Affordable Day Camps in Montclair, New Jersey

Finding an affordable day camp in Montclair isn’t always straightforward. Daily schedules vary widely, some programs run shorter days or different daily schedules, and advertised prices don’t always reflect the real cost once hours and coverage are factored in.

This page highlights day camps that may be more budget-friendly based on relative hourly cost and daily structure, not a single price cutoff. Camp Genie looks at estimated hourly rates, half-day versus full-day schedules, and whether families are paying for hours they actually need. This helps surface programs that may be a better financial fit without sacrificing clarity or quality.

Affordability looks different for every family, and lower cost doesn’t mean lower quality. Some programs are designed around fewer hours or simpler daily structures, which can make them a better financial fit depending on your needs.

All listings here are independently cataloged using program-provided and publicly available information, and we regularly re-check key details so families can plan with clearer expectations.

 

Explore other Montclair camp options

Affordable Montclair day camps

Pricing formats and schedules vary. Registration links always go directly to the camp unless otherwise noted.

YMCA of Montclair

Town: Montclair, NJ and Verona, NJ

Ages: 2-16

Typical hours: 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $365-$465

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Teens

Registration status: Opens February 10-13th, 2026 (varies by specific camp)

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
Centercourt

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 4-14

Typical hours: 9am-1pm or 9am-4pm (full day only for kids 7+)

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $295-$495 

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

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Surf and Turf

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 9-16

Typical hours: 8:30am-5pm

Type:  Travel day and overnight camp

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $675-750 for travel day camp

and $1050-$2,700 for travel overnight camp

Tags: Affordable, Teens

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

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Oh Canary!

Town: Montclair, NJ and South Orange, NJ

Ages: 4-10

Typical hours: 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $625

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: 

Registration status: Open - Some weeks already full!

Last Updated on: 01/05/2026

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MLC STEM Center

Town: Bloomfield, NJ

Ages: 3-12

Typical hours: 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $575

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Register on camp site
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St James Preschool

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 2-6

Typical hours: 9am-1pm or 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $425-$600

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

Register on camp site
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L'Alliance, Montclair

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 3-11

Typical hours: 8:30am-12:30pm or 8:30am-3:30pm

Type:  Day, French Immersion

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $419-599

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Spring 2026, Date to be confirmed

Last Updated on: 01/22/2025

Get notified when registration opens
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Camp Discovery

Town: Glen Ridge, NJ

Ages: 5-8 (incoming K-3rd)

Typical hours: 9am-2pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $400

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Opens on February 13th, 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2025

Get notified when registration opens
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One River

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: TBC

Typical hours: 9:30am-12pm or 12:30pm-3pm or 3:30pm-6pm

Type:  Day, Visual Arts

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $365+

Tags: Late August, Affordable, Teens

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

Register on camp site
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Glen Ridge Taekwondo

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 5-14

Typical hours: 9am-3pm

Type:  Day, Sports

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $500

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

Register on camp site
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The Gravity Vault

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 7-14

Typical hours: 8/9:30am-4pm (early start 2 days a week for off-site activities)

Type:  Day, Sports

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $650

Tags: Late August, Affordable

Registration status: TBA

Last Updated on: 01/27/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Sunnyside

Town: Glen Ridge, NJ

Ages: 3-7 (incoming K-3rd)

Typical hours: 8:30am-12:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $320

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Opens February 1st, 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2025

Get notified when registration opens
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Turtle Back Zoo

Town: West Orange, NJ

Ages: 5-13

Typical hours: 9am-4pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes

Transportation: No

Price range: $500/week (rising K through 6th grade, $550/week for rising 7th and 8th grade)

Tags: Affordable, Late August

Registration status: Opens March 14th, 2026 - Open House on February 7th, 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Glen Ridge MVP

Town: Glen Ridge, NJ

Ages: 5-13

Typical hours: 9am-2:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $375

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Opens Spring 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Kidville

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 3-5

Typical hours: 9:30am-12:30pm. 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week.

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $149 for 2 days, $199 for 3 days and $299 for 5 days/week.

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: Opens February, 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Steve & Kate's

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 4-16

Typical hours: 8am-6pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No. Long hours by default.

Transportation: No

Price range: $134/day

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Teens, Late August

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/05/2026

Register on camp site
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Sharon Miller's

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 3-14

Typical hours: 9am-12pm for preschoolers, 10am-5pm for ages 6-14 year.

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $275/week for preschoolers. $1,350 for 3-week session for ages 6-14.

