guides

2023 Local Summer Camp Guide - Chicago Northside

Keep Checking for Camp Additions and Updates!

By Debra Flanagan, Macaroni KID Chicago Northside March 14, 2024

Summer camps are a great time for Chicago kids to try new things, nurture unique interests, meet new friends, stretch their creativity, and have tons of summer fun! Get in on the fun before camps fill up!

*Since many camps are still finalizing their plans for camp this year, we will continue to add to this list.  Keep checking back!

1. Bookmark this guide
2. Click on Learn More for details about each camp
3. Contact each camp directly for help with registration or questions.
4. Tell them you found them on Macaroni KID, and they'll be pleased to help you with anything you need.

Camps are listed alphabetically under the relevant categories.

ART/CREATIVE WRITING|CULINARY|GENERAL PLAY|PERFORMING ARTS|SPORTS|STEM|SWIM|


ART/CREATIVE WRITING

Lillstreet Art Center Summer Camps


Campers explore ceramics, printmaking, metalsmithing, sewing, digital art, and more in week-long camps! 

Learn more or register today for Lillstreet Art Center Summer Camps

StudioUs Summer Art Workshops



Explore new art methods each week at the StudioUs Summer Art Workshops. Young artists can paint, sculpt, sew, write, and create in our weekly and single-day workshops from 10:00am to 3:00pm, running June 5th to August 25th. 

Learn more or register today for StudioUs Summer Art Workshops

Youth Creative Writing Summer Camps

StoryStudio is proud to offer nine week-long writing workshops for young scribes. With our talented instructors, young writers can expect to learn elements of writing, build friendships and community with fellow peers, and get feedback on their creative works. Check out our different sessions, a mix of online and in-person, ranging from creative writing to comedy to screenwriting, and covering grades 5 through 12.

Learn more or register today for Youth Creative Writing Summer Camps


CULINARY

Get in the Kitchen! Kids & Teen Cooking Camps



Is your child a wiz in the kitchen?!? Have they ever wanted to learn how to cook better? Well… get them in the kitchen this summer with our amazing Chef Janet Cobb during our Kids & Teens Cooking Camps! 

Learn more or register today for Get in the Kitchen! Kids & Teen Cooking Camps

Summer Baking Camp

Summer Baking Camp, a hands on culinary experience for grade, middle school and high school students. 

Learn more or register today for Summer Baking Camp


GENERAL PLAY

Kids' Work Chicago Riverview Summer Camp



Kids' Work Chicago Riverview's high-quality summer camp program for kids ages 3-6 is an extension of the exceptionally reliable care provided year-round in our children’s learning center.
Early Bird Special: Register by March 31, 2023 and receive $125 off
Summer Special: Register for all three sessions and receive a 10% discount

Learn more or register today for Kids' Work Chicago Riverview Summer Camp

Little Beans Summer Camp 


JUNE 12th-AUGUST 25TH
Little Beans offers a fun-filled camp for kids 2.5-9 years. Each week brings a new theme and unique fun. The week’s theme is included in the week’s activities and classes. Imaginative play, active play, sports, art, a daily class, a healthy snack, and outdoor games are included every day. Little Beans offers a preschool camp and a school aged camp.

Learn more or register today for Little Beans Summer Camp

Pilgrim Lutheran Summer Camp 


Whether your child is a budding artist, future engineer, sports enthusiast, or just looking forward to a relaxing summer break with friends, Pilgrim Lutheran Summer Camp offers a variety of themed activities (plus weekly field trips!) to keep them busy and having fun in the sun! 

Learn more or register today for Pilgrim Lutheran Summer Camp

Le Village Learners Summer Camp 

Our summer program runs from June-September from 8:30am-3:30pm with an optional Arts and Nature program from 3:30-6pm. Full time and part time schedules available. Each day features Montessori/Shelf Time, Tinkering and Engineering, Dramatic Play Open Ended Art and Expression, Gardening and outdoor time.

Learn more or register today for Le Village Learners Summer Camp


PERFORMING ARTS

American Eagle Productions Theatre Camps


Explore the magic of theatre with American Eagle's summer performing arts camps! Led by professional teaching artists, campers hone skills in acting, singing, and dance while playing games, socializing with peers, and performing for audiences.

Learn more or register today for American Eagle Productions Theatre Camps

CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp 2023


Give your kiddos the gift of circus fun this summer at CircEsteem's Summer Circus Camp! Open to beginner students who are trying circus for the first time, intermediate, and advanced students wanting to work on skills.

Learn more or register today for CircEsteem Summer Circus Camp 2023

Circus Arts Summercamp



Circus Camp for Kids 5-13. Have fun doing Gym Wheel, Aerial Silks, and more!

