Safe, Structured Summer Camp for 3–5 Year Olds | Oak Crest Near Monmouth Junction
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Munchkins (Ages 3-5) Summer Camp near Monmouth Junction NJ

Oak Crest Day Camp offers a specialized Munchkin Program for children ages 3 to 5, designed specifically to meet the developmental needs of young campers. Located near Monmouth Junction, NJ, the program is available in two attendance options: five days a week or three days a week. This flexibility allows parents to choose a schedule that fits their family’s routine.

Each group includes just 10 to 12 campers and is supervised by a team of 3 to 4 staff members, ensuring consistent support and attention throughout the day. These staff members include Munchkin Specialists—professionals trained to work with preschool-aged children. Their role is to lead age-appropriate activities and create a secure environment where children can explore, learn, and grow.

The program focuses on three core areas. First, motor skill development is supported through daily activities that balance physical movement with creative expression. Second, campers receive structured swim instruction aimed at building water safety and confidence. Third, guided group play and interaction help children build early social skills such as cooperation, listening, and communication.

Families near Monmouth Junction choose Oak Crest Day Camp for its thoughtful approach to early childhood programming, its strong safety standards, and its experienced staff. The Munchkin Program provides a reliable first camp experience tailored to the unique needs of preschoolers.

Munchkin Athletics

Toddler Summer Camp Monmouth Junction

At Oak Crest Day Camp, young children ages 3 to 5 are introduced to sports in a way that fits their developmental stage. Near Monmouth Junction, NJ, our Munchkin Program includes scaled-down versions of classic activities like soccer, basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics. These are not simplified versions—they are purposefully designed to meet the physical abilities and attention spans of preschool-aged campers.

Each sport is taught by athletic specialists who are trained to work specifically with young children. These staff members focus on helping campers understand the basic movements, rules, and goals of each sport through repetition, demonstration, and encouragement. The structure is consistent, the environment is safe, and the instruction is clear, allowing each child to progress at their own pace.

Campers develop balance, coordination, and confidence as they participate in daily sessions. These early experiences lay the foundation for future participation in sports and physical activities, while also teaching patience, teamwork, and how to follow directions.

Families near Monmouth Junction choose Oak Crest Day Camp because of the careful way we introduce athletics to young children—one small step at a time.

Creative Arts

Preschool Summer Camp Monmouth Junction

Young children ages 3 to 5 are introduced to a wide range of creative activities through a structured arts program near Monmouth Junction, NJ. At Oak Crest Day Camp, this program takes place in air-conditioned classrooms and is led by experienced instructors who specialize in working with early childhood age groups. Campers participate in weekly classes that include Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, and Computers. Each activity is designed to support early skill development, spark curiosity, and encourage hands-on exploration.

The program also includes Showcrest, a performance event held during the sixth week of camp. Every Munchkin group takes part in this Dance and Drama production, which is staged at a local venue with professional lighting and sound. Campers rehearse throughout the summer, building confidence and learning to perform as part of a group. Families are invited to attend the show, giving children a chance to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a meaningful and memorable setting.

Parents near Monmouth Junction choose Oak Crest Day Camp for its consistent, age-appropriate exposure to the arts. The creative program is designed to help preschool-aged children build foundational skills while gaining experience in both individual expression and group collaboration.

Low Ropes

Kindergarten Summer Camp Monmouth Junction

The low ropes course at Oak Crest Day Camp is designed specifically for children ages 3 to 5, giving young campers a chance to explore climbing, balancing, and swinging in a safe, age-appropriate setting. Located near Monmouth Junction, NJ, this course serves as an introduction to outdoor adventure while supporting key physical development goals, especially in gross motor skills.

The course is built low to the ground, so campers can move through each element with confidence and without the fear that comes with height. Activities are structured to encourage independence, while still allowing staff to offer close guidance when needed. Each child progresses at their own pace, gaining coordination and strength while learning how to follow instructions and try new physical challenges.

Before each summer, the ropes course is inspected and certified by the builders to ensure it meets all safety standards. During the camp season, certified instructors run daily checks and lead each group session. These staff members are trained not only in safety procedures but also in working with young children. They guide campers through the course while providing support, encouragement, and instruction.

Families near Monmouth Junction choose Oak Crest Day Camp for the thoughtful way we introduce young children to adventure activities. The low ropes course gives campers a safe place to build physical confidence and prepare for future experiences, like our full climbing tower, as they grow.

