Take a Virtual Tour
2025 DATES & RATES
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Edison
In Edison, NJ, at Oak Crest, the camp program is designed to adapt as campers grow older. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, emphasizes the development of a wide range of athletic and creative skills, improvement of swimming abilities, and the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, the program introduces them to exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress into second grade, they gain the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their schedule. This feature enables them to select activities on a weekly basis, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Edison, NJ, our summer camp for 1st and 2nd graders employs a modified approach to traditional sports. We utilize scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, to ensure that campers can experience success while acquiring essential game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to instructing a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly acquired skill.
At Oak Crest, our counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Edison, NJ, your child will have the chance to participate in a wide variety of artistic activities, which are conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art instructors. On a weekly basis, campers have the opportunity to attend sessions in disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and others.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups are involved in a Dance routine as an integral part of our annual Showcrest event, which is 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, complete with professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Edison, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex designed specifically for children aged 3-8. This complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallower water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers develop their skills.
Every morning, our Explorer campers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson, led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing support. In the afternoons, the groups return for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are structured based on skill levels rather than age, allowing us to challenge swimmers of all proficiencies. Our instructors undergo annual training, drawing from the expertise of the American Red Cross and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle is a crucial childhood milestone, and at Oak Crest in Edison, NJ, we provide an exceptional environment for this achievement through our recently established Bicycle Village. This village includes a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only promotes independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer personalized guidance, helping novice riders build the confidence needed to succeed. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets to facilitate the learning process, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Edison, 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 needed to navigate our Climbing Tower. The activities on the Low Ropes Course for 1st Grade Explorers involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all taking place just inches above the ground. As campers progress to 2nd Grade, they have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to advance at their own pace, with access to higher and more challenging elements as they gain comfort and confidence.
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 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 Edison, NJ, we place a significant emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, our campers engage in various activities that require teamwork and mutual support. The group dynamic, along with the active guidance of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among our campers.
Additionally, our counselors provide instruction on respectful interaction with peers and effective communication with both peers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a nurturing environment where children acquire essential emotional and social skills that are integral to their future success in life.
