Summer Camps Keep Boredom at Bay

With summer vacation just around the corner, it's time to think about how kids will be filling those many weeks of free time. Luckily, parents have many choices right here in Elmhurst to help stave off those two dreaded words: "I'm bored!" There are options for just about any age group,  and a fit for just about any interest as well. Take a look at some of these options.

ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT

The Park District offers a wonderfully wide selection of programs, from art camps to sports camps to nature camps. They're listed in the Park District Brochure starting on page 34. Here are a some general-interest options, by age group. Prices vary by program.

For the Littlest Ones

Big Bug-Little Bug is a program designed for little ones aged 12 to 36 months and their parents. Besides art projects and motor skills development, kids get a snack and some free playtime with their friends. Tiny Bug's Adventures and Little Bug Alone are for ages 24 to 32 months and 33 to 48 months, respectively, and don't require parents to stay. Children create arts and crafts, hear stories, enjoy snacks together and have socializing playtime together. Little Bug Alone participants must be potty trained.

For Preschool and School-aged Kids

Courts Plus offers a variety of camps for active kids. Sports, games and crafts are offered each day. Action Camp is for the youngest, at 35 months to 6 years; Camp Ka-Pow starts at 42 months and  helps develop self-sufficiency in addition to those activities.  

For children ages 6 to 10, Courts Plus Fun Camp and Mini Fun Camp provide fun and games with an emphasis on physical fitness and good health. Courts Plus Fun Camp includes open swim time along, and both include field trips.

Back to School Blast Camp is for children ages 6 to 13 years old, and is intended to get your child ready for school sports. Focus is on football, soccer, track, volleyball and basketball skills.

For Pre-teens

Fit 4 U Teen Fitness Camp provides kids aged 11 to 14 with a variety of fitness and sports activities geared to their age group, including a focus on healthy self-esteem. Both indoor and outdoor activities are included, plus one field trip and swim time during each session.

For kids aged 3 to 15

Sunrise and Sunset Camp is available for camper’s ages 3 to 15 years old who need additional supervised time at Courts Plus. Sunrise Camp is 7-9 a.m. and Sunset Camp is 3-6 p.m. Sunrise and Sunset Camp complement the activities offered in the other Courts Plus Camp program, which include sports, crafts and games. Sunset Camp includes a snack.

Registration forms and information including dates and fees are available through the Elmhurst Park District spring brochure.

ELMHURST YMCA

The YMCA offers full- or half-day camps in a variety of themes and specialties, including sports. They serve kids ages 3 through teens.

Half-day Camps

Preschool Camp is for toilet-trained children aged 3 to 5. Activities include arts and crafts, nature, swimming lessons, tumbling, park time, games and a trip to the library every week.

Fit-n-Fun Camp, for 5- to 7-year-olds, features gym, fitness, swim lessons and art.

Half Day Sports Camps are for ages 6 to 11. Kids learn a new sport every week, starting with soccer and ending with dodgeball. Other weeks include basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, tennis and flag football.

Full-day Camps

Full-day camps for ages 5 to 11 have a weekly theme, such as Great Outdoors, It's a Jungle Out There and Wild Wild West. See the online brochure for a full listing. Daily activities include: swimming, crafts, sports, singing, cookouts, group games, healthy kids activities and a field trip on Thursdays.

Parents can opt for the full 4- to 5-day week ($200 per week for members; $235 for nonmembers) or a 3-day partial week ($165 for members $210 for nonmembers). Camp prices includes all field trips, T-shirts, extended care for working parents, and swimming.

You can meet the YMCA camp staff on May 26 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Elmhurst YMCA, 211 West First Street.

For complete information, consult the YMCA's summer camp brochure.

ELMHURST COLLEGE

The Elmhurst College Child Care Center Camp, is designed for children ages 4 to 9. The summer camp is held in weekly themed sessions, from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. The sessions include:  

• Snack Attack Week (June 13-17)
• Princesses and Heroes (June 20-24)
• Lights, Camera, Action (June 27-July 1)
• Storytellers  (July 5-9)
• Silly Science (July 11-15),
• Wet-n-Wild Week (July 18-22)
• Olympic Week (July 25-29)
• Icky Sticky Fun (August 1-5)
• Picasso, Monet and Play (August 8-12)
• Summer Dance Party (August 15-19).

Some days also may include swimming at the Elmhurst YMCA, trips to the park and museums, library time at the Elmhurst Public Library and plenty of outdoor activities on the Elmhurst College campus, 190 Prospect Ave. Program fees are $100 per week and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis (16 spots available per week).  Arrangements can be made for campers who plan to attend for less than five days (three days minimum).  

For further information, call 630-617-3222 or email crumpe@elmhurst.edu.