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Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Chicago

Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for their Summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for their Summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
2/9/25 - By Bonnie Broeren

Looking for free summer camps in Chicago? Look no further—we have a list of affordable and free summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Once again, the time has come for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Do it without breaking the bank with this list of affordable and free summer camp options in Chicago. 

Parents and caregivers should sign up for summer camp as early as possible to take advantage of early-bird discounts offered by most organizations. Also, many summer camps award scholarships or help with financial assistance. If there is a camp your child is interested in, it’s worth checking to see if they offer scholarships and/or financial assistance.

There are tons of different types of Chicago summer camps. Find the right one using our Chicago Summer Camp Guide.

 

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After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters
After School Matters is a summer apprenticeship program for teens. Photo courtesy of After School Matters

Free Summer Camps and Activities in Chicago

After School Matters

Multiple locations
After School Matters partners with organizations throughout Chicago to provide apprenticeships to high school students in a number of disciplines, from the arts to STEM to sports. Teens can even earn a stipend for their work as they get a glimpse into how their futures might look.  READ MORE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago

22 locations
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago's 20 locations offer fun and educational six- to eight-week summer camp programs for kids ages 5-18 that are either affordable or free. Or kids can sign up for Summer Brain Gain, weekly modules to help combat learning loss in a fun and interesting way. Teens can also apply to volunteer to help at Boys & Girls Club summer camps throughout the city. READ MORE

Girls Who Code Chicago

Virtual
Girls Who Code offers a free, 2-week virtual ​introductory computer science ​program ​for​ high school ​girls. Each week, girls​ are introduced to ​computer​ ​science​ principles ​through​ ​real-world​ ​projects in​ ​art​ ​and​ ​storytelling, ​web​ ​development,​ ​and more. ​ READ MORE
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp
Soccer camp fun! Photo courtesy of Blue Moose Sports Camp

Affordable Summer Camps in Chicago

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Multiple locations
The Chicago Park District will offer summer day camps for Chicago residents ages 6-12. Camps will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities with the ideas of civic engagement, environmental awareness, and inclusion woven throughout the camp experience. READ MORE

Camp Naper Summer Day Camp

Naperville
Learn about local history, STEM topics, sports and more with Naper Settlement's weekly day camps. Kids entering grades 1-6 can pick from themes like Blast From the Past, STEM in Space, Around the World, or Pioneer Camp, or choose Camp Everything for a little bit of a lot of different themes. Camps run Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and start at $250. READ MORE

Blue Moose Sports Camp

Western Springs and Plainfield
Kids can explore a variety of different sports by signing up for two-hour sessions with Blue Moose Sports Camp. Selecting one, two, or three sessions a day, kids can learn about soccer, badminton, kickball, lacrosse, and more. Each 2-hour session is $100 per week. Full-day campers are limited to 25 kids per week. READ MORE

Camp 1302

Englewood
At CAMP 1302, kids enjoy fun days with crafts, yoga, sports, roller skating, camp fires, games, and more. Meals are included, and the first 50 kids to register get into camp for free! CAMP 1302 has been in partnership with the city’s youth summer employment program, One Summer Chicago, and Catholic Charities.  READ MORE

ROC ED Summer Enrichment Program

South Holland
Avoid summer learning loss with an affordable option from River Oak Community Education & Development Corp. The program features indoor and outdoor activities aimed at learning, character, and physical health. Kids in grades K-8 can sign up for the whole summer or just the weeks they need. Each week costs $125; get 20% off the eight-week program if you pay in full before June 1. READ MORE

Right at School Summer Camps

Various Chicago area schools
Right at School takes place during the summers at dozens of Chicago-area schools. Choose all day camp for $445 a week to go to camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or pick specialty half day camps such as Brick Builders, Masterpiece Makers, and Soccer MVPs. from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $220 and up. RAS Camps offer discounts for siblings, military members, school district employees, and kids in the free and reduced lunch programs. READ MORE

Salvation Army Summer Camps Chicago

West Loop
The Salvation Army in Chicago offers day camps for elementary and junior high students in at its West Loop, Morgan Park, Midway, and Norridge locations. Camps include summer favorites like STEM activities, crafts, field trips, and brain games and range from $20-$120 per week depending on location. Before and after care is available outside of the regular 9-3 camp day. READ MORE
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History
Little girl learning about reptiles. Photo courtesy of The Field Museum of Natural History

Summer Camps in Chicago with Scholarships or Financial Assistance Opportunities

The Field Museum of Natural History

Museum Campus
The Field Museum's Field Explorers Summer Camp offers students in Kindergarten through eigth grade a chance to experience subjects like modern or prehistoric animals, anthropology, the natural world, and scientific illustration in and around the museum's exhibits. Scholarships are available to reduce the cost of camp for qualified students. The deadline for scholarship applications in March 3, 2025. READ MORE

Creativity Camp at Hyde Park Arts Center

Hyde Park
Kids ages four to ten can enroll in these mixed media arts camps to focus their creativity on visual and performing arts. Select a one-week or two-week session of full-day camps. Each session is unique, so kids can sign up for more than one. Campers over age 10 can select a special topics camp, like Ceramics, Stop Motion Animation, or Sketchbook Drawing. Camps are $825 for two weeks or $450 for one week. Need-based scholarships are available. READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Summer Camps

Woodridge, Valparaiso, IN and East Troy, WI
Girls can experience summer camp in the great outdoors at either day camp or overnight camp in Chicago's suburbs and farther afield. Day camps with various themes are offered at Camp Greene Wood in Woodridge, or Girl Scouts can venture overnight for three nights to two weeks at Camp Juniper Knoll in East Troy, WI, or Valparaiso, IN. Counselor-in-Training programs are also available for teens at Camp Greene Wood. Girls in need can apply for financial assistance. READ MORE

Brookfield Zoo Chicago Summer Camps

Brookfield
Kids can discover animals and everything that goes on at Brookfield Zoo at half or full-day camps on zoo grounds. The camp offers a variety of ways to connect with nature and animals. Four and five-year olds can register for half-day camp while six and seven year olds have the option of half-day or full-day camp. Camp themes include Zoo Jobs, Habitats, and The Five Senses. Older kids can enjoy full day camps. Scholarships are available for children who need financial assistance. READ MORE

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