Picking a summer camp in or near Montclair is a big decision — and a costly one. The good news: the options inside a roughly five-mile radius are unusually deep, from a $50/day municipal camp in Glen Ridge to flexible drop-in days at Steve & Kate’s, to specialty programs at the Montclair Art Museum, Montclair Film, MKA, and the Yogi Berra Museum at Montclair State University.
This guide covers every meaningful day camp option within roughly five miles of Montclair, organized by area: Montclair & Upper Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Verona, Cedar Grove, and the Montclair State University corridor. We’ve included ages, dates, hours, costs, transportation notes, founding history, and reviews where we could find them. Always confirm the latest details with the camp directly before registering — pricing, dates, and locations shift year to year.
How to use this guide
- Cheapest options: Glen Ridge Recreation ($50/day for residents); Montclair Public Schools Summer Enrichment Camps ($190–$330/week); Montclair Grass Roots.
- Most flexible scheduling: Steve & Kate’s Camp — buy any number of day passes and get refunds for unused ones at summer’s end.
- Daily swim included: YMCA Camp at the Lake (with bus transport), MKA Jr. STAR Camp, YMCA Geyer programs.
- Free transportation provided: YMCA Camp at the Lake offers free bus pick-up from Montclair, Upper Montclair, Verona, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, and Clifton.
- Specialty/arts focus: Montclair Art Museum SummerART, One River School, Montclair Film Summer Academy, Essex Youth Theater, SMAPA.
Montclair & Upper Montclair 17 camps
- Where
- Lacordaire Academy, 155 Lorraine Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
- Ages
- 4–12 (plus Mentorship Program for ages 14–15)
- Dates 2026
- June 22 – August 28 (closed July 3)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Cost 2026
- 15+ Day Passes: $119/day. Summer Pass (all 49 days): $3,570. Unused passes refunded automatically by Sept. 18, 2026. Mentorship: Day Pass $104; 15+ rate $89; Summer Pass $2,670; returning mentees $0. Confirm single-day rate at steveandkatescamp.com/fees.
- Transportation
- None
- Lunch
- Included, plus all-day snacks
- Founded
- 1980, Mill Valley, CA (Steve and Kate Susskind). Now 90+ locations nationwide.
- Contact
- 973-587-8420 · montclair@steveandkate.com
What it is
A self-directed camp where kids choose their own activities minute-to-minute — coding, sewing, baking, stop-motion animation, robotics, tinker lab, sports, water play, and a daily “weekly special” (inflatables, snake-handling demos, dance parties). The pricing model is unique: buy any number of day passes or a summer pass, drop in any open day, automatic refund for unused passes by September 18, 2026.
Reviews
Yelp reviewers for the Montclair location report kids “absolutely loved being there” and were surprised by how many things they were free to try. Parent Dan C. is quoted on the company site praising the “completely low-stress experience for parents.” Indeed gives Steve & Kate’s an overall employee rating of 4.2/5 across roughly 98 reviews. Note: Lacordaire Academy is not ADA-accessible.
- Where
- Wally Choice Community Building, Glenfield Park, 45 Maple Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages
- 5–10 (some recent flyers list 5–12)
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (After Care 3:00–5:30 p.m.)
- Cost
- Among the most affordable in town. Free Class A lunch and afternoon snack included. Confirm current pricing at registration.
- Transportation
- None
- Founded
- 1967 (celebrated its 50th season in 2017)
- Phone
- 973-746-6399
A nonprofit Montclair institution serving the township for over 55 years. Activities include baseball, kickball, tennis, basketball, water play, arts & crafts, swimming, and field trips to bowling, roller skating, mini-golf, the NJ Children’s Museum, and Turtle Back Zoo.
Reviews
A Yelp reviewer described Grass Roots as a welcoming, family-friendly, affordable, and safe space for children for over 50 years — noting field trips, swimming, and included lunch. The camp holds a 4.7-star rating from 14 reviewers in the Chamber of Commerce directory.
- Where
- Montclair History Center, 108–110 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages
- 6–12 (must be age 6 or have completed one year of kindergarten by July 15, 2026)
- Dates 2026
- July 27 – August 21
- Field trips
- Aug. 3–7 session: Somerset County 4-H Fair (Bridgewater). Aug. 10–14 session: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm (Morristown).
