Matawan Enrichment lets
students explore talents
Student program held at Matawan Avenue Middle School in Aberdeen
By Alison Granito
Staff Writer

Many parents today are looking for an alternative to the endless hours of television their children watch.

The Matawan Student Enrichment Program (MSEP) has been providing fun and productive activities for area children for more than 30 years, and hopes to continue to do so well into the future.

"We got our start when area parents were looking for something else for the kids to do other than watch the tube all day," MSEP Director Leonard Brokaw said Friday.

"We offer a lot of different programs for kids that allow them to develop their interests and see where their talents might lie," Brokaw said.

"Whether it be artwork, karate or guitar, there is probably a project that the kids would like to try, and this gives their parents an affordable way to let them do that," he added.

MSEP, a nonprofit organization, offers an affordable alternative to private lessons and studios, with most 10-week classes priced at $65, plus material fees. All classes are held at the Matawan Avenue Middle School in Aberdeen.

However, MSEP does make scholarships available through donations from private sources.

According to Brokaw, MSEP programs change with the times, even on a semester-by-semester basis.

"In the mid ’80s when Cabbage Patch dolls were extremely popular, we had a teacher who created a similar pattern and had the children make their own lettuce patch dolls," he said.

Brokaw added that the course was completed with a mock adoption ceremony, in which the children adopted and named their lettuce patch dolls.

The teacher’s husband, dressed in a borrowed judge’s robe, presided.

While doll making is no longer in the curriculum, a video production seminar in which students learned to use video equipment and produce their own short films and commercials, generated a similar buzz last semester.

Despite its popularity that class will not be offered this semester.

"I believe the young man who taught the video course is busy making a couple of shorts for MTV," Brokaw explained.

This year’s choice of courses includes staples like guitar, painting, drawing, and dance, as well as some less traditional offerings.

Specialty courses include "Introduction to Magic," where students, age 4 and up, can "learn the secrets of Merlin and Houdini." "Just Clowning Around" is a similar offering where children, grades four and up, can learn about the makeup and costuming that go into being a performing clown.

Other unorthodox courses offered this semester include "The Crime Scene Investigation Unit," in which children in grades three and up can get a real-life glimpse into how police investigators use science to solve cases, and "Here Comes the Judge," which teaches children in grade six and up about the court system through mock trials.

According to Brokaw, more than 40 student aide positions are available per semester for students in grades seven to 12.

One type of student volunteer can take a 10-week course for free by volunteering one hour each Saturday.

The second type of aide does not receive a free course, but can use his or her volunteer time to gain community service credits required by their schools, religious instruction, or scouting activities.

Registration for this semester’s courses will take place at Matawan Avenue Middle School Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For a brochure with a complete listing of courses or for more information, call (732) 566-7900, Monday through Friday, 3 to 9 p.m.