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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near 08890
Located in Oak Crest, 08890, New Jersey, our camp program adapts to the age of our campers. The Explorer program, which mirrors the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, enhancing swimming abilities, and fostering social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, we introduce them to exciting features like the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the cherished Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress to the second grade, they gain the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their schedule, enabling them to select activities each week and creating a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
Located in 08890, New Jersey, our Summer Camp offers a unique sports program tailored for 1st and 2nd graders. We utilize scaled-down fields and courts equipped with age-appropriate gear, allowing campers to excel while mastering fundamental game skills. Our dedicated Athletic Specialists are trained to incorporate skill instruction and gameplay within each session. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce success opportunities for our young participants.
Creative Arts
In 08890, New Jersey, your child can immerse themselves in a wide array of artistic activities, all conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers participate in sessions covering diverse disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, every Explorer Girl group has the opportunity to be part of a dance routine featured in our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production event, typically held during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in 08890, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. We take pride in our exceptional aquatic facility, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex designed specifically for children aged 3-8. Our Aquatic Complex offers a range of water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers develop their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing support. In the afternoon, the groups enjoy free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are informed by the American Red Cross and more than 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
At Oak Crest, situated in 08890, New Jersey, mastering the skill of riding a bicycle is a significant childhood milestone, and we provide an ideal setting for this achievement through our newly established Bicycle Village. This village 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 personalized attention, helping novice bikers build the confidence they need to succeed. Oak Crest ensures that appropriately sized bikes and helmets are provided for the learning process, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In 08890, New Jersey, Oak Crest has created a low ropes course with a dual purpose: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and prepare them for the challenges of our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all of which are conducted 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 Ropes Course is designed to allow campers to advance at their own pace. As they become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements.
For safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction before each season. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
Social Development
Within the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in 08890, New Jersey, our emphasis lies in cultivating collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, our campers are given opportunities to work together, fostering mutual support and teamwork. The group structure, coupled with the active involvement of our counselors, plays a vital role in nurturing strong bonds and friendships among campers. Our counselors also guide campers in respectful interaction with their peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest provides a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
