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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ 10 Years Running
Summer Camp near Westfield
Oak Crest Day Camp, located near Westfield, NJ, is the ideal summer destination for children aged 3 to 15. Known for its convenience, the camp offers door-to-door transportation, making it a hassle-free choice for busy parents.
At Oak Crest, each day is an exciting adventure, filled with a wide variety of activities designed to engage and captivate children of all ages. Younger campers can dive into activities like swimming, bicycling, rock climbing, arts, and crafts, ensuring a summer filled with both fun and educational experiences.
As children grow, Oak Crest offers specialized programs such as special day trips and overnight excursions, providing a taste of adventure and independence. These activities go beyond just having fun; they’re designed to instill lifelong skills. Whether your child is interested in becoming a proficient swimmer, mastering bicycling, or developing crucial social, teamwork, and leadership skills, Oak Crest provides a supportive and dynamic environment for their growth.
Recognizing the demands of modern family life, Oak Crest Day Camp also provides flexible scheduling options, including early enrollment and late drop-off services. This commitment to accommodating family needs ensures that parents can have peace of mind, knowing their children are enjoying an enriching summer experience while they manage their busy schedules.
With its comprehensive program and family-friendly services, Oak Crest Day Camp is where unforgettable summer memories are created, lasting friendships are formed, and children are encouraged to explore, learn, and flourish.
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
At Oak Crest, we understand the importance of a tailored approach to early childhood camp experiences. In our Munchkin Division, we offer both a 5 full-day and a 3 full-day program, ensuring flexibility for parents and maintaining a low camper-to-staff ratio. Each group consists of 10 to 12 campers, accompanied by 3 to 4 staff members, with a strong focus on safety and nurturing care.
One of our key priorities in the Munchkin Program is teaching children to swim. We believe that water safety and proficiency are essential skills. To achieve this, we’ve designed a program that dedicates significant attention to building your child’s comfort and skills in the water. Moreover, our program goes beyond swimming; it also enhances gross and fine motor skills through a variety of athletic and creative activities. These activities are led by specially trained Munchkin Specialists who provide an age-appropriate and enriching experience, ensuring that your child’s time at Oak Crest is both fun and educationally rewarding.
Explorers (1st and 2nd Graders)
In the Explorers program at Oak Crest, similar to our Munchkin Division, children actively participate in a diverse range of athletic and creative activities. These activities are carefully designed not only to enhance their swimming skills but also to foster the development of their social and emotional intelligence.
For first graders, our program introduces them to thrilling elements such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and GAGA, providing them with exciting physical challenges and opportunities to develop their coordination and confidence.
As campers progress to the second grade, they have the added benefit of CHOICE periods. This means they can select their preferred activities on a weekly basis, tailoring their camp experience to their individual interests and desires. This personalized approach ensures that every child’s experience at Oak Crest is unique and engaging.
Juniors (3rd & 4th Graders)
At Oak Crest, our Junior campers have a diverse array of activities to choose from, including Archery, Mountain Biking, Lacrosse, High Ropes, BMX, Skatepark, and Camper vs. Wild.
Their program is designed to be both physically active and creatively stimulating, encompassing a wide range of athletic and creative activities. Additionally, they have access to Instructional Swim and the Climbing Tower to further enhance their skills and experiences.
Junior campers also have the unique opportunity to participate in Late Nights, which extend their camp day. This special evening program includes a special dinner, extra swim time, engaging games, a unique event, and a memorable twilight campfire featuring S’mores. These additional activities provide a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for our Junior campers.
Seniors (5th & 6th Graders)
Senior campers at Oak Crest have the privilege of experiencing a comprehensive camp program. This includes full access to all camp activities, giving them a well-rounded and exciting camp experience.
In addition to the regular camp activities, senior campers get the opportunity to embark on thrilling day trips to places like Dorney Park, adding an extra layer of excitement and adventure to their summer.
Furthermore, our senior campers have the freedom to choose from a wide range of advanced Choice offerings, allowing them to tailor their camp experience to their specific interests and preferences.
As a special treat, senior campers also participate in Senior Late Nights, where they get to extend their camp day with additional activities, enjoy a special dinner, have extra swim time, engage in fun games, experience a unique event, and close the evening with a memorable twilight campfire complete with delicious S’mores. These added experiences create lasting memories and enhance their overall camp experience.
Teen Travel (7th, 8th, & 9th Graders)
At Oak Crest, we believe in giving campers the freedom to choose their activities. During our Choice periods, campers have the opportunity to select an activity to participate in for the week. What makes this exciting is that each week, our campers can choose a new activity from a diverse and ever-changing list.
In addition to a wide variety of athletic and creative activities, Senior campers have the special option to become a part of our annual Drama Production or take part in our unique Dance routine, collectively known as Showcrest. It’s important to note that the Senior participants in both the Drama and Dance productions consistently stand out as the stars of the show, making these performances the highlight of our camp’s entertainment. This offers campers a chance to showcase their talents and build their confidence on the stage.
Social Development
At Oak Crest, our dedicated camp counselors play a crucial role in guiding campers through a series of team-building challenges and competitions. These activities are carefully designed to instill essential values such as teamwork, support, and effective communication within each group.
Within this structured environment, campers not only build camaraderie but also form lifelong friendships. We place a strong emphasis on respect, encouraging campers to treat one another with kindness and consideration.
Our commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment is unwavering. We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for bullying to ensure that every child feels secure and supported during their time at Oak Crest.
Our ultimate goal is to help children and young teens develop essential emotional and social skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. This commitment underscores our mission to provide a caring and positive camp experience.
LIT Program (10th & 11th Graders)
The LIT (Leadership in Training) Experience at Oak Crest is a program designed to provide practical leadership skill development in a dynamic camp setting. This program is aimed at enriching the overall camp experience, especially for younger campers.
Open to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, participants in the LIT program focus on honing essential skills such as problem-solving, effective role modeling, and fostering teamwork. These skills are crucial for personal growth and development.
A key emphasis of the program is responsibility. We aim to instill a sense of responsibility in LITs, helping to prepare them for future success in college and their careers. Furthermore, we recognize the potential of LITs to become exceptional camp staff in the future, making this experience both personally and professionally rewarding for participants.
