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Top Sports Summer Camps Near Chicago: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, Hockey Camps, and More

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
3/24/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

So your kid wants to get better at soccer, baseball, or basketball by attending a sports summer camp. Or you've got a preschooler who has never tried sports before and you want to introduce them to everything at a summer camp. Or you have a kid who has exhausted all the possibilities and needs the most unique and special summer camp near Chicago. No matter what you're looking for, we've got you covered with this list of our favorite sports summer camps near Chicago.

Try a camp with a professional sports team like the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, or Chicago Red Stars. Introduce your kid to new sports at Hi-Five Sports Club or Blue Moose Sports Camps. Or try something new, like ninja warrior courses, climbing, or yachting. Summer goes by fast, and before you know it, the new school year will be on the horizon, so a summer sports camp is the perfect way to encourage kids to get out, get active, try something new, or get better at their favorite sport.

If you're looking for other summer camps in Chicago, check out the best summer camps for teens and our ultimate summer camp guide. 

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Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Top Multi-Sport Summer Camps Near Chicago

Chicago Park District Day Camp

Citywide
Ages 6-12
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

Hi-Five Sports Club Summer Camp

Near West Side
Ages 4-13
Campers ages 4 through 13 can learn about teamwork, hard work, and playing fair while playing their favorite sports at Hi-Five. All kids participate in every sport, from basketball to lacrosse to soccer, and kids enjoy fun field trips each week. READ MORE

Fit City Kids Chicago

Lincoln Square
Ages 4-12
Kids ages 4-12 have a full day of fun of games, arts and crafts, obstacle courses, team building, free play, and so much more with the coaches and staff. Each week has a theme and after camp care is available. READ MORE

Blue Moose Sports Camp

Western Springs
Grades 1-6
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

Game On! Sports 4 Girls Summer Camp

Lakeview and Evanston
Grades K-8
Game On! may offer campers daily/weekly exposure to a wide range of sports including: lacrosse, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, swimming, horseback riding & more. Camps are available to girls in grades K-8 in Lakeview or Evanston. READ MORE
Soccer summer camp for Chicago preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Sean Phillips Soccer Camp, Facebook
Soccer summer camp for Chicago preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Sean Phillips Soccer Camp, Facebook

Best Soccer Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

Lil' Kickers Summer Camps

Many locations throughout the city and suburbs
Ages 5-12
Lil' Kickers offers week long camps for kids ages 5-12 to build technical and tactical fundamentals. After daily practices, kids come away with a better understanding of the game. READ MORE

KICS FC Summer Camp

South Loop, West Loop, Hyde Park, Evergreen Park, and Lincoln Park
Ages 9-15
KICS FC offers summer camps for members and non-members focusing on individual techniques, skills, tactics, and creative and motivating activities. The club's experienced coaches and staff aim to help kids reach their full soccer potential READ MORE

Naperville Yard Summer Soccer Camp

Naperville
Grades K-6
Kids in Kindergarten through sixth grade can take their skills to the next level at Naperville Yard Soccer Camp. During the morning, players focus on coordination, speed & agility, foot skills, dribbling, passing, shooting, attacking & defending, while they play games in the afternoon. READ MORE

Chicago Fire FC Summer Camps

Many city and suburban locations
Ages 6-16
With more than a dozen suburban outposts, the Chicago Fire Soccer Club's summer camps focus on a different aspect of the game each day. Kids will learn about ball mastery, taking the space, keeping the ball, and creating goal scoring opporutunities. Day camps are available for kids ages 6-14; players ages 12-16 can attend residential camp. READ MORE

Chicago Red Stars Soccer Camp

Lincoln Park, Woodridge, Naperville, and Glen Ellyn
Ages 11-16
Learn from current Chicago Red Stars athletes in a structured environment that promotes both soccer and leadership skills. These weeklong half day camps are for girls born in 2010-2017 in various locations including North Central College, Walt Disney Magnet School, Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn, and Woodridge ARC. READ MORE

