Play in Nature at Fun Summer Camps for Kids and Teens

Naperville IL

17 February, 2021

9:26 AM

Description

Registration is now open for DuPage County residents for a great lineup of fun outdoor forest preserve day camps for kids and teens through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County at dupageforest.org/camps. Registration for nonresidents begins March 1. "Our summer camps provide exciting opportunities for kids and teens to make meaningful connections with nature, each other and their community," said Anamari Dorgan, Forest Preserve District director of Community Engagement Services. "Research shows that the earlier a child makes a close connection with nature, the more likely they are to become stewards of the land and support efforts to preserve and protect natural areas." To stay safe, each camper must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. All camps will emphasize social distancing and be limited to 10 campers unless otherwise noted. Supervised lunch breaks and supervised play before and after camp are not available this year, but look for them in 2022. Unless noted, camps are Monday – Friday and cost $150 for DuPage residents and $175 for nonresidents. Questions? Call 630-933-7247. Camps Entering Grades 1 & 2Farm Kids Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago$90 DuPage resident; $105 nonresidentExperience how kids lived in the 1890s with games, crafts and chores. Care for the animals, play in the woods and learn old-fashioned string games. Maximum 12 kids per camp. Register for Prairie Kids to make it a full week of camp.Monday, Thursday & Friday, 9 a.m. – NoonStarting June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2 Green Thumbs (STEM Camp) Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookDig in the dirt, discover how plants grow, search for flowers and grow your own garden.June 7 – 11 or July 26 – 309 a.m. – Noon Grossology (STEM Camp)Learn why things are sticky, squishy, stinky and slimy through fun science experiments and grossly cool investigations.June 14 – 18 or Aug.16 – 20, Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookJuly 12 – 16, Churchill Woods, Glen Ellyn9 a.m. – Noon Habitat Hunters (STEM Camp)Learn about plants and animals of woodlands, prairies and wetlands by exploring a new habitat each day. June 21 – 25, Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookAug. 2 – 6, Pratt's Wayne Woods, Wayne9 a.m. – Noon Insect Investigators (STEM Camp)Search for insects, study what makes them special, discover where they live and solve an insect mystery.June 28 – July 2, Waterfall Glen, DarienAug. 9 – 13, Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook9 a.m. – Noon Nature Art Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookPaint, sculpt, draw and create using colors, textures, patterns and sounds in nature.July 19 – 23, 9 a.m. – Noon Prairie Kids St. James Farm, Warrenville$60 DuPage resident; $70 nonresidentLearn how kids lived and worked on the early Illinois prairie through chores, games, and crafts. Register for Farm Kids to make it a full week of camp.Tuesday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. – NoonJune 15 & 16; June 22 & 23; June 29 & 30; July 13 & 14; July 20 & 21; July 27 & 28; or Aug. 3 & 4 Camps Entering Grades 3 & 4Camp Rocks! (STEM Camp) Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookLearn how rocks, minerals, and fossils are formed; find meteorites; and collect samples to add to your collection.June 14 – 18 or July 26 – 309 a.m. – Noon Camping Adventures Waterfall Glen, DarienWork as a team to set up and maintain a campsite and build a campfire. Try your hand at fishing, hiking and treasure hunting!June 28 – July 2, 9 a.m. – Noon Critter Camp (STEM Camp) Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookHunt for tracks and clues, encounter live animals, and dig deeper into the lives of critters that call the preserve home.June 7 – 11 or Aug. 9 – 13 9 a.m. – Noon Eco Explorers (STEM Camp)Investigate the outdoors like a naturalist using real tools to learn about aquatic animals, prairie flowers, woodland birds and ways you can help wildlife.July 12 – 16, Churchill Woods, Glen EllynAug. 2 – 6, Pratt's Wayne Woods, Wayne9 a.m. – Noon Farmhands Kline Creek Farm$90 DuPage resident; $105 nonresidentExperience how kids lived in the 1890s with games, crafts and chores. Care for the animals, play in the woods and learn old-fashioned string games. Maximum 12 kids per camp. Register for Prairie Kids to make it a full week of camp.Monday, Thursday & Friday, 1 – 4 p.m. Starting June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19 or 26; or Aug. 2 Junior Ranger CampLearn about conservation and stewardship through nature play, crafts and outdoor games.June 28 – July 2, Herrick Lake, WheatonJuly 12 - 16, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook9 a.m. – Noon or 1 - 4 p.m. Nature's Superpowers (STEM Camp) Fullersburg Woods, Oak BrookJoin forces with nature's superpowers — earth, wind, fire, gravity and water. Simulate an earthquake, build a wind-powered vehicle, learn how to build a fire, and watch gravity in action with an egg drop experiment.June 21 – 25; July 19 – 23; or Aug. 16 – 209 a.m. – Noon Prairie Kids St. James Farm, Warrenville$60 DuPage resident; $70 nonresidentLearn how kids lived and worked on the early Illinois prairie through chores, games, and crafts. Register for Farmhands to make it a full week of camp.Tuesday & Wednesday, 1 – 4 p.m.June 15 & 16; June 22 & 23; June 29 & 30; July 13 & 14; July 20 & 21; July 27 & 28; Aug. 3 & 4 Entering Grades 5 & 6Archery Camp Blackwell, Warrenville Get closer to the bullseye by learning safety techniques, practicing proper shooting and participating in friendly competitions and games.July 12 – 16, 9 a.m. – Noon Horse Sense (STEM Camp) Danada Equestrian Center, Wheaton$250 DuPage resident; $290 nonresidentExplore animals up close and learn what they eat, how they survive and where they live. Enjoy hands-on experiences with horses and the daily activities of a working barn as well as lead-line rides on the horses, stable chores, games, crafts and Friday Family Day. Maximum 6 kids per camp.May 31 – June 4; June 14 – 18; June 28 – July 2; July 19 – 23; or Aug. 2 – 69 a.m. – 3 p.m. Junior Keeper Camp (STEM Camp) Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen EllynLearn what it takes to be a wildlife keeper as you go behind the scenes to help prepare food, clean and care for different animals.July 19 – 23; Aug. 2 – 6; or Aug. 9 – 139 a.m. – Noon Kayaking Camp Hidden Lake, Downers GroveLearn about safety, gear, paddling strokes, navigation and how to handle a kayak on lakes and rivers.June 28 – July 2, 9 a.m. – Noon Ranger Adventure CampTry archery, boating, fishing and hiking while improving your team-building and wilderness-survival skills.June 14 – 18 or July 19 – 23, Herrick Lake, WheatonJune 21 – 25 or July 26 – 30, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook9 a.m. – Noon or 1 – 4 p.m. Entering Grades 7 & 8Junior Keeper Camp (STEM Camp) Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen EllynLearn what it takes to be a wildlife keeper as you go behind the scenes to help prepare food, clean and care for different animals.June 28 – July 2; July 12 – 16; or July 26 - 309 a.m. – Noon Riding Sense (STEM Camp) Danada Equestrian Center, Wheaton$400 DuPage resident; $460 nonresidentEnjoy all the fun of Horse Sense Camp with the wonders and challenges of a daily riding lessons with western tack, led by a Danada instructor. Maximum 6 kids per camp.June 7 - 11; June 21 - 25; July 12 - 16; July 26 - 30; Aug. 9 - 139 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District's e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.