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TRANSPORTATION OPTIONSOak Crest Day Camp: Voted Best Camp in NJ 10 Years Running
Summer Camp near Metuchen
Oak Crest Day Camp, located near Metuchen, NJ, is the ideal summer destination for children aged 3 to 15. Known for its convenience, the camp provides door-to-door transportation for many families, making it a hassle-free choice for parents with busy schedules.
At Oak Crest, every day offers an exciting array of activities tailored to engage kids of all age groups. Young campers can enjoy swimming, bicycling, rock climbing, and arts and crafts, ensuring a summer filled with both fun and learning.
As children mature, they can take part in specialized programs like special day trips and overnight excursions, perfect for those seeking adventure and independence. These activities are not just about enjoyment; they also focus on developing lifelong skills. Whether your child aims to learn swimming, master bicycling, or enhance social, teamwork, and leadership abilities, Oak Crest provides a supportive and dynamic environment for growth.
Recognizing the demands of modern family life, Oak Crest Day Camp offers flexible scheduling options, including early enrollment and late drop-off services. This commitment to accommodating family needs ensures parents can have peace of mind while their children enjoy a enriching summer experience.
With its comprehensive program and family-friendly services, Oak Crest Day Camp is where summer memories are created, friendships are forged, and children are encouraged to explore, learn, and grow.
3-5 Year Olds (Munchkins)
Oak Crest provides specialized programs for 3 to 5-year-olds in our Munchkin Division, offering both a 5 full-day and a 3 full-day option. We maintain a low camper-to-staff ratio, ensuring each child receives personalized attention and care. In each group, there are 10 to 12 campers supervised by 3 to 4 staff members, emphasizing safety and a nurturing environment.
One of the core focuses of our Munchkin Program is swimming. We place a strong emphasis on helping young children become comfortable and proficient in the water. Our dedicated Munchkin Specialists are trained to provide age-appropriate and enriching swimming experiences.
In addition to swimming, our program also enhances gross and fine motor skills through a variety of athletic and creative activities. These activities are carefully designed to support the physical development of young children, ensuring they have a well-rounded and enjoyable experience at Oak Crest.
Explorers (1st and 2nd Graders)
Our Explorers program, similar to the Munchkin program, offers a range of athletic and creative activities to engage young campers while also focusing on enhancing their swimming skills and fostering social and emotional intelligence.
For first graders in the Explorers program, we introduce exciting activities such as the Climbing Tower, Zipline, Giant Swing, and GAGA. These experiences provide an element of adventure and challenge while ensuring a safe and supervised environment for children to explore their interests and develop new skills.
As campers enter the second grade, they have the opportunity to participate in CHOICE periods. This unique feature allows them to select their preferred activities on a weekly basis, tailoring their camp experience to their individual interests. This personalized approach ensures that each camper can fully engage in activities they are passionate about, contributing to a rich and enjoyable summer experience.
Juniors (3rd & 4th Graders)
In the Junior program at Oak Crest, we offer a diverse array of activities designed to keep young campers engaged and entertained. These activities include Archery, Mountain Biking, Lacrosse, High Ropes, BMX, Skatepark, and Camper vs. Wild.
Our program for Juniors combines athletic and creative pursuits, providing a well-rounded experience. It includes dedicated time for Instructional Swim to improve swimming skills, as well as access to the Climbing Tower for adventure and fun.
One of the highlights for our Junior campers is our Late Nights program, which extends their camp access and adds a special touch to their summer experience. This includes a special dinner, extra swim time, exciting games, a unique event, and a memorable twilight campfire complete with delicious S’mores. These Late Nights create lasting memories and enhance the overall camp experience for our Junior campers.
Seniors (5th & 6th Graders)
In the Senior program at Oak Crest, campers get to fully immerse themselves in all of our camp activities. Beyond the standard camp experience, Senior campers also have the opportunity to embark on multiple exciting day trips, such as the visit to Dorney Park.
To cater to their evolving interests and preferences, Senior campers can choose from a wide range of advanced Choice offerings, allowing them to tailor their camp experience to their liking.
Senior Late Nights add an extra layer of enjoyment to their summer adventures. This special program extends their camp access, including a delightful dinner, additional swim time, engaging games, a unique event, and a memorable twilight campfire featuring everyone’s favorite treat, S’mores. These Senior Late Nights create cherished memories and enhance the overall camp experience for our older campers.
Teen Travel (7th, 8th, & 9th Graders)
During our Choice period, campers have the opportunity to choose an activity to engage in for the week. We offer a rotating list of activities, ensuring that every week campers can explore something new.
In addition to our wide range of athletic and creative activities, Senior campers have the unique option to take part in our annual Drama Production or participate in a special Dance routine. Our annual Dance and Drama Production is affectionately known as Showcrest! The performances by our Senior campers in both the Drama and Dance productions consistently steal the spotlight and are considered the highlight of the show.
Social Development
At Oak Crest, our camp counselors play a pivotal role in guiding campers through a series of team-building challenges and competitions. These activities are designed to instill valuable traits such as teamwork, mutual support, and effective communication.
This structured environment not only encourages respect but also cultivates lifelong friendships among our campers. We are dedicated to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, ensuring that Oak Crest is a safe and nurturing space where children and young teens can develop crucial emotional and social skills. Our commitment lies in creating an environment that promotes growth, inclusivity, and the well-being of all campers.
LIT Program (10th & 11th Graders)
The LIT (Leadership-in-Training) Experience at Oak Crest is a hands-on program designed for 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, offering a dynamic setting for the development of leadership skills. This program is specifically crafted to enhance the camp experience for younger campers.
Participants in the LIT program focus on crucial aspects such as problem-solving, role modeling, and teamwork. The program places a strong emphasis on fostering responsibility among LITs, with the ultimate goal of preparing them for future success in college and their careers. Additionally, it equips them with the skills and mindset to potentially excel as exceptional camp staff in the future. This program serves as a valuable stepping stone in the personal and professional development of our older campers.
