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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 Cranford
In Cranford, New Jersey, Oak Crest offers both a 5 full-day and a 3 full-day program for young campers. In our Munchkin Division, we maintain an exceptional camper-to-staff ratio, typically ranging from 10 to 12 campers accompanied by 3 to 4 staff members. Furthermore, each activity is supervised by a Munchkin Specialist, specifically selected and trained to address the unique needs of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.
The Munchkin Program follows a threefold approach, focusing on:
Enhancing gross and fine motor skills through engaging athletic and creative activities.
Teaching valuable swimming skills.
Promoting social development among our young campers.
Munchkin Athletics
Oak Crest provides tailored versions of a variety of sports activities, offering scaled-down adaptations for our youngest campers. From mini-soccer and mini-basketball to t-ball and gymnastics, we’ve customized traditional sports to ensure that even our 3, 4, and 5-year-old campers can experience success. Our athletic specialists are specifically trained to work with this age group, guiding your child through the fundamentals of these sports in a manner that is age-appropriate and engaging, fostering their enjoyment and skill development.
Creative Arts
Located in Cranford, New Jersey, Oak Crest’s Creative Arts Center stands as a premier hub for fostering artistic expression. Here, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a wide spectrum of creative activities, all conducted in well-appointed, air-conditioned classrooms under the guidance of experienced art instructors.
Weekly, our campers actively participate in a diverse array of activities, including ceramics, music, cooking, drama, nature exploration, dance, digital photography, jewelry making, computers, and more.
What sets Oak Crest apart is the inclusion of each Munchkin group in our annual Showcrest, a grand dance and drama production. Far from modest, Showcrest is a cherished tradition during the 6th week of camp. It unfolds in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional-grade sound and lighting, creating a truly remarkable spectacle that adds an extra layer of richness to the camp experience.
Low Ropes
At Oak Crest’s Cranford, NJ location, our Summer Camp adventure includes essential components like Climbing and Ropes Courses. Our low ropes course serves a dual purpose: it fosters the development of gross motor skills in our Munchkin campers while equipping 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 involving climbing, exploration, and swinging, all while staying just inches above the ground.
Safety is our top priority. At the start of each season, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspection and certification by the company responsible for their construction. In addition, our certified ropes instructors, who guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily checks to ensure a secure environment for our campers.
Learn to Swim
Swimming is more than just a life skill; it’s a crucial proficiency that we prioritize at our newly established, cutting-edge 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex in Cranford, NJ. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our annual instructor training, which incorporates American Red Cross guidelines and leverages our extensive 25+ years of practical experience in teaching children to swim. We wholeheartedly guarantee that your child will become a skilled swimmer at Oak Crest.
For our beginners, our state-of-the-art Aquatic Facility boasts two shallow pools, ensuring even the youngest campers can confidently stand. This promotes their comfort and initial progress. Every morning, our campers participate 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 camaraderie with fellow campers and group counselors alike.
Social Development
One of the most captivating elements of the camp experience is the fostering of children’s capacity to navigate group dynamics. This process not only nurtures heightened confidence and independence but also cultivates essential social skills. As campers transition between diverse activities, they actively participate in building friendships, collaborating, sharing, taking turns, and learning respectful interaction with both peers and staff.
Our dedicated staff plays a pivotal role in empowering Munchkin campers to express themselves using words and guiding them in direct communication. At Oak Crest, we provide a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills that are crucial for success in life.
Munchkin Lunch
In catering to the nutritional needs of our preschool campers, we’ve established a separate dining arrangement for our Munchkins, granting them the privilege of enjoying the first lunch period of the day. At Oak Crest, our attentive staff is committed to accommodating any dietary requirements your child may have, ensuring a personalized and inclusive approach to mealtime.
