In spite of what we’re facing now with the COVID-19 crisis, as parents we still must look forward, and we know summer is coming. For many of us, summer camps and childcare is a necessity. At the time of publication the camps in this story are all still accepting sign-ups. We are doing our best to monitor any changes, and encourage you to double-check the individual camp refund/cancellation policies. We also want to continue to support our local businesses including these beloved summer camps.
Summertime has a way of making parents and caregivers feel like camp counselors, with the daily, “What are we doing today?” conundrum. Some camps began registrations way back in November and while you’re not too late to the game, it’s definitely time to load up the calendar. From a focus on films to learning new sports, read on to find a few picks for camps to sign up for now.
Adler Planetarium
Adler's camps will spark the scientific curiosity in everyone from the itty-bitty youngest campers to all the way up to 10th grade as they learn about the skills of science exploration. With tools like telescopes, programmable robots, and high-altitude balloons—and new friends around every corner—your kids will share adventures of cosmic proportions with their peers. Young space and technology enthusiasts will engage their imaginations, show their creative side and navigate their Universe together just like scientists.
Dates: Camps running Jun. 22-Aug. 7
Hours and Cost: Dependent upon age of child and camp selected, check website as there are too many options to list
Ages: 3 yrs.-9th grade
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus
adlerplanetarium.org
Raven Theatre
Raven's Theatre's Take Flight Summer Camp features five training sessions in theatre arts. This camp is great for beginners looking to learn the basics of performance or more advanced actors looking to hone their skills. Raven's team of teaching artists will help kids feel the confidence to contribute to the artistic process and the courage to try something new.
Dates: Camps scheduled Jun. 22-Aug. 21
Hours: Two-week sessions held Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; One-week sessions held Mon.-Fri., noon-4 p.m.
Ages: 6-16
Cost: $300-$600, based on camp type selected
Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Edgewater
Online: raventheatre.com
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is introducing a brand new summer camp offering, Camp Shedd: Summer Splash, where campers enjoy five straight days of aquatic exploration. Kids will dive into various habitats and ecosystems, come eye-to-eye with incredible animals like green-winged macaws or Blanding's turtles and participate in hands-on science activities that uncover some truly remarkable animal behaviors and adaptations.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jul. 6-Aug. 7
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ages: Grades K-5
Cost: $325/non-member; $295/member
Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus
Online: sheddaquarium.org
Morton Arboretum
Kids get totally immersed in nature as they play the part of plant detective, build a forest fort and wade through wetlands in search of critters that live underwater. The Arboretum's woodlands, ponds and prairie become one big classroom where campers learn about the natural world through science experiments and creative play.
Dates: Jun. 1-Aug. 14
Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with after-hours activities available
Cost: $180/week for members ($210 for nonmembers) for half-day sessions and $325/week for members ($380 for nonmembers) for full-day sessions.
Ages: Grades Pre-K-8
4100 IL Rte. 53, Lisle
Online: mortonarb.org
Pedalheads Bike Camp
Want your kids to know the joy of bombing around on a bike all summer? Pedalheads Bike Camps can get your kiddos up and riding in one week! Geared toward kids 3 and up, the camps are held at various locations throughout Chicago and teach your kids all the basics of balance and road rules to make sure they're riding with confidence.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jun. 8-Aug.24
Hours: Full and half day options available (full day is typically 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Varies by location and program.
Ages: 3-12
Locations in Bucktown, Oak Park, Lincoln Park & North Center
Online: pedalheads.com
Chicago Botanic Garden
No way kids will suffer from summer break boredom at Chicago Botanic's camp. They'll be one with nature exploring a range of themes including art, cuisine and conservation. Campers will dissect and plant seeds, explore fragrant herbs and flowers, search for birds and early spring plans on hikes, take a trolley ride around the Garden, create take-home, science-themed projects and more! Each day offers a different adventure — register for any or all camps!
