Take a Virtual Tour
2025 DATES & RATES
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near 08853
At Oak Crest, located in 08853, New Jersey, our program is tailored to adapt as campers grow older. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, is designed to bolster a wide range of athletic and creative skills, improve swimming abilities, and cultivate social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, the introduction includes exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and participation in the cherished Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress into the second grade, they have the opportunity to customize their experience with a CHOICE period in their schedule, allowing them to select different activities each week, creating a dynamic and engaging camp environment.
Explorer Athletics
Creative Arts
In 08853, New Jersey, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of artistic activities that take place in air-conditioned classrooms under the guidance of experienced art teachers. Each week, campers have the chance to 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 participate in a dance routine as part of our annual event called Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production typically held during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting to enhance the overall experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest, located in 08853, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. We boast an exceptional aquatic facility, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex specially designed for children aged 3 to 8 years old. This Aquatic Complex offers a range of water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in standing-depth water and progressively advance to deeper levels as our young swimmers improve their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. Unlike traditional age-based programs, our swim lessons are skill-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers at all levels of proficiency. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our teaching methods draw from the expertise of the American Red Cross as well as more than 25 years of practical experience in instructing children in swimming.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycling has become a significant milestone in childhood development. Oak Crest, situated in 08853, New Jersey, provides an ideal environment for achieving this milestone through its newly established Bicycle Village. This dedicated area includes a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail.
Cycling not only promotes independence in children but also teaches valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the refinement of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, helping novice riders gain the confidence they need. Oak Crest ensures that appropriately sized bikes and helmets are readily available for the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In 08853, New Jersey, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and to equip them with the necessary abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. First-grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted 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 accommodate campers at their own pace. As campers become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more challenging elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo thorough safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. In addition, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in 08853, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, campers are encouraged to engage in collective efforts and foster mutual support. This group-oriented structure, complemented by the active participation of counselors, plays a vital role in fostering strong bonds and meaningful friendships among campers.
Counselors also guide campers in practicing respectful interactions with their peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where children can develop the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in various aspects of life.
