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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Colonia
At Oak Crest in Colonia, NJ, our program adapts to the campers’ age as they progress. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in a wide range of athletic and creative activities, refining their 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 engage in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they enter second grade, campers have the opportunity to choose activities during a designated CHOICE period in their schedule, creating a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Colonia, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in tailored versions of traditional sports. These adaptations involve scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, allowing campers to experience success while acquiring fundamental game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, responsible for supervising these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teach a new skill, followed by gameplay focused on reinforcing that skill. Moreover, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working closely with specialists to create and validate opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Colonia, NJ, your child can participate in a wide variety of artistic activities held in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers have the opportunity to attend sessions in various disciplines, including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a Dance routine as an integral component of our annual Showcrest event, 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, featuring professional sound and lighting to enhance the experience.
Learn to Swim
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycle riding has become a significant childhood milestone, and at Oak Crest, situated in Colonia, NJ, we provide an ideal environment for this achievement 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. Cycling not only encourages 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, allowing novice riders to build the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Colonia, 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 prepare them for the challenges of our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. As they progress 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, gaining access to higher and more advanced elements as they become more comfortable and confident.
To ensure safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certification by the construction company before each season. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest in Colonia, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, campers are given opportunities to work together as a team and cultivate mutual support among their peers. The structured group environment, combined with the active engagement of counselors, plays a vital role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among campers. Additionally, counselors offer guidance on respectful interactions with others and effective communication, both with peers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a supportive environment where children can develop the emotional and social skills necessary for success in life.
