Community Corner
Western Suburbs 2013 Summer Camp Guide
Enrollment is starting soon for many summer camps. Here's a selection of summer camps in and around the Forest Park, La Grange, Oak Park and Western Springs areas.
With the choice and variety of summer camps available in 2013, boredom won't be an option for children in the western suburbs.
Organizations, from the YMCA to your local parks and recreation department, offer dozens of camp choices focused around science, reading, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list features a few in your town and nearby.
Park District of La Grange
Where: 536 East Ave., La Grange
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Information: The park district offers half- and full-day camps for children between 2.5 and 12 years old. Each week has a theme featuring songs, crafts, games, sports and more.
Contact: Call 708-352-1762 for details, and register online or at the Park District recreation center.
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Details: Camps go for one-week sessions between June 10 and Aug. 19.
Brookfield Zoo Summer Day Camp
Where: 3300 Golf Rd., Brookfield
Information: Zoo Camp focuses on animals from different parts of the world. Each week-long session includes hands-on activities, craft projects, inquiries and investigation, games, chats with zoo staff and trips to see animals.
Contact: Register through the Brookfield Zoo website or call 708-688-8418 for more information.
Details: Camps go for one-week sessions between June 3 and Aug. 9, except for Fourth of July week.
Grand Avenue Day Care Summer Camp
Where: 4211 Grand Avenue, Western Springs
Information: Various camps are offered for kindergarten through first-grade children and second- through fifth-grade children. There are also camps for ages 3-5. The Adventure Camps feature 1- to 2-week sessions offering a variety of activities, including a Wild West show, trips to the zoo, mini-golf and lots more.
Contact: Call 708-246-2270 for more information or download the enrollment form online.
Details: Full-day, half-day and extended care options are available, and you may choose to enroll for two, three or five days. Camps are divided into various sessions or activities and each lasts 1-2 weeks.
Kensington School Summer Camps
Where: 125 N Kensington Ave., Lagrange Highlands
Information: Three camps are offered for varying ages (2-5, kindergarten and kindergarten through fourth-grade) and feature activities such as swimming, field trips, workshops and more.
Contact: Download the enrollment form online for more information or call 630-990-8000.
Details: Full-day and part-day options are available.
Park District of Oak Park
Where: 218 Madison St., Oak Park
Information: The Park District offers a wide range of activities, including age-specific camps, eco camps, art camps, sports camps and lots more.
Contact: Get more information on the Park District's website or call Meredith at 708-725-2150.
Details: Summer camps resident lottery will be on March 7, 2013. The deadline for registration for summer camps (unless indicated otherwise) is 5pm on the Thursday prior to the start of each session.
River Forest Community Center
Where: 8020 Madison St., River Forest
Information: The River Forest Community Center offers a wide range of summer camp sessions for ages 15 months to seventh grade. Go to the RFCC website for more details.
Contact: Registration must be done in person. Contact jconrad@rfcc.info for more details.
Details: Open registration began March 11. Half-day and full-day camps are offered.
River Forest Park District
Where: 401 Thatcher Ave., River Forest
Information: There's a huge variety of camps offered over the summer, including sports, computers, dance, chess and more. To see a full listing of all camps, go to the Park District's website.
Contact: Download the registration form or call 708-366-6660 for more details.
Details: Resident registration began March 11, and non-resident registration begins April 8. Many of the camps are one-week sessions that fall between June 17 and Aug. 19.
River Trail Nature Center
Where: 536 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest
Information: According to savvysource.com, children will learn how to build a shelter, identify poisonous plants and use a compass during this three-day camp.
Contact: Call 847-824-8360 for more information.
West Cook YMCA
Where: 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park
Information: The YMCA offers five summer sessions, four of which are two weeks and the last of which is three. The annual World Service Carnival caps off the summer to highlight cultures from around the world. Other events include a talent show, Olympics, prom and family day. Children will participate in weekly field trips, and swimming occurs at least twice a week. Children will visit local parks daily.
Contact: Learn more online and contact Child, Family & Teen Director Lisa Merdinger at 708-434-0230 or lmerdinger@westcookymca.org.
Details: Registration began March 1. Register before March 31 and save 10 percent. Camp runs June 4 to Aug. 16.
LOOKING FOR MORE CAMPS? Check out the DuPage County summer camps guide.
-------------------What did we miss? Share summer camp information in our comments and we will update the story to include the information.
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