Guide to Traditional Day Camps 2023

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 2023.  Many are coming to the camp fairs. Don't miss out. Check out their directory listing to find out which fair they will be attending.

Camp Veritans

225 Pompton Road, Haledon, NJ, 07508
www.campveritans.com 
An 8 week summer day camp, with an outstanding staff dedicated to providing children with a safe and nurturing environment, campers are encouraged to explore, discover, create and succeed. On 64 beautiful acres, we offer a top-notch program designed by professionals, and an extensive mix of amazing daily activities include Red Cross Instructional Swim, go-carts, sports, ropes course, arts and crafts, drama, gymnastics, science, nature, sports, and more!  Also new CIT program for campers entering 10th grade! 

Camp Middlesex at Middlesex College

2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ
www.middlesexcc.edu/camp-middlesex
732.906.2556, Ages: 5-17, General Day Camp Summer is a time for fun and exploration at Camp Middlesex. We spark children’s imagination and inspire their dreams. Arts & Crafts, Sports, Science / STEM, Jr Chef, Digital Arts and Computers,Theater and More! 

Camp NMOA at The Newark Museum of Arts  

49 Washington St, Newark, NJ
www.newarkmuseumart.org/learn/camp-nmoa 
Ages: 3-14, Day Camp
Summer begins here! Join us for six weeks of project based learning where campers can develop their skills inn art and science while building community. Registration opens January 24th. July 10-August 18, 2023. 9am-3:45pm with pre-care and after-care available.

Eagle’s Landing Day Camp

74 Davidson’s Mill Rd, N.Brunswick, NJ 08902
www.eagleslandingdaycamp.com
732.821.9155, Ages: 3-15, ACA Accredited
It’s very simple at Eagle’s Landing: we love kids and help them grow! We pride ourselves on our ability to make sure every camper leaves feeling good about themselves. Every day is a new adventure, whether it’s making a new friend, passing the deep water test or creating an amazing project. Our leadership team is comprised of over 40 certified teachers who share their passion and expertise with our campers. Through the elective program, campers starting in grade 3 choose the activities that interest them the most. 

Essex County College - Summer Youth Program

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 includes classes in math, literacy, writing, phonics, STEM, fine arts, performing arts, computers, sports, video gaming/coding, recreation. Field Trips, Breakfast and Lunch are also provided. occe@essex.edu

Far Brook Day Camp

52 Great Hills Road, Short Hills, NJ 07078
www.farbrook.org

Offering participants high quality, meaningful experiences that are consistent with Far Brook School’s values, extending the school’s mission beyond the academic year. These values inspire participants to fuel their passions and awaken their curiosity by creating a supportive and caring community that cherishes love of learning, movement, creativity, diversity, and individuality. Our fun and engaging multidisciplinary day camp programs include sports instruction, outdoor exploration, leadership development for our oldest campers, and unique week-long Master Classes taught by highly credentialed and knowledgeable camp staff, including Far Brook faculty.

Gate Hill Day Camp

750 Gate Hill Rd, Stony Point, NY  10980
845.947.3223  www.gatehilldaycamp.com
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, and included services like meals, transportation and more. Offering 4,5,6,7 and 8 week sessions. 

Harbor Hills Day Camp

75 Doby Road, Mendham, NJ 07945
www.harborhillsdaycamp.com, 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
www.healthbarnusa.com, 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. 

JCC Camp Ruach

775 Talamini Rd, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
www.jcccampruach.org 
High-caliber, inclusive and welcoming day camp for campers Pre-K through 9th grade. Diverse programming includes: swimming, art, cooking, music, sports, archery, ropes, STEM, dance, karate, entertainment, and more. Full and half day programs are available as well as overnight enriching activities for students in 7th-9th grade.

JCC Abrams Camp

148 Cedarville Road, East Windsor, NJ 08520
www.jccabramscamps.org, 609.606.7070
Ages: 4-15, Traditional Day
The JCC Abrams Day Camp & Teen Travel has been serving the greater Princeton Mercer Bucks community for more than 60 years and our expanded campus reaches Middlesex & Monmouth Counties too. The JCC Abrams Camps is filled with exciting adventure, Jewish values and positive role models that foster powerful friendships. By joining our JCC Abrams Camps family, you are choosing an unplugged summer experience that you will never forget. 

Morristown Beard Day Camp

70 Whippany Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
summer.mbs.net, 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

307 Hungry Hollow Rd, Chestnut Ridge, NY 
www.thenatureplace.com, 845.356.1234
Ages: 4-16, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
A small, nature-oriented, non-competitive day camp, operating for 38 years. Offering children a beautiful 200-acre site with magnificent woods, streams, farmland, and fields for exploring; superb indoor spaces; all-gender groups; organic gardens; camping skills; cooperative games; African drumming & dance; Red Cross swim program; day hikes; camping overnights; rock climbing; cooking; earth art; and more all with an exceptionally caring and well-trained staff.

New Horizons Day Camp

235 Brooklake Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932
www.newhorizonsdaycamp.com 
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 cutomizable schedules our campers experience THEIR perfect summer!

