What makes Tamarack Day Camp’s program for 3rd and 4th graders unique?

Tamarack Day Camp near Dover, NJ, designs its program specifically for 8–10 year olds in 3rd and 4th grade. Campers are introduced to skill-based swimming lessons, structured sports, ropes challenges, and arts activities that promote independence, confidence, and teamwork.

How is swimming taught to 8–10 year olds at Tamarack?

Campers ages 8–10 receive daily 40-minute swim lessons led by certified instructors. Groups are organized by skill level, not age, so every swimmer is challenged appropriately. Afternoon free swim sessions allow children to practice skills and enjoy time in the pool.

What safety measures are in place for ropes and adventure activities?

All ropes courses, climbing walls, and ziplines are inspected annually by the company that built them and checked daily by certified instructors. Campers are closely supervised, and equipment such as helmets and harnesses are fitted for each child to ensure safety.

Does Tamarack Day Camp encourage social development for 3rd and 4th graders?

Yes, Tamarack emphasizes teamwork, communication, and respect for others. Counselors guide campers in building friendships, resolving conflicts, and developing important social and emotional skills alongside sports and creative activities.

Is Tamarack Day Camp convenient for families near Dover, NJ?

Yes, Tamarack Day Camp is located near Dover, NJ, making it accessible for local families. Transportation options may be available to support parents with busy schedules.

Outdoor Adventure & Teamwork | Summer Camp for 8

Tamarack Day Camp offers a structured, age-appropriate program for children ages 8 to 10 who are ready to try new challenges and build independence. Campers in this group take part in a wide variety of daily activities designed to balance physical movement, skill development, and personal growth.

Each day includes two swim sessions: a morning instructional period focused on improving swimming technique and safety, and an afternoon free swim for social time and confidence building in the water. In addition to swimming, campers rotate through specialty areas that introduce them to sports and outdoor activities such as Archery, Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, and High Ropes.

All instruction is led by staff trained to support this age group, with an emphasis on safety, hands-on learning, and helping each camper build confidence in new settings. Tamarack Day Camp is located near Dover, NJ, providing families in the area with a reliable and engaging summer option.

The Adventurer program at Tamarack Day Camp is designed for campers ready to take more ownership of their summer experience. Each day, Adventurers choose from a range of activities that match their interests and support skill development across sports, arts, outdoor adventure, and more. This choice-based schedule encourages independence while allowing campers to focus on areas where they want to grow.

A key feature of the Adventurer program is Junior Late Night, an extended camp experience offered exclusively to this group. On Late Night days, Adventurers stay at camp into the evening. The schedule includes a special dinner, additional swim time, group games, and evening-only activities that are not part of the regular day. The event ends with a twilight campfire where campers gather for stories, songs, and roasted S’mores.

Tamarack Day Camp is located near Dover, NJ, making it a convenient and enriching option for families seeking structured independence and memorable traditions for their camper.

Junior Athletics

Tamarack Day Camp’s Junior Athletics program is designed for campers ages 8 to 10 who want structured exposure to a variety of sports. Campers practice on full-size fields and courts, gaining hands-on experience in Soccer, Football, Pickleball, Lacrosse, Archery, Basketball, Hockey, and other team and individual sports.

Each week, Athletic Specialists introduce new skills and build on prior instruction. Time is spent not only teaching proper technique but also organizing games that allow campers to apply what they learn in a supportive, age-appropriate setting.

What makes this program distinctive is the involvement of Tamarack counselors, who actively play alongside campers. This approach provides encouragement, creates a positive team environment, and helps every child experience growth and success.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp gives families in the area a reliable option for structured athletic development within a fun and safe camp setting.

Bike Program

The Tamarack Bike Program is designed for campers ages 8 to 10 who want structured instruction and safe opportunities to build confidence on two wheels. The program is set up to support all levels of riders, from those just starting out to campers who are ready for advanced challenges.

Campers begin with the basics, learning balance, control, and safe riding practices. As skills improve, instructors guide campers through obstacle courses that focus on steering, braking, and coordination. Once riders are ready, they participate in supervised trail rides across camp, leading up to the excitement of navigating Tamarack’s mountain bike trails.

All instruction is led by trained staff who give personal attention to each rider, ensuring steady progress at the right pace. Tamarack provides properly fitted bikes and helmets for every camper, so families can be confident their child is riding with safe and reliable equipment.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers families in the area a complete bike program that combines safety, progression, and the joy of outdoor adventure.

Creative Arts

At Tamarack Day Camp, campers ages 8 to 10 have the opportunity to explore a wide range of arts-based activities in our air-conditioned studios. Each week, skilled instructors guide campers through hands-on projects that encourage creativity while introducing them to new skills and techniques.

Campers rotate through activities such as Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Camper vs. Wild, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Video Editing, and other specialty areas. The structured schedule ensures that every child has the chance to try multiple forms of creative expression in a safe and well-supervised setting.

One of the highlights of the program is the annual Dance and Drama Production. During the sixth week of camp, each Junior Girl group performs a choreographed dance routine at a local venue. This event includes professional lighting and sound, giving campers the chance to perform on stage in a supportive environment while families enjoy a memorable showcase of their children’s work.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides families with a complete arts program that blends skill development, creativity, and special events into the summer experience.

Learn to Swim

The Learn to Swim program at Tamarack Day Camp provides structured instruction for campers ages 8 to 10, with lessons designed to support every level of swimmer. Whether a camper is just starting out or already has strong skills, the program ensures steady progress through small-group instruction and individualized guidance.

Each morning, campers take part in a 40-minute lesson taught by certified swim instructors. Group counselors assist in the water to provide added support and supervision. Swimmers are placed by skill rather than age, which allows every child to be challenged at the right level. Instruction follows American Red Cross standards and is built on more than 25 years of applied teaching experience.

Afternoons bring a change of pace as Adventurers return to the pool for free swim. This unstructured time allows campers to practice their skills, enjoy the water with friends, and gain additional confidence in a supervised environment.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers families a proven swim program that combines professional instruction with daily opportunities for practice and enjoyment in the water.

Ropes Courses

Juniors ages 8 to 10 take on progressive climbing challenges through Tamarack Day Camp’s ropes program. Campers begin on the Confidence Course, set 5 feet above the ground, where they learn belaying techniques and practice elements similar to those on the larger High Ropes Course. This step-by-step structure helps campers build skills and confidence before advancing.

As they progress, campers tackle high-adventure features such as a 200-foot Zipline, Vertical and Horizontal Climbing Walls, and the Giant Swing. Each element emphasizes coordination, focus, and personal growth in a safe, supervised environment.

Safety measures are built into every part of the program. Courses are inspected before each season by the company that constructed them, and certified ropes instructors conduct daily checks. Instructors also guide campers through every activity, ensuring close supervision and consistent safety standards.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers families a ropes program that combines structured instruction, reliable safety practices, and exciting challenges designed for this age group.

Social Development

Campers ages 8 to 10 at Tamarack Day Camp are guided through daily experiences that emphasize teamwork, respectful communication, and mutual support. Counselors play an active role in teaching and modeling how to work with peers, listen effectively, and resolve conflicts in constructive ways.

Throughout the summer, campers form connections by participating in group activities that require collaboration and shared responsibility. These experiences create opportunities to build friendships and strengthen important social and emotional skills.

A safe environment is central to this program. Tamarack maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and ensures that counselors are prepared to step in quickly and appropriately to support positive group dynamics. Parents can feel confident that their children are developing the skills needed to navigate relationships and challenges both at camp and beyond.

Located near Dover, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides families with a program that combines fun with intentional focus on social growth and emotional development for this age group.