Summer Camp Guide: Des Plaines

Times have certainly changed in the way of summer camps since Allan Sherman’s song, “Hello Mudduh, Hello Faddah” about Camp Granada became a hit in 1963.

There are numerous summer camps in Des Plaines and the surrounding area that provide a wide range of opportunities to experience new things, socialize and grow.

Here is a list we compiled with the help of readers. Please add any we missed with a link in the comments section below. That way everyone can benefit from your tip.

Earlier:

For more information, contact the park district for a parent packet. Here’s a link to the summer camp guide. Check out the park district’s website for more information.

Lake Park Camps

Adventure Camp, ages 8-14, field trips every day to water parks, baseball games, zoos, movies, laser tag, rock climbing, bowling, canoeing and an overnight campout at Rock Cut State Park.

Camp Chickagami, ages 6-14, day-camp experience includes swimming, sports, games, fishing, paddleboats, crafts, nature education and field trips.

Camp Opeka, ages 6-12, outdoor fun includes sports, swimming, games, crafts, outdoor play, fishing and paddleboats.

Park District Camps

Arndt Park Adventurers, ages 5-12, sports, games, crafts, outdoor play, walking field trips and swimming.

West Park Explorers, ages 5-12, themed adventures include sports, games, crafts, outdoor play, swimming, mini-golf and attend shows by the dance and art campers.

Camp Pioneer, ages 3-5, nature study, crafts, sports, games, theme days, singing, safety education and story time.

Arndt Park Adventurers Swimming Lessons, ages 5-12, swimming lessons for Arndt Park Adventurers.

Sports Xplosion, grades 1-8, sports, games, floor hockey, basketball, soccer, flag football, racquetball, track and field events, softball and dodge ball.

Camp Eagle’s Nest, ages 8-17, travel to Wisconsin for canoeing, hiking, swimming, archery, cookouts, tent camping and campfires.

Dance and Arts Camps

Camp Dance-A-Lot, ages 6-10, jazz, tap, hip hop and lyrical dance. Also, build simple props and scenery and design and make costumes.

Camp ReMix, ages 11-15, create more challenging and creative art projects, more complex dance routines. Also, build simple props and scenery and design and make costumes.

Tiny Dancers Camp, ages 3-5, creative movement, ballet, jazz, modern and a fairy tale theme.

Rock Cut State Park Campout, ages 8-14, field trip to Volcano Falls, swimming at Magic Waters in Rockford and overnight tent camping.

Park District Sailing Camps

Basic Sailing, ages 8-18, basic sailing concepts, wind direction, knot tying and on-the-water practice.

Intermediate/Advanced Sailing, ages 8-18, intermediate sailing concepts, wind direction, knot tying and on-the-water practice.

YMCA Camps

Summer day camp, Games, activities, crafts and swimming.

Summer overnight camp, rock-climbing, archery, outdoor activities, campfires and cabin living.

Specialty camps, sports, trips and adventure camps, specialty care and medical camps, Camp Duncan and Camp Independence.

Dance and Music Schools

AMA Dance and Music School Summer Arts Camp, ages 3-12, arts, crafts, dance, tumbling, bags tournament and more games.

Galina Dance Studio, dance camp, summer classes including ballet, jazz and tumbling.

Park District Preschool Programs

Des Plaines Patch reader and contributor Sue Unzicker told us about one of the preschool programs at the Des Plaines Park District this summer in a comment on Facebook.

“While it does not have "camp" in the title, my daughter Jacki and I are teaching a fun kindergarten readiness camp for the Des Plaines Park District again this summer!,” Unzicker wrote. “It is called “Getting Ready For Kindergarten and Beyond.” It is open to children ages 4-6 and is held at Prairie Lakes. Classes may fill up quickly so parents should sign up as soon as possible!”

Here’s a link to the park district’s summer preschool guide.

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