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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Piscataway
At Oak Crest in Piscataway, NJ, our program adapts to the campers’ age as they progress through different stages. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, prioritizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, refines swimming abilities, and nurtures social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, an introduction to activities like the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA is provided. As campers enter second grade, they 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.
Explorer Athletics
In Piscataway, NJ, our first and second-grade students participate in adapted versions of traditional sports. By utilizing smaller fields and courts and age-appropriate equipment, this approach allows campers to attain proficiency while developing fundamental game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, responsible for these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teaching a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes that skill. Furthermore, Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Piscataway, NJ, your child can participate in a wide array of artistic activities, facilitated by experienced art teachers in air-conditioned classrooms. Weekly sessions include Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and various other disciplines.
Additionally, all Explorer Girl groups take part in a dance routine as an integral component of our annual Showcrest, a prominent Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production, traditionally occurring during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, featuring professional sound and lighting.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Piscataway, 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 tailored for our 3-8-year-old campers. This Aquatic Complex provides varying water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in shallower waters and progress to deeper levels as our swimmers advance in their skills.
Every morning, our Explorers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors offering support. In the afternoon, the groups return for free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels. Our instructors receive annual training, and our swim techniques are based not only on the American Red Cross but also on over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the skill of riding a bicycle has become a significant childhood milestone. Oak Crest, situated in Piscataway, NJ, provides an ideal environment for this achievement through its newly established Bicycle Village. This village comprises a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Cycling not only nurtures independence in children but also imparts lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, allowing novice cyclists to develop the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Piscataway, 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 equip them with the necessary skills for navigating our Climbing Tower. The 1st Grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon reaching 2nd Grade, Oak Crest campers have their first experiences with the Climbing Tower and Zipline. The 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.
Prior to each season, our ropes courses undergo safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Additionally, certified ropes instructors, who also lead the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily safety checks.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division of Oak Crest in Piscataway, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group context. Throughout the day, the group is engaged in collaborative activities, fostering mutual support and teamwork. The group structure, along with the active participation of counselors, plays a vital role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among campers. Additionally, counselors provide guidance to campers on respectful interactions with peers and effective communication with both their fellow campers and staff members. Oak Crest creates a nurturing environment where children acquire valuable emotional and social skills that are essential for their success in life.