- Cost
- $450–$700 per week depending on session
A partnership between the Montclair History Center, Montclair Community Farms, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H. The program combines gardening, agriculture, local history, environmental education, and outdoor exploration at the historic Orange Road property. Campers spend time in the garden daily with activities focused on food systems, animals, sustainability, and historical living — screen-free, nature-based learning.
- Where
- Most recent listing: 141 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042. Confirm 2026 location with the Recreation Department — it has shifted in recent years.
- Ages
- 5–12
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Cost
- ~$120–$150/week in most recent posted session. Confirm 2026 pricing and dates directly before registering.
- Transportation
- None
- Phone
- 973-509-4915
Registration via register.communitypass.net/montclair. Required: proof of residency, Recreation Department medical form, and birth certificates for 5- and 6-year-olds. Activities have historically included arts and crafts, sports, drama, dance, games, and daily trips to Montclair pools.
The Montclair School District operates four affordable summer enrichment camps. All run June 29 – August 7, 2026 (closed July 3). Registration at myschoolbucks.com; payment due at registration; no refunds after June 5, 2026. MFEE scholarships available for K–8 students eligible for free/reduced lunch. No transportation to or from any SEC camp.
Montclair Summer Fun
- Where
- Northeast School, 603 Grove Street, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043 (location change from Bradford School due to construction)
- Ages
- 5–13
- Hours
- Full day 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Extended day 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
- Cost
- Full-day week ~$255; extended-day ~$345 (2023 reference — confirm 2026)
- Founded
- 30+ years (formerly Northeast Summer Fun)
- Co-directors
- Lino Martire & Maria Martire
Includes walking trips to Mountainside Pool twice a week (campers need a Montclair Recreation pool permit). Meals available via MPS Food Service.
Nishuane Summer Spectacular (NSS)
- Where 2026
- Hillside School, 54 Orange Road, Montclair, NJ 07042 (location change from Nishuane School)
- Ages
- 4–10
- Hours
- Half day 9 a.m.–1 p.m. or 1–5 p.m.; Full day 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Extended day add-ons 8–9 a.m. and 5–6 p.m.
- Cost 2026
- Half-day $190/wk ($152 holiday wk); Full-day $330/wk ($264 holiday wk); Extended day $90/wk ($72 holiday wk)
- Founded
- 1988 (37 years in 2026)
- Co-directors
- Michele Madden, Deana DiNapoli
Sports skills (basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, gymnastics), STEM/coding/3D, and pool-based swim. All activities taught by certified teachers.
Art-O-Rama
- Where
- Hillside Elementary School, Montclair
- Ages
- 5–12
- Hours
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Cost
- $315 per week per camper
- Directors
- Ivory Wise & Jackie Daniels (district art teachers, running Art-O-Rama 10+ years)
A studio art camp with painting, drawing, mixed media, and printmaking projects.
Watchung Recreation Camp
- Where
- Watchung School, Montclair
- Grades
- Grades 4–6
- Hours
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Cost
- $350 per week
A sports-focused camp covering American Ball, basketball, football, kickball, soccer, floor hockey, and other team games, run by Watchung School staff including Mr. Burrell and Mr. Fantozzi.
- Where (STAR)
- MKA Middle School Campus, 201 Valley Rd, Montclair
- Where (JR STAR)
- MKA Primary School, 224 Orange Road, Montclair
- Ages
- JR STAR: Pre-K–Grade 3 (at least 4 by start of camp). STAR: Grades 4–8.
- Dates 2026
- Six one-week sessions, June 22 – July 31 (closed Friday July 3)
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; extended day available
- Cost 2026
- $725/week ($580 for the July 4 holiday week). Includes tuition, lunch, snacks, ice pops. $50 sibling discount. $50 late-registration fee after April 1.
- Founded
- STAR Camp celebrates 20 years at MKA in 2026
- Directors
- Ralph and Amy Pacifico
STAR (“Sports, Theater, Arts, Recreation”) is a personalized camp where each child chooses five activities per week from a wide menu — sports, swim, arts, dance, theater, science, computers, cake decorating, and more. JR STAR is more structured: campers attend all seven classes per day with their color-coded group. Late pickup fees: $25 per 10 minutes after 5:00 p.m.