Dates: Camps running Jun. 15-Aug. 14
Hours and Cost: Dependent upon age of child and camp selected, check website as there are too many options to list
Ages: Grades Pre-K-10
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
Online: chicagobotanic.org
Codeverse
Send the kids to Codeverse, the first fully interactive classroom for 1st-8th graders that is riddled with state-of-the-art technology. Your kids will learn to code, build apps, program cutting-edge gadgets and create video games, using a kid-friendly coding language, KidScript.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jun. 1-Sept. 4
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; ask about options for complimentary early drop-off & late pick-up
Cost: $699-$799/week (early bird pricing, $600/week)
Ages: Grades 1-8
Locations in Lincoln Park, Naperville & Wilmette
Online: codeverse.com
Hi-Five Sports Camp
Top priority for this camp that's a dream come true for active kids is fun. It's a total bonus that the programming keeps your child active, healthy, smiling—and perhaps ready for early bedtimes from happy exhaustion—all summer long. Hi-Five Sports Camp Chicago is about so much more than winning or losing, it's about teamwork, playing hard and fair, making new friends and learning the power of camaraderie. The staff is filled with professional coaches, high school and college athletes, as well as experienced P.E. teacher who are ready to guide your kids through a positive, self-esteem-building experience. Camps in the West Loop location offer door-to-door bus service, which is exceptionally helpful for busy parents.
Dates: West Loop camps running Jun. 22-Aug. 14
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: varies based on number of weeks selected, check website for details
Ages: Grades Pre-K-9
City-based camps hosted at Whitney Young High School, 211 S. Laflin St., West Loop, but locations also in Naperville, Vernon Hills, Mount Prospect, Northbrook & St. Charles
Online: hifivesportsclubschicago.com
Galileo Innovation Camp
This camp is really the perfect combination of learning and fun with weekly themes like: Deep Ocean Explorers, Makers Workshop, Expedition to Everest and Renaissance Adventure. Galileo presents art, science and outdoor activities on a daily basis. They can provide before and after care and have a healthy lunch option if you’re not interested in packing your own each day.
Dates: Jun. 15-Aug. 21
Cost: Varies based on location
Ages: Grades Pre-K-10
Camps offered in Lincoln Park, West Loop, Wicker Park, Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Winnetka, Arlington Heights, LaGrange, Naperville & Oak Park. See their website for date and theme options.
Facets
Don’t let the venue fool you, this camp is much more than sitting around watching movies all day. Campers will get an intro into the art of film and work together to make an original short film and gain a foundation in film history and criticism.
Dates: (Ages 11-14) Jul. 6-10 & Jul. 20-24; (Ages 7-10) Jul. 13-17 & Jul 27-31
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $450
Ages: 7-10 & 11-14
Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Lincoln Park
Online: facets.org
The Kids' Table
The Kids' Table offers hands-on cooking fun this summer! Guided by chef instructors, kids get to chop, grate and roll their way to different delicious dishes each day. Registration is all week-by-week (full-day or half-day), so kids can join for as many weeks as they'd like. Best of all, these camps will inspire your kiddo to play a more active role in the kitchen (even cleanup!).
Dates: Camps running Jun. 8-Sept. 4
Hours: Part-day, 10 a.m.-noon; full-day hours range depending on option selected
Cost: Ranges $90/week for 2-day class schedule to $400/week for big kids in all-day, week-long camps
Ages: Part-day, ages 4-7; Full-day, ages 4-14 & 7-10
2337 W. North Ave. (Wicker Park) & 2864 N. Lincoln Ave. (Lakeview)
Online: kids-table.com
Game On Sports Camp for Girls
Where “playing like a girl” is a form of praise, this specialized camp is focused on empowering girls in a positive and spirited environment. This camp is well-known amongst parents as being a confidence booster for daughters and is a great way to introduce new sports in fun and exciting ways. They offer basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, volleyball and lacrosse, just to name a few.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jun. 22-Aug. 14
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 9 a.m.-noon option for ages 4-5
Ages: 4-14
Cost: Attending 3–5 weeks, $600/week; Attending 6-7 weeks, $575/week; 50% discount for 9 a.m.-noon option
Locations in Wicker Park, Lakeview, Glencoe & Lake Forest
Online: gameonsportscamp.com
Bubbles Academy
The best thing about this arts-integrated preschool format is its flexibility. Over 12 sunny weeks, enroll your kids for the whole summer, a week here and there, or just a day whenever you need it. Bubbles Academy’s educational philosophy of arts-integration combines content and skills taken from arts practices including dance, music, theatre and visual arts, with developmentally appropriate, early childhood learning standards and socio-emotional skills.
