Summer camp for 3-5 year olds near Kinnelon
Tamarack Day Camp offers thoughtfully designed programs for children ages 3 to 5, giving families near Kinnelon, NJ flexible options that fit their schedules and their child’s readiness for camp. Parents can choose from a five full-day program, a three full-day program, or a five half-day program.
Our Munchkin Division provides an ideal first camp experience for young children. Each group typically includes 10 to 12 campers with 3 to 4 experienced staff members, ensuring every child receives close attention, guidance, and support throughout the day. With the smallest camper-to-staff ratio at camp, our team focuses on helping each child build confidence, learn new skills, and enjoy every part of their day in a safe and caring environment.
Tamarack Day Camp offers a Munchkin Program created specifically for children ages 3, 4, and 5. Each activity is guided by trained Munchkin Specialists who understand the developmental needs of young campers. These specialists help children strengthen both fine and gross motor skills through hands-on play, movement, and age-appropriate athletic and creative experiences.
A key focus of the program is water readiness and early swim instruction, where campers gain comfort and confidence in the pool under close supervision. Beyond physical skills, every day also supports important social growth—learning how to share, take turns, and work together with new friends.
Families near Kinnelon, NJ appreciate how the Munchkin Program balances skill-building with fun, giving young children a safe and structured environment to learn, grow, and enjoy their first camp experience.
Munchkin Athletics
Young children at Tamarack Day Camp are introduced to sports through scaled-down versions of classic games designed just for them. Campers ages 3 to 5 explore activities like mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics—each adapted to match their size, coordination, and developmental level.
Led by experienced athletic instructors, these sessions focus on building balance, coordination, and teamwork through clear instruction and plenty of encouragement. Each success, no matter how small, helps campers gain confidence and enthusiasm for staying active.
For families near Kinnelon, NJ, this program offers a fun and supportive way for young children to discover the joy of movement and develop the basic skills that set the stage for future sports experiences.
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Center at Tamarack Day Camp gives young children the chance to explore, create, and express themselves through a wide range of hands-on activities. In comfortable, air-conditioned classrooms, campers are guided by skilled instructors in areas such as ceramics, music, cooking, mad science, drama, nature exploration, dance, digital photography, and jewelry making. Each week offers new opportunities for campers to discover their interests and build confidence through creative projects.
Every Munchkin group, made up of energetic 3- to 5-year-olds, participates in the camp’s annual Dance and Drama Production. This special event, held near Kinnelon, NJ during the sixth week of camp, gives young performers a chance to take the stage under professional sound and lighting. Families gather to celebrate as campers showcase what they’ve learned—an experience that highlights teamwork, creativity, and pride in their accomplishments.
Low Ropes and Confidence Course
Our youngest campers, ages 3 to 5, experience adventure on specially designed ropes courses built just for them. The low ropes course gives children the chance to climb, balance, and swing safely just a few inches off the ground. These activities help develop coordination, balance, and core strength while encouraging confidence through hands-on exploration. A new Mini-Zipline adds an extra element of excitement and accomplishment for every child who takes the ride.
To support growing confidence, Tamarack Day Camp introduces the Tamarack Confidence Course—a smaller version of the camp’s high ropes course, positioned just five feet above the ground. Here, campers practice basic rope elements under the close supervision of trained instructors, learning to trust their abilities while staying in a safe environment.
Every course is inspected before the summer season by the same certified company that built it, and our ropes instructors conduct daily safety checks. These careful procedures ensure that every camper enjoys a secure and positive experience.
Families near Kinnelon, NJ appreciate how Tamarack blends adventure with safety—helping young children build physical skills, courage, and confidence that last long after camp ends.
Learn to Swim
At Tamarack Day Camp, teaching young children to swim is a core part of our program for ages 3 to 5. Each camper participates in daily swim instruction designed to build comfort, confidence, and essential water safety skills.
Our Aquatic Facility includes a heated, shallow pool where children can stand safely and practice movements at their own pace. Every morning, certified swim instructors lead 40-minute lessons supported by group counselors who provide individual attention. Campers learn foundational skills such as floating, kicking, and proper breathing, progressing step by step as their confidence grows.
Afternoon free swim sessions give campers the chance to practice their new skills while playing with friends under careful supervision. This balance between structured instruction and open swim time helps children gain independence in the water while still feeling supported.
Families near Kinnelon, NJ choose Tamarack for its proven, nurturing approach to early swim education—where every young camper is encouraged to succeed and enjoy the process of learning to swim.
Social Development
Children ages 3 to 5 at Tamarack Day Camp grow in an environment that supports emotional, social, and personal development. Each day is designed to help young campers build independence, confidence, and the ability to connect with others.
As they move between activities, campers practice teamwork, sharing, and cooperation with both peers and staff. Counselors model and encourage clear communication, helping children learn to express their feelings and needs using words. These daily interactions form the foundation for empathy, patience, and problem-solving.
Families near Kinnelon, NJ appreciate how Tamarack emphasizes more than just play—our program helps young children develop important social skills and emotional awareness that prepare them for success beyond camp.
Munchkin Lunch