MKA STEM+ Explorers (new for 2026)
- Where
- MKA Upper School Campus, 6 Lloyd Road
- Grades
- Rising 6th–9th
- Dates
- July 6 – July 31, 2026 (1- to 4-week options)
- Cost
- $425 half-day / $850 full-day per week
An immersive new program exploring robotics, coding, bioethics, and architecture, guided by MKA faculty and Upper School mentors.
MKA Summer Academic Enrichment
- Where
- MKA Middle School, 201 Valley Road
- Dates
- August 3–14, 2026
- Cost
- $225 per class; $450 for double-period classes
Topics include math refreshers, art & textiles, music with Soundtrap, creative writing, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, executive functioning, Spanish, and intro to Python.
- Where
- Montclair Cooperative School, 65 Chestnut Street, Montclair
- Ages
- Age 3 through 8th grade
- Hours
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; optional aftercare 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- Cost
- $350/week; optional aftercare $120/week
- Phone
- 973-783-4955
- Director
- Dawne Weaver (recent)
Youngest campers: Camp Co-op, Art of Yoga, and Curiosity Club (STEAM). Older children: Zuma Chess, Fiberarts, Summer Science. 5th–8th graders: Filmmaking Intensive and Spanish Master Chef Junior. Campers walk to nearby parks and to the Geyer YMCA for swimming. Registration typically opens March 1 at montclaircoop.org/summerprograms.
- Where
- 516 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ 07043
- Ages
- 3–5 years
- Dates 2026
- June 22 – August 28
- Hours
- 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Cost 2026
- $149/week (2 days Tu/Th); $199/week (3 days M/W/F). Confirm at kidville.com/montclair.
An indoor play-based preschool camp featuring gym, music, storytime, art, and “big muscle” gym time. Walkable to Upper Montclair shops.
- Where
- 99 S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages (STEAM)
- 6–10
- Ages (Mischief Managed)
- 8–12
- Dates 2026
- July 6 – September 4
- Cost
- Morning 9 a.m.–12 p.m. $250/wk; Afternoon 12:30–3 p.m. $250/wk; Full Day 9 a.m.–3 p.m. $450/wk
- info@saturdayschildkids.com
A hands-on STEAM camp covering robotics, science, cryptography, archeology, magic, photography, electricity, creative writing, and dance. Mischief Managed Magic Camp is a Harry Potter–themed program with quidditch, wand making, dueling, magical creatures, and house banners.
- Where
- 14 Depot Square, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages
- 4–12
- Dates 2026
- June 29 – September 4; aftercare until 6 p.m.
- Cost
- See Centercourt’s site for current pricing. Lunch $10/day. Multi-week registrations up to 10% off. Flex Pass available (register, choose weeks by June 1, 2026).
- Phone
- 732-965-1068
- Montclair@centercourtclub.com
A 19,000-sq.-ft. dome with indoor turf and fitness areas. Programs include Ninja Adventure, Tennis (ages 5–16, beginner through high-performance), a Combo (tennis + ninja/multi-sport), and Explorer (younger campers). Activities include obstacle courses, gaga, soccer, baseball, basketball, and water play. Note: the Montclair location does not have a pool.
- Where
- Pickup/drop-off at Edgemont Memorial Park, Montclair
- Ages
- 9–16 (Junior Camp within for younger pre-teens)
- Dates
- July through mid-August (London trip starts June 25, 2026)
- Hours
- ~8:30 a.m. – 5:30/6 p.m.
- Cost
- $500–$750 per trip depending on destination. Some scholarships and discounts available.
- Contact
- 973-580-3034 · Surfandturfmontclair@gmail.com
- Founded
- 2005; current owners (since 2016): Renaissance Middle School teachers John Garzon and Tim Anagnostis
A bus-based adventure camp hitting a different destination every day — hikes, swim holes, lakes, beaches, waterfalls, tourist destinations, sports events, and overnight trips as far as Canada and California. Staff includes Montclair teachers, certified lifeguards, EMTs, and First Aid trained leaders.
- Where
- 3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair. SummerART at Van Vleck (art-and-nature) at Van Vleck House and Gardens. Access camp (grades 1–6 with disabilities) at Salvation Army Montclair Citadel, 13 Trinity Place.
- Ages
- 6–12 (Studio Art, Digital Media, Ceramics, Van Vleck); 13–17 (Teen Fine Arts Intensive, Teen Graphic Novels)
- Dates 2026
- Four two-week sessions. Session 1: June 29–July 10 (no camp July 3). Sessions 2–4 through late August.
