The Best Chicago Summer Camps For Your Kids
The sun is out and so is school! While your kids have probably been looking forward to those bright summer days all school year long, as a parent, you might be wondering what’s next. Even though summer vacation is synonymous with fun and freedom in your kids’ mind, it can also seriously interrupt your regular routine and present issues with childcare during the day.
Have no fear: summer camp is the perfect solution for keeping your kids entertained, educated, and busy throughout their summer break. It’s also a great way to help keep your kids in a routine during their breaks while allowing you to maintain your own regular schedule! Here are some of the best Chicago summer camps to enroll your kids in so that they can make the most out of every moment while school is out of session.
Overall Best Summer Camp In Chicago: Bradley Kids Summer Camp
If you’re looking for the most fun and affordable summer camp in the Chicago area, look no further than the Bradley Fieldhouse!
Bradley Kids Summer Camp takes place at Bradley Fieldhouse, Chicago’s premiere indoor sports facility. As a result, there is no shortage of fun activities for your child to get into all summer long!
A typical day at Bradley Kids Summer Camp includes plenty of fun activities like crafts, learning activities, and taking advantage of some of our state-of-the-art sports facilities, all while under the supervision and instruction of their favorite Bradley Camp Counselors.
Important information on Bradley Kids Summer Camp 2023:
Camp is open to kids aged 5-13
Campers will be divided into pods based on guidelines from both the CDC and the Illinois state government, then further divided by age
Summer camp is a full-day program and runs from 9 am to 4 pm. Please drop off your child between 8:30 am-9 am and pick them up between 4-4:30 pm.
Camp programs are run week by week between June 12 and August 18.
We encourage you to pack snacks and water for your child every day
The bottom line: enrolling your child in Bradley Kids Summer Camp is an awesome way to let your kids get the most fun and entertainment during the school year while helping to maintain your regular schedule! Spots for summer camps fill up quickly, so make sure to sign up ahead of time to ensure that your child gets a spot at Chicago’s most fun and affordable summer kids camp.
Kids Camps and Programs For Sports in Chicago
Looking for a different kind of program during the summer? Bradley Kids also has a wide variety of sports-centric programs that are designed to help your kids hone their play at their favorite sport and have a ton of fun at the same time! These hour-long lessons help your kids develop all the necessary skills they need to be extraordinary athletes and lay the foundation for a lifetime of passion for their favorite sports.
Best Baseball Summer Camp In Chicago: Bradley Kids Baseball
If your child is looking to hone their baseball skills, check out Bradley Kids Baseball! This one-hour weekly program is specially designed to take your kid’s baseball game to the next level, paying special attention to all the core skills like batting, fielding, and pitching. Our baseball program is run by experienced coaches who’ll educate your 4-8-year-old on all of the fundamentals of the game while instilling a lifelong love of the sport. Bradley Kids Baseball takes place at our state-of-the-art Bradley Fieldhouse facility so your kids can also take advantage of top-of-the-line equipment.
Looking for a softball program instead? Check out Bradley Kids’ Girls Softball for a similar program that’s specially designed to hone the same core skills in a softball-centric setting.
Best Basketball Summer Camp In Chicago: Bradley Kids Basketball
For the little hooper in your family, sign them up for Bradley Kids Basketball! This one-hour weekly basketball program helps your kids become the kings and queens of the court, focusing on all of the fundamental skills like dribbling, shooting, and passing. It also emphasizes other important skills they’ll need on and off the court like sportsmanship and teamwork so that they can become a better player and teammate from all angles.
Best Kids Conditioning In Chicago: Bradley Kids Intro to Strength and Conditioning
Sometimes, we need to get down to the fundamentals, which is where Bradley Kids’ Intro to Strength and Conditioning comes into play! This one-hour weekly program helps your kids become stronger, more well-rounded athletes by coaching them to improve their mobility, cardiovascular endurance, and muscular strength — all of which will help them become better lifelong players. This program is the perfect option for any kids who want to develop a strong foundation and be guided in developing the training skills they can translate to any sport they choose to pursue down the line.