Sean Phillips Soccer Camp

University Village
Ages 4-14
Long time UIC Head Men’s Soccer Coach Sean Phillips and his camp staff, which includes current and former male and female college players, teaches boys and girls ages 4-14 the game of soccer on UIC’s campus.  Campers learn through technical and game-based activities that are designed to increase not only skills and decision making abilities but a love for the game of soccer. READ MORE
Baseball summer camp. Photo courtesy of Chicago Cubs Baseball Summer Camps, Twitter
Baseball summer camp. Photo courtesy of Chicago Cubs Baseball Summer Camps, Twitter

Baseball Summer Camps in Chicago

Elite Baseball Academy Camps

North Center
Ages 7-12
Participants will spend the week working through hitting, pitching, infield and outfield skills. Camps are taught in a progressive manner introducing new and more difficult skills throughout the week. Each day will conclude with a coach led scrimmage game to test players in a game speed setting. READ MORE

Lincoln Park Baseball Academy Summer Camp

Lincoln Park
Ages 7-13
More than 5,000 young baseball players have been through Lincoln Park Baseball Academy, where they have learned key skills from hitting and pitching to defense and team dynamics through both individual and group coaching programs. These fun camps lead into year-round programs. READ MORE

Chicago Cubs Baseball Summer Camps

Lincoln Square and Suburbs
Grades K-8
Choose from the All-Star Experience on the World Series Experience from Chicago Cubs Baseball at parks and schools throughout the city and suburbs. The camps are designed for all ages and include a trip to Wrigley Field. READ MORE

U.S. Baseball Academy Summer Camps

Multiple Chicago area Locations
Grades 2-8
U.S. Baseball Academy's Summer Training program allows players to continue their skill development in a fun-filled environment. Camp will run four days featuring instruction during the morning focusing on hitting and defense. The afternoon session will focus on situational baseball games, competition drills, and a Wiffle Ball World Series. All participants will receive a t-shirt and camp certificate. READ MORE
Stay cool this summer in a hockey camp. Photo courtesy of Youth Hockey Programs, Fifth Third Arena
Stay cool this summer in a hockey camp. Photo courtesy of Youth Hockey Programs, Fifth Third Arena

Best Chicago Hockey Summer Camps

Johnny's Ice House Summer Camps

West Loop
Ages 5-12
Little skaters and goaltenders can up their hockey game at camps specific to goalies or for other players. Kids can play in full gear in preparation for the fall and winter hockey season. READ MORE

The Carter Method Summer Camp

Addison, Northbrook or Romeoville
Ages 7-15
These camps focus on individual skill development including control, agility, reflex, technique, edge and muscle retention skills. Unique drills and game situations help students improve throughout the camp. READ MORE

Delaney School of Hockey Camps

Lincolnwood
Ages 4-9
Kids will hone their hockey skills with drills, skills, powerskating, and games. Full equipment is required. READ MORE

Chicago Blackhawks Summer Camp

West Loop, Darien, Vernon Hills, or Dyer, IN
Ages 6-18
Hockey players of all skill levels can benefit from these camps at the Chicago Blackhawk practice facility at Fifth Third Arena, Darien Sportsplex, Glacier Ice Arena, or Midwest Training & Ice Center. Camps focus on power skating, edgework, agility, puck handling, and shooting. Families can watch games on the Friday of each week of camp. Camps for boys and girls are available for ages 6-13.  Big Strides Summer Camp is exclusively for girls ages 12-18. READ MORE

Grunnah Power Skating

Northbrook or Glenview
Ages 9-16
Learn, practice and perfect power skating techniques at this North Shore hockey camp. Camps give skaters a jump start on techniques they can use and practice throughout the preseason and into the hockey season. Choose from Elite Skills Clinic, Skate to Score Clinic, or Complete Player Collaboration Camp. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Breakthrough Basketball Camps
Photo courtesy of Breakthrough Basketball Camps

Basketball Summer Camps for Chicago Area Kids

Doug Bruno Girls Basketball Camp

Naperville
Ages 7-18
Join the fundamentals camp or the shooting camp of this overnight camp focusing on girls' basketball. The camps focus on development techniques, self-discipline and game play tactics through personalized basketball intensive instruction. READ MORE

