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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near New Brunswick
At Oak Crest in New Brunswick, NJ, the program adapts as campers grow. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in various athletic and creative activities, improving swimming abilities, and fostering social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, exciting activities include the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and participation in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers advance to the second grade, they have the opportunity to choose activities during a designated CHOICE period in their schedule each week, creating a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In New Brunswick, NJ, our first and second-grade campers participate in modified versions of traditional sports. We use scaled-down fields and courts with age-appropriate equipment, allowing campers to attain success while developing fundamental game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teaching a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the recently learned skill. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success for our young participants.
Creative Arts
In New Brunswick, NJ, children can explore a wide variety of artistic activities within air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art teachers. Each week, campers participate in sessions covering disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Additionally, all Explorer Girl groups actively engage in a dance routine as an integral component of our annual Showcrest event, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production, typically occurring during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, and it features professional sound and lighting to enhance the experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in New Brunswick, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a cornerstone of our Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex tailored specifically for children aged 3 to 8 years old. The Aquatic Complex offers a range of water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallow water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers develop their skills.
Every morning, our Explorer campers partake in a 40-minute swim lesson guided by certified swim instructors, with additional assistance provided by group counselors. In the afternoon, campers return for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are structured around skill levels rather than age, ensuring that we challenge and support swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors receive annual training, and our swim curriculum is informed by both the American Red Cross guidelines and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Becoming proficient in riding a bicycle has become a significant childhood milestone. Oak Crest, situated in New Brunswick, NJ, provides an ideal environment for this achievement 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 encourages independence in children but also teaches essential skills such as balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, allowing beginner riders to gain the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets for the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In New Brunswick, NJ, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and equipping them with the necessary abilities to navigate our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers actively participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon progressing to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. The Ropes Course is thoughtfully designed to allow campers to advance at their own pace. As they become more comfortable and confident, they gain access to higher and more challenging elements.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo rigorous safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Additionally, 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 New Brunswick, NJ, places a strong emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group dynamic. Throughout the day, campers are encouraged to work together and build mutual support within their groups. This group-oriented structure, along with the active guidance of counselors, plays a pivotal role in nurturing strong bonds and friendships among campers. Counselors also provide instruction on respectful interaction with peers and effective communication, both with their fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a supportive environment where children can develop the emotional and social skills necessary for success in life.
