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 Princeton
At Oak Crest in Princeton, NJ, our program adapts as campers grow older. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, emphasizes skill development in various athletic and creative pursuits, refining swimming abilities, and fostering social and emotional intelligence.
In the first grade, campers are introduced to exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and they experience the Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress to the second grade, campers have the opportunity to choose activities each week during a designated CHOICE period, enhancing their camp experience with a dynamic and engaging approach.
Explorer Athletics
In Princeton, NJ, our summer camp for 1st and 2nd graders incorporates modified versions of traditional sports. These adaptations feature scaled-down playing fields and courts equipped to match the children’s age, allowing campers to experience success while acquiring essential sports 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 the campers, collaborating closely with the specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Princeton, NJ, your child can explore a broad spectrum of artistic activities within air-conditioned classrooms, guided by experienced art instructors. Every week, campers participate in sessions covering various 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 an integral component of our annual Showcrest event, a significant production that combines dance and drama. Showcrest, a substantial production, traditionally occurs during the sixth week of the camp in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional sound and lighting for a memorable experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Princeton, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental aspect of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex tailored specifically for children aged 3 to 8. The Aquatic Complex encompasses water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in standing-depth water and gradually progress to deeper levels as our swimmers advance in their skills.
Every morning, our Explorer campers 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 skill-based rather than age-based, enabling us to challenge swimmers of all proficiency levels effectively. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques draw from the expertise of the American Red Cross and more than 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
The acquisition of bicycle riding skills has become a significant childhood milestone, and Oak Crest, situated in Princeton, NJ, provides an ideal environment for this endeavor through its recently established Bicycle Village. This village boasts a 1/4-mile training course, a state-of-the-art pump track, and a mountain bike preparation trail. Beyond promoting independence in children, cycling imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, enabling novice cyclists to build the confidence necessary for success. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to facilitate the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Princeton, 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 abilities to tackle our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers engage in activities on the Low Ropes Course, which involve climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. Upon advancing to the 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 individual pace, and as they gain comfort and confidence, they gain access to higher and more advanced elements.
Before each season, our ropes courses undergo comprehensive safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction. Furthermore, our certified ropes instructors, who also guide the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our campers.
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Princeton, NJ, there is a strong emphasis on nurturing collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, campers are encouraged to engage in collective efforts and foster mutual support among their peers. This group-oriented structure, coupled with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in cultivating strong bonds and friendships among campers. Counselors also guide campers in practicing respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both their peers and staff members. Oak Crest provides a supportive environment where children develop the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.