Guide to Traditional Day Camps 2024

Camp is where children gain confidence, responsibility and independence, not to mention great new friends that can last a lifetime. Camp offers a safe and appropriate environment where they can learn new skills, experience decision making, and relish in the joys of summer! 

In and around New Jersey, we have many great options for general day camps or traditional day camps, many of which provide a broad general camp experience with an excellent array of activities. Many of these camps are located outside in the wooded mountains or among acres of recreational fields and nature grounds; many are equipped with water sports, maybe even a lake, full athletics capabilities as well as arts and stem programs. Others may be located in a school or college campus, and still provide a wide range of activities, including a nice mix of academics intermingled within a fun setting. You'll find a full staff ready to provide a safe and nurturing environment. 

Here are some of the best general day camp options for 2024.  Many are coming to the camp fairs. Don't miss out. Check out the camp directory listings to find out which fair they will be attending.

Eagle’s Landing Day Camp

74 Davidson’s Mill Rd, N.Brunswick, NJ 08902
732.821.9155, Ages: 3-15, ACA Accredited
Eagle’s Landing is home to so many campers from Central Jersey. Summer enrollment is un- derway with returning and new families who will be joining us this summer. We hope you will join us for the summer of 2024! Feel free to call our camp office and we will answer any questions to help prepare you and your camper for the best summer experience possible!

Gate Hill Day Camp

750 Gate Hill Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980
845.947.3223 
Ages: 3-15, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day 
Gate Hill offers sports, swim, arts and other exciting activities — go-karting, zip lining, rock- climbing; a first rate, 33 acre facility, 4 heated pools, splash park, water slides and varied programs including unique programs for S.T.E.A.M., and early childhood campers.offers sports, swim, arts and other exciting activities — go-karting, zip lining, rock-climbing;  a first rate, 33 acre facility, 4 heated pools, splash park, water slides and varied programs including unique programs for S.T.E.A.M., and early childhood campers.

Girl Scouts Heart of NJ Day Camps

The Oval in Maplewood, 908.393.0302
Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, 908.947.1718 
Traditional Day Camps for Ages K-Gr 10
Situated in the South Mountain Reservation, The OVAL is a rustic, multi-use campground just waiting to be explored. Camp DeWitt is situated in the Sourland Mountains of Hillsborough, and boasts a pool, archery, low ropes challenge course and programming rooted in Girl Scout tra- dition. Both offer general or specialty programs, which are badge driven to support Girl Scouts wishing to pursue areas of interest beyond their troups. Not a Girl Scout? Not a problem!

Glen Ridge Summer Arts Academy

200 Ridgewood Ave, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Ages: 6 and up
Explore the Arts this Summer. Featuring Visual Art, Music, Theatre & Nature Study. Explorer Program (ages 6-10) incorporates musical instru ments, visual art, nature, and theatre games! Advanced Concept Program (ages 11+) has “majors” in Music or Visual Art. Full and Half Day

Harbor Hills Day Camp

75 Doby Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
973.895.3200 Pre-K - 8th Grade, ACA Accredited, Day Camp
The moment you step on the grounds, you’ll know It’s the people, it’s the place, it’s the program. It’s a place where kids feel comfortable instantly. It’s the program designed to understand the uniqueness of each individual camper. We start the summer as friends and we end as family. Friends. Family. Camp. We provide door-to-door transportation. 

HealthBarn USA

1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201.444.2955
Ages: 3-15, Day Camp
We educate and excite children about the best eating habits and food sources. HealthBarn empowers children to grow their own organic food, cook delicious recipes, and be protectors of the environment. Parents rave that lessons stick with kids beyond the Barn. Food and health experts say that Antine understands kids, nutrition, and the joys of good food, and knows how to bring them together. Join the fun at Summer Camp (ages 4-15) and Summer Seedlings (ages 3-5), located within Ridgewood’s Irene Habernickel Family Park—formerly a 10-acre horse farm only.  The only garden-to-fork camp experience in Northern NJ, where children spend their summer in a wholesome and dynamic learning environment. 

Morristown Beard Day Camp

70 Whippany Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
973.539.3032
Ages: 3 1/2 - 14, ACA Accreited, Traditional Day
Morristown Beard Day Camp, a state-licensed and ACA accredited facility, located on a beautiful 22-acre campus, is designed to help children develop skills in sports, arts and crafts, drama, swimming and science. Our counselors work to promote good sportsmanship and self-confidence. Daily schedule is comprised of structured periods, with a flexible schedule on special events days. 

Nature Place Day Camp

285 Hungry Hollow Rd, Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
845.356.1234
Ages: 4-16, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
Embrace a summer of wonder at The Nature Place, a non-competitive summer day camp for ages 4-16. For nearly 40 years, we've created magic with our campers on our beautiful 200-acre Rockland County, NY campus. Dive into nature with camping, hiking, swimming, and outdoor skills. Foster creativity through garden-to-table cooking, earth art, music, and African drum dance. Campers form lifelong bonds in a nurturing environment. With a dedicated staff and progressive programming, we prioritize exploration over a rushed schedule. Join us for a journey of discovery, personal growth, and cherished memories. Unplug and connect with nature 

New Horizons Day Camp

235 Brooklake Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
New Horizons Day Camp is NJ’s premier inclusive day camp. Every single camper is different which is why we allow children to try something new, take a deep-dive into an existing interest, or mix-and-match their day. Featuring more than 100 unique activities from athletics to coding... art to archery... cooking to podcasting, 3.5 to 1 Staff Ratios and fully customizable schedules our campers experience THEIR perfect summer!

Ridgewood YMCA - Camp Woods

112 Oak St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 
201.444.5600 
Camp Woods is their day camp for ages 3-14, with weekly camp themes, along with Specialty Camp offerings (including art, music, STEM and sports). Full day and half day. 