Breakthrough Basketball Camps

Deerfield, Libertyville, Lake Forest, and Lake Barrington
Grades 3-12
These skill-based multi-day basketball camps have a small player to coach ratio. Campers can select Ball Handling, Shooting & Decision-Making, Essential Skills, or Attack & Counter camps. READ MORE

NIKE Basketball Camp with Chicago Sky

Bedford Park and Old Town
Ages 7-15
Join the Chicago Sky in summer 2024 and work on improving your strength and conditioning, team play skills, and fundamentals. NIKE and the Sky offer two co-ed camps and two girls only camps. Sessions I and II will included tickets and transportation to a Chicago Sky game during camp. READ MORE

Hot Shot Sports Basketball Skills Camp

Multiple Chicago area locations
Ages 5-18
Campers improve their basketball fundamentals, learn advanced skills, and enhance their teamwork at these half-day north suburban camps.Dribbling, passing, rebounding, shooting and defense skills are developed. Campers are divided into groups based on age, size and ability. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Pedalheads Bike Camp
Photo courtesy of Pedalheads Bike Camp

Other Unique Sports Camps in Chicagoland

Ultimate Ninjas Summer Camp

Roscoe Village, Elmhurst, Glenview, Naperville, and Libertyville
Ages 5-15
Build strength, agility and self-confidence at this ninja warrior obstacle course gym and camp. Kids can choose from half-day or full-day camps in Roscoe Village, Elmhurst, Glenview, Naperville, or Libertyville READ MORE

Brooklyn Boulders Summer Camps

West Loop
Ages 5-12
Brooklyn Boulders summer camps present kids with climibing challenges while also using STEAM concepts related to climbing. Camps are 9-3:30 for a full week each at the West Loop location. READ MORE

Pedalheads Bike Camps - Chicago

Various locations throughout the city and suburbs
Ages 2-10
Pedalheads is a learn-to-ride bike camp for kids 3 and up, known for helping kids get off of training wheels and riding on their own. The popular week-long day camp combines a fun group setting with specialized equipment, tailored lessons, and incredible instructors to build confidence and get some of the most tentative kids biking on their own. READ MORE

Junior Golf Camp at George W. Dunne

Oak Forest
Ages 7-13
Kids ages 6 and up can learn full-swing, chipping, putting and pitch shots: along with learning the rules, terms and etiquette of the game, and beginners or juniors still working on improving their golf skills. This camp presents golf in a fun and safe environment. READ MORE

Urban Kayaks Summer Classes

Downtown
Ages 9-16
Kids will learn to kayak and paddle board safely in Monroe Harbor in these one-week camps. In addition to kayaking, kids will enjoy swimming, sports and games, arts and crafts, outdoor education, and more!  READ MORE

FMA Karate Summer Camp

Roscoe Village, Evanston, Wilmette, Park Ridge, and Glenview
Ages 6-12
Learn firsthand how focused efforts pay off in this class taught by high-level instructors. Kids will increase their level of fitness, make friends and have fun both indoors and outdoors in one of five locations throughout the city and North Shore READ MORE

Junior Sailing Camp at Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club

Uptown
Ages 8-18
Kids can learn water related skills through peer-to-peer interaction and structured fun at the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club. The basic skills of sailing are taught over a two-week course in Montrose Harbor. READ MORE

630 Running Camps

Elmhurst
Grades Pre-K-5
Campers work with adult coaches and current college student-athletes to develop age-appropriate skills in various track & field events throughout the first two sessions of camp. The third session is Elmhurst Olympiad, in which each day will feature 2 main events (track & field, soccer, baseball, etc.), as well as some of the less common sports at the summer Olympics.  READ MORE

SPF Cucumber Camp

Lincoln Park
Ages 5-11
SPF, Chicago's largest pickleball facility, hosts half-day and full-day camps for kids ages 5-11 to learn the sport that is quickly growing in popularity. In addition to learning pickleball, kids will also play tennis, make crafts, and form new friendships. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Walt Disney Magnet School
Pleasant Dale Park District Soccer Fields
UIC University of Illinois at Chicago Turf
Northshore Sports & Wellness
George W. Dunne Forest Preserve Golf
Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club