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Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Chicago

Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum
2/19/23 - 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.

School’s almost out, which means it's time for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Summer camp is a great way to help kids burn off energy, spend time outdoors, and make lifelong friendships ... but you gotta do it without breaking the bank. No need to panic: We've rounded up free and affordable summer camp options throughout Chicagoland. 

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

Red Shield Center

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Center offers free day camp during the summer, as well as Wonderland Camp, a week-long overnight camp in Wisconsin.  READ MORE

Girls Who Code Chicago

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

After School Matters

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

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago's 22 locations offer fun and educational six- to eight-week summer camp programs for kids of all ages 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
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Affordable Summer Camps

Chicago Park District Day Camp

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

YMCA of Metro Chicago Day Camp

Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities at various YMCA locations throughout the Chicago area. Themes range from culinary to LEGO to survival skills. READ MORE

The Little Gym of Chicago

The Little Gym provides gymnastics camps for kids ages 3-12, featuring a different theme each week, from dinosaurs to space. Super Quest Camps for kids ages 3-8 revolve around interactive learning plans in an active environment; the half-day camps are available throughout the summer as well as during some other school breaks. READ MORE

Camp Invention

With the theme "Wonder," the flagship summer camp of the National Inventors Hall of Fame helps kids in grades K-6 develop problem-solving skills. Projects include building a mini skate park, reconstructing a robot, and opening a pop-up shop. READ MORE

Little Beans Cafe

Little Beans Cafe in Evanston offers flexible, affordable summer camp options for 3-9-year-olds, with a different theme each week. Kids can enjoy indoor and outdoor physical activities, as well as storytimes and art projects. READ MORE

The Field Museum of Natural History

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 camps for qualified students. READ MORE

Morgan Park Academy Summer Camps

Kids ages 3-14 can find their niche with these interest-based summer camps at Morgan Park Academy. Preschoolers can enroll in half or full-day programs, while elementary and middle school kids can pick different topics from Minecraft to cooking to nature for each of four periods throughout the day. READ MORE

Camp Naper Summer Day Camp

Learn about local history with Naper Settlement's weekly day camps. Each week explores a different theme tied into history including Off the Grid Pioneers, Survival Strategy, and Civil War Camp.  READ MORE

Blue Moose Sports Camp

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. READ MORE

DuPage Children's Museum Tinkering Camp

Kids use real tools and materials to make launchpads and rockets, flying devices, musical instruments and more at these weeklong half-day camps at the DuPage Children's Museum. Kids will be in small groups with other children in the same age group-- 4-7 or 8-11. READ MORE

College of DuPage Youth Summer Classes

Kids entering grades 1-8 can join these enriching camps that cover a variety of academic topics from reading and math to art and cooking. Half-day and full-day options are available on the Glen Ellyn and Naperville campuses. READ MORE

ROC ED Summer Enrichment Program

Avoid summer learning loss with an affordagle 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. READ MORE

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