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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near Sayreville
Oak Crest in Sayreville, NJ, tailors its program to suit campers’ age groups. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, places emphasis on honing skills in a wide array of athletic and creative pursuits, refining swimming abilities, and nurturing social and emotional intelligence. For first-grade campers, this includes exciting activities like the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and the cherished Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As campers progress to second grade, they gain the opportunity to participate in a CHOICE period within their schedule, enabling them to select weekly activities, fostering a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In Sayreville, NJ, our 1st and 2nd graders participate in tailored versions of traditional sports. By utilizing scaled-down fields and courts with age-appropriate equipment, this approach allows campers to experience success while developing fundamental game skills. Our Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to allocate a portion of each session to teach a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes that specific skill. At Oak Crest, our counselors actively engage in these activities alongside the campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In Sayreville, NJ, your child will have the unique opportunity to participate in a wide array of artistic activities, all conducted in air-conditioned classrooms by experienced and dedicated art teachers. Every week, our campers attend sessions in various disciplines including Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, all Explorer Girl groups actively participate in a dance routine as an integral part of our annual Showcrest, a significant Dance and Drama Production. Showcrest is a substantial production event, typically held during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional sound and lighting, adding an extra layer of excitement and enrichment to their camp experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in Sayreville, NJ, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a foundational aspect of the 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 3-8. This complex offers varying water depths from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to begin instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers develop their skills.
Each morning, our Explorers partake in a 40-minute swim lesson, led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing support. In the afternoon, the groups enjoy free swim sessions. Our swim lessons are skill-based, accommodating swimmers of all proficiency levels rather than being age-dependent. Our instructors undergo annual training and leverage techniques not only from the American Red Cross but also from over 25 years of practical experience in instructing children in swimming.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
At Oak Crest, situated in Sayreville, NJ, mastering the skill of bicycle riding is regarded as a significant childhood milestone. Our recently introduced Bicycle Village provides an ideal setting for this endeavor. This village boasts 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 valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer personalized attention, facilitating novice bikers in building the necessary confidence. Oak Crest ensures the availability of appropriately sized bikes and helmets to support the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
In Sayreville, NJ, Oak Crest has developed a low ropes course designed to serve a dual purpose: enhancing the gross motor skills of our 1st Grade Explorers and equipping them with the necessary skills to tackle our Climbing Tower. Our 1st Grade Explorers participate in activities on the Low Ropes Course, engaging in climbing, exploration, and swinging, all conducted just inches above the ground. When advancing 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 progress at their individual pace, gradually gaining comfort and confidence while accessing higher and more advanced elements.
To ensure the safety of our campers, our ropes courses undergo thorough safety inspections and certification by the company responsible for their construction before each season. Additionally, our certified ropes instructors, who guide the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily safety checks.
Social Development
Within the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in Sayreville, NJ, there is a deliberate emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, the group is assigned various tasks that require collective effort and the development of mutual support. This group-oriented structure, complemented by the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in nurturing strong bonds and friendships among campers. Our counselors also guide campers in practicing respectful interaction with their peers and fostering direct communication with both peers and staff members. Oak Crest is committed to providing a nurturing environment where children can acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