- Hours
- Half-day and full-day options by program
- Cost 2026
- Studio Art Camp (ages 6–12, full 2-week): $1,095 non-member. Teen Fine Arts Intensive (half-day, 2 weeks): $745 non-member / $595 MAM member. Members get priority registration + discounted rates.
- Phone
- 973-746-5555
- Founded
- Nearly 20 years
- Director
- Leah Fox, director of MAM’s Vance Wall Art Education Center
Yard School of Art camps include Studio Art Camp, Digital Media Camp, Pottery/Ceramics, Teen Fine Arts Intensive, Comic Art, Sculpture, and SummerART at Van Vleck. Each session ends with an exhibition and reception. MAM has an accessibility specialist on staff.
Reviews
SummerART has received the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Summer Art Camp from JerseyArts.com five years in a row. Scholarships based on financial need, merit, disabilities, and special needs are available.
- Where
- 6 Seymour Plaza, Montclair, NJ (Wellmont Arts Plaza)
- Ages
- 5–18
- Dates
- Late June through late August (10 weeks)
- Cost
- Starting at $290/week per session
- Hours
- Morning 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.; Afternoon 12:30–3 p.m.; Late Afternoon 3:30–6 p.m. — bundle for a full-day experience
- Contact
- 973-447-1710 · montclair@oneriverschool.com
- Founded
- 2012 by Matt Ross (CEO)
One River runs more than 100 different creative camps over a 10-week season, taught by working artists, designers, and animators. Small-group instruction; students at every level — elementary beginners to high-school portfolio students — can find sessions matched to their interests. The Montclair location is in the Wellmont Arts Plaza, two doors from the Wellmont Theater.
- Where
- Citizens Film & Media Center, 505 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
- Ages
- Grades 4–12 (commonly listed 12–18; some materials list 9+)
- Dates
- July through August
- Hours
- Half-day or full-day options
- Phone
- 973-783-6433
Hands-on filmmaking, podcasting, screenwriting, editing, improv, and acting taught by professionals. Students collaborate to create custom films. Members get 10% off; scholarships available. Adult mini-camps also offered.
- Where
- The Studio Playhouse, 14 Alvin Place, Upper Montclair (by the ACME on Valley Road)
- Ages
- 6–13 (some materials list 6–12)
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Phone
- 973-746-3303
- Director
- Janet Sales
- Founded
- 30+ years (Montclair’s premier theater arts school per EYT’s site)
Custom-written scripts ensure every child has an equal role; class sizes are small. Choose 2-week musical sessions or 1-week musical & plays sessions, all leading to a full-scale production.
- Where
- 10 Erie Street, Montclair (some older materials: 14 South Park Street)
- Ages
- 3–14+
- Cost
- $275 per week
- Phone
- 973-655-9819
Preschool Primetime Summer Arts (ages 3–5, half day) and Primetime Summer Arts for older kids (at Bradford School per recent materials), with dance, theater arts, and creative self-expression in eight one-week theme-based sessions.
- Where
- 125 Valley Road, Montclair
- Ages
- 6–18 (Rock 101 starts at age 6; main camps split 7–12 and 12–17)
A music camp run weekly through the summer covering classic rock, pop, punk, blues, and more.
- Where
- 133b Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ
- Ages
- 5–14
- Dates
- Four one-week sessions between July and August
A martial arts camp open to current students and beginners alike, with Taekwon-do instruction and age-appropriate physical conditioning.
- Where
- 159 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages
- Multiple programs, ages 2–16
- Phone
- 973-415-6117 (camp); 973-783-7640 (branch)
- Membership
- All campers must have a Y membership prior to February 10 of the camp year
- Founded
- Y of Montclair: 1891. Geyer Family Branch: 2007.
The 2026 YMCA of Montclair lineup (per NJ Kids listing):
- TIME FOR TWOS (age 2): Jun 22 – Aug 21
- NEW ADVENTURES (ages 3–7): Jun 29 – Aug 14
- NEW DISCOVERIES (ages 3.5–10): Jun 29 – Aug 21
- NATURE NAVIGATORS (ages 8–14): Jul 6 – Aug 14
- EXPLORERS (ages 9–13): Jun 29 – Aug 21
- YOUTH BASKETBALL ALL-STARS (YBA) (ages 8–13): Jun 29 – Aug 7; Aug 10–14
- TEEN TRAVEL CAMP (ages 12–14): Jul 6 – Aug 14
Eligibility: campers must reside in Bloomfield, Bloomingdale, Clifton, Cedar Grove, Glen Ridge, Haskell, Hewitt, Montclair, Verona, Wanaque, or West Milford. A 10% sibling discount applies (lowest tuition); scholarship recipients with multiple children do not also receive the sibling discount.