Bonus: Bradley Kids School’s Out Day Camps
If you happen to be looking for a Chicago camp that has all the fun parts and benefits of enrolling your child in a summer camp — but during the regular school year — Bradley Fieldhouse has an option for you too! Our Day Camp program gives you a safe and fun place to drop off your kids on days when school isn’t normally scheduled, like on federally-recognized holidays when school is out of session. Your kids get to participate in the same fun and exciting activities that they normally would during our famous summer camp program, but during the school year! This is a great option if you need a childcare program on days that you can’t get off of work, or if you want to keep a similar schedule as school days to stay on task.
Conclusion
Bradley Fieldhouse is known for its stellar kids' sports programs, and our summer camp, sports programs, and day camps are no exception! Sign up today to reserve your child’s spot for summer camp and get ready for months of fun that they’ll never want to end once the regular school year finally rolls around.
Photo by Lukas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/toddler-playing-soccer-296302/
Day Camps For Kids
“School’s out!” While the idea of a day without school is probably pretty thrilling for your kids, it can also leave you as a parent or guardian scrambling, especially if your schedule is already full of adult responsibilities to begin with. Who’s going to take care of the kids while I’m working? How am I going to keep them entertained and productive all day long? How badly is this going to mess up their regular schedule?
Luckily, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the prospect of a day with your kids out of school, there’s a perfect option that’ll keep them entertained and safe: day camps! Read on to learn more about the advantages of enrolling your child in a day camp during the holidays or summer break, plus learn more about the best day camp programs for kids in the Chicago area.
What is a day camp?
Day camps are fun, activity-based programs that you can enroll your kids in during the day. Despite the name, day camps usually don’t involve actual “camping”: rather than dropping your kids off for days at a time, day camps run during regular daytime hours (usually around the same time as a regular schoolday schedule).
Day camps and summer camps are very similar and can often be referred to interchangeably, except that day camps usually operate throughout the year and aren’t restricted solely to summer breaks making them the perfect option for parents who need to drop their kids off for a variety of reasons.
There are several different day camp options out there, ranging from general day camp programs filled with various activities to appeal to a wide range of kids to programs that are designed to target your child’s special interests like sports, arts and crafts, and sciences and technology.
Benefits of day camps for kids
So why would you want to enroll your kids in a day camp, anyway?
Safe and secure childcare during the day.
Unfortunately, our busy schedules don’t always allow us to be with our kids all day, every day, and this can become an issue, especially during the summertime, winter breaks, and other school holidays when your child isn’t scheduled for their normal classes. Day camps offer an alternative that’s fun for your kids and convenient for your busy calendar.
They’re fun!
While there are several different day camp options out there, one thing remains the same: most good day camp curriculums are designed primarily with fun times in mind. Day camps are a great opportunity for your child to participate in various fun activities that keep them entertained throughout those long days that would otherwise be unstructured. Even better: even though day camps are made to be as fun as possible for your kids, many of the activities are still geared towards helping your kids advance their skills socially, in the classroom, and in their various hobbies.
Hone your child’s interests.
In addition to general day camps in which a variety of fun activities are planned, you can also enroll your child in a day camp that focuses on their own special interests. For example, you can enroll your athletic child in a basketball-themed day camp that allows them to work on their technical skills on the court, while an art-themed day camp is a perfect opportunity for a child that’s interested in pursuing art as a hobby. These day camps are an excellent way for them to practice their special interests outside of their normal lessons and school curriculum.
The best day camps for kids in Chicago
If you’re looking for the best day camp options in Chicago, look no further than Bradley Fieldhouse.
