Munchkins (Ages 3-5) Summer Camp near Kendall Park NJ
Oak Crest Day Camp offers a dedicated program for preschool-aged children living near Kendall Park, NJ. The Munchkin Program is built specifically for 3 to 5-year-olds, providing structured, age-appropriate experiences in a setting where safety, guidance, and support come first. Parents can choose between a 5-day or 3-day full-week schedule, giving flexibility while ensuring consistent care and engagement.
Each group includes just 10 to 12 children and is supervised by a team of 3 to 4 staff members. This low camper-to-staff ratio ensures that every child receives close attention throughout the day. In addition to general camp activities, the program features Munchkin Specialists—professionals who are trained to work specifically with this age group. Their role is to lead and support activities that help young children feel comfortable, stay active, and build essential early skills.
The Munchkin Program focuses on three core areas. First, it supports motor development through both athletic and creative play, helping children improve balance, coordination, and hand-eye control. Second, it includes swim instruction aimed at building water confidence and safety habits from an early age. Lastly, the program emphasizes social development by encouraging cooperation, sharing, and respectful communication—skills that help young children transition more easily into school and group settings.
For families near Kendall Park looking for a structured, supportive summer program for young children, Oak Crest Day Camp provides a dependable option that balances fun with purposeful growth.
Munchkin Athletics
Oak Crest Day Camp offers age-appropriate sports instruction for children ages 3 to 5, designed for families living near Kendall Park, NJ. The Munchkin Program includes scaled-down versions of traditional sports like soccer, basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics. These activities are adapted to match the size, ability, and attention span of younger children, helping them learn core athletic skills in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
Each activity is led by trained athletic specialists who understand how to work with preschool-aged campers. These instructors focus on teaching the basic movements and techniques behind each sport—such as dribbling, kicking, throwing, balancing, and jumping—while keeping the environment safe and structured. The goal is to help children build physical coordination and confidence while staying active throughout the day.
By using smaller equipment, slower-paced games, and step-by-step guidance, Oak Crest Day Camp ensures that children near Kendall Park can experience success early in their athletic journey. These early experiences help lay the foundation for future participation in sports while also supporting physical development and motor skills.
Creative Arts
Oak Crest Day Camp gives children near Kendall Park, NJ, a chance to explore creative interests through structured, hands-on experiences. The Munchkin Program includes access to our Creative Arts Center, where campers ages 3 to 5 are introduced to a variety of artistic and enrichment activities. Instructors with professional experience guide small-group classes in subjects such as ceramics, cooking, dance, digital photography, drama, jewelry making, music, nature, and computers. All sessions take place in air-conditioned classrooms designed to support focus and comfort for young children.
These activities help early learners develop fine motor skills, follow step-by-step instructions, and express themselves in different ways. Each child gets the opportunity to try new tools and materials, participate in guided group projects, and create individual work they can be proud of. The diversity of the program also helps children discover which interests they enjoy most.
A key part of the Creative Arts experience is Showcrest, a performance event held during the sixth week of camp. All Munchkin groups rehearse and participate. The performance includes basic dance and drama routines that children prepare during camp, and it takes place at a local venue with professional staging and lighting. For children near Kendall Park, this event is a chance to practice teamwork, build confidence, and perform in front of an audience—all within a supportive, age-appropriate environment.
Oak Crest Day Camp’s creative programming is designed to introduce young children to artistic learning while helping them gain confidence in a structured, encouraging setting.
Low Ropes
Oak Crest Day Camp provides a ropes course experience designed specifically for young children living near Kendall Park, NJ. For campers ages 3 to 5, the Low Ropes Course introduces climbing, balancing, and movement-based challenges in a way that is safe, structured, and age-appropriate. The course sits just inches off the ground, allowing children to participate without fear of heights while still building key physical and emotional skills.
The purpose of the Low Ropes Course is to support early gross motor development—helping children improve balance, core strength, coordination, and body awareness. These activities also teach problem-solving and build resilience by encouraging children to complete short challenges with the support of their peers and instructors. It’s a preparation ground for more advanced climbing experiences offered later in the program.
All equipment is inspected by the original builders and certified for safety before each camp season begins. On a daily basis, certified ropes instructors inspect the course and supervise every session. These staff members are trained not only in safety protocols but also in working specifically with young children. They guide campers through each step of the course, offering support while allowing children to try at their own pace.
For families near Kendall Park looking for a camp that supports physical development in a safe and controlled environment, Oak Crest Day Camp’s ropes program gives children the chance to build strength, confidence, and independence through structured, supervised activity.
