Summer camp for 3rd & 4th graders 8-10 years old near Princeton
At Oak Crest Day Camp, children aged 8–10 take part in a wide range of structured activities designed to build skills, confidence, and friendships. Our Junior program offers both athletic and creative options, giving campers the chance to try sports like archery, lacrosse, mountain biking, and BMX riding, as well as explore the skatepark, high ropes course, and climbing tower. Campers also participate in instructional swim sessions to improve technique and water safety.
A highlight for this age group is our Late Night events. On these evenings, Juniors enjoy extended swim time, group games, a campfire with S’mores, and dinner served outdoors. These activities provide opportunities for teamwork, social interaction, and memorable experiences that extend beyond the regular camp day. Families near Princeton, NJ, appreciate that their children can enjoy a well-rounded program that balances skill development, recreation, and time with peers.
Junior Athletics
Juniors aged 8–10 take part in a structured sports program led by instructors with expertise in each activity. They learn and practice a variety of sports, including soccer, football, pickleball, archery, and basketball. Each session focuses on developing core skills, understanding game rules, and fostering teamwork.
League Play gives campers the chance to apply what they’ve learned in organized games against other campers in their age group. These friendly competitions help build sportsmanship, confidence, and cooperative play. Counselors are actively involved, guiding and encouraging every participant to work toward personal and group goals.
Families near Princeton, NJ, value this balanced approach to sports, where skill development and structured competition take place in a safe, supervised environment.
Creative Arts
Campers aged 8–10 have the opportunity to explore a wide range of creative and educational activities, each taught by instructors with specialized skills. In our air-conditioned classrooms, Juniors take part in ceramics, music, cooking, drama, dance, nature studies, digital photography, jewelry making, computer skills, and science-based projects through Mad Science. Each activity is scheduled so campers experience it at least once a week, giving them exposure to multiple forms of art, performance, and hands-on learning.
Nature and adventure programs such as Camper vs. Wild provide outdoor problem-solving and survival skill experiences, while drama and music sessions encourage expression and collaboration. For Junior Girl groups, a major highlight of the summer is preparing for a choreographed dance performance. This routine is featured in Showcrest, Oak Crest Day Camp’s annual dance and drama production held during the sixth week of camp. The event takes place at a local venue equipped with professional sound and lighting, giving campers the experience of performing in a full-scale stage production.
Families near Princeton, NJ, appreciate that their children can take part in a balanced program combining arts, sciences, performance, and outdoor activities, all within a structured and supportive environment.
Learn to Swim
The Learn to Swim Program at Oak Crest Day Camp is designed for campers aged 8–10 and provides daily, structured swim instruction. Juniors in 3rd grade use a 12,000-square-foot aquatic complex with shallow and deep sections, while 4th grade Juniors swim in a large pool with eight 25-meter lanes. Both facilities are built to support skill development and water safety.
Campers begin lessons in shallow water and advance to deeper areas as their abilities improve. Certified swim instructors lead 40-minute daily sessions, supported by group counselors, and swimmers are placed according to skill level rather than age. This approach ensures that each child progresses at a pace suited to their current ability.
The program incorporates over 25 years of teaching experience and follows American Red Cross standards combined with proven instructional methods. All swim instructors receive annual training to maintain consistent teaching quality.
In the afternoons, campers enjoy supervised free swim, giving them time to practice their skills and spend time with friends in the water. Families near Princeton, NJ, value this program for its focus on both skill development and safety, delivered in a well-supervised environment.
Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Bicycle Village at Oak Crest Day Camp provides a structured cycling program for campers aged 8–10. The facility includes a 1/4-mile training course for learning and practicing basic riding skills, an advanced pump track for building speed and handling, and a preparation trail designed to teach techniques needed for mountain biking.
Campers are provided with bikes and helmets sized appropriately for their age and skill level. Instructors work with small groups, giving each rider guidance based on their current ability. Beginners start with balance, steering, and braking, while more experienced riders practice navigating varied terrain and developing control at higher speeds.
The program focuses on building independence, improving balance and coordination, and strengthening posture and motor skills. Once riders have mastered the fundamentals, they can participate in the Mountain Biking Program, which challenges them on longer, more technical trails.
Families near Princeton, NJ, value that this program combines skill development, physical activity, and safe instruction, allowing children to progress from learning to ride to tackling advanced cycling courses.
Ropes Courses
