Displaying items by tag: find a summer camp

Summer camp is a great way for children to gain independence, build confidence, and make new friends, but finding the right summer kids camp in Illinois can be overwhelming for parents. Here are 10 tips to help you begin your search for the perfect Illinois summer camp for your child.

1. Think of what you want out of the experience: Take the time to think about what you would like your child to gain from camp. Are you looking for them to develop specific skills or participate in certain activities? Make a list of the things you want your child to get out of the experience and what "must-have" features the camp should have.

Consider who your child is: Knowing your child's personality and interests will help you find a camp that is a good fit for them. Are they introverted or outgoing? Do they have any special needs? Do they thrive in large groups or prefer smaller settings? Understanding these things about your child will help you narrow down your options.

Get recommendations from others: Ask friends and neighbors about their experiences with camps and what they liked or didn't like about them. However, remember to do your own research as well, as what works for one child may not be the best fit for another.

Talk to the camp directors: Whether in person or over the phone, it's important to speak with the camp director or a member of the leadership team to get a sense of their philosophy and approach. You want to feel comfortable with the director and have open communication with them.

Research online: Check out a camp's website and social media channels to see what type of activities they offer, what their session lengths are, and what their philosophy is. A great place to start is www.summercampadvice.com

Tour the camp: Visiting a camp in person is one of the best ways to get a feel for it. Day camps offer tours all year round, while overnight camps offer tours during the summer and fall. This allows you to see the facilities and ask questions in the camp environment.

Attend camp fairs: Camp fairs in and around the Chicago suburbs are a great way to gather information about multiple camps in one day. You can talk to camp directors and compare different options.

Some summer camp offer open houses:   See if your camps offers an open houses in the spring and fall, where you can see the camp in action, participate in activities, and talk to the camp director and leadership team.

Contact the American Camp Association in Chicago: They offer free, one-on-one advice to help you find the perfect camp for your child.

• Please take your time finding the right Illinois Summer Camp takes time and research, but the effort will pay off when your child has a summer of their life. The time you put in upfront will more than payoff in the future. It is best to try and pick a camp that will give your child a successful experience because it is much harder to get your child excited about camp after a bad experience. 

• Parents & Campers,
• When selecting a summer camp it is import that you pick the right summer camp for you. Sure all camps have fancy summer camp websites, but often you may have particular questions you you want to ask in person, Summer Camp Opportunity Fairs (Camp Expos) offer just such an chance. Below is a list camp fairs we will be attending in Wisconsin and Illinois. . So f you want to learn more about camp come see us or if you are an alumni please stop by and say "HI". We are always happy to talk about camp.

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  SUMMER CAMP EXPO- SUMMER CAMP FAIR
  PLACES TO FIND SWIFT NATURE CAMP THIS SPRING
  

FEBRUARY 7th,
Summer Recreation Open House, York Community High School, Elmhurst, IL, 6pm to 8pm

• FEBRUARY 13th,
  Fox Vally Summer Activities Fair, Wredling Middle School, 1200 Dunham Rd., St. Charles, IL, 6pm to 8pm
  
  
• FEBRUARY 25th,
  CampExpo at Sunset Ridge School 525 Sunset Ridge Northfield Il.  10am to 2pm
  
  
• FEBRUARY 25th,
  Minnesota Parent Camp Fair, Como Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul, MN, 10am to 2pm (will not attend but will have brochures there)
  
  
• MARCH 6th,
  Stratford Middle School Summer Activities Fair, Stratford Middle School, Bloomingdale, IL, 6pm-8pm
  
  
• MARCH 9th,
  District 181 Summer Camp Expo, Clarendon Hills Prospect School, 100 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills, IL, 6pm-8:30pm
  
  
• MARCH 13th,
  STAGE 203 Summer Activities Fair, Kennedy Junior High School, Lisle, IL, 6pm to 8pm
  
  
• MARCH 21st,
  Indian Prairie Summer Activities Fair, Still Middles School, 787 Meadowridge Dr., Aurora, IL, 6pm to 8pm