Learn to Swim

 
Day Care Summer Camp Monmouth Junction

Swimming lessons for children ages 3 to 5 are a daily part of the Munchkin Program at Oak Crest Day Camp. Near Monmouth Junction, NJ, the camp’s 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex includes two shallow pools designed specifically for beginners. These pools allow young campers to stand with ease, which helps reduce fear and build early confidence in the water.

Campers receive a 40-minute swim lesson every morning led by certified swim instructors who are trained annually in Oak Crest’s own teaching methods. These methods combine American Red Cross techniques with more than 25 years of experience teaching young children how to swim. Lessons are structured, consistent, and focused on gradual skill development—floating, kicking, breathing, and moving through the water safely. Group counselors remain in the water to provide additional support, ensuring that every child receives close attention.

In the afternoon, campers return to the pool for 40 minutes of free swim. This unstructured time gives them the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned, play safely under supervision, and grow more comfortable in the water through repeated exposure.

Families near Monmouth Junction trust Oak Crest Day Camp for its consistent swim instruction, trained staff, and facilities built to support young learners. Swimming at Oak Crest is more than just a camp activity—it’s part of a structured plan to help every child gain a life skill in a safe and encouraging environment.

Social Development

3, 4, and 5 year olds Summer CampMonmouth Junction

Children ages 3 to 5 build important social and emotional skills every day through the Munchkin Program at Oak Crest Day Camp. Located near Monmouth Junction, NJ, this program is designed to help young campers learn how to function in a group setting—an essential step in early childhood development. As they move through their daily schedule, children practice cooperation, sharing, and taking turns in a structured environment.

Campers are grouped consistently with the same peers and staff, allowing them to form connections over time. These daily interactions teach them how to listen to others, express their needs, and respond respectfully. Group games, meal times, and transitions between activities are all used as opportunities to develop these behaviors.

Staff members guide this process closely. They model clear communication, help children express themselves with words, and step in to support problem-solving when conflicts arise. Rather than stepping in to resolve every issue, staff encourage children to try expressing their thoughts and feelings directly. This coaching builds both independence and emotional regulation.

Families near Monmouth Junction choose Oak Crest Day Camp because it offers more than just activities—it gives young children a consistent and supportive space to practice the social skills they will need in school and beyond. The emotional and interpersonal growth that takes place here is a key part of each camper’s overall development.

Transportation

3-5 Year Old Summer Camp near Monmouth Junction NJ

Many families near Monmouth Junction, NJ rely on the convenience of Oak Crest Day Camp’s door-to-door transportation service for their 3 to 5-year-old campers. This service helps parents manage their daily routines by ensuring that their children are safely picked up from home each morning and returned at the end of the camp day. Transportation is included as part of the program, eliminating the need for families to handle drop-off and pickup themselves.

For parents with longer workdays, extended transportation options are also available. Early morning pickup and late afternoon drop-off times provide greater flexibility and allow children to participate in a longer day of camp activities. These extended hours are supervised and include additional time for social play, quiet activities, and structured transitions, all designed to keep young campers engaged in a safe environment.

Families near Monmouth Junction value Oak Crest Day Camp not only for the quality of its programs but also for the structure and support the transportation service provides. It allows children to fully participate in the camp experience without placing additional demands on family schedules, while also giving parents confidence that their child’s commute is handled with care.

Munchkin Lunch

Toddler Summer Camp Monmouth Junction NJ

To meet the nutritional needs of 3 to 5-year-old campers, lunch for the Munchkin Division at Oak Crest Day Camp is scheduled separately from the rest of camp. Located near Monmouth Junction, NJ, the program ensures that younger children eat during the first lunch period of the day, when the environment is calmer and better suited to their pace and supervision needs.

Meals are served in a smaller, more controlled setting that allows staff to assist with opening containers, managing portions, and encouraging positive eating habits. Campers have time to eat without feeling rushed, and staff are present throughout the meal to support them as needed.

Oak Crest Day Camp accommodates dietary restrictions and food allergies. Parents can share any dietary needs in advance, and the camp staff will make sure those needs are met during every meal. Families near Monmouth Junction value this structured mealtime approach, which is designed to give young children a predictable, safe, and supported eating experience each day.