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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ 3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins) Summer Camp near 08818
In the 08818 area of New Jersey, Oak Crest offers both a 5 full-day program and a 3 full-day program for young children. Specifically, within our Munchkin Division, we maintain a highly favorable camper-to-staff ratio, typically ranging from 10 to 12 campers, each accompanied by 3 to 4 staff members. Additionally, each activity within the Munchkin Division is supervised by a dedicated Munchkin Specialist, who undergoes specialized recruitment and training to meet the unique needs of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.
The Munchkin Program at Oak Crest is structured around a threefold approach: firstly, it focuses on enhancing gross and fine motor skills through engaging athletic and creative activities. Secondly, it emphasizes the acquisition of swimming skills. Lastly, it actively promotes social development among young campers.
Munchkin Athletics
At Oak Crest, we provide modified versions of various sports activities tailored to suit the developmental needs of our youngest campers. Our offerings range from mini-soccer and mini-basketball to t-ball and gymnastics. These adaptations ensure that even our 3, 4, and 5-year-old campers can experience success and enjoyment in sports.
Our dedicated athletic specialists are specifically trained to work with children in this age group. Under their expert guidance, your child will have the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills of these sports in a manner that is both age-appropriate and engaging.
Creative Arts
Located in 08818, NJ, Oak Crest’s Creative Arts Center serves as a distinguished hub for fostering artistic expression. Here, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of artistic activities within well-appointed, air-conditioned classrooms under the guidance of experienced art instructors.
Each week, our campers actively participate in a range of activities, including Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature exploration, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Adding to the richness of this experience, every Munchkin group contributes to the annual Showcrest, an elaborate Dance and Drama Production. This event, held during the 6th week of camp, takes place in the evening at a local venue and features professional-grade sound and lighting, creating a truly remarkable spectacle that far exceeds modest expectations.
Low Ropes
Climbing and Ropes Courses are integral elements of the Summer Camp experience at Oak Crest’s 08818, NJ location. We’ve established a low ropes course with dual objectives: first, to facilitate the development of gross motor skills in our young campers, and second, to equip them with the essential skills needed to navigate our Climbing Tower. During their time on the Low Ropes Course, our young campers engage in activities that involve climbing, exploring, and swinging, all while remaining just inches above the ground.
In our commitment to safety, our ropes courses undergo a rigorous inspection and certification process by the company responsible for their construction at the start of each season. Furthermore, our certified ropes instructors, who oversee the groups during all ropes course activities, conduct daily checks to ensure a secure environment for the campers.
Learn to Swim
Swimming transcends being a mere life skill; it represents a vital proficiency that is best cultivated within our recently established, state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex situated in the 08818, NJ location. Our unwavering commitment to excellence is evident through our annual training programs for instructors, which draw upon American Red Cross guidelines and a wealth of practical experience spanning over 25 years in teaching children the art of swimming. We confidently assure you that your child will achieve mastery in swimming at Oak Crest.
To cater to beginners, our advanced Aquatic Facility boasts two shallow pools, ensuring that even the youngest campers can comfortably stand in the water. This design significantly enhances their comfort level and initial progress. Each morning, our campers partake in a 40-minute swim lesson led by a certified swim instructor, with the support of group counselors. In the afternoons, they return to the Aquatic Complex for 40 minutes of free swim, fostering a sense of camaraderie with both fellow campers and group counselors.
Social Development
One of the most captivating facets of the camp experience centers on the development of children’s aptitude for navigating group dynamics. This transformative process fosters heightened confidence and independence in them. As they transition between diverse activities, the group actively participates in nurturing friendships, fostering collaborative efforts, sharing, taking turns, and mastering the art of respectful interaction with both peers and staff.
Our devoted staff plays a pivotal role in empowering Munchkin campers to express their thoughts through verbal communication and provides guidance in direct interpersonal exchanges. At Oak Crest, we offer a nurturing environment where children acquire crucial emotional and social skills that are indispensable for achieving success in life.
Munchkin Lunch
To cater to the nutritional needs of our preschool campers, the Munchkin group has a distinct dining arrangement separate from the rest of the camp. They have the privilege of enjoying the first lunch period of the day. Our Oak Crest Staff is highly attentive to any specific dietary requirements your child may have, providing a personalized and accommodating approach to their nutritional needs.
