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Best Summer Camps for Teens in Chicago

Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem
Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem
3/10/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Summer camps for teens prove that summer camp fun doesn't have to end with middle school! High school kids can still get in on the action by finding a summer camp in Chicago that caters to their interests, whether art, sports, theater, or STEM. Some colleges even offer programs to help students prep for college courses while still in grades 9-12. We even found some unique Chicago summer camps for aspiring filmmakers, circus artists, and kayakers.

Got big kids who are bored but don't want to go to camp? Check out our lists of the best indoor places for teens and tweens to hang out or the best birthday party spots for teens and tweens. Or, just tell them to go take a hike!

Kidstreet Camp is great for budding artists. Photo courtesy of Lillstreet Art Center
Kidstreet Camp is great for budding artists. Photo courtesy of Lillstreet Art Center

Top Chicago Summer Camps for Teens on the North Side

Kidstreet Camps at Lillstreet Art Center

Ravenswood
Ages 3-16
Lillstreet Art Center provides Kidstreet Camps for kids who are interested in developing their artistic skills, including drawing, clay, mixed media, and more. This summer's half-day camps feature themes like Acrylic Painting, Art like an Egyptian, Art of the Graphic Novel, and Cosmic Creations. READ MORE

CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp

Uptown
Ages 6-16
CircEsteem offers children ages 6-16 the opportunity to explore the Circus Arts, including trapeze, acrobatics, clowning, juggling, stilt walking, gym wheel, rolling globe, tightwire, rolla bolla, aerial silks, and mini-trampoline.  READ MORE

Marwen

River North
Grades 6-12
Marwen is a no-cost program for young people in Chicago looking to explore their interest in the arts. Sixth through 12th graders can take courses in photography, animation, illustration, drawing, ceramics, sewing, video, and more at this River North studio. Summer camps include two sessions, each two weeks in length. READ MORE

Second City Summer Comedy Camps

Old Town
Ages 12-18
Spend summer laughing at the birthplace of sketch comedy, The Second City. Kids ages 12-18 develop skills like creative thinking and self-confidence while learning improv and writing for the stage.  READ MORE

Chicago Filmmakers Teen Filmmaking Camp

Edgewater
Ages 13-17
Teens can get a crash course in filmmaking at these two-week summer camps that teach skills including creating shot-lists, scouting locations, setting up camera angles, using green screen, post-production editing, and sound design. Students work collaboratively on short film projects throughout the sessions. READ MORE

GUS Dance Camp 2024

Andersonville
Ages 5-19
Explore a variety of dance styles including ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and musical theater at the northside studio this summer. Dancers are placed into levels between beginner and advanced for each one-week session. All campers will perform multiple dances at the end of the week. READ MORE

Acting Studio Chicago Summer Camps

River North
Grades 1-12
Kids can hone their acting skills and prepare for college or auditions at these summer camps in River North. Campers are separated by age, with programs available for kids in grades 1-3, 4-7, and 8-12. Some camps require a self-taped audition. READ MORE
Boy playing guitar. Photo courtesy Canva
Boy playing guitar. Photo courtesy Canva

Top Camps for Chicago Teens Downtown and on the South Side

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

IIT Summer Programs

Bronzeville
Grades 6-12
High school students interested in engineering, food science and nutrition, chemistry, business, or pre-law can sign up for daytime or residential summer programs at Illinois Institute of Technology. These programs give campers the chance to explore topics they are interested in up close in an academic and fun environment. READ MORE

Merit School of Music

West Loop
All Ages
Merit’s offerings include group classes, private lessons, ensembles, and summer camps—with options for all ages, instruments, and experience levels. Kids can choose from a range of instruments including guitar, piano, voice, violin, trumpet, and percussion. READ MORE

SAIC Early College Program Summer Institute

Downtown
Ages 14-18
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers high school-aged students multiple ways to engage their creative interests and explore a variety of media. Students wishing to apply to an art and design school to prepare portfolio-ready work at these summer programs. Students who have completed sophomore year of high school can apply for the program and earn college credits. READ MORE

University of Chicago Summer Immersion Program for Pre-College Students

Hyde Park
Grades 9-12
Chicago high schoolers can immerse themselves in their passions and take advantage of the rich educational resources offered by the University through its summer Immersion programs for high school students. Faculty, researchers, and other professionals will lead students through workshop discussions, research projects, and other hands-on activities. READ MORE

Best Camps for Teens in the Chicago Suburbs

Northwestern University Pre-College Program

Evanston
Grades 9-12
Northwestern University in Chicago offers several in-person pre-college programs, including expensive and intensive three- to eight-week residential college credit courses, or shorter more affordable two-week seminars, either in person or online. READ MORE

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

Chicago Fire FC Summer Camps

Naperville
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

One River School Summer Camp

Evanston
Grades K-12
Kids and teens can spend the summer exploring a wide range of studio art and digital art at One River. Full and half day options are available. READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Summer Camps

Woodridge, East Troy, WI, and Valparaiso, IN
Grades K-12
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. READ MORE

YMCA Camp Duncan - Ingleside

Ingleside
Ages 7-15
Camp Duncan is a part of the YMCA located in Ingleside near Fox Lake. This YMCA sleepaway camp is all about discovery. Kids will try new things, meet new people, gain independence, and even new talents. This overnight camp for kids near Chicago is perfect for kids ages 7-15. READ MORE
Cooking Classes & Camps. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table
Cooking Classes & Camps. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table

Best Camps for Chicago Teens with Locations across the Chicagoland Area

iD Tech Summer STEM Camps and Classes

Lakeshore East, Evanston, Lisle, and Lake Forest
Ages 7-19
iD Tech Camps strike the perfect balance between STEM skill development and summer fun, allowing kids and teens to experience a week at some of the top universities in the world. Your child will work alongside new friends and learn from expert tech mentors while taking breaks in between to enjoy outdoor play like ultimate frisbee, capture the flag, kickball, board games, and more. Virtual options are also available. READ MORE

Sur La Table Cooking Classes & Camps

Downtown, Skokie, and Naperville
Ages 7-18
Kids and teens can enjoy summer and winter break cooking camps at Sur La Table locations along the Mag Mile, at Old Orchard Mall, or in Downtown Naperville. Kids classes are designed for young chefs and cover themes like Global Flavors or Bake Shop, while tweens and teens can take classes like Advanced Baking, Adventurous Recipes, and World Bakes. 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

After School Matters

Various locations throughout Chicago
Ages 14-18
After School Matters offers Chicago teens opportunities to explore and develop their talents in the arts, communication, leadership, sports, STEM and more. Students get hands-on experience with projects and work alongside professionals who will expose them to new career paths.  READ MORE

School of Rock Music Camps

20 Chicago area locations Ages 3-17
School of Rock offers music camps and workshops perfect for musicians of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals. Kids can learn to rock at camps with themes ranging from Rock 101 to songwriting or select a special camp based on a genre or musician. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Second City Training Center Chicago
Original Gus Giordano Dance School
Illinois Institute of Technology
Merit School of Music – West Loop
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Pleasant Dale Park District Soccer Fields
YMCA Camp Duncan - Ingleside
iD Tech at NYU - Washington Square