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Opens February, 2026

Last Updated on: 12/28/2025

Get notified when registration opens
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Kids Strong

Town: West Orange, NJ

Ages: 4-11

Typical hours: 9am-1pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $300

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/06/2026

Register on camp site
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Gymnastika

Town: Woodland Park, NJ

Ages: 5-13

Typical hours: 9am-1pm or 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $240/week for half-day, $290/week for full day

Tags: Affordable, Late August

Registration status: Opens Spring 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Flippin Out

Town: Nutley and Pompton Plains, NJ

Ages: 3-10

Typical hours: 9am-1pm or 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes. Until 5:30pm

Transportation: No

Price range: $240/week for half-day, $300/week for full day, $360/week for extended day

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Late August

Registration status: Opens Spring 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Gas Lamp

Town: Glen Ridge, NJ

Ages: 6-14

Typical hours: 9:30am-2:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $940 for 3-week session

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Opens Spring 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Write on Sports - Literacy Enrichment

Town: Montclair, NJ (MSU)

Ages: 12-15 (rising 7th, 8th, 9th graders)

Typical hours: TBA

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $250 for 10 day program and $300 for 12 day program

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: TBA

Last Updated on: 01/21/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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NJ Ballet Open Youth Intensive

Town: Florham Park, NJ

Ages: 8-13

Typical hours: 9:30am-3:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes, until 5pm

Transportation: No

Price range: $550

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/21/2026

Register on camp site
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Cedar Grove Lego Summer Build

Town: Cedar Grove, NJ

Ages: 6-13 (students currently in K-8)

Typical hours: 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm or 9am-3pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $225 for half-day and $425 for full-day sessions (TBC)

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Opening soon

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Snapology

Town: Livingston, NJ

Ages: 5-12

Typical hours: half day and full day options

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $199 and up (TBC)

Tags: Affordable

Registration status: Opening soon

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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South Mountain YMCA

Town: Maplewood, NJ and South Orange, NJ

Ages: 4-16

Typical hours: 7:30-3:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: Yes, until 6pm for $110/week

Transportation: No

Price range: $265-$590 (varies by specialty) + YMCA membership

Tags: Affordable, Under 5, Teens

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Register on camp site
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Dynamic Dance Academy - Verona

Town: Verona, NJ

Ages: 4-9 

Typical hours: 9:30-12:30pm

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $240/week

Tags: Affordable, Under 5

Registration status: Opening Spring 2026

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Get notified when registration opens
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Tamarack Day Camp

Town: Randolph, NJ

Ages: 3-16

Typical hours: 9am-4pm

Type:  Day, Traditional

Extended care: Yes, 7:30am-6pm but no bus service. Extended care adds $125 for morning care and $125 for afternoon care. 

Transportation: Busing to Glen Ridge Central School, Verona H.B. Whitehorne Middle School, West Caldwell and other dozens of towns.

Price range: $725 - $1,425/week (lower prices when booking full 8 weeks), 4 weeks minimum. Price includes transportation, lunch, snacks. 

Tags: Under 5, Affordable

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/22/2026

Register on camp site
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Outdoor Play Connection

Town: West Orange, NJ

Ages: 4-10

Typical hours: 9am-2pm

Type:  Day, Outdoor

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $450/week

Tags: Under 5, Affordable

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/23/2026

Register on camp site
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Watchung Co-op Summer Camp

Town: Montclair, NJ

Ages: 2.5-6

Typical hours: 9am-12:30pm morning session and until 2:45pm for full day

Type:  Day

Extended care: No

Transportation: No

Price range: $288 for mornings only, $432 for full day/week

Tags: Under 5, Affordable

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/23/2026

Register on camp site
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Girl Scouts heart of new jersey - The Oval

Town: Maplewood, NJ

Ages: 5-16

Typical hours: 9am-4pm

Type:  Day, Outdoor

Extended care: Yes, 7:30am-6pm for $70/week (no bus for extended care)

Transportation: Yes, pick ups at Lackawanna plaza (Verona, Nutley and other NJ Towns) 

Tags: Affordable, Teens 

Price range: $475-$495/week (price varies by specialty camp)

Registration status: Open

Last Updated on: 01/23/2026

 

Register on camp site

What “affordable” means here

On Camp Genie, “affordable” is a relative tag — not a promise or a ranking.

A camp may be tagged Affordable if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

  • Estimated hourly cost is lower than typical full-day rates in the area
  • The program offers half-day or reduced-hour schedules
  • Families are not required to pay for extended hours they don’t need

Because camps vary widely in structure, we display price ranges or pricing formats on each listing rather than exact totals. Final costs and availability should always be confirmed on the camp’s registration site.


 

How Camp Genie evaluates affordability

  • Affordability is based on structure and relative cost, not quality or value judgments
  • Camps are never ranked or featured based on payment
  • Hourly estimates are used when full-day pricing isn’t comparable
  • We prioritize transparency over “lowest price” claims

How families decide if a camp fits their budget

If you’re comparing more affordable options, these are the questions families usually ask:

Are we paying for hours we don’t need?

Some camps include long days by default, while others offer shorter schedules. If your child doesn’t need extended care, a reduced-hour program may be a better fit.

How does the hourly rate compare?

Weekly prices can be misleading without knowing daily hours. Looking at estimated hourly cost helps normalize comparisons across different schedules.

Does the structure match our summer reality?

Half-day camps or specialty-focused options can make sense financially depending on how you’re covering the rest of the day.

 

This list is evolving

We’re continuously adding camps and refining details as programs update schedules and pricing. If you know a camp that offers a more flexible or budget-friendly option — or if something looks off — we’d love your input.

 

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