Summer camp for 5th & 6th graders 10-12 years old near Metuchen
Calling all parents of 10–12-year-olds near Metuchen, NJ: Oak Crest Day Camp offers a dynamic summer experience designed specifically for senior campers. At this stage, campers participate in a wide variety of age-appropriate activities and have the chance to take part in exciting off-site day trips—highlighted by the popular visit to Dorney Park.
Senior campers also gain access to our most advanced Choice options, allowing them to tailor parts of their schedule to match their individual interests. From sports to creative arts, they enjoy the broadest activity selection available at Oak Crest.
In addition, campers in this group are invited to exclusive Senior Late Night events. These special evenings include extended swim time, unique games, twilight campfires with S’mores, and themed dinners—giving campers more time with friends and more ways to make lasting memories.
Senior Athletics

Oak Crest Day Camp offers 10–12-year-olds near Metuchen, NJ a structured sports program that emphasizes skill-building, teamwork, and consistent physical activity. Senior campers rotate through a wide variety of sports each week, including soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, hockey, handball, dodgeball, archery, pickleball, skateboarding, and BMX riding. These activities take place on well-maintained fields and designated specialty areas, allowing for safe, hands-on learning.
All sports sessions are led by experienced coaches who focus on teaching proper techniques, introducing new skills, and organizing scrimmages and drills that reinforce what campers learn. Camp counselors are actively involved throughout each session, helping ensure that every child feels supported, encouraged, and included.
In addition to daily sports instruction, senior campers also take part in League Play. Boys and girls compete weekly in team-based matches across sports like soccer, football, handball, and dodgeball. Teams change opponents each week, keeping the experience engaging and giving campers regular opportunities to apply their skills in a game setting.
For families near Metuchen looking for a camp experience that balances structured coaching with fun, Oak Crest Day Camp delivers a full athletic schedule designed specifically for senior campers.
Creative Arts

At Oak Crest Day Camp, senior campers (ages 10–12) explore a full schedule of creative and hands-on activities each week. Programs are led by experienced instructors and take place in dedicated, air-conditioned indoor spaces designed for focused learning and comfort.
Campers near Metuchen, NJ can expect to participate in Ceramics, Cooking, Music, Mad Science, Drama, Computers, Nature, Dance, Digital Photography, Jewelry Making, Camper vs. Wild, and more—each offered regularly throughout the week. Every activity is age-appropriate and structured to help campers try new things, work with their hands, and build confidence through creative expression.
For senior girls interested in performing, Oak Crest also offers a chance to take part in a group dance routine for Showcrest, the camp’s annual Dance and Drama production. This event, held off-site during the sixth week of camp, features professional sound and lighting and provides participants with a memorable opportunity to perform in front of an audience of fellow campers and families.
Families near Metuchen looking for a camp that emphasizes both creativity and participation will find that Oak Crest Day Camp delivers a complete arts and enrichment experience tailored for senior campers.
Learn to Swim

Oak Crest Day Camp provides a structured Learn to Swim program designed specifically for 10–12-year-olds, with a focus on skill development and swimmer safety. Senior campers receive daily 40-minute swim instruction each morning in a large eight-lane, 25-meter pool. Lessons are grouped by skill level rather than age, allowing swimmers to learn and progress at their own pace.
All lessons are led by certified swim instructors who are supported by group counselors throughout the session. Each instructor receives annual training and brings years of experience teaching children how to improve technique, build endurance, and increase water confidence. The program follows American Red Cross guidelines and incorporates methods developed from over two decades of teaching experience at Oak Crest.
In addition to morning instruction, senior campers near Metuchen, NJ return each afternoon for Free Swim. This unstructured time in the pool gives campers the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned, strengthen their skills, and enjoy recreational swimming in a supervised environment.
For families in the Metuchen area seeking a consistent, results-driven swim program as part of their child’s summer camp schedule, Oak Crest Day Camp offers a proven approach that combines instruction with daily water time.
Ropes Courses

At Oak Crest Day Camp, senior campers ages 10–12 take part in a weekly ropes and climbing program built for challenge, focus, and safe adventure. The Climbing Tower includes two rock walls, a 200-yard zipline, a Giant Cargo Net, Jacob’s Ladder, and the Giant Swing. Campers also navigate the High Ropes Course, which features multiple elevated rock walls, mid-air balance elements, and a recently added High Ropes Confidence Course designed to build coordination and trust.
Each ropes session is supervised by certified ropes instructors trained in safety protocols and proper equipment use. All elements of the climbing and ropes facilities are inspected and certified before the start of every season by the company that built them. Instructors also conduct daily on-site safety checks to ensure all components are secure and functioning properly.
Families near Metuchen, NJ can feel confident knowing their child is participating in a well-maintained, closely monitored ropes program that helps build confidence, encourages teamwork, and gives campers a physical and mental challenge each week.
Choice
At Oak Crest Day Camp, senior campers ages 10–12 participate in weekly Choice sessions where they select from a wide range of focused activities. These sessions allow campers to spend extra time on the programs they’re most interested in—whether that’s a specific sport, a creative art, or a specialty program.
Campers near Metuchen, NJ can opt to join the camp’s full-scale Drama Production, take part in group Dance routines, or choose from additional elective activities offered exclusively during these sessions. For those interested in the performing arts, participation in Showcrest—Oak Crest’s annual Dance and Drama event held during the sixth week of camp—is a key highlight. This production is staged at a local venue and gives campers the opportunity to perform in front of family and peers, with support from staff and professional stage equipment.
Choice sessions help senior campers explore personal interests and take ownership of their camp experience while building confidence through consistent participation.
Social Development

At Oak Crest Day Camp, 10–12-year-old campers participate in weekly team-building activities designed to strengthen communication, cooperation, and group problem-solving. These activities range from structured challenges to friendly competitions that help campers learn how to work together toward a shared goal.
Camp counselors play a key role in guiding these sessions. They model positive interactions, encourage group support, and help each camper contribute in meaningful ways. Through daily engagement, campers near Metuchen, NJ build important social skills such as listening, taking turns, giving feedback, and resolving disagreements constructively.
Respect and inclusion are reinforced throughout the camp day. Oak Crest maintains a clear, proactive approach to creating a safe, supportive group environment. Bullying is not tolerated, and staff members are trained to recognize and address issues early, ensuring that every camper feels welcomed and valued.
For families near Metuchen seeking a summer experience that goes beyond recreation, Oak Crest Day Camp offers a setting where campers develop the emotional and social tools that support long-term success—in school, on teams, and in life.
