Summer camp for 1st & 2nd graders 6-8 year olds near Boonton Township
Tamarack Day Camp’s Explorer program is thoughtfully designed for children ages 6 to 8, offering age-appropriate activities that build confidence, independence, and essential life skills. First graders enjoy exciting introductions to camp life through signature experiences like the Zipline, Giant Swing, and GAGA, all in a supportive, safety-first environment that encourages trying new things.
By second grade, campers take on more responsibility with CHOICE—a daily opportunity to pick their favorite activities for the week—fostering decision-making and personal investment in their camp experience. This stage also introduces the Learn to Bike program, where campers gain the skills needed for safe riding and future mountain biking adventures. Families near Boonton Township, NJ value how Tamarack Day Camp aligns each summer with their child’s stage of growth, prioritizing physical activity, growing independence, and social development.
Explorer Athletics
Explorer Athletics at Tamarack Day Camp is designed for children ages 6 to 8, with a focus on helping younger campers learn and enjoy sports in a way that fits their stage of development. Fields and courts are adjusted in size, and equipment is modified to suit their age, so campers can practice skills with confidence and build a strong foundation in movement, teamwork, and rules of play.
Campers are introduced to sports like Pickleball and Lacrosse, along with a variety of traditional games. Athletic Specialists guide each session by breaking down the basics and organizing games where campers can immediately apply what they’ve learned. Tamarack counselors join in every activity, giving campers hands-on support and encouragement throughout. For families near Boonton Township, NJ, Explorer Athletics offers a structured, supportive way for young children to become active, build coordination, and gain confidence through sport.
Creative Arts
Tamarack Day Camp provides young campers with hands-on exposure to a wide range of creative activities in cool, air-conditioned studios. Campers participate in Ceramics, Cooking, Jewelry Making, Digital Photography, Dance, Drama, Mad Science, and Nature-based exploration. Each activity is guided by instructors who focus on helping children learn new skills and express themselves through projects that rotate weekly.
Explorer Girl groups also prepare for a special Dance and Drama Production held during the sixth week of camp. This performance includes professional lighting and sound and takes place at a local venue. It’s an opportunity for families near Boonton Township, NJ to see their children build confidence, work as a team, and take pride in presenting a show they’ve helped create from start to finish.
Learn to Swim
Tamarack Day Camp’s Learn-to-Swim Program is built for children ages 6 to 8, offering structured daily instruction in a 12,000 square foot pool with varying depths from 1 to 6 feet. This setup allows younger swimmers to start in shallow water and gradually build confidence as they advance.
Campers receive 40-minute morning swim lessons led by certified instructors and supported by their group counselors. Lessons are organized by skill level, not age, so each camper receives instruction that fits their current ability. In the afternoons, campers participate in free swim, which reinforces progress and gives them time to practice at their own pace.
The program is based on a proven teaching approach that combines American Red Cross guidelines with over two decades of direct experience. Every instructor at Tamarack Day Camp is trained annually to deliver consistent, safe, and effective swim instruction. Families near Boonton Township, NJ choose Tamarack for its focus on developing strong swimmers through a methodical and supportive system.
Ropes Course
Tamarack Day Camp offers children ages 6 to 8 the chance to build confidence and coordination through a ropes course experience designed specifically for younger campers. The program begins on the Tamarack Confidence Course, a low ropes setup just 5 feet off the ground, where campers learn to navigate elements while getting used to being on belay.
The course includes features that reflect many of the same elements found on higher courses, giving campers a foundation to grow at their own pace. As they become more comfortable, they are introduced to additional elements like the Zipline and climbing walls, all under the close supervision of certified ropes instructors.
Each ropes course is inspected before the summer by the same company that built it, and daily safety checks are conducted by trained staff. For families near Boonton Township, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides a reliable and well-supervised environment where children can safely develop balance, coordination, and self-assurance while tackling age-appropriate physical challenges.