Glen Rock – Even when summer is over, your kids can still join in on their favorite camp game with year-round GAGA right here in New Jersey. GAGA, a children’s camp game that is known as “the great equalizer” because kids of all ages and abilities can play at the same time, is not only storming the nation, it’s coming to a year-round facility in Waldwick. The Gagasphere is set to open in September thanks to the hard work of two Glen Rock moms whose children loved playing the game at summer camp and raved about GAGA’s fun, fast-paced excitement.
“My son came home from summer camp asking to have a GAGA birthday party,” says co-founder Pamela Diamond who, in addition to being a mom of three, is a pediatric physical therapist. “After looking around, we realized that a facility dedicated to playing GAGA didn’t exist in Northern New Jersey, so we built it!”
The Gagasphere, located at 140 Franklin Turnpike in Waldwick, NJ, is a 3100 square foot facility that includes three GAGA pits where kids can play after school, in camp programs and at birthday parties.
GAGA, a game that originated in the 1970s in Israel, (Ga Ga means touch touch in Hebrew) is a fast-paced group game played with a soft round ball, in an enclosure called a pit. The object of the game is to strike the ball with an open hand into other players, hitting them below the waist, while being sure not to be hit. If the ball hits you – you’re out – but if you’re standing on the sidelines and catch the ball, you’re back in! So players are engaged even when they are not in the pit. Players are eliminated until only the winner is left in the pit.
“Games typically last about five to ten minutes,” says co-founder Leslie Kossar Schraer. “The game is constantly changing and the kids are continuously moving, so they are exercising but they don’t even know it! My son is not your typical athlete – he doesn’t love organized team sports, but GAGA is different, he loves the competitive nature, the ability to play with a group, while not necessarily being on a ‘team’ and the chance to have success at something that gets his heart racing.”
Although the facility and programs will be geared towards the five to 14 year old set, adults and older kids will be able to get in on the action as well. Future plans include ideas for adult league play and open pit time at the facility. For information on fees, hours of operation and programs, visit www.thegagasphere.com.
