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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near 07977
At Oak Crest, located in the 07977 area of New Jersey, our program adapts to the developmental stages of our campers. The Explorer program, which is akin to the Munchkin program, concentrates on the enhancement of skills in a wide range of athletic and creative activities, the refinement of swimming abilities, and the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, this means introduction to exciting features such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and participation in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress to the second grade, they benefit from a CHOICE period incorporated into their schedule, granting them the freedom to select activities on a weekly basis. This flexible approach fosters a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In the 07977 area of New Jersey, our Summer Camp for 1st and 2nd graders adopts a unique approach to sports activities. We modify conventional sports by utilizing scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, to ensure that campers can experience success while acquiring fundamental game skills.
Our team of Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are highly trained to allocate a portion of each session to instructing a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly acquired skill. What sets us apart is the active participation of Oak Crest counselors alongside the campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success for our young participants. This approach not only fosters skill development but also enhances the overall camp experience.
Creative Arts
In the 07977 area of New Jersey, your child will have the exceptional opportunity to participate in a wide array of artistic activities, which are conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art teachers. Every week, our campers attend sessions in various disciplines, including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Additionally, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a Dance routine as an integral component of our annual event, Showcrest, which is a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is an impressive production, typically held during the sixth week of camp at a local venue in the evening, featuring professional-grade sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest, situated in the 07977 area of New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program holds a pivotal role in shaping the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is unparalleled, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex meticulously designed for children aged 3 to 8 years old. The Aquatic Complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallower waters and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers advance in their skills.
Every morning, our Explorer campers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson conducted by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoon, the campers return for free swim sessions. What sets our swim program apart is its emphasis on skill-based instruction rather than age-based grouping, enabling us to challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels.
Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are not only rooted in the American Red Cross standards but also draw from over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim. This comprehensive approach ensures a safe and effective learning environment for our campers.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycle riding has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in the 07977 area of New Jersey, provides an ideal environment for this achievement through its recently established Bicycle Village. This dedicated facility includes a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only nurtures independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, enabling novice cyclists to build the confidence necessary for success. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all participants.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In the 07977 area of New Jersey, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course with a dual objective: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and to equip them with the essential skills required for navigating our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers actively participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted at a height just inches above the ground. Upon progressing to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time.
The design of the Ropes Course is such that it allows campers to progress at their own pace. As they gain comfort and confidence, they are granted access to higher and more advanced elements. Safety is paramount, and prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and certification by the company that constructed them. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure the well-being of our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest located in 07977, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group is engaged in activities that encourage collective efforts and the cultivation of mutual support. This structured group dynamic, along with the active guidance of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among campers.
Counselors also take on the role of instructing campers in respectful interaction with their peers and effective communication with both their fellow campers and the staff. Oak Crest provides a supportive and caring environment where children have the opportunity to acquire the emotional and social skills that are vital for success in life.
