At Oak Crest in Highland Park, NJ, our camp program is designed to adapt to the age of our campers. The Explorer program, which shares similarities with the Munchkin program, is dedicated to cultivating a range of athletic and creative skills, improving swimming abilities, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, we introduce exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the cherished Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers transition into second grade, they gain the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their schedule, allowing them to select different activities each week. This approach fosters a dynamic and engaging camp experience tailored to their evolving interests and preferences.
In Highland Park, New Jersey, our first and second graders participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. Through the use of scaled-down fields and courts equipped for their age group, this method allows campers to experience success while acquiring essential game skills. Our dedicated Athletic Specialists, responsible for supervising these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teaching a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly acquired skill.
Furthermore, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success for our young participants.
Highland Park, New Jersey offers your child a wide array of artistic activities in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art educators. On a weekly basis, campers can participate in various sessions covering disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
In addition to these offerings, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a Dance routine as an integral component of our annual Showcrest event—a significant production combining Dance and Drama. Showcrest typically occurs during the sixth week of camp, held in the evening at a local venue with professional sound and lighting to enhance the experience.
At Oak Crest in Highland Park, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental aspect of the Oak Crest experience. We take pride in our exceptional aquatic facility, which includes a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex tailored for children aged 3 to 8 years. This facility provides a safe environment with water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in standing-depth water and progressively move 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 additional support from group counselors. In the afternoon, campers have the opportunity for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers at various proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are informed by the American Red Cross guidelines, as well as more than 25 years of practical experience in this field.
Learning to ride a bicycle has become a crucial childhood achievement, and Oak Crest, situated in Highland Park, NJ, provides an optimal environment for this milestone 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, offering an ideal space for bicycle instruction.
Engaging in 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 personalized guidance, allowing novice riders to gain the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to support the learning process.
In Highland Park, NJ, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and equipping them with the essential abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers actively participate in low ropes course activities, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers are introduced to the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace, gaining access to higher and more challenging elements as they grow in comfort and confidence.
For safety assurance, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction before each season. Furthermore, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
The Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Highland Park, NJ, places a strong emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, campers engage in activities that require them to work together and foster mutual support. This group-oriented approach, facilitated by attentive counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among the campers. Additionally, our counselors provide guidance on respectful interactions with peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a supportive environment where children acquire crucial emotional and social skills that are essential for their future success in life.
