Summer camp for 3-5 year olds near Dover
Tamarack Day Camp welcomes children ages 3 to 5 through our Munchkin Division. Families can choose from three program options designed to fit different schedules: a 5-full-day program, a 3-full-day program, or a 5-half-day program.
Each group in the Munchkin Division typically has 10 to 12 campers and is led by 3 to 4 staff members. This low camper-to-staff ratio ensures that every child receives close attention and guidance throughout the day. Parents can feel confident knowing their young children are supported, supervised, and encouraged in a small, caring group setting.
For families near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides a reliable and structured first camp experience, giving children the chance to explore, play, and grow in an environment designed specifically for their age group.
The Munchkin Program at Tamarack Day Camp is built for children ages 3, 4, and 5. Each group is led by Munchkin Specialists who are trained to guide young campers through age-appropriate activities. These activities are designed to support important developmental milestones.
Campers practice both gross motor skills, such as running, climbing, and throwing, and fine motor skills, such as drawing, building, and other hands-on tasks. They also begin to learn the fundamentals of swimming in a safe, supportive environment where instruction is gradual and consistent. In addition, time is dedicated to helping children build social skills—learning to share, cooperate, and interact positively with peers.
For families living near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides a structured program that balances physical activity, skill development, and social growth for the youngest campers.
Munchkin Athletics
At Tamarack Day Camp, children ages 3 to 5 are introduced to the basics of traditional sports through scaled-down versions created just for them. Activities such as mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics are taught in ways that match the abilities of young campers, giving them the chance to learn the rules, practice movements, and build confidence step by step.
Our athletic instructors guide each group through exercises that emphasize coordination, balance, and teamwork. The goal is not competition, but helping children master fundamental skills they can carry into future athletic experiences.
For families near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers a program that allows young campers to enjoy the structure of sports in a format that is safe, approachable, and designed for early success.
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Program gives 3 to 5 year olds the chance to explore music, drama, dance, science, and a variety of hands-on projects. Campers rotate each week through activities such as ceramics, cooking, digital photography, jewelry making, and nature exploration. All sessions take place in air-conditioned classrooms with instructors who guide children through age-appropriate projects designed to spark creativity and build confidence.
One of the biggest highlights is the annual Dance and Drama Production during the sixth week of camp. Every Munchkin group participates, performing for family and friends at a local venue near Dover, NJ. With professional sound and lighting, the event provides young campers with the unique experience of sharing their work on stage in a real performance setting.
Low Ropes and Confidence Course
Munchkins ages 3 to 5 are introduced to climbing, balancing, and exploring through Tamarack Day Camp’s low ropes course. Designed specifically for younger campers, the course gives children the chance to develop gross motor skills, improve coordination, and build early confidence in a safe and age-appropriate environment. Activities include climbing elements, balance challenges, and swinging just inches from the ground. A new mini-zipline has also been added, giving campers an exciting way to end their ropes course experience.
To prepare campers for more advanced challenges, the program includes the Tamarack Confidence Course. This course is a smaller version of the high ropes setup, positioned only five feet off the ground. With the support of trained instructors, children learn to navigate rope bridges and other elements while practicing independence and resilience in a safe setting.
Every ropes element is inspected before the summer by the professional company that built the courses. In addition, Tamarack’s certified ropes instructors conduct daily safety checks and guide each group as they participate.
For families near Dover, NJ, these ropes experiences provide young campers with structured opportunities to gain confidence, develop skills, and enjoy an introduction to adventure activities in a safe and supportive environment.
Learn to Swim
Learning to swim is a central part of the Munchkin Program at Tamarack Day Camp. For children ages 3 to 5, the goal is to make swimming safe, comfortable, and achievable at an early age. Campers learn in a shallow, heated pool where they can stand easily, giving them the confidence to practice skills without fear.
Each morning, certified swim instructors, assisted by group counselors, lead 40-minute lessons. Instruction is tailored to the needs of young swimmers, focusing on building comfort in the water, learning basic strokes, and developing confidence step by step. In the afternoons, campers return to the pool for 40 minutes of free swim. This time allows them to practice what they’ve learned, play with peers, and enjoy the water in a supervised, relaxed setting.
Families near Dover, NJ, choose Tamarack Day Camp because of its structured approach to swim instruction, its supportive teaching environment, and the consistent progress children make throughout the summer.
Social Development
For children ages 3 to 5, the Munchkin Program at Tamarack Day Camp emphasizes social and emotional growth alongside daily activities. Campers are guided in learning how to make friends, work together, and communicate clearly with both peers and staff. Everyday moments—walking between activities, sharing materials, or participating in group games—are used to teach cooperation, patience, and respect.
Counselors focus on helping young campers use words to express their needs and feelings, encouraging direct communication instead of frustration. By practicing these skills consistently, children build confidence in their ability to interact with others and begin to develop independence in group settings.
For families near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers a structured environment where young campers gain the tools they need for future success by building strong foundations in communication, teamwork, and self-expression.
Munchkin Lunch
