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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near East Brunswick
At Oak Crest in East Brunswick, New Jersey, our camp program adapts as campers progress through different age groups. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, prioritizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, refinement of swimming abilities, and the cultivation of 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 campers transition to the second grade, they benefit from a CHOICE period in their weekly schedule, enabling them to select activities that align with their interests, creating a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In East Brunswick, New Jersey, our program for 1st and 2nd graders involves adapted variations of traditional sports. We employ scaled-down fields and courts with age-appropriate equipment, facilitating the campers’ success and the acquisition of fundamental game skills. Our 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 newly acquired skill. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working collaboratively with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In East Brunswick, New Jersey, your child can participate in a wide array of artistic activities within air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers partake in sessions covering 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 participate in a dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest, a significant event encompassing Dance and Drama Productions. Showcrest is a substantial production, typically occurring during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in East Brunswick, New Jersey, 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 to the needs of our 3-8 year old campers. The Aquatic Complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to commence instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers advance in their skills.
Each morning, our Explorer campers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing assistance. These swim lessons are designed to be skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers at all levels of proficiency. Our instructors receive annual training, and our swim techniques are drawn not only from the American Red Cross but also from over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle has become a pivotal childhood achievement, and Oak Crest, situated in East Brunswick, NJ, provides an ideal environment for this milestone through its newly established Bicycle Village. This village boasts a 1/4-mile training course, a cutting-edge pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Beyond fostering independence, cycling imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills in children. Our experienced instructors deliver personalized guidance, instilling the necessary confidence in novice cyclists. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In East Brunswick, New Jersey, Oak Crest has established a low ropes course with a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and preparing them for the challenges of our Climbing Tower. First-grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which include climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have their first experience with the Climbing Tower and Zipline. The Ropes Course is designed to accommodate campers at their individual pace, allowing them to progress as they become more comfortable and confident, granting access to higher and more advanced elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo thorough safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Furthermore, certified ropes instructors, who lead groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure a secure environment for our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in East Brunswick, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group engages in activities that require collective effort and the cultivation of mutual support. This group dynamic, coupled with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among the campers. Counselors also provide guidance to campers on respectful interaction with their peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff. Oak Crest offers a supportive environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are integral to their future success in life.
