Munchkins (Ages 3-5) Summer Camp near Somerset NJ
Oak Crest Camp in Somerset, NJ, is a favorite among families with young children, especially those aged 3-5 years. We provide a tailored Munchkin Program, which includes options for either a 5-day or 3-day full week attendance. Our program is designed with our youngest campers in mind, featuring exceptionally low camper-to-staff ratios for personalized attention. Each group, comprising 10 to 12 little campers, is nurtured by a dedicated team of 3 to 4 staff members.
What sets our Munchkin Division apart are the Munchkin Specialists, professionals trained specifically to engage with 3 to 5-year-olds, ensuring a safe, fun, and enriching experience. The program focuses on three key areas: developing both gross and fine motor skills through a blend of athletic and creative activities, providing swim lessons for water confidence and safety, and fostering social skills that are crucial at this developmental stage. Join us at Oak Crest, where we create memorable and growth-oriented experiences for our youngest campers!
Munchkin Athletics
At Oak Crest Camp, we specialize in making big fun for our littlest campers! We’ve thoughtfully crafted mini versions of all the classic activities, including mini-soccer, mini-basketball, t-ball, and gymnastics, specifically tailored for children aged 3 to 5 years. This innovative approach allows our youngest campers to experience the thrill and success of traditional sports, but in a way that’s perfectly suited to their size and skill level.
Our athletic specialists are the heart of these activities, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching. They’re specially trained to engage with young children, ensuring that each camper learns the basic skills of these sports in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Your child will not only enjoy the excitement of these sports but also build foundational skills that set the stage for future athletic endeavors. Join us at Oak Crest, where small sizes lead to big adventures and lasting memories!
Creative Arts
At Oak Crest Camp, our Creative Arts Center stands out as a premier destination for young, imaginative minds. Here, your child will embark on an artistic journey, exploring a diverse array of activities in our comfortable, air-conditioned classrooms, all under the guidance of professional art teachers. Our curriculum is rich and varied, including weekly classes in Ceramics, Music, Cooking, Drama, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, and Computers. This wide range of creative disciplines ensures that every child finds something to spark their interest and creativity.
A highlight of our program is the participation of all our Munchkin groups in our annual Showcrest, a Dance and Drama Production that is anything but small. This grand event, held in the 6th week of camp, is a night to remember, taking place at a local venue equipped with professional sound and lighting systems. Here, our young campers get to showcase their dance routines, a culmination of their learning and practice, in front of an enthusiastic audience. Showcrest is not just a performance; it’s an experience that builds confidence, creativity, and camaraderie among our campers. Join us at Oak Crest for a summer filled with artistic exploration and unforgettable performances!
Low Ropes
The Climbing and Ropes Courses are integral to the summer camp experience at Oak Crest, offering a blend of adventure, skill-building, and fun. Recognizing the importance of these activities for our younger campers, we’ve specially designed a low ropes course for our Munchkin Division. This course is not just about fun; it’s a stepping stone in developing their gross motor skills and preparing them for future challenges, like our Climbing Tower.
The Low Ropes Course is perfectly tailored for small adventurers, allowing them to climb, explore, and swing, all while being just inches off the ground. This ensures a safe and confidence-building environment where our Munchkins can enjoy the thrill of the adventure at their own pace and level.
Safety is our top priority. Our ropes courses undergo thorough inspections and certifications for safety before each season by the professionals who built them. Additionally, our certified ropes instructors conduct daily checks and lead the groups through all the activities. These instructors are not only experts in safety but are also skilled at guiding and encouraging young campers as they navigate through the course. At Oak Crest, we make sure that our campers’ experiences on the ropes courses are not only exhilarating and fun but also safe and confidence-inspiring.
Learn to Swim
Swimming is not only an essential life skill but also a source of great joy and confidence for children. At Oak Crest, we’re proud to offer swimming lessons in our exceptional 12,000 square foot Aquatic Complex, a state-of-the-art facility designed to make learning to swim an enjoyable and successful experience. Our commitment to teaching swimming is unparalleled, and we guarantee that your child will learn how to swim with us!
Our swim instruction program is a blend of techniques from the American Red Cross and over 25 years of practical experience in teaching children to swim. We meticulously train our own instructors every year, ensuring they are equipped with the best methods to teach swimming effectively and safely.
Understanding the needs of our youngest campers, our Aquatic Facility features two shallow pools, perfect for beginners. The shallow depth allows even the smallest campers to stand comfortably, significantly boosting their confidence and accelerating their initial progress in the water.
Each morning, our campers engage in a 40-minute swim lesson conducted by our certified swim instructors, supported by group counselors. These structured lessons are designed to develop swimming skills in a fun and supportive environment. Then, in the afternoon, campers return for 40 minutes of free swim. This is a time for them to play and enjoy the water with other campers and counselors, reinforcing the skills they’ve learned while having a great time.
At Oak Crest, we’re committed to ensuring that swimming is a safe, fun, and enriching part of your child’s summer camp experience.
Social Development
The enchantment of camp at Oak Crest lies not just in the array of activities we offer, but in the invaluable social and emotional learning that takes place. As children navigate through their day, moving from one activity to another, they are immersed in a group setting that naturally fosters the development of important life skills. This experience is especially transformative for our Munchkin campers.
Central to this journey is learning how to get along with others. In this vibrant, interactive environment, children learn the art of building friendships, working collaboratively, sharing, taking turns, and interacting respectfully with fellow campers and staff. These interactions are crucial in boosting their confidence and fostering a sense of independence.
Our staff play a pivotal role in this process. They are not just supervisors or instructors; they are mentors who encourage our Munchkin campers to express themselves effectively using words. They coach them in direct communication, helping them navigate the complexities of social interactions. This guidance is gentle yet impactful, aiding in the development of crucial communication skills.
At Oak Crest, we believe that the emotional and social skills learned at camp are foundational for future success. Our camp provides a nurturing and caring environment where children learn, grow, and thrive, not just in their physical and creative pursuits but in their emotional and social development as well. This holistic approach to child development is what makes Oak Crest a truly special place for young campers.
Transportation
A significant number of our members live in Somerset, particularly those aged 3-5. Parents find immense value in the convenience of door-to-door pickup services for their kids’ daily commute to and from various activities. This service is a game-changer for busy families, ensuring that their little ones are safely transported to their destinations, be it for school, daycare, or enrichment programs. Moreover, Somerset’s services often include options for early morning pickups and late drop-offs, accommodating the varying schedules of working parents. These extended hours not only offer flexibility for parents but also provide additional opportunities for children to engage in extended activities, fostering their social, physical, and cognitive development in a secure and nurturing environment. This blend of convenience and quality care is a hallmark of the family-oriented amenities that Somerset offers to its residents, making it a sought-after location for those raising young children.
Munchkin Lunch
In order to better serve the nutritional needs of our preschool campers,
Munchkins eat separately from the rest of camp and get the first lunch period of the day. The Oak Crest Staff will accommodate any dietary needs your child may have.