School’s Out Day Camps at Bradley Fieldhouse
Held in Chicago’s premier indoor sports facility, Bradley Fieldhouse, the School’s Out Day Camps are a great way for your kids to enjoy a fun day filled with activities ranging from arts and crafts to sports and relay races. These day camps are open to children 5-12 years of age and open between 9 am–3 pm, making it a perfect day camp option for parents who work during the day but want to make sure their kids are having plenty of fun and enrichment even when they aren’t in school.
The best part: the School’s Out Day Camps at Bradley Fieldhouse are one-day camps, making it convenient for a wide range of families to participate in the fun whenever their schedule needs it.
Bradley Kids Summer Camp
Summer camps are a rite of passage for many kids, and the summer day camp held at Bradley Fieldhouse is an excellent option for keeping your kids happy, busy, and safe during the long summer holidays.
The Bradley Kids Summer Camp, which is also held at Bradley Fieldhouse, is a day camp that runs from 9 am-4 pm during the months of June through the beginning of August. A typical camp schedule includes a huge variety of fun and engaging activities both inside and outside of the facility, allowing your kids to soak up the sun and have a great time with their peers while participating in educational and recreational fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does my child need to bring to a day camp?
Depending on the camp program that you choose, your child may need to bring their own lunch and snack for the day, as well as a reusable water bottle. Some days may also require a change of clothes, swimsuits, and/or sunscreen for outdoor activities.
What kinds of activities are offered during a day camp?
Day camps offer a wide range of activities based on the program and the facility. Some common activities that you might expect during a day camp include:
Relay races
Sports (basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, etc.)
Swim trips
Arts and crafts
Reading
The bottom line
Day camps are a great way for your child to make friends, have fun, and explore their favorite hobbies during the days that their school isn’t in session. Learn more about Bradley Fieldhouse camp options here and get your kids involved in the fun!
Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boy-bending-her-body-under-the-rope-8034607/
Cheap Summer Camp Options
School’s out, the weather’s great, and fun times are just calling your kid’s name …. and few things say “summer fun” quite like summer camp!
Putting your child into a summer camp program is one of the best ways that you can let them blow some steam, advance their skills, and create lifelong memories with their peers, all while leaving you free to work and take care of business as usual during the day. But summer camps can also be fairly expensive depending on the program you’re interested in. Read on to learn more about cheap summer camps and how you can enroll your child in an affordable program in the Chicago area.
The best affordable summer camp option in Chicago
Bradley Kids Summer Camp
If you’re looking for an affordable summer camp option that has a huge variety of activities to keep your kids engaged, look no further than Bradley Kids Summer Camp!
Bradley Fieldhouse is a premier indoor sports and recreation facility located in Chicago, and the summer camp and day camp programs are created specifically for your kids who love to play hard, have fun, and learn along the way. This affordable summer camp tuition includes a week filled with sports, arts and crafts, and learning activities both inside the facility and in the sunshine.
The best part: Bradley Fieldhouse believes that camp should accessible for everyone, which means that it is a great affordable Chicago summer camp option for plenty of budgets that does not compromise on your child’s experience in the process! Click here to learn more about Bradley Kids Summer Camp.
Other cheap summer camp options
YMCA Chicago Day Camp
The YMCA offers a variety of day camp and summer camp options for kids and youth in the Chicago area. The summer camp days generally operate from 7 am–6 pm and include a wide variety of activities in their schedule including reading time, hands-on learning time, and plenty of activities to keep your kids engaged during the day.
The YMCA also has various other day camp options for your kids based on their specific interests. For example, the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) camps offer plenty of learning and fun for kids who are looking for fun and education, while the Teen Leadership Camps allow younger teenagers to develop their leadership skills.
How to save money while signing up for summer camps
If you’re still concerned about the cost of signing up for a summer camp, you’re in luck: there are plenty of options out there for affording your favorites.
Take advantage of early-bird specials. Many summer camps offer early bird specials when you sign your child up for earlier in the year. Start looking at your favorite summer camp options as early as the first of the year to take advantage of potential deals and get some savings along the way.
