Summer camp for 3rd & 4th graders 8-10 year olds near Kinnelon
Tamarack Day Camp offers an engaging program designed specifically for children ages 8 to 10. Campers enjoy a full day of active exploration and skill development through a balanced schedule of creative, athletic, and outdoor activities. Each morning includes an instructional swim session led by certified staff, helping campers build water confidence and technique. In the afternoon, they enjoy free swim time to relax and have fun with friends.
Beyond the pool, campers participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as Archery, Mountain Biking, Skateboarding, and High Ropes. Each program is structured to promote safety, teamwork, and personal growth while keeping campers active and motivated. Conveniently located near Kinnelon, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides a well-rounded experience where children gain independence, develop new skills, and make lasting friendships.
The Adventurer Program is designed to give campers the freedom to shape their own camp experience. Each day, they select activities that match their interests and goals, allowing them to focus on developing specific skills or explore new ones with guidance from experienced staff. This choice-based structure encourages independence, confidence, and personal growth while ensuring that every camper stays active and engaged.
A special highlight of the program is the Late Night experience, created exclusively for this age group. During Junior Late Night, campers stay after hours to share dinner with friends, enjoy extra swim time, play organized games, and participate in unique evening events. The night ends around a campfire, where everyone gathers for S’mores and stories — a memorable moment that strengthens friendships and builds community.
Located near Kinnelon, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers the Adventurer Program as a meaningful next step for campers ready for more choice, responsibility, and fun in their summer experience.
Junior Athletics
The Junior Athletics Program gives campers ages 8–10 the chance to develop athletic skills through a wide range of sports and team-based activities. Campers spend their days learning the fundamentals of games like Soccer, Football, Pickleball, Lacrosse, Archery, Basketball, and Hockey — all on full-size fields and courts that allow for real play and progression. Each week, dedicated Athletic Specialists focus on building coordination, teamwork, and confidence by combining skill instruction with organized games that help campers apply what they’ve learned in a fun and active setting.
What makes this program unique is the involvement of Tamarack Day Camp counselors, who participate alongside the campers during every activity. Their hands-on support ensures that each child feels encouraged, included, and motivated to try their best. This approach helps campers gain not only athletic ability but also sportsmanship, cooperation, and pride in their accomplishments.
Families near Kinnelon, NJ appreciate how Tamarack’s Junior Athletics Program blends structured skill development with the fun and energy of teamwork — creating an experience that keeps kids engaged, active, and excited to return each day.
Bike Program
The Tamarack Bike Program gives campers ages 8–10 the chance to build biking skills in a safe and supportive setting. Designed for all ability levels, the program begins with essential riding instruction and balance training, helping new riders gain confidence and control. Campers then advance to guided rides around camp, where they practice steering, braking, and maneuvering on different surfaces.
As skills improve, campers take on obstacle courses and trail challenges that encourage coordination, focus, and endurance. Experienced instructors work closely with each child to ensure steady progress and safety at every stage. Every participant is provided with a properly fitted bike and a high-quality helmet, allowing them to ride comfortably and securely.
Located near Kinnelon, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp offers an exciting and structured biking experience where campers can develop lifelong riding skills while enjoying the adventure and freedom of the outdoors.
Creative Arts
The Arts Studios at Tamarack Day Camp give campers ages 8–10 a place to explore creativity through hands-on projects and guided instruction. Each week, campers rotate through a range of artistic activities designed to build confidence, develop fine motor skills, and encourage self-expression. Programs include Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature Exploration, Camper vs. Wild, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, and Video Editing — all taught in air-conditioned studios that provide a comfortable learning environment throughout the summer.
Led by experienced art instructors, campers learn by doing — shaping clay, choreographing dance routines, composing short performances, and capturing moments through the lens of a camera. Every project is structured to balance creativity with skill development, ensuring that each child has the chance to explore new interests and take pride in their accomplishments.
A highlight of the summer is the annual Dance and Drama Production, held during the sixth week of camp at a local venue near Kinnelon, NJ. Each Junior Girl group performs an original dance routine under professional lighting and sound — an exciting event that brings families together to celebrate the campers’ hard work and creativity.
Learn to Swim
The Learn to Swim Program is one of the most valued parts of the Tamarack experience for campers ages 8–10. Designed for all ability levels, the program focuses on safety, skill development, and confidence in the water. Campers learn in a state-of-the-art aquatic facility equipped to support both beginners and experienced swimmers, ensuring every child can progress at their own pace.
Each morning includes a 40-minute instructional swim session led by certified swim instructors and supported by trained counselors. Lessons are organized by skill level rather than age, allowing every swimmer to receive the right level of challenge and attention. Tamarack’s teaching approach follows American Red Cross standards and builds on more than 25 years of hands-on experience, ensuring instruction that is safe, consistent, and effective.
In the afternoon, campers return to the pool for free swim time, giving them the chance to relax, play, and practice the skills they’ve learned earlier in the day.
Located near Kinnelon, NJ, Tamarack Day Camp provides a comprehensive swim program that helps children gain lasting water confidence while enjoying one of the most popular parts of their summer experience.
Ropes Courses
The Ropes Course Program at Tamarack Day Camp gives campers ages 8–10 the opportunity to challenge themselves in a safe and structured environment. The experience begins on the Confidence Course, a low ropes setup built just five feet off the ground. Here, campers learn the basics of balance, coordination, and belaying — important skills that prepare them for the excitement of the higher elements.
As campers grow more comfortable, they progress to the High Ropes Course, which includes a 200-foot Zipline, Horizontal and Vertical Climbing Walls, and the Giant Swing — a favorite among juniors. Each activity is designed to build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving while ensuring that every participant feels supported and encouraged throughout the experience.
Safety is central to everything we do. All courses are professionally inspected before every season by the company that built them, and our certified ropes instructors perform daily checks and guide campers through each element. Families near Kinnelon, NJ can feel confident knowing that their children are climbing, swinging, and exploring in a carefully supervised and secure setting.
Social Development
