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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Milltown
At Oak Crest in Milltown, NJ, the program adapts as campers grow. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, aims to improve skills in various athletic and creative pursuits, enhance swimming abilities, and foster social and emotional intelligence.
First-grade campers are introduced to activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress into second grade, campers have the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period in their schedule, enabling them to choose activities weekly and creating a more dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Milltown, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. We utilize scaled-down playing fields and courts equipped with age-appropriate gear. This approach empowers 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 acquired skill. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside campers, working in collaboration with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Milltown, NJ, your child can participate in a wide variety of artistic activities held in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers attend sessions in disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Additionally, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a dance routine as an integral component of our annual event called Showcrest. Showcrest is a significant Dance and Drama Production that usually occurs during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting to enhance the overall experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Milltown, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental aspect 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 3-8 years old. This complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallow water and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers develop their skills.
Every 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 based on individual skill levels rather than age, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim instruction techniques are informed not only by the American Red Cross but also by over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycling has become a significant childhood milestone. In Milltown, NJ, Oak Crest provides an excellent environment for this endeavor through its newly established Bicycle Village. This village includes a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only promotes independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the refinement of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, enabling novice cyclists to gain the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bicycles and helmets for the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Milltown, NJ, Oak Crest has established a low ropes course with a dual purpose: to enhance the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and prepare them for the challenges of our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. When they advance to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace, gaining comfort and confidence as they access higher and more advanced elements.
For safety, our ropes courses undergo inspections and certification by the company that constructed them before each season. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who lead the groups through the ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
In Milltown, NJ, at Oak Crest’s Explorer Division, there is a dedicated emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group is given the opportunity to engage in collective tasks and nurture mutual support. The group’s structure, along with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among campers. Additionally, counselors provide guidance to campers on respectful interactions with their peers and effective communication with both fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest offers a nurturing environment where children can acquire the emotional and social skills necessary for success in life.