- Where
- YMCA Outdoor Education Center, 131 Germantown Road, West Milford
- Ages
- 5–14 (Junior Village 5–7, Middle Village 8–10, Senior Village 11–14). Specialty Sports/Outdoor Ed: ages 8–14. Junior Lifeguard: ages 11–14 entering 6th grade Fall 2026.
- Dates 2026
- Traditional: Jun 29 – Aug 28 (closed July 3). Specialty/CIT: Jul 6 – Aug 14.
- Hours
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; bus stop drop-off from 8 a.m.; aftercare until 6 p.m.
- Cost
- $485 (Family Members), $500 (Youth Members), $375 (West Milford Residents). Aftercare $140/session ($65 West Milford).
- Transportation
- Free bus from Montclair, Upper Montclair, Verona, Cedar Grove, Bloomfield, and Clifton
- Founded
- 1970 (originally “Willow Lake”)
- Accreditation
- American Camp Association
One of the YMCA of Montclair’s flagship summer offerings, on 30 private acres. Daily swim lessons, sports, crafts, nature, science, outdoor survival skills, hiking, archery, recreational swimming, low ropes challenge, drama, dance, boating, and fishing. CIT program for ages 15–16; Red Cross Junior Lifeguard program. All aquatic staff hold American Red Cross lifeguard certification; counselors are CPR/First Aid and Outdoor Wilderness First Aid certified.
Glen Ridge 2 camps
- Where
- Carteret Park, Carteret Street, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
- Ages
- Glen Ridge residents only, ages 5–12 (must be 5 before January 1, 2027)
- Dates 2026
- June 22 – July 30, Monday–Friday
- Hours
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Cost 2026
- $50 per day. Maximum 40 campers per day; 10 counselors.
- Phone
- 973-748-2924
- Director
- Jim Cowan, Director of Recreation
Glen Ridge confirms the camp has “Proudly served the youth of Glen Ridge for over 50 years.” The 2026 program runs roughly six weeks. Sports games, arts & crafts, board games, and water games among daily activities.
- Eligibility
- Members of Glen Ridge Country Club only (and grandchildren of members)
- Ages
- Must be at least 4 by first day of camp; potty-trained
- Cost
- One-time $45 non-refundable registration fee plus per-week tuition; 2.75% surcharge for credit card
- Registration
- Summer 2026 opened to club members January 26, 2026
Bloomfield 3 camps
- Where
- Various Bloomfield locations
- Dates 2026
- June 29 – August 7
- Registration
- Opened May 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
- Phone/Web
- bloomfieldtwpnj.com/170/Parks-Recreation
Also offers a Travel Camp for grades 7–10 (three weeks of bus-based day trips) and sports clinics in tennis, golf, dance, soccer, and other disciplines.
- Where
- 57 Park Street and Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, 147 Broad Street
- Ages
- 3–5 (Little Engineers); Grades 1–6 (STEM+)
- Dates
- Mid-June to late August
- Phone
- 973-744-7464
STEM-focused programs across four core areas: Code Academy, Maker Lab, STEAM/Engineering, and Chess. Also runs a Girls-only STEM+ program and a June Mini Camp.
- Where
- 1350 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ
A Bloomfield-based program listed in the Macaroni Kid Clifton–Montclair guide. Confirm current session details at their website.
Verona 2 camps
- Where
- Multiple Verona schools (Brookdale, Laning Avenue, F.N. Brown, H.B.W. Middle School, Verona High School)
- Ages
- Five programs from preschool (turning 4 by Oct 1) through 8th grade
- Dates 2026
- 5 weeks (closed Friday, July 3)
- Hours
- 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Cost 2026
- $400 per program (registration via CommunityPass, opens March 30 at 10 a.m.)
