At Oak Crest in Belle Mead, NJ, our program adapts to the campers’ age. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, improving swimming abilities, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
First-grade campers are introduced to exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress into the second grade, campers have the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their weekly schedule. This allows them to select activities, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
In Belle Mead, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. Using age-appropriate equipment on smaller fields and courts, this approach is designed to allow campers to experience success while developing fundamental game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, who supervise these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session for teaching new skills, followed by gameplay that reinforces those skills.
Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
In Belle Mead, NJ, your child can immerse themselves in a wide array of artistic activities led by experienced art teachers within air-conditioned classrooms. Every week, 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 participate in a dance routine as part of 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, featuring professional sound and lighting arrangements.
At Oak Crest in Belle Mead, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex tailored specifically for children aged 3 to 8. The Aquatic Complex offers a range of water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to start instruction in shallow water and progressively move to deeper levels as our swimmers enhance 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 return for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are structured based on skill level rather than age, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo yearly training, and our teaching methods draw from the American Red Cross guidelines as well as over 25 years of practical experience in instructing children in swimming.
Mastery of bicycle riding has become a significant childhood milestone, and at Oak Crest, located in Belle Mead, NJ, we provide an ideal setting for this skill development through our newly established Bicycle Village. This village encompasses a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Beyond promoting independence, cycling instills valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the refinement of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, empowering novice riders to gain the confidence needed for success. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
In Belle Mead, NJ, 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 essential abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers partake in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all carried out just inches above the ground. Upon progressing to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers are introduced to the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to advance at their own pace. As campers become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more challenging elements.
Before 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.
n the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Belle Mead, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group engages in activities that require collective effort and the development of mutual support among its members. The structured group dynamic, combined with the active guidance of counselors, plays a pivotal role in nurturing strong bonds and friendships. Counselors also provide instruction to campers on the importance of respectful interaction with others and effective communication with both peers and staff. Oak Crest offers a supportive environment where children acquire essential emotional and social skills that are fundamental for success in life.
