By Jennifer Potash
The Princeton Packet
Tuesday, July 31, 2001

   A New Jersey State Police probe of allegations that counselors at the Princeton-Blairstown Center physically abused several young campers from Princeton has not substantiated those claims, a spokesman said.
   Sgt. Al Della Fave of the State Police said the detective conducting the investigation is awaiting a report by the state Division of Youth and Family Services before "closing out" the investigation.
   "So far, the investigation has found nothing to substantiate that any of that took place," Sgt. Della Fave said Friday.
   Among the allegations reported to The Packet by several parents and children included counselors restraining an 8-year-old girl on the ground and a male counselor slapping an 8-year-old boy across the face.
   Also they alleged that some female campers were subjected to unwanted sexual comments by male counselors.
   Stephen Nislick, vice president of the center's Board of Trustees, said the center is continuing its internal investigation — led by former state Supreme Court Justice Stewart J. Pollock, who retired in 1999. The Morristown law firm of Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti, which is conducting that probe, is asking parents and children to speak with their investigators, he said.
   Mr. Nislick previously said the center reported the complaints to DYFS and is awaiting a written report from the division.
   The camp staff accused by the children are still employed at the camp but are no longer serving as counselors, Mr. Nislick said Thursday. Those employees do have some contact with children, he said.
   Several parents called the State Police barracks in Warren County with their complaints July 6.
   Michele Elbaridi, whose daughter attended the camp, said she was initially contacted by a State Police detective but neither she nor her daughter were interviewed.
   Ms. Elbaridi said she received a letter from Riker, Danzig and she intends to participate in their investigation.
   About 15 children from Princeton spent six days at the camp from June 25 to July 1, according to State Police. They ranged in age from 8 to 13, according to the parents.
   The Princeton-Blairstown Center, located in Blairstown, Warren County, was founded in 1908 as the Princeton Summer Camp by a group of Princeton University students and alumni seeking to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged inner-city children through outdoor and camping experiences.

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