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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ
Juniors (3rd & 4th Graders) Summer Camp near Princeton
Junior campers at Oak Crest in Princeton, New Jersey, engage in a wide array of activities such as archery, mountain biking, lacrosse, high ropes, BMX, skateboarding, camper vs. wild (pioneering), and more. Their daily schedule includes a mix of athletic and creative endeavors, including instructional swim and climbing tower sessions. An exclusive benefit for Junior campers is the Late Night program, enabling them to prolong their stay for an exclusive dinner, extra swimming time, additional games, a special event, and an evening campfire featuring S’mores.
Junior Athletics
Our Junior program in Princeton, New Jersey, offers a comprehensive range of athletic activities on full-size fields. Each week, participants can take part in Soccer, Football, Tennis, Lacrosse, Archery, Basketball, Hockey, and more. Juniors also have the opportunity to explore our Skate Park and Mountain Biking Program. These sessions are led by Athletic Specialists who provide skill instruction followed by engaging games to reinforce the newly acquired skills. Oak Crest counselors actively join in, assisting specialists in creating meaningful opportunities for campers to achieve success.
At the Junior level, we introduce League Play, where groups participate in Soccer, Handball, Football, and Dodgeball. These activities and opponents rotate on a weekly basis, ensuring a dynamic and competitive experience for our campers.
Creative Arts
In Princeton, New Jersey, your child will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of artistic activities, led by experienced art teachers, within climate-controlled classrooms. Campers will actively participate in activities such as Ceramics, Music, Mad Science, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Camper vs. Wild, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Computers, and more on a weekly basis.
Additionally, all Junior Girl groups will showcase their dance routines in our annual event, Showcrest, which is a grand Dance and Drama Production. This significant production occurs during the sixth week of camp at a local venue in the evening, featuring professional sound and lighting to enhance the experience.
Learn to Swim
At Oak Crest, our Learn to Swim Program is a cornerstone of the Oak Crest experience, and our aquatic facility in Princeton, NJ, is top-notch. The 3rd Grade Juniors have access to our newly constructed 12,000-square-foot Aquatic Complex, specifically designed for children aged 3-8. Meanwhile, the 4th grade Juniors swim in our Gigantic Pool, which boasts eight 25-meter lanes. Both facilities offer shallow water areas, allowing us to start all swimmers in standing depth and gradually move them into deeper water as their skills progress.
Each morning, Juniors participate in a 40-minute swim lesson led by certified swim instructors, with group counselors providing additional support. Our swim lessons are skill-based, rather than age-based, ensuring that swimmers of all levels are appropriately challenged. Our instructors undergo annual training and certification, adhering to American Red Cross standards and drawing from over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children how to swim. In the afternoons, Juniors have the opportunity for free swim in the pools.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Mastering the art of bicycle riding holds significant importance as a childhood milestone. At Oak Crest in Princeton, New Jersey, children have access to an ideal environment for acquiring this skill, known as the Bicycle Village. This facility encompasses a 1/4 mile training course, a cutting-edge pump track, and a trail for mountain bike preparation. In addition to promoting independence, cycling imparts valuable lessons in balance, posture control, coordination, and the development of motor skills. Our experienced instructors offer individualized attention, helping novice riders gain the confidence they need. As campers progress, they have the opportunity to participate in our dynamic Mountain Biking Program, for which Oak Crest provides appropriately sized bikes and helmets.
Ropes Courses
In Princeton, New Jersey, Junior campers at Oak Crest have the unique opportunity to explore all of our Ropes Courses. The Confidence Course, positioned 5 feet above the ground, provides campers with the chance to acquaint themselves with belaying techniques and navigate various elements similar to those found in our High Ropes Course. Our Climbing Tower boasts two distinct rock walls, a 200-yard zip line, and an exhilarating Giant Swing. The High Ropes course offers additional rock walls and challenging mid-air elements.
To ensure safety, our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and receive certification from the same company responsible for their construction before each season. Additionally, our certified ropes instructors, who guide groups through the courses, conduct daily inspections to uphold ongoing safety standards.
Choice
In Princeton, New Jersey, during the Choice period, campers at Oak Crest have the opportunity to select an activity for the week. Every week, campers can choose from a regularly updated list of options. In addition to a wide array of athletic and creative activities, Junior campers also have the choice to participate in our annual Drama Production or join a specific Dance routine. This yearly event is known as Showcrest.
Social Development
In Princeton, New Jersey, at our camp in Oak Crest, campers engage in collaboration, communication, and mutual support within their designated groups throughout the day. Our counselors play an active role in facilitating an inclusive atmosphere that encourages respectful interactions and effective communication among both campers and staff members. Through these shared experiences, these groups develop strong bonds and create lasting friendships.
Oak Crest is steadfast in its commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, emphasizing a nurturing environment where children have the opportunity to acquire the emotional and social skills that are vital for lifelong success.
