Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 77

nding summer fun in the swim COVER STORIES By Al Schell, Courier-Post ees swimmers in one of Chartwell's six pools in Marlton. By CHUCK DARROW Courier-Post Staff time Cowley ummers at the family used Shore of to for Marlton. mean the "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 Wedgewood 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 are becoming the big splash these days 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 kids use it five, six days a "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 Warwick Road, says, "Basically, IS 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 Ping-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 Ready: Caitlin Richards, 9, of Marlton takes a turn on Chartwell's diving board. 5 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. You might think water parks, are primarily for 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- 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 If you're going Splash World is inside Clementon Amusement Park, Route 534 East, Clementon.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through Labor Day. Admission is $11 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 for 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-yearold 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 10-year-olds from Gloucester Heights. 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 accordchute, which is enclosed at 17, says of Splash World.

She's ing to one parent. some points. particularly fond of the park's "They probably could add a Although her buddy, claims not to be scared by slide, she says it's her because, "You can't see thing when you go down Vicki, convenience. "I'd the down the Shore if favorite she notes. any- closer." it.

Like anything else, probably go couple more this wasn't Vicki Gramley. "This is only one area for Splash Please see slides," suggests "And there's toddlers. But, PARKS, Page 10E.