Check to see if your camp of choice offers financial assistance. Even if a summer camp initially looks like it’s out of your budget, there are often ways that you can save money on the tuition if you reach out to the program coordinators. For example, the Chicago Park District offers financial assistance for qualifying families in the city who cannot afford the full price of day camp. In addition, many camps offer scholarship options, so don’t be afraid of asking the camp director of your choice to see whether there are any that your children can take advantage of.
Benefits of enrolling your child in a summer camp
Debating on whether or not to sign up your kids for summer camp? As it turns out, there are plenty of good reasons for both your child and yourself!
Builds lasting friendships.
One of the greatest advantages of attending summer camp is that it presents an excellent opportunity for your child to socialize with peers outside of their usual classroom groups. Summer camp brings together kids from around the city, many of whom have the same interests and goals as your own, and lets them play and socialize. It’s what summer is all about!
Keeps kids in a routine even during their summer breaks.
As fun as summer break is, it can also be really hard on your children when they’re used to a fairly predictable schedule from their usual school routines. Many day camps and summer camps adhere to a very similar schedule (usually running from around 8 or 9 am to 3 to 4pm) which means that you can get your kids up and ready during the weekdays and drop them off for the morning and afternoon just like you would during the school year. This lets you and your kids adhere to the same regular schedule -- but let’s face it, it’s probably a lot more fun for your kid!
Allows parents to continue working with their regular schedule.
Not only do summer camps allow your kids to keep up their normal routines, but it also does the same for you as a parent! When you have a safe and productive program to drop your kids off to during the day, you don’t have to scramble to hire a babysitter or nanny for the days that they’re not in their regular classes.
Plenty of productive fun.
Banish summer break boredom for good! If you’re tired of your kids complaining that they’ve run out of things to do during those long summer months, getting them into a summer camp program is the best solution. Not only do summer camps plan for a whole day of fun activities, but many camps are also specifically tailored toward your kids’ specific interests, whether they be sports, arts, or sciences. Your kids will be busy all day long, and then they can take those skills they learned and use them to advance their schooling and hobbies.
Conclusion
Happy, sunny memories are made in summer camps, and your kids should be able to participate no matter what your budget. These affordable Chicago summer camp options are great for families who want a safe and ultra-enriching camp option for their kids without compromise.
Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-sunglasses-vacation-people-8033870/
Best Basketball Summer Camps
It all begins with an idea.
Your kid eats, breathes, and dreams basketball, and they have big dreams of making it as a student athlete and beyond. So get them signed up for a basketball summer camp that’ll help make their dreams on the court a reality!
We’ve gathered a list of some of the best basketball summer camps in Chicago and beyond so that you can get your kid the support they need to become an all-star.
Best basketball camp for kids in Chicago: Bradley Kids Basketball
With over 30,000 square feet of indoor turf and basketball court space, Bradley Fieldhouse is Chicago’s premier indoor sports facility and is well-known for its fun kid's camp activities. Now, you can take advantage of all that Bradley Fieldhouse has to offer with its Bradley Kids Basketball program!
The Bradley Kids Basketball program offers a chance for your kids to train with experienced coaches to help take their ball game to the next level. From developing the core fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, and passing, to learning how to use teamwork to their advantage by playing with a wide variety of kids, this program is designed specifically to make your child a better basketball player.
Bradley Kids Basketball programs are available for kids aged 4 through 8 years of age and take place at different times throughout the year. Click here to learn more about Bradley Kids Basketball and see if there’s a program thats’ right for you and your child.
Other basketball summer camp options
Nike Basketball Overnight Camps
For a fully immersive basketball experience, you can sign your kid up for a basketball camp run by Nike at either Elgin or Lake Forest. Your camper can choose to either do an overnight program or an extended day program, making it ideal for a variety of players, and there is also an option for a Girl’s Basketball Camp.
During this camp program, student athletes will have the opportunity to further their skills on the court, play plenty of drills, work on gameplay strategy, and more.
