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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Kendall Park
At Oak Crest in Kendall Park, New Jersey, our program adapts to the campers’ age as they progress. The Explorer program, which resembles the Munchkin program, prioritizes the development of skills in various athletic and creative pursuits, as well as the improvement of swimming abilities and the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, an introduction to the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and participation in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA is provided. As campers advance into the second grade, they have the opportunity to enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule. This allows them to select activities on a weekly basis, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Kendall Park, New Jersey, our summer program for 1st and 2nd graders introduces them to modified versions of traditional sports. We utilize scaled-down fields and courts, along with age-appropriate equipment, to ensure that campers can experience success while developing fundamental game skills. Our 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 application of that skill.
Furthermore, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working closely with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Kendall Park, New Jersey, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of artistic activities, all conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art teachers. Every week, campers attend sessions covering diverse disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Additionally, as part of our program, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a dance routine that contributes to our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production typically held during the sixth week of camp, taking place in the evening at a local venue and featuring professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Kendall Park, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental aspect of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex designed specifically for children aged 3 to 8 years. The Aquatic 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 young swimmers advance in their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing support. In the afternoon, the groups return for free swim sessions. Our approach to swim lessons is skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers at all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are informed by the American Red Cross standards and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Kendall Park, New Jersey, 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 necessary abilities to tackle our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all at a height just inches above the ground. When they progress to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have their first experience with the Climbing Tower and Zipline. The design of the Ropes Course allows campers to advance at their own pace, with access to higher and more advanced elements as they gain comfort and confidence.
Safety is of utmost importance to us. Before each season, our ropes courses undergo thorough safety inspections and certification by the company that constructed them. In addition, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the 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 Kendall Park, New Jersey, there is a dedicated emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group dynamic. Throughout the day, our campers engage in activities that require them to work together collectively and foster mutual support. This group-oriented structure, combined with the active participation of counselors, plays a vital role in cultivating strong bonds and lasting friendships among campers. Our counselors also guide campers in developing respectful interactions with their peers and effective communication with both their fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest is committed to providing a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills essential for success in life.
