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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near 08904
At Oak Crest in 08904, NJ, our summer program is designed to evolve with the campers’ age. The Explorer program, which parallels the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in a wide range of athletic and creative pursuits, as well as refining swimming abilities and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
First-grade campers are introduced to exciting features like the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and engage in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress to the second grade, they have the opportunity to enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule, enabling them to select different activities each week. This approach fosters a dynamic and engaging camp experience tailored to their interests and preferences.
Explorer Athletics
Located in 08904, NJ, our summer camp offers a unique approach for 1st and 2nd graders, where they participate in modified versions of traditional sports. This tailored approach involves scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, allowing campers to experience success while acquiring fundamental game skills.
Our dedicated Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session for skill instruction, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly acquired skills. Furthermore, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In 08904, NJ, your child will enjoy a wide array of artistic activities within air-conditioned classrooms, led 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.
In addition, 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 in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
Oak Crest, located in 08904, NJ, places a strong emphasis on its Learn-to-Swim Program as an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is unmatched, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex meticulously designed for children aged 3 to 8 years old. This complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallow water and progressively advance to deeper levels as our swimmers develop their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson, led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoon, the groups have the opportunity for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are skill-based, focusing on individual proficiency levels rather than age, which enables us to challenge and support swimmers effectively. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our teaching methods draw from both the American Red Cross guidelines and more than 25 years of practical experience in instructing children in swimming.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
At Oak Crest, situated in 08904, NJ, learning to ride a bicycle is considered a significant childhood milestone, and we provide an ideal environment for this journey through our newly established Bicycle Village. This dedicated area boasts 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 essential motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, allowing novice riders to build the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures that appropriately sized bikes and helmets are readily available throughout the learning process, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In 08904, NJ, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and equipping them with the essential abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers actively participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers get their first experience on the Climbing Tower and Zipline. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace, gradually gaining comfort and confidence as they access higher and more advanced elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure the utmost safety of our campers.
Social Development
Within Oak Crest’s Explorer Division in 08904, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group is encouraged to work together, fostering mutual support and cooperation. The group structure, combined with active counselor involvement, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among campers. Counselors also guide campers in practicing respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both peers and staff members. Oak Crest is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are integral to their future success in life.
