Summer camp for 3-5 year olds near Lincoln Park
Tamarack Day Camp offers programs designed specifically for children ages 3 to 5, giving young campers a structured and comfortable introduction to the camp experience. Families can choose from several scheduling options, including five full days, three full days, or five half days each week.
Within our Munchkin Division, children are placed in small groups to ensure close supervision and consistent support. Most groups include 10 to 12 campers with a team of 3 to 4 staff members who guide daily activities, help campers build routines, and keep parents informed.
These programs are available to families living near Lincoln Park, NJ, making it easy for parents to find a nearby option that fits their child’s needs and schedule while providing a dependable level of care and attention.
The Munchkin Program is designed specifically for children ages 3, 4, and 5, with every activity led by trained Munchkin Specialists who understand how young campers learn and develop. These specialists guide children through movement activities that strengthen both gross and fine motor skills, introduce the basics of early athletics, and support hands-on creative projects that build coordination and focus.
Swimming is taught through a simple, step-by-step approach that helps young campers feel secure in the water while building confidence over time. Staff also support essential social development by encouraging communication, cooperation, and age-appropriate independence throughout the day.
For families living near Lincoln Park, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers a program that supports early physical, social, and cognitive growth in an environment created specifically for young children.
Munchkin Athletics
Young children ages 3 to 5 are introduced to simplified versions of familiar sports, giving them the chance to learn core skills in a format that matches their size and stage of development. Mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and introductory gymnastics are presented with clear rules and basic movements, allowing each child to practice coordination, balance, and early athletic awareness.
Dedicated athletic instructors guide campers through each activity, helping them understand how the sport works and supporting steady skill-building so every child can feel successful and stay engaged.
For families living near Lincoln Park, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers age-appropriate athletic experiences that keep young children active while teaching the fundamentals of classic sports.
Creative Arts
Tamarack’s Creative Arts Center gives young campers consistent access to hands-on projects and performance-based activities designed for ages 3 to 5. Children rotate through weekly sessions in Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Mad Science, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, and other art-focused areas. All activities take place in air-conditioned classrooms and are guided by instructors who structure each project so young campers can follow clear steps and stay engaged.
Every Munchkin group also prepares a dance piece for the camp’s annual Dance and Drama Production. This event takes place during the sixth week of camp at a nearby venue and includes professional sound and lighting, allowing families to see the skills their children have practiced throughout the season.
Families living near Lincoln Park, NJ can count on Tamarack Day Camp to provide a range of creative experiences that help young children explore different interests and gain confidence through both art and performance.
Low Ropes and Confidence Course
The low ropes course introduces children ages 3 to 5 to climbing, balancing, and moving across simple elements designed for their size and strength. Campers stay just inches off the ground while practicing gross motor skills and exploring at a pace that matches their comfort level. A Mini-Zipline is included as an additional element, giving children a controlled way to try something new while remaining close to the ground.
The Tamarack Confidence Course provides the next step in this progression. Positioned about five feet above ground, it includes smaller versions of the features found on Tamarack Day Camp’s full high ropes course. Instructors guide each child through the course, helping them understand the equipment and build familiarity with ropes activities in a structured environment.
Safety procedures are in place for every ropes program. The courses are inspected before the season by the original builders, and certified ropes instructors check the elements daily and supervise all camper groups.
Families living near Lincoln Park, NJ can rely on Tamarack Day Camp to offer ropes activities that promote coordination, confidence, and gradual skill development for young children.
Learn to Swim
Swimming instruction is a core part of the experience for children ages 3 to 5, with a focus on helping young campers build comfort and basic skills in the water. Tamarack Day Camp uses a shallow, heated pool so even the smallest swimmers can stand easily, stay warm, and practice movements without feeling overwhelmed.
Each morning, certified swim instructors lead a 40-minute lesson supported by group counselors. Lessons follow a clear sequence, allowing children to progress at an appropriate pace while developing confidence through repetition and guided practice. In the afternoon, campers return for 40 minutes of free swim, giving them time to use their new skills while interacting with peers in a supervised setting.
Tamarack Day Camp is known for an approach that makes swimming accessible to young children by keeping instruction structured, predictable, and tailored to early learners. Families living near Lincoln Park, NJ can depend on Tamarack Day Camp to provide a consistent, supportive environment for teaching this essential life skill.
Social Development
Young children ages 3 to 5 learn important social skills as they move through their daily activities. Campers practice working with peers, sharing materials, taking turns, and speaking directly to others when they need help or want to express an idea. Counselors model clear communication and guide campers in using words to solve problems and interact respectfully with both staff and other children.
These routines help build independence and confidence while giving young campers repeated opportunities to form friendships and adjust to group settings.
For families living near Lincoln Park, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides an environment where early social and emotional skills are taught intentionally and reinforced throughout the day, helping young children develop habits that support future success.
Munchkin Lunch