Learn to Swim
Oak Crest Day Camp provides a structured swim program for young children living near Kendall Park, NJ, with a focus on safety, skill development, and consistent progress. The program is designed for campers as young as 3 years old and is taught in a dedicated aquatic facility that includes two shallow pools built specifically for beginner swimmers. These shallow areas allow young children to stand comfortably, which reduces fear and supports early success in the water.
Each morning, campers receive 40 minutes of swim instruction led by certified instructors and supported by group counselors. The swim curriculum combines American Red Cross techniques with over 25 years of direct experience teaching children how to swim. Instructors are trained annually to ensure they follow best practices and provide clear, safe instruction that helps each child improve.
The goal is to teach children how to swim through step-by-step instruction, focusing on breathing, floating, kicking, and basic strokes. Progress is monitored, and instructors adjust lessons to match each child’s ability level. Because consistency is key at this age, swim lessons are held daily to help reinforce new skills.
In the afternoons, children return to the pool for 40 minutes of free swim. This gives campers the chance to enjoy the water, play with friends, and practice what they’ve learned in a relaxed environment. Free swim helps strengthen comfort and independence in the pool, while still being supervised by trained staff.
Families near Kendall Park looking for a swim-focused summer program for young children can rely on Oak Crest Day Camp to provide both the instruction and the setting needed to help kids become confident swimmers.
Social Development
Oak Crest Day Camp gives young children near Kendall Park, NJ, a structured environment where social and emotional growth is a key part of the daily experience. For Munchkin campers ages 3 to 5, learning how to interact with others is built into every part of the day—from group activities to mealtimes and transitions between events.
Throughout the camp day, children are part of a consistent group that moves together from activity to activity. This group setting allows them to practice important life skills, including sharing, cooperating, listening, taking turns, and participating in conversations. These are the building blocks of early social development, and they help children feel more confident and connected as they learn to work with others.
Staff members are trained not just to supervise, but to actively support communication and social skills. They guide campers in using words to express needs, ask questions, and solve small problems that arise naturally during group play. These everyday moments—learning how to ask for a turn, respond to a peer, or talk through a disagreement—are used as opportunities for growth.
Campers receive consistent coaching in direct communication, with staff modeling and reinforcing appropriate behavior. The goal is to help children become more comfortable speaking up, setting boundaries, and recognizing emotions in themselves and others. This helps them build independence while still feeling supported.
For families near Kendall Park who want their young children to build strong communication and social interaction skills, Oak Crest Day Camp provides a setting where those skills are developed daily through guided practice and positive reinforcement.
Transportation
Oak Crest Day Camp offers daily door-to-door transportation for families living near Kendall Park, NJ. This service is especially valuable for parents of young children ages 3 to 5 who need a reliable and safe way to get their child to and from camp each day. The transportation program eliminates the need for parents to adjust their work schedules or manage multiple drop-offs, making the camp experience more accessible and less stressful.
Pickup and drop-off times are designed to fit the needs of working families. Options are available for early morning pickup and later afternoon drop-off, giving parents more flexibility while still ensuring their child is fully supervised during all transitions. This extended day model also gives children additional time for social interaction, play, and low-pressure activities before and after the main camp schedule.
All transportation is handled by trained staff who prioritize safety and communication. Drivers follow set routines, and each camper is matched with the same route and vehicle staff to build consistency. Vehicles are monitored to ensure proper procedures are followed throughout each ride.
For parents near Kendall Park looking for a summer camp that combines strong programming with dependable transportation, Oak Crest Day Camp provides a complete solution that meets both the logistical and developmental needs of families with young children.
Munchkin Lunch
Oak Crest Day Camp organizes lunchtime specifically for its youngest campers, including those living near Kendall Park, NJ. Children in the Munchkin Program eat separately from the older age groups and are scheduled for the first lunch period of the day. This setup provides a quieter, less crowded environment that supports the needs of preschool-aged children.
Meals are supervised by group staff who help with everything from opening containers to encouraging proper eating habits. This setting allows staff to monitor food intake, assist as needed, and make sure each child is eating comfortably and safely.
Oak Crest Day Camp also accommodates dietary needs. Whether your child has allergies, restrictions, or specific food preferences, the staff works with families to ensure every camper receives a safe and appropriate meal. Parents can communicate directly with the camp to discuss individual dietary requirements before the summer begins.
For families near Kendall Park, this focused approach to meals helps ensure their child’s nutritional needs are met in a structured, supportive setting.