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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Explorers (1st & 2nd Graders) Summer Camp near West Windsor
At Oak Crest in West Windsor, New Jersey, our camp program is tailored to adapt as campers age. The Explorer program, similar to the Munchkin program, prioritizes skill development across a range of athletic and creative pursuits, refining swimming abilities, and fostering social and emotional intelligence.
For first-grade campers, this involves an introduction to exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and participation in the cherished Oak Crest tradition of GAGA. As they progress to the second grade, campers benefit from a CHOICE period incorporated into their weekly schedule. This CHOICE period allows them to select activities, promoting a dynamic and engaging camp experience.
Explorer Athletics
In West Windsor, New Jersey, our Summer Camp offers a unique sports program tailored for 1st and 2nd graders. We have modified traditional sports by utilizing scaled-down fields and courts, as well as age-appropriate equipment. This approach is designed to empower our campers to succeed while developing fundamental game skills.
Our Athletic Specialists, who oversee these activities, are trained to incorporate a structured approach. Each session includes instruction on a new skill, followed by gameplay that emphasizes the application of that skill. Furthermore, our Oak Crest counselors actively engage in these activities alongside our campers, collaborating with specialists to create and reinforce opportunities for success among our young participants.
Creative Arts
In West Windsor, New Jersey, your child can immerse themselves in a rich variety of artistic activities, all conducted in comfortable, air-conditioned classrooms by experienced art instructors. Each week, campers participate in sessions spanning various disciplines such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Furthermore, within the Explorer Girl groups, all campers engage in a Dance routine as a part of our annual Showcrest event. Showcrest is a substantial Dance and Drama Production that usually occurs during the sixth week of camp in the evening at a local venue. It features professional sound and lighting to create an unforgettable experience for our campers and their families.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest in West Windsor, New Jersey, our Learn-to-Swim Program is a fundamental cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience. Our aquatic facility is exceptional, boasting a state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex that has been specifically designed for children aged 3-8 years old. This Aquatic Complex offers water depths ranging from 1 to 6 feet, allowing us to initiate instruction in standing-depth water and progress to deeper levels as our young swimmers develop their skills.
Each morning, our Explorer campers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. In the afternoon, the camp groups return for free swim sessions. Our approach to swim lessons is skill-based rather than age-based, ensuring that we can challenge swimmers at all levels of proficiency. Our instructors undergo annual training, and our swim techniques are drawn not only from the American Red Cross but also from over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Learning to ride a bicycle has become a significant childhood milestone, and at Oak Crest, situated in West Windsor, New Jersey, we provide an ideal environment for this journey through our 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. Cycling not only encourages independence in children but also imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of essential motor skills.
Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, empowering novice riders to build the necessary confidence. Oak Crest is committed to ensuring that appropriately sized bikes and helmets are readily available for the learning process.
Ropes Course and Low Ropes Course
Social Development
In the Explorer Division at Oak Crest in West Windsor, New Jersey, we place a strong emphasis on cultivating collaborative skills within a group setting. Throughout the day, our campers are given opportunities to work together as a team and build mutual support. The group structure, along with the active participation of counselors, plays a pivotal role in fostering strong bonds and friendships among the campers.
Our counselors also guide campers in developing respectful interactions with others and effective communication with both peers and staff members. Oak Crest is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where children can acquire the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