- Phone
- 973-239-3220
- REC-LOT (Brookdale School) – preschoolers and entering kindergarten
- REC-PARK (Laning Avenue School) – entering 1st & 2nd grade
- ELEMENTARY ZONE (F.N. Brown) – entering 3rd & 4th grade
- JUNIOR ADVENTURE (H.B.W. Middle School) – entering 5th & 6th grade
- SUMMER ADVENTURE (H.B.W. Middle School) – entering 7th & 8th grade
- Where
- Forest Avenue School, Verona, NJ
- Ages
- 6–9
- Hours
- 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and/or 1:00–5:00 p.m.
- Cost
- ~$130 per weekly morning or afternoon session; ~$260 for full days (confirm with YMCA)
A weekly enrichment camp covering science, writing, social skills, building, drama, music, and other hands-on subjects, taught by educators from local communities. Confirm current locations, pricing, and availability with the YMCA directly.
Cedar Grove 3 camps
- Where
- Leonard R Parks School
- Ages
- Tot-lot: Pre-K and Kindergarten (child must be 4 by June 29, 2026). Elementary: Grades 1–5.
- Web
- cedargrovenj.org/254/Summer-Programs
Recreation-run programs with arts and crafts, stories, games, and entertainers throughout the summer. Birth certificates and updated immunizations required for ages 4–5.
- Where
- Cedar Grove, NJ
- Ages
- 4–18
A dance-focused day camp. Confirm current session details at htbdancecompany.com.
- Where
- Verona, NJ (close to the Cedar Grove border)
- Dates
- June 22 – August 21
A gymnastics-focused workshop serving Cedar Grove and Montclair-area families.
Montclair State University corridor 4 camps
- Where
- Yogi Berra Stadium, 8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls, NJ (on the Montclair State University campus)
- Ages
- 6–13
A baseball camp for all skill levels covering hitting, defense, base-running, pitching, and game play, taught by the MSU baseball coaching staff and players. Campers visit the Yogi Berra Museum during a camp day (museum admission included with registration). Players supply their own glove, cleats, bat, batting gloves, helmet, and baseball attire.
- Where
- Montclair State University, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043
- Ages
- 5–12
- Dates 2026
- July 6 – August 28
- Hours
- Core 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; Extended care 7:30–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–5:30 p.m. included at no extra fee
- Cost 2026
- $475/week (snacks included); $380 for the July 4 holiday week. Early bird: $25/wk off with code EARLYBIRD if enrolled by April 30.
An outdoor-focused day camp combining nature exploration, hands-on activities, and two field trips per week.
- Where
- Montclair Ice Arena at Montclair State University, Little Falls
- Ages
- Generally ages 7 and up, depending on skating level and camp session
A skating and hockey program on the MSU campus. Confirm current session offerings at montclairstatearena.com/camps.
- Where
- Passaic River Training Facility, Rutherford, NJ
- Grades
- Rising 6th–11th (Montclair Public School students; no prior experience required)
- Contact
- Coach Lorna Rundle: lornarundle@hotmail.com
Run by the Montclair Mounties rowing program’s coaching staff — the same coaches who led the high school team to back-to-back New Jersey State Championships. Beginners learn stroke mechanics and water safety from scratch; returning rowers work on conditioning and race technique. Note: The Passaic River facility is in Rutherford, outside the 5-mile radius, but is included because it is administered by a Montclair public school program and serves Montclair students exclusively.
Other specialty camps within ~5 miles 3 camps
A Montclair-area outdoor camp for ages 2–10 (with internships for ages 13+). Sessions include parent-child classes for ages 2–7, half-day drop-off camps for ages 3–6, extended-day programs for ages 5–12, and afternoon sessions for ages 4–10. Past sessions have run mid-June (the gap-week between private and public school) and late August.
- Where
- 180 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
- Ages (VTC Kids)
- 8–13
- Ages (Summerstock)
- 12–19 (overnight, Appel Farm in Elmer, NJ — not a day camp)
- Dates 2026 (VTC Kids)
- July 6–30
- Cost (VTC Kids)
- $1,600 for the full 4-week session; financial assistance available
- Cost (Summerstock)
- $2,995; Aug. 2–16, 2026
- Contact
- (862) 205-3525 · edu@dreamvtc.org
VTC Kids is a four-week musical theater day camp. Campers work on characters, stage presence, and ensemble skills — craft development is the goal, not just production. The program operates under VTC’s DREAM framework (Diversity, Reciprocity, Education, Activism, Mentorship).
