Liberty Lake vs Other NJ Camps — Comparison

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Camp team welcoming new camper When New Jersey parents start searching for summer camps, they often type things like “best day camps in NJ,” “day camps near me with transportation,” or “Liberty Lake vs other camps.” Underneath all those searches are the same core questions:

How safe is it?
Who is supervising my child?
What do campers actually do all day?
Does the camp offer bus transportation?
How far is it from home?
And most importantly—will my child be happy here?

This comparison looks at Liberty Lake Day Camp alongside several well-known New Jersey day camps, using the criteria parents ask about most: safety, program depth, campus environment, swim and waterfront, transportation, leadership opportunities, and overall value.

For a broader view of the New Jersey camp landscape, you may also want to read:

1. Quick Snapshot: Liberty Lake vs Other NJ Day Camps

There are many excellent day camps in New Jersey. The chart below summarizes some high-level differences to help you compare options at a glance.

Feature	Liberty Lake Day Camp	JCC Medford	Tall Pines	Rambling Pines	Oak Crest
Ages Served	4–15	3–14	4–15	3–14	4–15
Location	Bordentown, NJ (Central/South Jersey)	Medford, NJ	Williamstown, NJ	Hopewell, NJ	Somerset, NJ
Campus	100% outdoors: lake, woods, fields, pools, tents, pavilions	Pine barrens, fields, lake, pools, indoor buildings	Fields, woods, pools, lake, indoor buildings	Fields, woods, pools, indoor buildings	Fields, woods, pools, indoor buildings
Bus Transportation	Yes (multiple NJ counties, Philly & Lower Bucks)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Swim Instruction	Red Cross–based instructional swim in a shallow lake	Instructional swim	Instructional swim	Instructional swim	Instructional swim
Program Areas	70+ elective programs	Extensive	Extensive	Extensive	Extensive
Adventure Program	High ropes, boating, biking, skatepark, climbing, outdoor skills	Adventure elements	Adventure elements	Adventure elements	Adventure elements
Leadership Programs	Teen Leadership for entering 9th & 10th graders	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inclusion / Success Program	Yes (supports a wide range of needs)	Yes	Limited	Limited	Limited

This chart is a starting point. The real decision comes from asking deeper questions about safety, supervision, readiness, and how each camp helps kids grow. For that, you may want to review How to Evaluate Day Camp Safety and 30 Essential Questions to Ask on a Camp Tour.

2. Safety, Staff Training & Supervision

Every camp will say “safety is our top priority,” but the way they prove it can vary widely.

At Liberty Lake, safety includes:

Extensive pre-season and in-season staff orientation with professional trainers
Lifeguards certified in CPR, first aid, and waterfront rescue—and trained by a Red Cross–certified instructor
Small camper groups and low camper-to-staff ratios
A designated safety/emergency coordinator overseeing procedures and drills
Structured arrival, dismissal, and transportation systems

When comparing camps, ask every director similar questions about training, lifeguard certifications, supervision ratios, and safety drills. For a detailed list, see How to Evaluate Day Camp Safety.

3. Program Depth: How Much Can My Child Explore?

Many New Jersey day camps offer sports, swimming, and arts. The difference is in program depth, variety, and how much choice campers get as they grow.

Liberty Lake offers:

70+ program areas across sports, arts, adventure, STEM, and outdoor skills
A choice-based elective system for entering 1st–9th graders
Level-based skill progression in many specialties
Leadership and CIT opportunities for older campers

Some camps offer robust electives; others follow a more fixed schedule. Neither is “wrong”—but it should match your child’s personality. For a deeper dive into program variety, you might explore:

4. Campus Environment: Outdoor, Nature-Based, or Mixed?

New Jersey camps range from mostly indoor facilities to fully outdoor “camp in the woods” environments. Parents often search for “outdoor camps near me” or “nature-based day camps” because they want kids off screens and outside.

Liberty Lake’s campus includes:

60-acre lakefront property in Bordentown, NJ
Woods, fields, waterfront, and nature trails
Outdoor pavilions, tents, and covered spaces
A shallow, small lake designed for supervised swim and boating

Other New Jersey camps vary—some have more indoor space; others are more wooded or more suburban. If your child needs a calmer outdoor setting to build confidence and reduce anxiety, you may want to look at Outdoor Learning: Why Nature-Based Camps Build Confidence.

