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Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Hillsborough
At Oak Crest, located in Hillsborough, New Jersey, the camp program is tailored to the developmental stages of its campers. The Explorer program, which is analogous to the Munchkin program, places a strong emphasis on skill enhancement across a variety of athletic and creative pursuits. It also prioritizes the development of swimming proficiency 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 acquaints them with the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress into the second grade, they have the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their schedule. This feature allows them to select activities on a weekly basis, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Hillsborough, New Jersey, our first and second-grade campers participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. These activities utilize scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, to ensure that campers can experience success while developing fundamental game skills. Our team of Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teach a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the recently acquired skill.
Moreover, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside our campers, working in collaboration with the specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
Learn to Swim
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle has become a notable childhood achievement, and at Oak Crest, located in Hillsborough, New Jersey, we provide an ideal environment for this milestone through our newly established Bicycle Village. This village boasts a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Beyond the joy of cycling, this activity cultivates independence in children while imparting valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the refinement of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer personalized guidance, helping novice cyclists build the confidence necessary for success. At Oak Crest, we ensure the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Hillsborough, New Jersey, Oak Crest has established a low ropes course with a twofold purpose: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and to equip them with the necessary abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. First-grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all taking place just inches above the ground. When campers advance to the 2nd Grade, they have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The design of the Ropes Course allows campers to progress at their own pace, with access to higher and more advanced elements as they gain comfort and confidence.
Prior to the start of each season, our ropes courses undergo comprehensive safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Furthermore, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure a secure environment.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest in Hillsborough, New Jersey, there is a deliberate emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, campers are encouraged to engage in collective tasks and nurture mutual support among their peers. The group-oriented structure, combined with the active guidance of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and lasting friendships.
Counselors also take on the role of instructing campers on the importance of respectful interaction with others and effective communication, both with their peers and the camp staff. Oak Crest provides a nurturing environment where children have the opportunity to acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for achieving success in life.
