Summer camp for 3rd & 4th graders 8-10 year olds near Mountain Lakes
Designed for children ages 8 to 10, Tamarack Day Camp offers a full schedule of active and creative experiences for young campers near Mountain Lakes, NJ. Each day includes hands-on instruction and guided participation across a variety of activities, helping campers build skills, try new things, and stay engaged. Swimming is a central part of the program, with one instructional swim period in the morning and a free swim session in the afternoon. Campers are also introduced to activities such as archery, mountain biking, skateboarding, high ropes, and more, giving them the chance to grow in confidence while enjoying a wide range of age-appropriate challenges.
Tamarack Day Camp gives Adventurers more choice in how they spend their day, allowing them to focus on the activities they enjoy most while continuing to build skills over the course of the summer. This added flexibility helps campers take greater ownership of their experience and spend more time developing confidence in the areas that interest them most. Adventurers also take part in Junior Late Night, a special evening event for this age group near Mountain Lakes, NJ. The program includes dinner at camp, extra swim time, group games, special evening activities, and a twilight campfire with s’mores, giving campers a memorable way to connect with friends outside of the regular camp day.
Junior Athletics
The Junior Athletics program gives campers ages 8 to 10 the opportunity to learn, practice, and enjoy a wide variety of sports in a structured setting near Mountain Lakes, NJ. Campers use full-size fields and courts as they take part in soccer, football, pickleball, lacrosse, archery, basketball, hockey, and more. Each week, Athletic Specialists focus on teaching core skills, leading drills, and organizing games that help campers apply what they have learned through active play. Tamarack counselors participate alongside the campers, offering encouragement, helping each child stay engaged, and creating a supportive experience that helps young athletes build skills and confidence.
Bike Program
The Bike Program gives campers ages 8 to 10 the chance to build riding skills step by step in a structured setting near Mountain Lakes, NJ. Designed for a range of experience levels, the program provides direct instruction and individual support so beginners can gain confidence while more experienced riders continue to improve. Campers move from basic riding fundamentals to guided rides around camp, practice on obstacle courses, and eventually take on mountain bike trails. Tamarack Day Camp provides properly fitted bikes and helmets for every participant, helping ensure that each child can ride safely and comfortably while developing skills over the course of the summer.
Creative Arts
Young campers ages 8 to 10 have the opportunity to explore a wide range of creative activities in Tamarack Day Camp’s air-conditioned arts studios near Mountain Lakes, NJ. Guided by experienced instructors, campers rotate through programs such as ceramics, music, cooking, drama, nature, dance, digital photography, jewelry making, video editing, and more. This variety allows children to try different forms of creative expression while building skills and confidence in a comfortable indoor setting. A major part of the experience is the annual Dance and Drama Production, where each Junior Girl group performs its own dance routine during the sixth week of camp. Held at a local venue with professional sound and lighting, the event gives campers the chance to work toward a group performance and share what they have practiced over the summer.
Learn to Swim
The Learn to Swim Program is a central part of the experience for campers ages 8 to 10 near Mountain Lakes, NJ. Tamarack Day Camp uses a dedicated aquatic facility that supports swimmers at many ability levels, from children who are just getting comfortable in the water to those continuing to strengthen their technique. Each morning, Juniors take part in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified instructors and supported by group counselors. Lessons are based on skill level rather than age, which helps ensure that each child receives instruction that matches their current ability and allows for steady progress. The program follows teaching methods built on more than 25 years of experience and American Red Cross standards. In the afternoon, Adventurers return to the pool for free swim, giving them additional time in the water to practice skills and enjoy swimming as part of the camp day.
Ropes Courses
Juniors ages 8 to 10 have access to a ropes program that introduces challenge in a structured and supervised setting near Mountain Lakes, NJ. The Confidence Course, set 5 feet off the ground, helps campers learn belaying and become comfortable with elements that prepare them for the High Ropes Course. Campers also have the opportunity to take part in activities such as a 200-foot zipline, horizontal and vertical climbing walls, and a giant swing. Safety is built into every part of the program at Tamarack Day Camp. The courses are inspected before each season by the company that built them, and certified ropes instructors perform daily checks and lead campers through each activity, helping ensure a safe and supportive experience throughout the summer.
Social Development
Campers ages 8 to 10 are supported in an environment that emphasizes teamwork, communication, and respect near Mountain Lakes, NJ. At Tamarack Day Camp, counselors work closely with each group to help children build positive relationships with peers and staff through daily shared experiences. This approach helps campers learn how to communicate clearly, work well with others, and develop strong social connections over the course of the summer. Tamarack Day Camp also maintains a clear no-bullying standard, creating a setting where children feel supported, included, and able to build the social and emotional skills that continue to benefit them beyond camp.






