Tamarack Day Camp: The Ultimate Summer Experience

Voted North Jersey's Best 5 years in a row!

Schedule a Private Tour!

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 Mount Arlington, NJ

Located near Netcong, Tamarack provides an array of programs catering to children aged 3-15, meticulously crafted to suit their diverse physical and developmental needs. Our mission revolves around fostering a nurturing atmosphere wherein campers can not only acquire skills but also develop essential life competencies. We are deeply committed to creating deliberate avenues for success, thereby shaping summers that contribute significantly to the growth of confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals. Beyond the surface of acquiring hobbies like swimming or baseball, your child will undergo a transformative journey towards independence, confidence, teamwork, willingness to explore new activities, determination, social and emotional intelligence, integrity, leadership, and resilience.

The Tamarack Experience is elevated with central transportation and a comprehensive lunch program. Our 37-acre facility boasts a heated Olympic-size pool, Pro-turf sports complex, air-conditioned studios, skate park, ropes course, and zip lines. These amenities are strategically designed to not only provide fun and adventure but also to cultivate these vital life skills throughout the traditional day camp experience.

3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)

For families residing near Netcong, Tamarack offers specialized programs designed specifically for our youngest campers. Within our Munchkin Division, we provide flexible options including 5-full-day, 3-full-day, and 5-half-day choices, all structured to meet the needs of busy families. With a commitment to personalized attention, we maintain a low camper to staff ratio to ensure each child receives the care and support they deserve. 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 tailored to advance motor skills. Moreover, our comprehensive swimming program is meticulously designed to ensure that every child acquires this crucial skill in a safe and supportive environment.

Emphasizing social development, our program fosters respectful and confident interaction within group settings. Dedicated meal times and spaces are provided to cater to the nutritional needs of our youngest campers, all within a nurturing and supportive atmosphere where they can thrive and grow.

Explorers (1st and 2nd Graders)

For families near Netcong, Tamarack’s Explorer program is designed to cater to the developmental milestones of 1st and 2nd graders, providing them with enriching experiences that promote both personal and social growth. In the Explorer program, 1st graders are introduced to exhilarating activities such as the Zipline and Giant Swing, along with engaging games like GAGA. Meanwhile, 2nd graders relish the freedom of choice during the CHOICE period, where they can select from a variety of weekly activities, including a Learn to Bike Program. Explorers participate in modified traditional sports, delve into creative arts such as ceramics and drama, and benefit from our state-of-the-art aquatic facility through a comprehensive Learn-to-Swim Program. Additionally, they get to conquer the challenge and excitement of our inspected and certified ropes courses, starting with the Confidence Course. Throughout these experiences, Explorers cultivate social and emotional intelligence by learning to collaborate and communicate respectfully within a nurturing environment that encourages personal growth and development.

Juniors (3rd & 4th Graders)

For families residing near Netcong, Tamarack offers an enriching experience for junior campers, where they engage in a variety of creative and athletic pursuits tailored to their age group. Junior campers at Tamarack enjoy a diverse range of activities, including twice-daily swims and exposure to advanced endeavors like Archery, Mountain Biking, and High Ropes. Through the CHOICE program, they have the freedom to select activities that align with their interests, allowing them to further develop their skills and interests. Special events like Junior Late Nights provide extended camp access with twilight campfires and additional activities, adding to the excitement of their summer experience. Juniors participate in a wide array of sports on full-size fields, receive comprehensive biking instruction, and explore their creativity in air-conditioned art studios. Our state-of-the-art aquatic facility supports their swimming progression, while the ropes course presents a variety of challenges for them to conquer. Every activity is carefully designed not only to enhance their skills but also to foster social skills and teamwork within a supportive and bully-free environment.

Seniors (5th & 6th Graders)

For families residing near Netcong, Tamarack provides a dynamic summer experience for senior campers, offering a diverse range of activities aimed at both athletic and creative pursuits. Senior campers at Tamarack engage in advanced sports such as soccer, football, tennis, and lacrosse, alongside creative arts including ceramics, music, and cooking in our air-conditioned studios. They benefit from specialized programs focused on skill development and gameplay, tailored to their interests and abilities. One of the highlights for many seniors is the variety of day trips, with favorites including excursions to Camelbeach. Additionally, Senior Late Nights offer exclusive experiences with dinner, extra activities, and twilight campfires, adding excitement to their summer schedule. Senior campers also enjoy swimming in our state-of-the-art aquatic facility, where they receive tailored swim lessons and have free swim sessions. The comprehensive ropes course provides opportunities for climbing, ziplining, and rappelling, catering to the adventurous spirits among them. Choices extend to participating in the annual Drama Production or special Dance routines, with performances serving as key features of the camp experience. Throughout their time at Tamarack, the focus remains on building social skills, fostering teamwork, and promoting personal growth within a supportive and bully-free environment.

Teen Travel (7th, 8th, & 9th Graders)

For families near Netcong, Tamarack offers an exclusive Teen Travel Program tailored for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders, blending exciting day trips with engaging camp activities to create a memorable summer experience. During camp days, teens follow a structured group schedule that includes activities like free swim, Ropes Courses, and various athletic and creative pursuits, all overseen by our dedicated counselors. When venturing on out-of-camp adventures, strict Tamarack Travel Safety Protocols are followed to ensure the safety of all participants. Each Teen Travel camper and their parents must agree to our Teen Travel Behavior Contract, fostering a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. A designated Division Head supervises the Teen Travel Programs both in camp and on trips, ensuring smooth operations and addressing any concerns that may arise. Our Teen Staff members undergo specialized training to effectively supervise campers in public settings and navigate the unique challenges of the early teenage years. For detailed information regarding schedules and trip specifics, parents can refer to our Teen Travel Calendars and Trip Information, providing transparency and clarity about the program’s offerings and activities.

Social Development

For families in the vicinity of Netcong, Oak Crest’s camp counselors take charge of guiding groups through a series of team-building challenges and competitions. Through these activities, they aim to cultivate vital skills such as teamwork, support, and effective communication among campers.

The structured environment provided by Oak Crest serves as a platform for promoting respect and nurturing lifelong friendships among participants. With a firm zero-tolerance policy for bullying, the camp is dedicated to fostering a caring atmosphere where children and young teens can develop essential emotional and social skills in a safe and supportive setting.

LIT Program (10th & 11th Graders)

For families near Netcong, Tamarack offers the Leader-In-Training (LIT) Experience, a dynamic program designed for 10th graders to equip them with essential leadership skills applicable to their first job, college, and beyond. Serving as a transitional phase from camper to counselor, the program emphasizes problem-solving, role modeling, and teamwork. LITs engage in meaningful responsibilities and receive constructive feedback, enabling them to evolve into successful staff members. A highlight of the program is a 6-day leadership trip with Windsor Mountain, where participants focus on teamwork, leadership, and responsibility, challenging them to step beyond their comfort zones. This transformative experience not only enriches the camp community but also contributes to the personal growth and future opportunities of the LITs, laying a solid foundation for their journey into leadership roles and adulthood.