1st & 2nd Graders Summer Day Camps near Bridgewater NJ

Oak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ

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Transportation

Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.

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Transportation

Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.

LEARN MORE

New to Camp?

Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.

OUR PROGRAM

New to Camp?

Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.

OUR PROGRAM

Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Bridgewater

At Oak Crest, located in Bridgewater, NJ, the program is tailored to match the age of the campers. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, aims to develop a range of athletic and creative abilities, improve swimming skills, and promote social and emotional intelligence.

In the first grade, campers are introduced to the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and engage in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. Progressing into the second grade, campers have the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their weekly schedule, allowing them to select activities, thus fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.

Explorer Athletics

In Bridgewater, New Jersey, our first and second-grade students are involved in adapted versions of traditional sports. Using scaled-down playing fields and courts equipped with age-appropriate gear, this approach allows campers to experience success while acquiring essential sports skills. The Athletic Specialists responsible for these activities are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teach a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the application of that skill. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities with the campers, collaborating with specialists to create and validate opportunities for success for our young participants.

Creative Arts

In Bridgewater, New Jersey, your child can explore a wide array of artistic activities led by seasoned art instructors in air-conditioned classrooms. Each week, campers participate in sessions encompassing various disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.

Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups actively engage in a dance routine as a vital component of our annual event, Showcrest. Showcrest represents a significant Dance and Drama Production, usually held during the sixth week of camp at a local venue, featuring professional sound and lighting.

Learn to Swim

At Oak Crest in Bridgewater, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental aspect of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex designed specifically for children aged 3 to 8. This complex offers a range of water depths, from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in shallower waters and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers advance in their skills.

Every morning, our Explorers partake in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoons, the groups return for free swim sessions. Our approach to swim lessons is skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers at various proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques draw from not only the American Red Cross but also over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.

Learn to Ride a Bicycle

Learning to ride a bicycle has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in Bridgewater, New Jersey, provides an ideal environment for this journey through its recently established Bicycle Village. This village comprises a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only cultivates independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.

Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, empowering novice cyclists to build the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process.

Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course

In Bridgewater, 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. Our 1st Grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all of which take place just inches above the ground. When they progress to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have their first experiences with the Climbing Tower and Zipline. The Ropes Course is designed to allow campers to advance at their individual pace, gaining access to higher and more challenging elements as they become more comfortable and confident.

Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Furthermore, 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

In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Bridgewater, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, the group is given opportunities to work together and cultivate mutual support. This group-oriented structure, combined with active counselor involvement, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among the campers. Counselors also guide campers in practicing respectful interaction with others and effective communication with both their peers and the staff. Oak Crest creates a supportive environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.