Steve & Kate’s Camp

155 Lorraine Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
Ages: 4-12, General Day Camp
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. . Kids choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, maker crafts, baking, sports, and more! Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time-no weekly reserva- tions required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. Unused Passes are automatically refunded at summer’s end.

The Work-Family Connection Summer Camp

192 Southern Blvd, Chatham, NJ 07928, 908.534.5935, Ages: K-8 Grade
WFC has summer day camp programs that your child will love, infused with enrichment, swim- ming, field trips, unique experiences and FUN! We offer activities ranging from arts & crafts to outdoor sports and more!

YWCA Northern New Jersey Summer Camp

214 State St, Ste 203A, Hackensack, NJ 07601
201.881.1700
Ages: 5-12, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Accredited camp programs providing families with a high-quality summer camp experience at an affordable price. Make new friends, develop new skills, and build self- confidence. All activities incorporate language arts and math to support campers academically during the summer months. Program locations offer easy access to Bergen, Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties.

Looking for General Day Camps that also offer a mix of academics. These are located at school campuses: 

Kids and Teens Learning Academy (Bergen Community College)

400 Paramus Road, Paramus NJ 07656
201.442.7488, Ages: 7-17
General Day Camp, Academics, Arts, STEM Held at Bergen Community College. Our camp offers a variety of fun enriching classes. New Work For Credit, Civics and Law, Science and Technology, Young Entrepreneurs, Visual and Performing Arts, Culinary Arts, and SAT Prep.

Camp Middlesex at Middlesex College

2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ
www.middlesexcc.edu/camp-middlesex
732.906.2556, Ages: 5-17, General Day Camp located at Middlesex College. There is nothing more rewarding than sparking children’s imagi- nation and inspiring them to dream. Participate in a variety of creative and engaging activities including: Arts, Crafts, Cooking, Computers, Dance, Science, Sports, and Theater Camp.

D-E Dwight Englewood Summer Program 

315 East Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631 Ages: 3-16
Summer Connections programs on our 45+ acre campus will offer a range of immersive experiences: athletics, strings masterclasses, pop art and architecture, chess, musical theatre, cooking, STEM leadership, as well as more traditional “day camp” programs with a la carte options.

Summer Explorations at Elisabeth Morrow School 

435 Lydecker St. Englewood, NJ, 07631
www.elisabethmorrow.org/programs/summerexplorations 
Summer Explorations, the summer program of The Elisabeth Morrow School, offers a unique blend of camp and school. On a beautiful 14 acre wooded campus, students are offered a wide selection of weekly half and full day program options. Early Childhood Program (ages 2 - first gr)  is a classroom based program with daily activities in music, movement, art, outdoor play and more!  Grades 2 to 6 are offered weekly program choices in art, sports, science, technology, drama, math, reading, outdoor/nature, filmmaking, woodworking, creative writing, STEM and more! Grades 7-9, are offered academic and leadership programs. 

Summer Youth Program at Essex County College

303 University Ave, Newark NJ 07102
www.essex.edu/continuing-ed/
973.877.3079, Ages: 6-13, Day Camp
Our program provides educational, social and cultural enrichment activities that play an integral part in the lives of the youth enrolled and in- cludes classes in math, literacy, writing, phonics, STEM, fine arts, performing arts, computers, sports, video gaming/coding, and recreation. Field Trips too. Breakfast and Lunch provided.

Summer at Far Brook

52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ, 973.379.3442 Ages: Nursery 3 - Grade 10. Day Camp Offering participants high quality, meaningful experiences that are consistent with Far Brook School’s values, extending the school’s mission beyond the academic year. Programming will include fun and engaging multidisciplinary day camp programs, sports instruction, outdoor ex- ploration, leadership development for our oldest campers, and unique week-long Master Classes taught by highly credentialed and knowledgeable camp staff, including Far Brook faculty.

Oak Knoll Summer Programs and Day Camp

44 Blackburn Road, Summit, NJ 07901
www.oakknoll.org/summer, 908.522.8186
Ages: 3-17, ACA Accredited, Day Camps
Located on a beautiful 11-acre campus, summer programs include Summer Adventures Day Camp offering swimming, fencing, science and nature, sports, arts; Summer Kindergarten Ready; Middle and High School Academic and Enrichment Programs to preview/review topics such as Geometry, Algebra, Physics, and English; and Summer Sports Camp including Football, field hockey, soccer, track & field.

Wardlaw + Hartridge Summer Adventures

1295 Inman Ave, Edison, NJ 08820, 908.754.1882
Ages: 3-18, Traditional Day Camp, Academic Our programs range from traditional day camps, specialty camps, and sports camps for campers who want a fun, active, and enriching camp experience, to creative art programs, and Sum- mer Academic classes. Mix and match different programs for a diverse and balanced summer.

The Winston School of Short Hills Summer on the Hill

30 East Lane, Short Hills, NJ 07078, 973.379.4114
Ages: 1-8 Grade, Special Needs Camp
A private school for students who have language-based learning differences is offering Summer on the Hill Camp. Teachers are
trained in instructing children who may have a range of learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, and executive functioning). Morning emphasizes phonics, reading, writing, math and executive functioning, while afternoons offer a choice of STEAM, sports, baking, art, OG Bootcamp, and Math Bootcamp.

Links to Find More Camps: 
2024 Camp Guide eBook
Sleepaway Camps 2024 in and around NJ
STEM / STEAM Camps 2024 in and around NJ
Sports Camps 2024 in and around NJ
Performing Arts Camps 2024 in and around NJ
Academic Camps 2024 in and around NJ
Special Needs Camps in and around NJ