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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 Kendall Park
In Kendall Park, NJ, Oak Crest offers both a 5 full-day and a 3 full-day program in our Munchkin Division. We maintain an exceptional camper-to-staff ratio of 10 to 12 campers accompanied by 3 to 4 staff members, ensuring personalized attention. Additionally, each activity is supervised by a Munchkin Specialist, specially selected and trained to meet the unique needs of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.
The Munchkin Program focuses on a threefold approach: developing gross and fine motor skills through engaging athletic and creative activities, fostering cognitive growth, and promoting social development.
Munchkin Athletics
Oak Crest provides modified versions of various sports activities tailored to our youngest campers. These include mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics, all designed to facilitate success and skill development. Our athletic specialists are specifically trained to work with 3, 4, and 5-year-old campers, ensuring that your child learns the fundamental skills of these sports in an age-appropriate and engaging manner.
Creative Arts
Located in Kendall Park, NJ, Oak Crest’s Creative Arts Center serves as a premier hub for artistic expression. Your child will have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of artistic activities within well-appointed, air-conditioned classrooms, guided by experienced art instructors. Our campers actively participate in diverse activities such as ceramics, music, cooking, drama, nature exploration, dance, digital photography, jewelry making, and computer-based arts on a weekly basis.
Furthermore, each Munchkin group contributes to the annual Showcrest, a grand dance and drama production that adds depth to the camp experience. Showcrest, a tradition taking place during the 6th week of camp, unfolds in the evening at a local venue, featuring professional-grade sound and lighting to create an exceptional spectacle.
Low Ropes
At Oak Crest’s Kendall Park, NJ location, we consider climbing and ropes courses to be essential elements of our summer camp adventure. We have designed a low ropes course with a dual purpose: to promote the development of gross motor skills among our young campers and to equip them with the fundamental skills necessary for navigating our Climbing Tower. During their participation in the Low Ropes Course, our young campers engage in activities like climbing, exploration, and swinging, all while being just inches above the ground.
To ensure the highest level of safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and receive certification from the company responsible for their construction at the start of each season. Furthermore, our certified ropes instructors, who guide the groups through all ropes courses, conduct daily checks to maintain a secure environment for our campers.
Learn to Swim
Swimming, far beyond a basic life skill, represents an essential proficiency that is optimally acquired at our newly established, cutting-edge 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex in Kendall Park, NJ. Our unwavering commitment to excellence is reflected in our annual instructor training, which draws upon American Red Cross guidelines and more than 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim. We confidently guarantee that your child will achieve mastery in swimming at Oak Crest.
For our novice swimmers, our state-of-the-art Aquatic Facility offers two shallow pools, ensuring even the youngest campers can comfortably stand. This significantly enhances their comfort level and initial progress. Each morning, our campers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by a certified swim instructor, with the assistance of group counselors. In the afternoons, they return to the Aquatic Complex for 40 minutes of free swim, fostering camaraderie with both fellow campers and group counselors.
Social Development
One of the most captivating aspects of the camp experience revolves around nurturing children’s proficiency in navigating group dynamics. This process plays a pivotal role in fostering increased confidence and independence among campers. As they transition between different activities, the group actively participates in the development of friendships, collaborative teamwork, sharing, turn-taking, and the acquisition of respectful interaction skills with both peers and staff members.
Our dedicated staff is committed to empowering Munchkin campers to express their thoughts through verbal communication and guiding them in effective interpersonal interactions. At Oak Crest, we provide a nurturing environment where children gain the emotional and social skills that are essential for success in life.
Munchkin Lunch
In order to meet the specific nutritional needs of our preschool campers, Munchkins have their own dedicated dining arrangement separate from the rest of the camp. They enjoy the first lunch period of the day, allowing for a focused and tailored approach to their meals. Our Oak Crest Staff is highly attentive to any dietary requirements your child may have, guaranteeing a personalized and accommodating dining experience.
