Kids Editor, Joanna Batt, shares with us an overview on the camps included in the issue and discusses how to choose the perfect camp for your child based on their interests.
General Interest Camps
Chicago Park District: Expect traditional summer day-camp activities, including field trips, visits to the local pool, arts and crafts, nature exploration, sports and games at more than 200 parks throughout Chicagoland. Contact local parks for the specific camp agendas.
Locations throughout the city
Chicagoparkdistrict.com
June 27-August 5
Ages 6-12
Hidden Knoll Farm: Equestrian delights are front and center on the green grounds of Hidden Knoll Farm, about an hour north of Chicago. Each day of camp includes horse instruction, lessons in care and grooming of the animals and their tools, an education in horse anatomy and riding disciplines, and -- of course -- a horse ride. Arts and crafts are also on the docket.
Hiddenknollfarm.com
June 14-August 12 (one and two week sessions)
Ages 5-14
Arts Camp
Chicago Children's Theater: Led by a team of artists, administrators and special-education teachers, Camp RedKite caters to kids affected by autism. Over three weeks, children participate in music, movement, drama and arts and crafts classes. The CRK curriculum includes a highly structured schedule that's displayed pictorially in each room – and the staff gives personal attention to each camper. Case and point: Before enrolling, each new family must attend a meet-and-greet session, where kids participate in typical camp activities for an hour. After attending, the camp staff and the family will decide if Camp RedKite is right for the child.
Located at Agassiz Elementary School
Theredkiteproject.org
June 11-July 29
Ages 7-14
CircEsteem: Barnum & Bailey fans will be in heaven thanks to this circus-filled summer. CircEsteem get little clowns up, moving and imagining: Campers learn iconic circus skills, including unicycling, stilt walking, gym wheel and more. All campers strut their stuff in an end-of-camp public performance.
Circesteem.org
June 20-July 29
Ages 7-17
Girls Rock Chicago: Learning through music lesions, band practice and music related games; girls unleash their inner Lady Gaga. Campers get a taste of every aspect of the music world, including band marketing, management and even band logo design. Your daughter will even have the chance to write her own music and perform it at the End-of-Camp Extravaganza, which is open to the public.
Girlsrockchicago.org
Dates, locations, time and prices TBD.
Ages 8-16
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Academic
Alliance Française Chez Kids Academy: Your little monsieur or mademoiselle will say oui oui to all things French at this language-immersion camp through arts and crafts, games, cooking and more. As a part of the Children's Center division of the Alliance Française, the Chez Kids Academy's six-week camp is taught by instructors who specialize in early-childhood French as a second language.
AF-Chicago.org
June 13-July 29
Ages 6-13
Time Out Chicago Kids' full camp list
- Summer Camp Survival Kit - Kids Essentials for Summer Camp
- Sunscreen Wipes: It allows you to get at noses and those often-forgotten tops of ears. Plus, the thicker formula doesn't run into your kid's eyes.
Doctor T's Supergoop! $34 at Nordstrom - Bathing Suit: Your kid is a fish in the pool all summer, so be sure to dress them in the most stylish swimsuit.
$19.50 at Old Navy - Jelly Criss-Cross Sandals: Don't let your kids run around barefoot on the hot pavement. These jelly sandals will keep their feet protected, but make it seem as if the're barefoot.
$10.50 at Old Navy - Chaptick with SPF: Keep your kids lips protected all day long with SPF
VitaminWater (Vitamin Stick with SPF) $8 at Urban Outfitters - Hand Sanitizer with SPF: Beat germs and harmful sunrays with a two in one hand gel.
$6 at Sabon (on State St.) - Snack Containers: Small glass containers don't carry the same chemicals that plastic ones do and are adorable too.
Wean Green Cubes $25 for a four pack at babybot.com - Water Bottle: The Sigg water bottle will keep your kid hydrated and the tin insulation will keep it cold all day.
Sigg Lovely Bug water bottle, $18 at mysigg.com - Bag: Organic Cotton coated print bag keeps all your kids essentials in one place, and is easy to wipe off after a rough and tumble camp day.
Mimi the Sardine backpack at Nat and Helens, $39 - Sunglasses: Protect little peepers with shades that block UV rays.
$4 50 at the Disney Store