Breakthrough Basketball Camps
Breakthrough Basketball Camps have more than 300 locations throughout the United States and are geared for boys and girls of all ages to work on their fundamental skills and get ready for their next season.
Each multi-day camp itinerary includes a variety of drills and instruction that are ultimately meant to make your child a more accurate shooter, better teammate, and overall more well-rounded athlete. If you are concerned about the financial toll of signing your child up for a basketball camp, Breakthrough Basketball also offers scholarships for low income families with deserving children.
Why I should sign my kids up for a basketball camp
Targeted training sessions for all those fundamental skills.
The biggest benefit of signing your child up for a basketball camp is that they get a chance to practice all of the fundamentals of the game that will ultimately make them thrive during the season. With several basketball camps that target a variety of skills ranging from shooting and offensive play, defensive strategy, teamwork, and more, your child will be able to take his or her game to the next level with these intense and focused sessions, many of which run for multiple days at a time.
Insights from professionals
Your kid probably already has a coach, but signing them up for a basketball camp allows them to gain the benefits of having new points of view. Basketball camps are often run by professionals in the game who can offer critiques and pointers that their regular coach may not.
More one-on-one attention from coaches
Signing up for a basketball camp also lets your child have more attention from basketball coaches and trainers that their regular coach may not always have the time to. Since most basketball camps are created intentionally to limit the number of players each coach or trainer has, they often allow for more individualized feedback.
Opportunity to meet and play with other kids with similar ages and skill levels
Another great reason to sign your kid up for a basketball camp is that they’ll become exposed to a wider range of players than they might in their team alone. They’ll learn to drill and play with a variety of other athletes, which is a skill that they’ll take with them throughout their careers.
Tons of fun!
Improving your basketball game is hard work, but when you love the game, it doesn’t always seem like it! Signing your kids up for a basketball summer camp is a great way to let them do what they love the most while sharpening their game and having plenty of fun with their peers in the process.
Things to consider while looking for basketball camps
Ready to sign up? Here are some things you should be looking out for.
Age range
Because basketball camp programs are designed to group together student athletes of similar skill levels, many of them will have specific age range requirements. Make sure that you’re signing your kid up for the right level before making your payments.
Co-ed or boys/girls only
In addition, you may also find that basketball camps are either exclusive to boys/girls or co-ed programs. Double-check that your kid is being enrolled in the appropriate program.
Overnight or day camp
Basketball camps generally fall into one of two categories: overnight camps in which your child sleeps and eats at the facility for multiple days, or day camp options in which you drop your child off during the day and pick them up at the end. Choose the camp option that makes the most sense for your family; for example, you may prefer an overnight camp if the facility is far from your home, while a day camp generally makes more sense for local basketball camps.
Conclusion
Basketball camps are invaluable opportunities for your child to master the ins and outs of the game, improve all of their technical skills, and learn how to take their game to the next level and make their next season a great one. More importantly, they’re so much fun that they don’t even feel like hard work yet pays off in a major way!
Photo by RODNAE Productions: https://www.pexels.com/photo/kids-playing-basketball-with-their-coach-8336951/
Best Baseball Summer Camps
It all begins with an idea.
If your kid is having grand dreams of making it to the Major League, his career starts right at the very beginning: building a highly trained foundation of baseball skills as a student athlete.
Baseball summer camps are a great way for your kids to hone their skills, further their greatness, and have plenty of fun in the process. Here are some of the best baseball summer camps that you can enroll your kid in so that they can go on to become a star.
The best baseball summer camp in Chicago: Bradley Kids Baseball
If you’re looking for the ultimate baseball summer camp in the Chicago area, you don’t have to look much further than its premier indoor sports and recreation facility, Bradley Fieldhouse.
