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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 Scotch Plains
In Scotch Plains, NJ, Oak Crest offers both a 5 full-day program and a 3 full-day program for young children. Our Munchkin Division boasts an exceptional camper-to-staff ratio, typically averaging between 10 to 12 campers per group with the support of 3 to 4 staff members. Additionally, every activity is supervised by a dedicated Munchkin Specialist, carefully selected and trained to meet the unique needs of children aged 3, 4, and 5.
The Munchkin Program prioritizes a threefold approach, which includes enhancing gross and fine motor skills through engaging athletic and creative activities, imparting essential swimming skills, and fostering social development in our young participants.
Munchkin Athletics
Oak Crest provides tailored versions of multiple sports activities for our young campers. From mini-soccer and mini-basketball to t-ball and gymnastics, we’ve customized traditional sports to ensure that even our youngest participants can experience success. Our athletic specialists are dedicated to working with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, guiding them in acquiring fundamental skills in these sports through age-appropriate and engaging methods. Your child will enjoy the learning process while developing these essential athletic abilities.
Creative Arts
Located in Scotch Plains, NJ, Oak Crest’s Creative Arts Center serves as a remarkable hub for artistic expression. Here, your child can engage in a diverse range of artistic activities conducted in well-appointed, air-conditioned classrooms under the guidance of experienced art instructors. Weekly, our campers actively participate in a wide array of activities, including Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature exploration, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more.
Adding to the richness of the experience, each Munchkin group contributes to the annual Showcrest, a grand Dance and Drama Production. Far from modest, Showcrest, a cherished tradition held during the 6th week of camp, unfolds in the evening at a local venue, complete with professional-grade sound and lighting to create a truly remarkable and captivating spectacle.
Low Ropes
The Summer Camp adventure at Oak Crest in Scotch Plains, NJ, incorporates Climbing and Ropes Courses as essential components. Our location features a low ropes course designed with dual objectives: promoting the development of gross motor skills in our Munchkins and equipping them with the necessary skills for navigating our Climbing Tower. During their time on the Low Ropes Course, our young campers engage in climbing, exploration, and swinging, all while being just inches above the ground.
To ensure the utmost safety, our ropes courses undergo rigorous inspection and certification by the company responsible for their construction at the start of each season. Furthermore, our certified ropes instructors, who guide the groups through these courses, conduct daily checks to maintain a secure environment for the campers.
Learn to Swim
Swimming is not just a basic life skill; it’s a crucial proficiency that is best acquired at our newly established, state-of-the-art 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex in Scotch Plains, NJ. Our commitment to excellence is evident in our annual training of instructors, adhering to both American Red Cross guidelines and our extensive practical experience spanning over 25 years in teaching children to swim. We unequivocally assure you that your child will achieve mastery in swimming at Oak Crest.
For our beginner swimmers, our cutting-edge Aquatic Facility offers two shallow pools, ensuring that even the youngest campers can confidently 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 fellow campers and group counselors alike.
Social Development
One of the most captivating facets of the camp experience centers around the development of children’s capacity to navigate group dynamics. This journey fosters heightened confidence and independence as they transition between different activities. Within the group setting, campers actively participate in the cultivation of friendships, collaborative efforts, sharing, taking turns, and the acquisition of respectful interactions with both peers and staff members. Our committed staff members empower Munchkin campers to express their thoughts through verbal communication and offer guidance in effective interpersonal communication. At Oak Crest, we create a nurturing environment where children acquire the emotional and social skills crucial for success in life.
Munchkin Lunch
To cater to the nutritional needs of our preschool campers, Munchkins have a dedicated dining arrangement separate from the rest of the camp. They enjoy the first lunch period of the day, allowing for focused attention on their specific requirements. The Oak Crest Staff is highly attentive to any dietary needs your child may have, guaranteeing a personalized and accommodating approach to mealtime.
