About Blue Mountain Day Camp

At Blue Mountain Day Camp, we believe every child deserves a summer filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories. Nestled within the 660-acre Fairview Lake YMCA Camps in Stillwater, NJ, our program gives kids ages 3–15 the chance to unplug, get outside, and truly be kids. With ACA accreditation, experienced staff, and a beautiful natural setting, we've been helping Sussex County families create unforgettable summers for generations.

Does Camp Fit Your Family's Schedule?

Camp Season: June 22 – August 21, 2026

Core Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Extended Care: Drop-off as early as 7:30 AM, pick-up as late as 6:00 PM

Bus Transportation: Three bus routes throughout Sussex County — perfect if you're in Newton, Sparta, Hopatcong, or surrounding areas. Space is limited!

Before & After Care: Available for an additional fee at registration.

Already registered? Visit our Registered Families page for bus routes, packing lists, and more.

Who Comes to Blue Mountain Day Camp?

Campers ages 3–15 are grouped by age and grade, so every child spends their day with peers at the same stage, making friends, building skills, and having fun that's just right for them.

Turtles: Ages 3 to Entering Kindergarten

Our youngest campers will play games, enjoy the waterfront, and engage in the natural world around them. Their small group means individualized attention and excellent supervision while they explore and grow. Attending this camp can help ease your child's transition to kindergarten. Campers must be potty-trained prior to the start of the program. SPACE IS LIMITED!

Pacers: Entering Grades 1-3

Pacers will explore, play and learn together. Our counselors will help campers learn new skills, including social skills and self-confidence. Classic camp activities, like fishing and swimming, arts and crafts, and archery make each day exciting and fun. Our campers come away with an enhanced understanding of the world around them.

Pathfinders: Entering Grades 4-6

Our Pathfinders program includes a wide range of camp activities, including swimming, sports and arts and crafts. We focus on increasing children's sense of confidence, independence, and teamwork skills.

Pioneers: Entering Grades 7-9

For our older campers, we offer sports, arts and crafts, sailing, archery and so much more. Our staff inspires confidence and helps campers build their decision-making skills. This builds character, as well as a sense of independence and self-worth.

Counselors in Training: Ages 15+

If your teen loves Blue Mountain Day Camp, they might want to become a leader themselves! Our program will give future counselors the tools to provide children with a fun and safe summer experience. Successful participants have the opportunity to volunteer at camp later in the summer.

Camper-to-Staff Ratios:

Ages 3-4 5:1 | Ages 5-6 6:1 | Ages 7-8: 7:1 | Ages 9 & Up: 10:1

On the Lake

Paddleboards

Corcles

Swimming

Swim Lessons

Fishing

Land

Arts & Crafts
Basketball
Candle Making
Cards & Games
Dance
Dodgeball
Drama & Improv
Flag Football
Ga-ga
Marksmanship
Soccer
Survival/Outdoor Skills
Tennis
Volleyball/Nuk'em
And more!

Turtles

Our youngest campers have their own specialized schedule - allowing for lots of exploration and friendship building, while being supervised by our Turtle counselors. Our Turtles also have their own building! The "Turtle House" has age appropriate games and activities, and is a great place for our campers to rest during the busy day.

Clubs

Each week, campers choose a club, which is a longer, more focused activity period. Club choices vary from week to week!

Sailing: Learn the basics of sailing with an experienced instructor. Must be GREEN-level swimmers to participate. Pathfinders & Pioneers Only
Climbing: Take on the heights and increase their physical strength with indoor and outdoor climbing sessions.
Fishing: Learn new fishing techniques, as well as the difference between varieties of knots and lures.
Paddle Boarding & Boating: Have fun with watercraft! Play games on the lake while learning about boating & water safety in the process.
Hiking: Explore the woodlands and picturesque scenery on the hiking trails surrounding Fairview Lake YMCA Camps. Campers learn about trail signs and safety.
Teambuilding: Participate in engaging activities that also promote teamwork and cooperation.
Arts & Crafts: Exercise those creative muscles with lots of arts and crafts time. Your child will be an artist in no time!
Survival: Campers learn the art of surviving in the woods! From shelter-making to fire safety, kids will come away knowing how to keep themselves and their families safe in an emergency.
Trail Rides! $185: At registration, you can add on a week of trail rides for your camper! During club time, they'll head to the Fairview Lake Ranch, where they'll be paired up with one of our lesson horses and taken on a trail ride by our ranch staff. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are required. Helmets are provided by the camp. No make-up days for inclement weather are allowed. Pathfinders and Pioneers only

A Day at Blue Mountain

Every day at Blue Mountain Day Camp is different, but a few things you can count on:

🏊 Swim Lessons

Every camper participates in swim lessons as part of their daily schedule, taught by our waterfont staff on our beautiful private waterfront on Fairview Lake.

🌊 Free Swim

Pacers, Pathfinders, and Pioneers also enjoy an afternoon free swim; time to splash, play, and cool off in the lake with their friends.

