Tamarack Day Camp: The Ultimate Summer Experience
Voted North Jersey's Best 5 years in a row!
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DON’T GET CLOSED OUT TO SUMMER! Groups are closing!
Transportation
Tamarack provides transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
Transportation
Tamarack provides transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
New to Camp?
Learn more about our Tailored program for each age group.
New to Camp?
Learn more about our Tailored program for each age group.
Summer Camp near Kinnelon, NJ
Located near Kinnelon, Tamarack offers diverse programs catering to children aged 3-15, designed specifically for their physical and developmental stages. Our mission is to provide a nurturing environment where campers can develop various skills and acquire essential life competencies. We focus on creating intentional opportunities for success, aiming to contribute to the confidence, independence, and well-roundedness of each individual camper.
Beyond mere hobbies like swimming or baseball, your child will cultivate independence, confidence, teamwork, a willingness to explore new activities, determination, social and emotional intelligence, integrity, leadership, and resilience through our programs. The Tamarack Experience is enhanced with central transportation, a comprehensive lunch program, and a 37-acre facility equipped with a heated Olympic-size pool, Pro-turf sports complex, air-conditioned studios, skate park, ropes course, and zip lines. These amenities are all designed to foster these vital life skills within the framework of a traditional day camp, ensuring a summer filled with fun and adventure.
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
Tamarack offers tailored programs designed specifically for our youngest campers in the Kinnelon area, known as the Munchkin Division. We provide flexible scheduling options including 5-full-day, 3-full-day, and 5-half-day choices, all with an emphasis on maintaining a low camper to staff ratio to offer individualized attention.
Our Munchkin Specialists are specially trained to engage with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, leading a variety of age-appropriate athletic and creative activities aimed at enhancing motor skills. We also prioritize the importance of swimming by incorporating a comprehensive swimming program to ensure every child acquires this essential skill.
Additionally, our program places a strong emphasis on social development, fostering respectful and confident interactions within a group setting. We provide dedicated meal times and spaces to meet the nutritional needs of our young campers, all within a caring and supportive environment.
Explorers (1st and 2nd Graders)
At Tamarack, our Explorer program is designed to evolve alongside the campers’ growth. For 1st graders in the Kinnelon area, we introduce exciting activities like the Zipline and Giant Swing, along with games like GAGA. 2nd graders have the opportunity to choose their weekly activities during the CHOICE period, which includes options like the Learn to Bike Program.
Explorers also engage in a variety of modified traditional sports, creative arts such as ceramics and drama, and a comprehensive Learn-to-Swim Program in our state-of-the-art aquatic facility. They get to experience the excitement of our ropes courses, beginning with the Confidence Course. Throughout these activities, Explorers develop their social and emotional intelligence, learning to collaborate and interact respectfully within a nurturing environment.
Seniors (5th & 6th Graders)
At Tamarack, senior campers in the Kinnelon area partake in a diverse range of activities that encompass advanced sports such as soccer, football, tennis, and lacrosse. They also have the opportunity to explore creative arts in air-conditioned studios, including ceramics, music, and cooking. Specialized athletic and creative programs are available, placing a strong emphasis on skill development and game play.
One of the highlights of the senior camper experience is the variety of day trips, with Camelbeach being a popular destination. Senior Late Nights provide unique experiences, featuring dinner, additional activities, and twilight campfires. The schedule includes swimming in a state-of-the-art aquatic facility, with tailored swim lessons and free swim sessions. For those seeking adventure, the comprehensive ropes course offers opportunities for climbing, ziplining, and repelling.
Seniors can also choose to participate in the annual Drama Production or special dance routines, with performances serving as a key aspect of the camp experience. Throughout these activities, the primary focus remains on the development of social skills, teamwork, and personal growth within a supportive and inclusive environment that is free from bullying.
Teen Travel (7th, 8th, & 9th Graders)
At Tamarack, our 7th, 8th, and 9th graders are part of an exclusive Teen Travel Program, which combines exciting day trips with engaging camp activities. On days when they remain at the camp, these teens follow a structured group schedule that includes activities like free swim, ropes courses, and various athletic and creative pursuits, all guided by our counselors.
During out-of-camp adventures, our teens must adhere to Tamarack’s rigorous Travel Safety Protocols. Both Teen Travel campers and their parents are required to agree to our Teen Travel Behavior Contract, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved. A dedicated Division Head oversees the Teen Travel Programs both within the camp and on trips.
Our Teen Staff members undergo specialized training to effectively supervise campers in public settings and address the unique challenges presented during the early teenage years. For detailed information on schedules and trip specifics, please consult our Teen Travel Calendars and Trip Information.
Social Development
At Oak Crest in the Kinnelon area, camp counselors guide groups in team-building challenges and competitions to cultivate teamwork, support, and communication. This structured setting encourages respect and the formation of lasting friendships. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for bullying and are dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where children and young teens can develop crucial emotional and social skills.
LIT Program (10th & 11th Graders)
The Leader-In-Training (LIT) program at Tamarack is designed for 10th graders in the Kinnelon area, offering them vital leadership skills and practical experience applicable to their first job, college, and beyond. Serving as a transition from camper to counselor, the program emphasizes problem-solving, role modeling, and teamwork.
LITs take on substantive responsibilities and receive valuable feedback to help them develop into effective staff members. The program features a 6-day leadership trip with Windsor Mountain, focusing on teamwork, leadership, and responsibility, and pushing teenagers to step beyond their comfort zones. This experience significantly contributes to the camp community and enhances their personal growth and future prospects.