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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near North Plainfield
Located at Oak Crest in North Plainfield, NJ, our program adapts to the campers’ age progression. The Explorer program, akin to the Munchkin program, prioritizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, refining swimming abilities, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, we introduce exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and engage them in the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress into the second grade, campers enjoy a CHOICE period in their schedule, enabling them to select activities each week, resulting in a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In North Plainfield, NJ, our 1st and 2nd-grade campers participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. We employ scaled-down fields and courts equipped with age-appropriate gear, allowing our campers to experience success as they develop fundamental game skills.
Our dedicated Athletic Specialists lead these activities, incorporating a structured approach. They allocate a portion of each session to instructing a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the newly learned skill. Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, working in collaboration with our specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
Located in North Plainfield, NJ, your child will have the opportunity to participate in a wide array of artistic activities conducted in air-conditioned classrooms, led by experienced art instructors. Each week, our campers attend sessions in various disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups actively engage in a Dance routine as part of our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is an elaborate production typically held during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, featuring professional sound and lighting for an exceptional experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in North Plainfield, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex meticulously designed for children aged 3-8. This facility accommodates water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers advance in 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 swim lessons are 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 draw from not only the American Red Cross but also over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
At Oak Crest, situated in North Plainfield, NJ, mastering the skill of bicycle riding is a significant childhood milestone we prioritize. Our recently established Bicycle Village provides an ideal setting for this endeavor, featuring 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 imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, ensuring that novice bikers can build the confidence they need. At Oak Crest, we ensure the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In North Plainfield, 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 prepare them for navigating our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which include climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. When they advance to 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have the opportunity to experience the Climbing Tower and Zipline for the first time. Our Ropes Course is designed to allow campers to progress at their own pace, gaining access to higher and more advanced elements as they become more comfortable and confident.
To ensure safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certification by the company that constructed them before each season. In addition, certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
Within the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in North Plainfield, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, our campers are given opportunities to work together and build mutual support within their groups. This group structure, combined with the active engagement of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and lasting friendships among the campers. Our counselors also provide guidance to campers on respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both peers and staff members. Oak Crest strives to create a nurturing environment where children acquire valuable emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