Bradley Fieldhouse is the ultimate destination for sports and play (for kids and adults alike!) and features over 20 batting cages and 2 open fields. Its Bradley Kids Baseball Summer Camp in Chicago is a baseball camp that helps take kids of all ages and skill levels to advance their game and make plenty of fun memories in the process.
Held at various points throughout the year, Bradley Kids Baseball provides kids with the opportunity to learn and improve their skills in a fun and positive environment whether it’s the busy summer or a slower off-season. The camp is run by experienced coaches who have a passion for the game and a commitment to helping kids reach their full potential. They provide quality instruction in all fundamental aspects of the game like hitting, fielding, and pitching, as well as overall strategy and teamwork.
In addition to on-field instruction, the camp also includes off-field activities and games designed to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and a love for the game.
Bottom line: the Bradley Kids Baseball Summer Camp in Chicago provides a great opportunity for kids to learn and improve their skills in the sport, as well as build new friendships and have fun in a supportive and encouraging environment!
The best softball program in Chicago: Bradley Kids Softball
Bradley Fieldhouse also offers programs for girl’s softball! Each hour-long session is designed to take your child’s softball game to the next level by focusing on fundamentals like batting, fielding, and pitching, all with the end goal of letting her reach her top potential on the field.
Other great baseball summer camps nearby
IMG Academy
The IMG Academy is one of the world’s leading sports education brands and runs a variety of sports academies throughout the year including baseball. This camp is located in Bradenton, FL and has programs available for athletes ages 10-18.
At IMG Academy, you can choose to participate in either a 1-week or 3-week camp in June through August for a classic summer camp experience. However, there are also plenty of other camps that run throughout the spring and fall to further complement your baseball training.
Nike Baseball Camps
Nike offers a series of baseball camps at various locations in Illinois including Bourbonnais, Dekalb, Lake Forest, and Oswego. These camps help train your baseball players in key fundamental areas of the game including hitting, fielding, and base running, as well as team play. Camps are run by experienced coaches and instructors and are an excellent option for meeting friends, making memories, and taking your next baseball season to the next level.
US Baseball Academy
The US Baseball academy is a nationally-run network of baseball camps that is in charge of more than 225 baseball camps throughout 45 states in the US including Illinois. Each location follows the same general itinerary that includes drills, expert local coaches, and a low player-to-coach ratio so that your child can get the most out of their camp experience.
What is a baseball summer camp?
Baseball summer camps are programs that are designed to help hone your baseball skills both on and off the field. Kids of all ages and skill levels can sign up for baseball camps to help develop their baseball or softball skills and ultimately have a better season once the summer rolls around.
Common skills that you might target during a baseball summer camp include:
Hitting
Pitching
Fielding
Base running
Teamwork
Play strategy
As the name suggests, baseball summer camps are multi-day and most often run during the summer months. However, you can also find baseball camps that operate during the off-season, which is helpful for letting your child hone their skills year-round. Baseball camp programs will generally involve a combination of drills, skill instruction, and even one-on-one coaching based on the number of coaches available.
Many baseball summer camps operate for a few hours during the day for a period of a week or more, although you can also find overnight baseball summer camps for a more immersive experience.
Baseball camps are invaluable for student athletes since it allows kids the opportunity to work in a closer, more focused program with professionals in the field. By participating in baseball camps outside of their regular coach and team environment, your kids have a unique chance to get an outside perspective on their game and therefore find ways to improve that their regular training regimen might not always catch.
In addition, baseball summer camps also provide a unique opportunity for your child to socialize and build friendships with other kids outside of their usual team. It also allows them to develop teamwork with a variety of kids from all skill levels and walks of life, which is a valuable skill that student athletes can take throughout their careers and beyond.
Conclusion
Enrolling your child in a high-quality baseball camp can help take their game to the next level and may even be a fundamental step in making their ultimate dreams of baseball greatness a reality. With intense, focused itineraries and dedicated attention from baseball coaches and trainers from all walks of life, baseball camp can train your child to achieve his highest potential on the pitch.