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 the beautiful 11-acre campus of Oak Knoll School, our summer programs offer excitement and fun, and include June Mini Camps (June 12-23, 2023), Summer Adventures Day Camp (June 26 to August 11, 2023), Kindergarten Ready (July 3-27, 2023), Summer Scholars (Summer 2023), and Youth Sports Camps (Summer 2023). Registration opens January 18, 2023.

Pond View Farm Summer Camp

50 South Rd, Mendham, NJ 07945
pondviewfarmnj.com, 973.309.1111
Ages: 4-14, Day Camp
Pond View Farm Nature Camp in Randolph, Morris County. Our program offers unique experiences that inspire children’s curiosity, imagination, and connection with nature. The Camp sits on a beautiful 15 acres farm with a petting zoo, vegetable gardens, fields, pond, creek, forests and access to India Brook Park/Buttermilk Fall Natural Area (Mendham, NJ), provides an incredible diverse landscape to explore.

Rambling Pines Day Camp

174 Lambertville Hopewell Rd, Hopewell, NJ 
609.466.1212,  www.ramblingpines.com
Ages: 3-14, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
The sprawling campus is on 225 acres and includes 2 lakes, 4 swimming pools, 4 tennis courts, 4 Ga Ga courts, sports fields, a gymnasium, creative and performing arts studios, an 18 hole mini-golf course, a low ropes challenge course, a golf driving range, mountain biking trails. Activities include swim instruction, arts & crafts, computers, dancing, drama, fishing, gymnastics, golf, music, nature study, soccer, softball, tennis, street hockey, mountain biking, basketball, volleyball, boating, ceramics and horseback riding! Tuition includes door-to-door bus service, daily lunch and a afternoon snack.

Saddle River Day School

147 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Saddle River, NJ 07458
www.saddleriverday.org/academics/summer-academy
201.327.4050, Grades 8-12
Day Camp, Academics, STEM, Pre College
SRDS Summer Academy provides students an opportunity to maximize their learning experience beyond the normal school year. Classes include full-credit advancement and elective courses, semester-credit electives, and non-credit enrichment courses. Unless otherwise noted, all classes will be conducted in a hybrid format, so students may choose to join in-person or remotely. Summer Academy will run Monday-Friday, beginning June 26 - see each course title for exact dates and times. Course registration begins immediately through June 19. 

Steve & Kate’s Camp

155 Lorraine Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043
www.steveandkatescamp.com/montclair
Ages: 4-12, General Day Camp
Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge. Campers choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, maker crafts, sports, and more! Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time. If your plans change, we’ll automatically refund any unused Passes in full. Lunch, snacks & all hours (8am–6pm) included. 

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 Programs At Princeton Day School

650 The Great Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
www.pds.org/summer-programs
Ages 4-18, Day Camp
Join us for camp and look forward to a fun and memorable summer together.  Our goal is to provide children with a nurturing and stimulating environment, which will allow them to discover new interests, develop new talents and encourage exploration of the unknown!

YMCA Camp Bernie

327 Turkey Top Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865
www.campbernieymca.org, 908.832.5315
Day Camp: entering grades K - 11
ACA Accredited, Traditional Day
Join us for a summer of friendship and adventure at YMCA Camp Bernie! We are committed to offering programs and community connections that positively impact lives through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, building spirit, mind and body for all. Weekly sessions allow campers to enjoy and explore everything our beautiful 285-acre facility has to offer. We believe that a camp experience provides children with the unique opportunity to try new things and discover who they truly are. We will help children to make new friends, build memories and to challenge themselves daily.

YMCA Camp Ralph Mason  

23 Birch Ridge Rd, Hardwick Township, NJ 07825
www.campmason.org, Ages: 8-16, ACA Accredited,Traditional Day

At YMCA Camp Mason we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Since 1900, YMCA Camp Mason has inspired kids with countless opportunities to laugh, lead and make lasting friendships. Together, our proven programs and trained counselors engage and encourage young people and deliver meaningful and memorable experiences that keep families coming back year after year after year.

YMCA Camp Mohawk

PO Box 1209, Litchfield, CT 06759-3504
www.campmohawk.org, 860.672.6655
Ages: 7-15 (overnight), 5-12 (day)
ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Girls Only Camp
YMCA Camp Mohawk is a traditional all-girls overnight and day camp in Litchfield, CT. Our main goal is to provide girls and young women the space to become stronger, more confident individuals while making friends, having fun and learning new skills.

YWCA Northern New Jersey Summer Camp

214 State St, Ste 203A, Hackensack, NJ 07601
www.ywcannj.org, 201.881.1700
Ages: 5-12, ACA Accredited, Traditional Day Accredited camp programs providing families with a high-quality summer camp experience at an intentionally affordable price. YWCA camps are the ideal place to 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. FREE Daily Swim, FREE transportation, Archery, Fishing, Boating, Creative Expressions, STEM Activities, Yoga & Mindfulness, Professionally trained staff.

Links to Find More Camps: 
2023 Camp Guide eBook
Sleepaway Camps 2023 in and around NJ
STEM / STEAM Camps 2023 in and around NJ
Sports Camps 2023 in and around NJ
Performing Arts Camps 2023 in and around NJ
Academic Camps 2023 in and around NJ
Special Needs Camps in and around NJ