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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Somerset
At Oak Crest in Somerset, NJ, the program evolves with campers’ age. The Explorer program, akin to the Munchkin program, focuses on enhancing skills in diverse athletic and creative activities, refining swimming proficiency, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
First-grade campers are introduced to the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. Moving into second grade, campers enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule, allowing them to select activities each week, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Somerset, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders engage in modified versions of conventional sports. Utilizing scaled-down fields and courts with equipment suitable for their age, this approach enables campers to achieve success while acquiring fundamental game skills. The Athletic Specialists overseeing these activities are trained to dedicate a portion of each session to instructing a new skill, followed by gameplay emphasizing that skill. Oak Crest counselors actively participate in these activities alongside campers, collaborating with specialists to establish and affirm success opportunities for our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Somerset, NJ, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of artistic activities conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art teachers. Each week, campers attend sessions in Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and other disciplines.
Moreover, all Explorer Girl groups partake in a Dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production, typically taking place during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, featuring professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Somerset, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program stands as a fundamental component of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is unparalleled, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex specifically designed for our 3-8 year olds. The Aquatic Complex accommodates water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to commence instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers advance in skills.
Each morning, our Explorers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing assistance. In the afternoon, the groups return for free swim sessions. Swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers at all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques draw from not only the American Red Cross but also more than 25 years of practical experience in instructing children in swimming.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Acquiring the skill of riding a bicycle has evolved into a significant childhood milestone. Oak Crest, located in Somerset, NJ, offers an ideal setting for this endeavor with its newly established Bicycle Village. The village features a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only fosters independence in children but also imparts lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our seasoned instructors offer personalized attention, enabling novice bikers to build the confidence required. Oak Crest ensures the provision of suitably sized bikes and helmets for the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Somerset, NJ, Oak Crest has constructed a low ropes course with the dual purpose of developing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is designed to enable campers to progress at their individual pace. As campers gain comfort and confidence, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo safety inspections and certification by the company that constructed them. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
Within the Explorer Division at Somerset, NJ’s Oak Crest, there is a focus on fostering collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, the group is tasked with working collectively and developing mutual support. The group structure, coupled with the active involvement of counselors, plays a crucial role in cultivating robust bonds and friendships. Counselors also instruct campers on respectful interaction with others and direct communication with both peers and staff. Oak Crest provides a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills essential for success in life.
