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 Monmouth Junction
At Oak Crest in Monmouth Junction, NJ, the program adapts to the campers’ age, ensuring their continued growth and development. The Explorer program, which parallels the Munchkin program, emphasizes the improvement of skills in a variety of athletic and creative pursuits, the enhancement of swimming abilities, and the nurturing of social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, the program introduces exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress into the second grade, campers have the opportunity to enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule, allowing them to select activities each week. This fosters a dynamic and engaging camp experience, promoting their personal growth and enjoyment.
Explorer Athletics
In Monmouth Junction, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in sports activities that have been adapted to their age group. These activities take place on scaled-down fields and courts, using equipment appropriate for their developmental stage. This tailored approach is designed to facilitate success while enabling campers to acquire fundamental game skills.
Our team of Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are well-trained to dedicate a portion of each session to teaching a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the application of that skill. Additionally, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating closely with the specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Monmouth Junction, NJ, your child can participate in a wide variety of artistic activities held in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Every week, campers attend sessions covering a range of disciplines, including 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 a component of our annual Showcrest event, which is a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production, typically held during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting to provide an exceptional experience for all involved.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Monmouth Junction, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is unparalleled, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex specifically designed to cater to the needs of children aged 3 to 8. This Aquatic Complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in shallow 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, campers have the opportunity for free swim sessions. Importantly, our swim lessons are structured around skill levels rather than age, enabling us to challenge and cater to swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors undergo annual training, and their expertise draws from not only the American Red Cross but also more than 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of bicycle riding is a significant milestone in childhood development. At Oak Crest, situated in Monmouth Junction, NJ, we provide an ideal setting for this important achievement through our 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 serves as a means to foster independence in children while imparting essential lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, ensuring that novice riders can build the confidence necessary to excel in biking. Oak Crest takes great care to provide appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
Located in Monmouth Junction, NJ, 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 essential skills required to navigate our Climbing Tower. First-grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon progressing to the 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers get the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The design of the Ropes Course allows campers to advance at their own pace. As they become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements.
To ensure safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certification by the company that constructed them before each season. Furthermore, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest in Monmouth Junction, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, campers are encouraged to engage in cooperative activities and foster mutual support among their peers. The group framework, along with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among campers. Additionally, counselors provide guidance on respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both peers and staff. Oak Crest offers a nurturing environment where children acquire valuable emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.