Oak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Limited Spots Left for Summer 2024
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Transportation
Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
Transportation
Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
New to Camp?
Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.
New to Camp?
Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near 08835
At Oak Crest located in 08835, New Jersey, our camp program adapts as campers grow older. The Explorer program, which is similar to the Munchkin program, prioritizes the development of skills across various athletic and creative pursuits. It also emphasizes improving swimming abilities and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
In the first-grade program, campers are introduced to exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and they participate in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers transition into second grade, they have the opportunity to enjoy a CHOICE period within their schedule. This unique feature allows them to select different activities each week, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In 08835, New Jersey, our Summer Camp caters to 1st and 2nd graders by offering modified versions of traditional sports. These adaptations involve using appropriately-sized fields and courts and age-appropriate equipment. This approach is designed to empower campers to experience success while acquiring fundamental game skills.
Our team of Athletic Specialists, who are responsible for supervising these activities, are well-trained in dedicating a portion of each session to teaching a new skill. Following this instruction, the focus shifts to gameplay that emphasizes the recently learned skill. In addition, our Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers. They collaborate closely with the specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
Located in 08835, New Jersey, our Summer Camp provides your child with the opportunity to engage in a diverse array of artistic activities, all held in comfortable, air-conditioned classrooms and led by experienced art instructors. Each week, our campers participate in sessions covering various disciplines, including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a Dance routine as an integral component of our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production typically held during the sixth week of camp, taking place in the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting, adding to the overall quality of the performance.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest, located in 08835, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience. We take pride in our exceptional aquatic facility, which boasts a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex specially designed to cater to the needs of children aged 3 to 8 years old. This complex offers a versatile range of water depths, spanning from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to commence instruction in standing-depth water and progressively advance to deeper levels as our young swimmers enhance their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoon, campers return for free swim sessions. What sets our program apart is that our swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge and support swimmers at all levels of proficiency. Our instructors receive annual training and employ techniques drawn from the American Red Cross, as well as over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of riding a bicycle has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in 08835, New Jersey, provides an ideal environment for this achievement through its newly established Bicycle Village. This village boasts essential amenities such as a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail.
Bicycling not only promotes independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, enabling novice cyclists to build the confidence necessary for success. At Oak Crest, we ensure the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In 08835, New Jersey, Oak Crest has recently constructed a low ropes course that serves a dual purpose: it helps in the development of the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers while also equipping them with essential skills required for navigating our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers actively participate in a variety of activities on the Low Ropes Course, which include climbing, exploration, and swinging, all of which take place just inches above the ground.
Upon advancing to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace. As campers become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements of the course.
It’s important to note that before the start of each season, our ropes courses undergo comprehensive safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. In addition to this, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks to ensure the well-being of our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in 08835, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the campers are assigned tasks that require them to work together and build mutual support among their peers. This group-oriented structure, combined with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among the campers.
In addition to fostering teamwork, our counselors also provide guidance on respectful interactions with others and effective communication, both among peers and with staff members. At Oak Crest, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children can develop the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in various aspects of life.