding this ongoing splash party a treat. For instance, T.J.

Embler, 7, of Mickelville, says his favorite part is the Black Viper, "because it's so dark." His 6-year-old sister, Julie, enjoys the Sky River Rapids, also known as the "wide slide," She says, "I like it because you turn around and go backwards." The Black Viper also gets thumbs-up from Vicki Gramley and Tracy Gilliard, a pair of 1 1 a from Gloucester Ready: Caitlin Richards, 9, of Marlton takes a turn on Chartwell's diving board. through Labor Day weekend. Census figures indicate only about one-quarter of U.S. families are traditional two-parent units. But Chartwell and other clubs are throwbacks to a time when mom, dad and kids all lived under one roof.

An infor particularly tornl ot the parks sT IS 1 price is right holidays. It's free on Tuesday, For information, call 268-0444. Liberty Lake on Florence-Columbus Road in Mansfield Township in Burlington County is open to the public on a limited basis: It's clientele is primarily groups who rent the facilities. However, the public is admitted according to space availability. The lake is open daily 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. through September. Admission is $6.25 for people 12 and older and $4 for kids 3-11. For information, call 291-8831. Camden County residents can swim at the Isabel Miller Recreation Center, Eighth and VanHook streets in Camden from p.m.

and p.m. Friday through Tuesday. For 757-7504. There's also an observation deck, where sunbathers can catch rays while keeping an eye on the fun below. might think Water, parks; are primarily for fybUngsttW.

By Brian Porco, Courier-Post Fun time: It's water, water everywhere at Clementon Park's new Splash World. "It's scary to go down" the "I think it's fun. I really like World isn't perfect. There is Viper, says Tracy of the super- it," Clayton's Adrienne Spina, room for improvement accord-chute, which is enclosed at 17, says of Splash World. She's ing to one parent.

"They probably could add a some points. mmougn ner ouuuy, vicki, claims not to be scared by the slide, she says it's her favorite because, You can see any- thing whe gg 44Wi 'fr til convenience i prouamy go coupie more gli(les guggest8 down the Shore it this wasn Yicki Gramley "And there's here," she notes. "This is only one area for toddlers. But, closer. UHtJlWhjOn, Phase see PARKS, Page.lOEX.