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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Green Brook
At Oak Crest, located in Green Brook, NJ, our program adapts to the evolving needs of our campers as they progress through various age groups. In the Explorer program, which parallels the Munchkin program, our primary focus is on the development of a wide range of athletic and creative skills, improving swimming abilities, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
For our first-grade campers, we introduce exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and immerse them in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers transition into second grade, they have the opportunity to enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule. This allows them to select different activities each week, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience tailored to their interests and preferences.
Explorer Athletics
In Green Brook, New Jersey, our first and second-grade campers participate in modified versions of traditional sports. We utilize scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, to facilitate their engagement in these activities. This approach allows our campers to experience success while developing fundamental game skills.
Our Athletic Specialists, who supervise these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to instructing a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the application of that skill. Oak Crest counselors actively join in these activities alongside our campers, working collaboratively with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Green Brook, New Jersey, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse array of artistic activities conducted in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers 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 a key component of our annual Showcrest, 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 for a truly remarkable experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Green Brook, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program serves as 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 specifically tailored for children aged 3 to 8. This complex offers varying water depths, ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in shallow water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers advance in their skills.
Every morning, our Explorers actively participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoon, campers return for free swim sessions. Notably, our swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers at various proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training and employ a curriculum that draws from both the American Red Cross guidelines and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycle riding has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in Green Brook, New Jersey, offers an ideal environment for this achievement through its newly 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 promotes independence among children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors provide personalized attention, enabling novice riders to build the confidence required for cycling success. Oak Crest takes the utmost care to provide appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Green Brook, New Jersey, Oak Crest has constructed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and prepare them with the necessary skills to navigate our Climbing Tower. For our 1st Grade Explorers, the low ropes course offers activities involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all performed 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. As they become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more challenging elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and certification by the company that constructed them. In addition, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest in Green Brook, New Jersey, there is a strong emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, campers are engaged in collective tasks aimed at fostering teamwork and mutual support. The group’s structured dynamics, combined with the active guidance of counselors, play a pivotal role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among campers. Counselors also provide instruction on respectful interaction with peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest offers a supportive environment where children acquire valuable emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