🍦 Trading Post

Each afternoon, campers can visit our Trading Post for a snack or drink. On Fridays, the Trading Post sells camp gear, t-shirts, and more!

Swimmers leap off the dock into the lake at day camp

Carolyn Koch

Camp Director
Blue Mountain Day Camp

With 25 summers at the YMCA, Carolyn leads Blue Mountain Day Camp with a deep love for the outdoors and a commitment to helping campers build friendships that last a lifetime. A teacher in Whippany, NJ, she continues to bring her students to camp each year and takes pride in mentoring staff and connecting with the local community.

> Connect with Carolyn

Ashley Stec

Assistant Camp Director
Blue Mountain Day Camp

A lifelong member of the Blue Mountain Day Camp family, Ashley began as a Turtle camper at just three years old and has now spent more than 20 summers sharing her love of camp with others. A high school special education teacher during the year, Ashley is passionate about helping every camper experience the magic of camp to the fullest.

Jennie Griffin

Associate Executive Director
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps

Jennie has served in many roles at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps—Naturalist, Unit Leader, Day Camp Director, and Conference Director—each deepening her passion for the joy and impact of camp. As Associate Executive Director, she’s dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that help every camper and guest feel a true sense of belonging.

Marc Koch

District Executive Director
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps

With more than 40 years of YMCA experience, Marc’s journey from camper to executive leader reflects a lifelong commitment to the power of camp. He’s passionate about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience camp, and works tirelessly to help Fairview Lake grow, thrive, and serve the community for years to come.

Camp Staff

At Blue Mountain Day Camp we hire both local and international staff to supervise your child and give them the best summer ever at camp! All staff must complete a background check and reference check prior to being hired. Staff participate in specialized training, including child abuse prevention training prior to camp, and attend in-service training during camp. For more information on our hiring practices and training, please contact camp!

Email Camp

Accreditation

American Camp Association

ACA_cmyk [Converted]

ACA Accreditation means that we care enough to undergo a thorough a voluntary (up to 300 standards) review of our operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management.

American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at Blue Mountain reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.

>>Learn more about ACA Accreditation

Praesidium

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Praesidium Accreditation is a standardized, consistent, and objective process that allows organizations to publicly demonstrate their commitment to abuse prevention.

The Praesidium Accreditation Standards for Consumer Serving Organizations© are informed by thousands of root cause analyses, continuous scientific research and over three decades of field experience with more than 4,000 organizations that serve children, youths, and vulnerable persons. Anchored by the Safety Equation, these Standards provide a framework to help organizations focus their efforts where we know it makes the greatest impact.

>> Learn More About Keeping Kids Safe At Camp

Awards

Newsweek

America's Best Summer Camps 2024

Keeping Kids Safe

At Blue Mountain Day Camp, camper safety isn't just a policy — it's our culture. From our Praesidium accreditation to our staff training protocols, every decision we make starts with your child's wellbeing.

Child Safety First

Location & Directions

Blue Mountain Day Camp is located within the beautiful 660-acre Fairview Lake YMCA Camps property in Stillwater Township, Sussex County, NJ — just minutes from Newton, Sparta, and Hopatcong.

Use this address:

1035 Fairview Lake Road, Newton, NJ 07860
Follow signage on camp to the Day Camp drop-off area. Please drive slowly (10 mph) on all camp roads.

Drop off & Pick Up

Morning drop-off is at the Day Camp entrance. Afternoon pick-up is at the main gate of Fairview Lake YMCA Camps.

Bus Transportation

Three bus routes serve Sussex County. View Bus Routes

Sussex County YMCA

The Sussex County YMCA in Hardyston is a welcoming center for health, connection, and growth. With programs for all ages — from swim lessons to fitness classes and family fun — the Y brings our community together to learn, play, and thrive.

> metroymcas.org/sussex

Sussex County YMCA Pickleball Center

The Sussex County YMCA Pickleball Center in Lafayette is a fun, welcoming space for players of all levels. With six indoor courts, lessons, leagues, and open play, it’s the perfect place to stay active, meet new friends, and be part of a growing community year-round.

> ypickleballcenter.org

Community Events at Fairview Lake

During the year, we offer a variety of fun community days on the Fairview Lake side of camp.

Next Up:

February 1: Annual Support Campaign Kickoff, Arctic Plunge & Chili Contest!

Join the Fun at a Community Event

Driving Information

USE THIS ADDRESS:

1035 Fairview Lake Road, Newton, NJ 07860 and follow signage on camp to the Day Camp drop off area.

Please drive slowly (10 mph) on ALL camp roads.

In the mornings, campers not taking the bus will be dropped off at the drop off area near the day camp entrance.

In the afternoon, campers not taking the bus will be picked up at the main gate of Fairview Lake YMCA Camps.

>> Bus Routes

ACA-Accredited YMCA Day Camp | Stillwater, Sussex County, NJ