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 08884
In 08884, NJ, specifically at Oak Crest, the camp program is designed to adapt to the campers’ developmental stages. The Explorer program, which mirrors the Munchkin program, emphasizes the enhancement of a wide range of athletic and creative skills, the refinement of swimming abilities, and the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, this involves an introduction to exciting features such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, as well as participation in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress into the second grade, they are afforded a CHOICE period in their weekly schedule. This empowers them to select activities based on their interests, resulting in a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In the 08884 area of New Jersey, our Summer Camp caters to 1st and 2nd graders by providing modified versions of traditional sports. By utilizing scaled-down fields and courts equipped with age-appropriate equipment, this approach allows campers to experience success while acquiring essential game skills. Our dedicated Athletic Specialists, who supervise these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session for skill instruction, followed by gameplay that reinforces those skills.
Moreover, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating with the specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In the 08884 region of New Jersey, your child will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse array of artistic activities, all conducted in air-conditioned classrooms under the guidance of experienced art teachers. Each week, campers participate in sessions that encompass a wide range of disciplines including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, it’s worth noting that all Explorer Girl groups participate in a Dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest event, which is 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, and it features professional-grade sound and lighting to enhance the overall experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in 08884, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex specifically designed for children aged 3 to 8. This complex offers a range of water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallower water and gradually progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers advance in their skills.
Each morning, our Explorer campers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoons, the groups return for supervised free swim sessions. What sets our swim program apart is its emphasis on skill-based instruction rather than age-based categorization, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels.
Our instructors undergo annual training, and their teaching methods draw not only from the American Red Cross standards but also from over 25 years of practical experience in effectively instructing children in swimming.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycle riding has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in 08884, New Jersey, provides an ideal environment for this important journey with its newly established Bicycle Village. This dedicated facility encompasses a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a trail designed for mountain bike preparation. Engaging in cycling 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 are committed to providing personalized attention, ensuring that novice riders can build the necessary confidence to excel in this skill. Oak Crest further ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In the 08884 area of 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 equip them with the necessary skills for navigating our Climbing Tower. For our 1st Grade Explorers, activities on the Low Ropes Course involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted at a low height, just inches above the ground. When campers progress to the 2nd Grade, they 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 individual pace. As they become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements of the course.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo thorough 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 to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in 08884, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, campers are engaged in tasks that require them to work together and build mutual support within their groups. This group structure, combined with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among the campers.
Counselors also take on the role of instructing campers in respectful interactions with their peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest provides a nurturing environment where children have the opportunity to acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in various aspects of life.