- Where
- 51 Upper Montclair Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07043
- Ages
- 7–12
- Hours
- Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- Phone
- (973) 939-5550
Weekly summer coding camps covering Scratch, Python, Roblox, HTML/CSS, game design, and more. Each week ends with a Friday demo where campers show off what they built. Part of a national network of 70+ schools; also offers year-round after-school code coaching in a 2:1 student-to-instructor ratio.
Quick comparison: best fit for your family
| Your need | Best options |
|---|---|
| Cheapest day camp | Glen Ridge Recreation ($50/day); Montclair Public Schools SEC ($190–$330/wk); Montclair Grass Roots |
| Most flexible scheduling | Steve & Kate’s Camp (buy any days; automatic refund) |
| Built-in transportation | YMCA Camp at the Lake (free bus from 6 area towns) |
| Strong arts focus | MAM SummerART; One River School; Essex Youth Theater; SMAPA; Vanguard Theater Summer Camp |
| STEM/STEAM | MKA STEM+ Explorers; Saturday’s Child STEAM; MLC |
| Sports specialty | Centercourt (tennis/ninja); Yogi Berra/MSU baseball; Hockey at MSU |
| Adventure/outdoor | Surf and Turf; Champ Camp Great Outdoors at MSU |
| Filmmaking | Montclair Film Summer Academy |
| Preschool-only | Camp Kidville; YMCA New Adventures (ages 3–6); Camp Co-op; REC-LOT (Verona) |
Practical tips for Montclair families
- Registration windows are real. YMCA of Montclair programs fill on a rolling basis and require an active Y membership before camp can begin — contact them early. Glen Ridge Recreation is online-only. MAM SummerART members get priority registration and a discount. Steve & Kate’s has rolling registration but specific weeks fill up.
- Pool permits matter. Many Montclair-area camps walk to Mountainside Pool for swim sessions; a Montclair Recreation pool permit is required and purchased separately at the municipal building (219 N. Fullerton Ave. for Nishuane Summer Spectacular’s required passes).
- NJ youth camp paperwork. New Jersey law requires every camper to have a current physician-signed medical form before camp. Most camps have a May or June deadline — check well ahead.
- Sibling and member discounts. Many camps offer them but only if you ask or apply correctly: MKA $50 sibling discount, YMCA 10% sibling discount, MAM members get priority registration plus reduced tuition, Centercourt up to 10% off for multi-week registrations.
- Accreditation. ACA-accredited (American Camp Association) camps in this list include YMCA Camp at the Lake and Steve & Kate’s.
- Special-needs accommodations. MAM has an accessibility specialist on staff and offers an Access version of SummerART for campers with disabilities. YMCA of Montclair offers financial assistance for families who demonstrate need.
A note on the 5-mile radius
A strict five-mile radius from downtown Montclair pulls in essentially all of Glen Ridge, most of Bloomfield, Verona, the southern half of Cedar Grove, Upper Montclair, and the Montclair State campus. A handful of camps in this guide (YMCA Camp at the Lake in West Milford; Montclair Rowing in Rutherford) sit outside that radius geographically but are included because they are run by Montclair-based organizations or serve Montclair public-school students directly with transportation built in.
A few camps some Montclair families consider — Tamarack Day Camp (Randolph), Camp Riverbend (Warren), Spring Lake Day Camp (Ringwood), Camp Glen Gray (Mahwah), and Flippin’ Out Gymnastics (Nutley) — fall outside the strict 5-mile radius and have been omitted.
Sources
- Camp websites (linked in entries above)
- Macaroni KID Clifton–Montclair 2026 Summer Camp Directory
- Montclair Public Schools, Summer Enrichment Camps page
- YMCA of Montclair
- Borough of Glen Ridge Summer Day Camp page
- Township of Verona Recreation
- Township of Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs
- Yelp, Google, and Indeed reviews
- The Jersey Bee, The Montclair Local, Montclair Patch, NJ Family, NJ Kids
- American Camp Association
This article was reported and compiled by The Montclair Pod from publicly available camp information, parent reviews, and direct camp pages. Camp listings change every year — always verify current pricing, dates, and ages with the camp before registering. Spotted something that has changed or that we missed? Email us at hello@montclairpod.com and we’ll update this guide.
