Tamarack Day Camp: The Ultimate Summer Experience
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Summer Camp near Mountain Lakes, NJ
Located near Mountain Lakes, Tamarack offers a range of programs tailored to children aged 3-15, addressing their distinct physical and developmental needs. Our mission-driven ethos ensures a nurturing environment aimed at fostering various skills and essential life competencies. We prioritize creating deliberate opportunities for success, aiming for a summer experience that contributes to the growth of confident, independent, and well-rounded individuals.
Beyond mere hobbies like swimming or baseball, your child will cultivate independence, confidence, teamwork, a willingness to embrace new activities, determination, social and emotional intelligence, integrity, leadership, and resilience. The Tamarack Experience goes beyond typical day camp offerings, providing central transportation, a comprehensive lunch program, and a sprawling 37-acre facility.
This facility includes a heated Olympic size pool, a Pro-turf sports complex, air-conditioned studios, a skate park, ropes course, and zip lines. These amenities are designed to enhance the acquisition of life skills amidst the backdrop of fun and adventure characteristic of a traditional day camp.
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
For parents residing near Mountain Lakes, Tamarack offers specialized programs tailored to our youngest campers through our Munchkin Division. We provide flexible options including 5-full-day, 3-full-day, and 5-half-day programs, maintaining a low camper to staff ratio to ensure personalized attention. Within this division, our Munchkin Specialists, specifically trained to work with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, orchestrate a variety of scaled-down athletic and creative activities aimed at advancing motor skills.
Our comprehensive swimming program ensures that every child learns this vital skill, enhancing their safety and confidence in the water. Moreover, our program places significant emphasis on social development, teaching children to interact respectfully and confidently within a group setting. We provide dedicated meal times and spaces designed to cater to their nutritional needs, all within a caring and supportive environment that nurtures their growth and development.
Explorers (1st and 2nd Graders)
For families residing near Mountain Lakes, Tamarack’s Explorer program is tailored to meet the evolving needs of campers. As 1st graders embark on their Tamarack journey, they encounter thrilling adventures such as the Zipline and Giant Swing, along with engaging activities like GAGA. For 2nd graders, the CHOICE period offers the freedom to select weekly activities, including participation in our Learn to Bike Program.
Explorers delve into a variety of pursuits, from modified traditional sports to creative arts such as ceramics and drama. Our state-of-the-art aquatic facility hosts a comprehensive Learn-to-Swim Program, ensuring that campers develop essential water safety skills. They also have the opportunity to conquer our inspected and certified ropes courses, beginning with the Confidence Course.
Throughout these experiences, Explorers foster social and emotional intelligence, learning the values of collaboration and respect within a nurturing environment designed to support their growth and development.
Seniors (5th & 6th Graders)
For families in the vicinity of Mountain Lakes, Tamarack’s Senior campers embark on a diverse array of activities tailored to their interests and developmental stages. From advanced sports like soccer, football, tennis, and lacrosse to creative pursuits in air-conditioned studios such as ceramics, music, and cooking, our seniors enjoy a broad spectrum of experiences.
Access to specialized athletic and creative programs underscores our commitment to skill development and active engagement. A highlight for many is the array of diverse day trips, with Camelbeach standing out as a favorite destination. Senior Late Nights offer unique experiences with dinner, extra activities, and twilight campfires, fostering camaraderie and unforgettable memories.
Our seniors also partake in swimming sessions in our state-of-the-art aquatic facility, complete with tailored swim lessons and free swim sessions. The comprehensive ropes course challenges adventurous spirits with climbing, ziplining, and rappelling activities. Choices abound, including participation in the annual Drama Production or special Dance routines, with performances serving as key highlights of the camp experience.
Throughout their journey, we prioritize building social skills, teamwork, and personal growth within a supportive, bully-free environment that nurtures individuality and fosters lifelong friendships.
Teen Travel (7th, 8th, & 9th Graders)
For families residing near Mountain Lakes, Tamarack offers an exclusive Teen Travel Program tailored for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. This program combines exhilarating day trips with engaging camp activities to provide a dynamic 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 guided by our experienced counselors. When venturing on out-of-camp adventures, teens adhere to stringent Tamarack Travel Safety Protocols, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the journey.
Each Teen Travel camper and their parents commit to our Teen Travel Behavior Contract, fostering a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants. A dedicated Division Head oversees the Teen Travel Programs both in camp and accompanies them on trips, providing additional support and supervision.
Our Teen Staff undergo specialized training to effectively supervise campers in public settings and address the unique challenges of the early teenage years. For detailed information on schedules and trip specifics, families can refer to our Teen Travel Calendars and Trip Information, ensuring transparency and clarity throughout the program.
Social Development
Located near Mountain Lakes, Oak Crest’s camp counselors take charge of guiding groups through team-building challenges and competitions, aimed at fostering crucial attributes such as teamwork, support, and communication. Within this structured environment, respect is paramount, laying the foundation for lifelong friendships among campers.
Oak Crest upholds a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, prioritizing the creation of a nurturing environment where children and young teens can cultivate essential emotional and social skills. Through intentional programming and counselor guidance, campers learn to navigate social interactions with empathy and understanding, contributing to their personal growth and well-being.
LIT Program (10th & 11th Graders)
For families near Mountain Lakes, Tamarack’s Leader-In-Training (LIT) Experience is a transformative program designed for 10th graders. It equips participants with vital leadership skills essential for their transition to college, their first job, and beyond. Serving as a crucial bridge from camper to counselor, the program centers on problem-solving, role modeling, and teamwork.
LITs engage in meaningful responsibilities and receive constructive feedback, preparing them to become successful staff members in the future. A highlight of the program is a thrilling 6-day leadership trip with Windsor Mountain, where teens focus on teamwork, leadership, and responsibility, all while pushing their boundaries and stepping out of their comfort zones.
This immersive experience not only greatly contributes to the camp community but also fosters personal growth and opens doors to future opportunities for LITs. It’s a journey that prepares them to become confident leaders in various aspects of their lives, setting a solid foundation for their future endeavors.
