Take a Virtual Tour
2025 DATES & RATES
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ 3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins) Summer Camp near Raritan
In Raritan, NJ, Oak Crest offers both a 5 full-day program and a 3 full-day program for children in our Munchkin Division. Our camp maintains an exceptional camper-to-staff ratio, typically ranging from 10 to 12 campers, each accompanied by 3 to 4 staff members. Additionally, every activity is overseen by a dedicated Munchkin Specialist, specifically selected and trained to address the unique needs of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds.
The Munchkin Program is built upon a threefold approach, focusing on:
1. Enhancing gross and fine motor skills through engaging athletic and creative activities.
2. Acquiring essential swimming skills.
3. Promoting social development among our young campers.
Munchkin Athletics
Oak Crest provides modified versions of various sports activities tailored to our youngest campers. These scaled-down sports include mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics, all designed to facilitate success for children in the 3, 4, and 5-year-old age group.
Our athletic specialists are extensively trained to work with young campers, ensuring that your child learns the fundamental skills of these sports in a manner that is both age-appropriate and engaging.
Creative Arts
Located in Raritan, NJ, Oak Crest’s Creative Arts Center serves as a premier hub for fostering artistic expression. Here, your child will have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of artistic activities within well-equipped, air-conditioned classrooms led by experienced art instructors. Our campers actively participate in diverse activities on a weekly basis, including Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature exploration, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Enhancing the richness of this experience, each Munchkin group contributes to the annual Showcrest, a grand Dance and Drama Production. Far from a modest event, Showcrest, a cherished tradition during the 6th week of camp, unfolds in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional-grade sound and lighting, creating a truly remarkable spectacle.
Low Ropes
Climbing and Ropes Courses are integral components of the Summer Camp experience at Oak Crest in Raritan, NJ. Our location features a low ropes course with dual objectives: fostering the development of gross motor skills in our Munchkin campers and equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate our Climbing Tower. During their time on the Low Ropes Course, our young campers engage in climbing, exploration, and swinging activities, all conducted just inches above the ground.
To ensure the utmost safety, our ropes courses undergo rigorous inspection and certification by the construction company responsible for them at the beginning of each season. Additionally, our certified ropes instructors, who lead the groups through all ropes courses, perform daily checks to maintain a secure environment for the campers.
Learn to Swim
Swimming, far more than just a life skill, is an essential proficiency that is best acquired in our recently established, state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex located in Raritan, NJ. Our commitment to excellence is evident through our annual training of instructors, which draws from both American Red Cross guidelines and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim. We unreservedly guarantee that your child will master the art of swimming at Oak Crest.
For our novice swimmers, our cutting-edge Aquatic Facility offers two shallow pools, ensuring that even the youngest campers can comfortably stand. This significantly enhances their comfort level and initial progress in the water. Each morning, our campers participate in a 40-minute swim lesson, led by a certified swim instructor and assisted by group counselors. In the afternoons, they return to the Aquatic Complex for 40 minutes of free swim, promoting camaraderie with fellow campers and group counselors alike.
Social Development
One of the most captivating facets of the camp experience is the cultivation of children’s proficiency in navigating group dynamics. This process nurtures their confidence and independence, enhancing their interpersonal skills. As they transition between diverse activities, the group actively participates in fostering friendships, collaborative efforts, 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 verbally and guides them in effective communication. Oak Crest offers a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills vital for achieving success in life.
Munchkin Lunch
To cater to the nutritional needs of our preschool campers, Munchkins have their own designated dining arrangement separate from the rest of the camp, with the advantage of enjoying the first lunch period of the day. The Oak Crest Staff is highly attentive to any dietary requirements your child may have, ensuring a personalized and accommodating approach to their meals.