Learn more or register today for Circus Arts Summercamp

Dovetail Studios Summer Camps






Spend the summer with your friends at Dovetail Studios as we serve up some fun summer times. Sign up for dance themed camps such  Pokémon, Frozen, Little Mermaid and The Floor is Lava tfor ages 5-7. For the older child and theatre lover, come join Skyline Children’s Theatre for Camp Rock and High School Musical 2! Don’t forget our Musical Theatre intensive featuring Shrek and Wicked. June-August

Learn more or register today for Dovetail Studios Summer Camps

GingerSnap Performing Arts Summer Musical Theatre Camp


Kids 2nd-9th grade can JOIN the CAST of Matilda the Musical Jr when they register for GingerSnap Performing Arts Summer Musical Theatre Camp! We'll spend 3 weeks rehearsing our lines, songs, and dance moves as we get ready for 1 weekend of professionally produced shows complete with costumes, set, props, and stage lighting that will be open to the public.

Learn more or register today for Summer Musical Theatre Camp

Infinity Arts Academy Summer 2023


IAA has both summer camps and teen intensives! Our kids come back year after year and love working hard towards a performance that they are so proud of!

Learn more or register today for Infinity Arts Academy Summer 2023

Old Town School of Folk Music Mini-Camps


Explore everything from singing, dancing, guitar, percussion, fiddle, harmonica, musical theater, and more in Old Town School's Summer "Mini-Camps"!

Learn more or register today for Old Town School of Folk Music Mini-Camps

Merry Music Makers' Summer Jam & Performing Arts Camp


After a half-day of exploring their imaginations and bodies via the performing arts with the professional theater and dance instructors at The Rooted Space, campers enjoy lunch on the playground and an enriching afternoon of music.

Learn more or register today for Summer Jam & Performing Arts Camp

Merry Music Makers' Summer Jam & Swim Camp



After a morning of music with Merry Music Makers and lunch on the playground, it's into the pool with the professional swim instructors at Edgewater Athletic Club for this week-long camp!

Learn more or register today for Summer Jam & Swim Camp

Music Theater Works' YouthREACH



Young performers learn acting, singing, and dancing in preparation for a performance on Saturday.

Learn more or register today for Music Theater Works' YouthREACH

School of Rock Andersonville



School of Rock offers music camps perfect for musicians (ages 5-18) of all skill levels who play guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals.

Learn more or register today for School of Rock Andersonville


SPORTS

German Tennis Camp


We are so proud to offer our first ever tennis camp - in German! Our native German speaking instructors are excited to welcome novices and intermediate players ages 10-14 to this 2-week session. 

Learn more or register today for Dank Haus Kinderschule German Tennis Camp

i9 Sports Summer Camp


Sports camps for kids ages 5-13 from 9:00-3:00 on specific weeks on the northside of Chicago.  Our camps are focused on games, skill development and fun!

Learn more or register today for i9 Sports Summer Camp

Move Your Feet Sports





Our camps are full instructional camps and we use very creative games and exercises to fully engage the players in learning while they have a great time playing and enjoying Golf and Tennis.  The suitable ages for our camps is between 5yrs and 13yrs.

Learn more or register today for Move Your Feet Sports

Senshi Karate Summer Camp




Senshi Karate of Chicago welcomes YOU to our 2023 Karate Summer CAMP! Make this year different, have fun and make new friends while learning something new!

Learn more or register today for Senshi Karate Summer Camp

Quad Indoor Sports Summer Camp


Quad Indoor Sports Summer will never be cancelled due to weather.  Our climate-controlled facility will keep campers comfortable and dry.  Quad Indoor Sports has you covered! Use the code Macaroni25 for a 25% discount!

Learn more or register today for Quad Indoor Sports Summer Camp

We Got Game - Northside Summer Sports Camp

Our little athletes are introduced to the fundamentals of such sports as soccer, t-ball, basketball, tennis, and other sports and group games. For our older athletes, this program is an opportunity for older kids to dig deeper into the games they love. 

Each session includes four hours of focused instruction, drills, and friendly competition. Our coaches give detailed pointers while still keeping it fun.

Learn more or register today for We Got Game - Northside Summer Sports Camp


STEM

KIDS SCIENCE LABS

Take your creativity and curiosity to the next level with hands-on science camps  Kids Science Labs camps include weekly themes ranging from Innovators Workshop to Space Camp for kids ages 4-12 yrs old.  

  Learn more or register today for Kids Science Labs

Redline VR Summer Camps



Redline VR will be hosting a variety of camps this summer including VR Gaming, Dungeons and Dragons, Music, Theater, and Sewing.

  Learn more or register today for Redline VR Summer Camps

Snapology Summer Camp


Fun and enriching S.T.E.A.M camp with both indoor and outdoor activities. What make our camp fun and enlightening is the use of LEGO®, Robotics and Engineering. Shh, don’t tell them it’s educational!

  Learn more or register today for Snapology Summer Camp


$50 Off Code Ninjas STEM Summer Camps - Roblox, Minecraft & More 
Ages 5-14

View deal on CertifiKID


SWIM

Merry Music Makers' Summer Jam & Swim Camp



After a morning of music with Merry Music Makers and lunch on the playground, it's into the pool with the professional swim instructors at Edgewater Athletic Club for this week-long camp!

Learn more or register today for Summer Jam & Swim Camp