5. Swim & Waterfront: How Often, and How Is It Taught?

Swim is a major part of most NJ day camps, but the structure can feel very different from one program to another. Ask:

Is there a clear swim progression system?
How often do campers swim each week?
Are non-swimmers supported at their own level?
How many lifeguards and counselors are in the water and on the deck?

At Liberty Lake:

Swim instruction is based on Red Cross standards
Younger campers often have multiple water periods per day
All swim groups are supervised by certified lifeguards and counselors

If you have a hesitant or anxious swimmer, pairing this comparison with the safety guide can help you ask the right questions.

6. Transportation: Where Do NJ Camps Draw From?

One of the top search phrases parents use is “day camps in NJ with transportation.” Many camps say they offer buses—but the routes, supervision, and communication systems can be very different.

At Liberty Lake:

Transportation is offered from multiple New Jersey counties (including Burlington, Mercer, Camden, Gloucester) plus Center City Philadelphia and Lower Bucks
Trained bus counselors ride each route
Attendance is tracked at stops and upon arrival
Families receive communication if buses are running late or routes change

To dig deeper into what makes a safe and well-run camp transportation system, see Day Camps With Transportation: What Parents Should Know.

7. Leadership, Inclusion & Long-Term Growth

Many families want a camp that their child can grow with—for multiple years, from early childhood through the teen years.

Liberty Lake emphasizes:

A “Turtles” program for entering Pre-K and Kindergarten campers
Choice-based electives and growing responsibility for older campers
Teen Leadership and CIT programs for entering 9th and 10th graders
An inclusion-oriented “Success” philosophy that supports a wide range of children

When comparing camps, ask how they support shy, anxious, neurodivergent, or first-time campers—and what opportunities older campers have to lead rather than just participate.

For more on readiness and fit, you can review:

8. Questions Parents Often Ask When Comparing Camps

Parents comparing Liberty Lake to other New Jersey camps often search for:

How does Liberty Lake compare to other NJ day camps?
Which NJ camps have the best safety programs?
Which NJ day camps offer bus transportation?
Is Liberty Lake worth the drive from my town?
How do I choose between Liberty Lake and a closer camp?

The best way to answer those questions is to visit in person, see the campus, and talk with directors. You can also use the 30 Essential Questions to Ask on a Camp Tour as a checklist when you visit multiple programs.

9. The Best Way to Compare: Visit, Ask, and Trust What You See

Online research is a great starting point—especially comparison guides, data-driven articles, and camp reviews. But the most important information usually comes from:

Seeing how staff interact with campers
Observing safety and supervision in real time
Walking the campus and feeling the environment
Talking with directors about your child’s specific needs

To continue exploring comparisons and data, you may want to review:

If you’d like to see Liberty Lake in action, you can schedule a tour, email fun@libertylakedaycamp.com, or call 609-499-7820.

Liberty Lake vs Other NJ Camps — FAQs

How does Liberty Lake compare to other New Jersey day camps?

Liberty Lake is a 60-acre, fully outdoor day camp in Bordentown, NJ, with 70+ program areas, Red Cross–based swim instruction, leadership programs for teens, and an inclusion-oriented “Success” philosophy. Many other NJ camps offer strong programs too, but differ in campus setup, program depth, and transportation coverage.

Which New Jersey areas does Liberty Lake serve?

Liberty Lake draws campers from across Central and South Jersey—often from Burlington, Mercer, Camden, and Gloucester counties—as well as parts of Philadelphia and Lower Bucks, thanks to its bus transportation network.

What makes Liberty Lake different from other NJ camps?

Families often point to Liberty Lake’s fully outdoor campus, wide range of elective programs, strong leadership pathways for older campers, and an emphasis on safety, inclusion, and social-emotional growth—not just activities.

Does Liberty Lake offer transportation?

Yes. Liberty Lake offers bus transportation from multiple New Jersey towns and selected Philadelphia and Lower Bucks locations. Buses are staffed with trained counselors, and attendance is tracked at stops and upon arrival.

How can I choose between Liberty Lake and another nearby camp?

The best way is to compare safety practices, staff training, transportation systems, program variety, and campus feel—then visit in person. Use the 30 Essential Questions to Ask on a Camp Tour as a checklist when you visit multiple camps.