Oak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Limited Spots Left for Summer 2024
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Transportation
Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
Transportation
Oak Crest provides Bus Transportation to dozens of nearby towns.
New to Camp?
Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.
New to Camp?
Learn more about how we tailor our program for each age group.
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Metuchen
Explorer Athletics
In Metuchen, New Jersey, our first and second-grade campers participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. We use scaled-down playing fields and courts equipped for their age group, allowing campers to experience success while acquiring essential game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, responsible for supervising these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teach a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly learned skill.
Additionally, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Metuchen, New Jersey, your child can explore a broad spectrum of artistic activities led by experienced art instructors in air-conditioned classrooms. Each week, campers participate in sessions covering various disciplines, including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups are involved in a dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest event, a significant production combining dance and drama. Showcrest, which typically occurs during the sixth week of camp, takes place in the evening at a local venue and features professional sound and lighting to provide a remarkable experience for both participants and spectators.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Metuchen, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is an integral part of the Oak Crest experience. We pride ourselves on our exceptional aquatic facility, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex meticulously designed for children aged 3 to 8. This complex provides varying water depths, ranging from 1 to 6 feet, which enables us to begin instruction in shallow water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers develop their skills.
Every morning, our Explorers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. These swim lessons are tailored to individual skill levels rather than age groups, ensuring that we can challenge and support swimmers of all proficiencies. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim instruction draws not only from the American Red Cross but also from over 25 years of hands-on experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Metuchen, New Jersey, Oak Crest has constructed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and preparing them with the essential skills needed to tackle our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers actively engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all of which are conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. Importantly, the Ropes Course is designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace, with access to higher and more advanced elements as they gain comfort and confidence.
Before each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and receive certification from the company responsible for their construction. Furthermore, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks to ensure the well-being of our campers.
Social Development
The Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Metuchen, New Jersey, places a significant emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group is engaged in cooperative activities, fostering mutual support and teamwork. This group-oriented structure, combined with the active participation of counselors, plays a vital role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among the campers.
In addition to facilitating group dynamics, counselors also provide guidance to campers on respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both peers and staff. Oak Crest is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children can develop the emotional and social skills that are essential for their success in life.