Dates: Jun. 1-Aug. 28
Hours: Half day, 8:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. or full day, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Varies by days attended
Ages: 2.5-5
2184 N. Elston, Bucktown
Online: bubblesacademy.com
The Laboratory
Imagined by Amy and Dr. Ed, this tag team of super-friendly educators were truly thinking outside the box when they opened The Laboratory. Their goal is to bring books and imaginary worlds to life through science. Your campers will be immersed in magical worlds that follow a storyline that's moved forward by math and science. Themes include everything from Last Zombies on Earch to The Robots are Coming camps: No summer slide here.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jun. 8-Sept. 4
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Week-long camps, $475; day camps, $90
Ages: 7-12
The Laboratory, 2349 W. North Ave., Bucktown
Online: thelaboratorychi.org
Banner Day Camp
Much like the kind of summer camps you see in the movies, Banner has it all. There’s a 3 to 1 camper to counselor ratio, which gives your little ones access to extra special attention while participating in all the activities they could ever ask for. Banner offers swimming, yoga, a climbing wall, arts, fishing, archery, dune buggies. . . you name it, they have it. While Banner Day Camp is in Lake Forest, they do offer supervised round trip bus service for city dwellers.
Dates: 8-Week Session, Jun. 15-Aug. 7; Session 1, Jun. 15-Jul. 10; Session 2, Jul. 13-Aug. 7
Hours: Varies
Cost: Varies by age, number of days attending & length of session, check website.
Ages: PreK-9th Grade
Banner, 1225 Riverwoods Rd., Lake Forest
Online: bannerdaycamp.com
Steve and Kate Camp
Perfect for the camper that needs a flexible schedule (pick a day, a week or a month) AND has a wide range of interests. S&K really lets kids just be kids. Your camper can sing, bake, sew, make a movie, dance or even code their own computer game in one of the several studios scattered throughout. Want to get outside? Jump in on a constant game of hockey, basketball or soccer likely happening all day long. Need some fuel? They have an in-house chef making globally inspired street foods. Sounds amazing — can parents sign up?
Dates: Camps scheduled Jun. 8-Aug. 21
Hours: Pick up and drop off anytime between 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Varies by location; day passes and memberships available; check website for details
Ages: 4-12
Locations in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, West Loop & River Forest
Online: steveandkatescamp.com
Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club is hosting summer camps at various Chicagoland locations, making their camps convenient no matter where you live. These camps offer mini soccer fans the opportunity to learn from professional and experienced staff, regardless of their soccer ability.
Dates: Week-long camps Jun. 1-Aug. 21
Hours: Check website for details
Cost: Varies by program and location
Ages: 3-14
Various Chicagoland locations, check website for details.
Online: chicagofirefc.com
Old Town School of Folk Music
Hosted at their Lincoln Park campus, the Old Town School of Folk Music’s mission is to create a summer experience where campers develop new skills, build friendships and have the freedom to explore their creativity. They’ll spend their days thinking independently, collaborating with their peers and discovering their own place in the arts. Camp themes are Arts, Fiddle, Dance and Musical Theater.
Dates: Week-long camps scheduled Jun. 22-Jul. 31
Hours: 9 a.m.-noon for ages 4-6; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for ages 7-15
Ages: 4-15
Cost: Varies depending on age & class
4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Lincoln Square
Online: oldtownschool.org
Instituto Cervantes of Chicago
Daily lesson plans are created for campers to achieve linguistic, cultural and educational goals. Children will have the unique opportunity to learn Spanish in a playful and enriching environment through total immersion of language while highlighting each student’s creativity and capacity to learn with projects, songs and activities.
Dates: Week-long camps offered all summer
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ages: 4-16
Cost: Varies by number of classes attended
Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio, Near North Side
Online: chicago.cervantes.es
Camp Naper
Located at Naper Settlement, a 12-acre living history museum in Naperville, Camp Naper offers kids the opportunity to explore, create and imagine. Each week offers a different theme and adventure to embark on.
Dates: Camps running Jun. 4-Jul. 30
Hours: 8 p.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $45/day; $100-$210/week-long camps
Ages: Grades 1-8
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
Online: napersettlement.com.
Iron Oaks
Mother Nature will be your kid's new BFF after a week of these outdoorsy camps. Each weeklong camp brings a new themed adventure, and activities include art projects, science discoveries, nature play, hikes and more. Even if you don't live near Irons Oaks, an environmental learning center in southwest suburban Olympia Fields, these are worth the road trip. The 40-acre nature preserve has trails through beautiful woods where you can spot wildflowers, birds and lots of furry friends.
Dates: Jun. 10-Aug. 9
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $145/week resident; $180/week non-resident
20000 Western Ave., Olympia Fields
Online: ironsoaks.com
—Maria Chambers
Feature photo: Mads Bødker via flickr
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