Take a Virtual Tour
2025 DATES & RATES
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Cranford
Explorer Athletics
In Cranford, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. These activities are conducted on smaller fields and courts with age-appropriate equipment, facilitating the campers’ success while they acquire 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, which is then reinforced through gameplay that emphasizes that specific skill. At Oak Crest, our counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working closely with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Cranford, NJ, your child will have access to a wide variety of artistic activities led by experienced art instructors in air-conditioned classrooms. Each week, campers participate in sessions covering areas such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and other creative disciplines.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups are involved in a Dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest event, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production, typically occurring in the sixth week of camp during the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting to enhance the overall experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Cranford, 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 that is specifically designed for children aged 3 to 8. The Aquatic Complex offers varying water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallow water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers advance in 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 skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are informed not only by the American Red Cross but also by over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle is a pivotal childhood achievement, and Oak Crest, situated in Cranford, NJ, provides an excellent environment for this endeavor 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 encourages independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the refinement of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, enabling novice cyclists to develop the confidence needed for success. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Cranford, 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 necessary abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing 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 progress at their own pace, with access to higher and more advanced elements as they gain comfort and confidence.
Before each season, our ropes courses undergo safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. In addition, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure a secure environment.
Social Development
At Oak Crest in Cranford, NJ, within the Explorer Division, there is a strong emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills in a group setting. Throughout the day, the group is engaged in tasks that require collective effort and the development of mutual support. The group structure, along with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in nurturing strong bonds and friendships among campers. Counselors also provide guidance on respectful interactions with peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are vital for success in life.
