Chicago Summer Camps: Parent-to-Parent Guide

Updated February 26, 2022

Our ultimate guide to Chicago summer camps has parent-to-parent recommendations for the best local camps around town!

Discover the summer camps Chicago kids love most, read parent reviews, and zoom in on our map to see the best summer camps near you. Your kids will love learning new skills, making memories, and exploring their interests at these local favorites.

What are your favorite Chicago summer camps for kids? Submit your reviews below so we can consider them for the list!

Find more favorites on our lists of nature, sports, art, dance, academic, STEM, theater, special needs and overnight camps.

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Decoma Day Camp

Gina I. said: Located in Northbrook on 11 beautiful, wooded acres, Decoma Day Camp has been helping kids make wonderful summer memories for 70 years! Campers enjoy an array of fun activities like sports, mini golf, a ninja course and inflatables. Kids are enrolled for a minimum of 4 weeks, but those weeks don't need to be consecutive!

Northbrook, IL

4. 5. 6, 7, & 8-week sessions

Full day (shortened day for age 3-5)

Banner Day Camp

Lisa R said: This fifty-year-old Lake Forest camp teaches sportsmanship and team work through typical day camp activities. Kids learn to take safe risks, build confidence, and make friends, for a total experience that parents have called "transformative". Typical activities include sports, swimming, and ropes courses. The youngest campers are supervised at a 3-1 camper to counselor ratio.

Families can opt in to bus service, extended day care, lunch, and overnights for tweens and teens for an additional fee.

Lake Forest, IL

4 or 8-week sessions

Full day

Tamarak Day Camp

Gina I. said: From its beautiful grounds and enthusiastic staff to its engaging programs, Tamarak Day Camp is the perfect destination for summer fun! All ages enjoy sports, nature activities, and arts & crafts, while older campers have the opportunity to participate in outings and optional programs.

Lincolnshire, IL

4, 6, or 8-week sessions

Full day (half day option for PreK)

Morton Arboretum - Summer Science Camps

Shila said: There are over 100 camp opportunities at the Morton Arboretum. Through science experiments, art, and creative play, kids become "a champion of trees!" Camps include: Leaf Zoo, Forest Fairy Friends, Magic Forest Adventures, Kids vs. Wild, and Eco-Challenge along with many others.

Lisle, IL

Weeklong sessions, 10 weeks of camp offered

Full and half day options

Topgolf Summer Academy

Gina I. said: Junior golfers will love everything Topgolf Summer Academy has to offer! From chipping, putting and full swing to the rules and etiquette, kids will learn everything they need to know about the game of golf. Sessions are one week each and include Topgolf play and instruction, lunch and Togolf gifts! And if they get hooked, explore opportunities to continue kids golf lessons throughout Chicagoland year round.

Schaumburg, IL

1-week sessions

Half day

Naper Settlement - Camp Naper

Brigitte Nohra Miller said: Explore Naper Settlement in summer day camps that capture a child’s imagination with unique hands-on camps that provide immersive experiences where learning is fun! Several weeks focus on STEM subjects like space travel, inventions and architecture.

Naperville, IL

3, 4 & 5-day sessions

Full day

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Emagination Computer Camps

Emagination STEM Camps provides a unique combination of Tech Learning and Summer Camp Fun.

Gina I. said: At Emagination Computer Camps, kids enjoy the perfect mix of technology learning and summer fun! Hosted at Lake Forest College, campers are assigned to small groups by age and enjoy hands-on learning from well qualified camp counselors. Kids stay in the college's dorms with supervision.

Lake Forest, IL

2-week sessions, overnight