Steve & Kate's Camp
Chicago World Language Academy, 1340 W Harrison St, Chicago, IL 60607
About
Steve & Kate's Camp offers a flexible day camp experience where campers choose their own activities and plan their own days. Campers spend their time designing, building, creating, playing, eating, and clowning on their own schedule within the camp day. All campers must be fully toilet trained, able to speak up for their needs, and able to get through the camp day without a nap.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Long camp hours, 8am–6pm, all included in the camp fee.
Steve & Kate’s Camp has been operating since 1980, when it first opened in Mill Valley, California. The camp was started by founders Steve Susskind and Kate Susskind, who created a model where kids are in charge of their choices and parents can buy any number of day passes, attend camp any time, and receive automatic refunds for any unused passes. The organization describes its locations as “glorious islands of freedom” and reports having more than 70 and also more than 90 locations from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach.
The camp’s mission centers on campers choosing their own activities and planning their own days, with staff focusing on showing campers what can be done rather than telling them what to do. The program states that when kids are empowered to make their own choices and be their own bosses, they discover confidence, resiliency, and creativity. The camp notes that it no longer offers tie-dye but remains focused on addressing individual needs, and that its staff share a talent for connecting with kids and celebrate campers’ individual expression.
Steve & Kate’s Camp offers several flexible attendance options, including the ability for parents to buy any number of days to use whenever and wherever they would like throughout the summer, as well as a Summer Pass for unlimited use. Drop-off and pick-up can occur at any time within camp hours, and all-inclusive rates cover all camp hours (8am–6pm), snacks and lunch, and any activities that interest the child. Parents receive automatic full refunds for any unused purchased Day Passes at summer’s end with no processing fees, and if a Summer Pass is underused, the difference compared to the daily rate is automatically refunded. Parents also receive a Virtual Orientation link by email before camp starts, and no paperwork is required for age verification during registration.
The camp notes that its summer day camps and holiday camps are for kids ages 4–12, that the summer program is for children entering PreK through 7th grade, and that the general age limit is 13, with campers who turn 14 during the summer allowed to finish out that season. Steve & Kate’s Camp also offers mentorship programs for ages 14 and 15, with availability varying by location, and states that some states have slightly higher minimum age requirements. All campers must be fully toilet trained, able to speak up for their needs, and able to get through the camp day without a nap.
The leadership team includes founders Steve Susskind and Kate Susskind, along with Kevin and Mike in vice president roles. Steve & Kate’s Camp is included in Bright Horizons Back-Up Care benefits.
Testimonials about Steve & Kate’s Camp include comments from Andrew Stanton, director of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Finding Dory, who says that children at the camp “blossom and discover a freedom of identity” and “find their thumbprint” there. Apple’s Hot News states that “If kids ruled the world, it might look something like Steve and Kate’s Camp.” Variety magazine notes that, given the camp’s philosophy, it is not surprising that many children of people working at Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic attend. The Washington Post describes the camp as a blend of traditional camp with a modern, tech-savvy touch and a laid-back aura with innovative approaches to programming and payment. The Chicago Tribune states that “Working parents’ worries dissipate as they contemplate Steve & Kate’s model.”
Last updated April 30, 2026.
• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Long camp hours, 8am–6pm, all included in the camp fee.
Steve & Kate’s Camp has been operating since 1980, when it first opened in Mill Valley, California. The camp was started by founders Steve Susskind and Kate Susskind, who created a model where kids are in charge of their choices and parents can buy any number of day passes, attend camp any time, and receive automatic refunds for any unused passes. The organization describes its locations as “glorious islands of freedom” and reports having more than 70 and also more than 90 locations from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach.
The camp’s mission centers on campers choosing their own activities and planning their own days, with staff focusing on showing campers what can be done rather than telling them what to do. The program states that when kids are empowered to make their own choices and be their own bosses, they discover confidence, resiliency, and creativity. The camp notes that it no longer offers tie-dye but remains focused on addressing individual needs, and that its staff share a talent for connecting with kids and celebrate campers’ individual expression.
Steve & Kate’s Camp offers several flexible attendance options, including the ability for parents to buy any number of days to use whenever and wherever they would like throughout the summer, as well as a Summer Pass for unlimited use. Drop-off and pick-up can occur at any time within camp hours, and all-inclusive rates cover all camp hours (8am–6pm), snacks and lunch, and any activities that interest the child. Parents receive automatic full refunds for any unused purchased Day Passes at summer’s end with no processing fees, and if a Summer Pass is underused, the difference compared to the daily rate is automatically refunded. Parents also receive a Virtual Orientation link by email before camp starts, and no paperwork is required for age verification during registration.
The camp notes that its summer day camps and holiday camps are for kids ages 4–12, that the summer program is for children entering PreK through 7th grade, and that the general age limit is 13, with campers who turn 14 during the summer allowed to finish out that season. Steve & Kate’s Camp also offers mentorship programs for ages 14 and 15, with availability varying by location, and states that some states have slightly higher minimum age requirements. All campers must be fully toilet trained, able to speak up for their needs, and able to get through the camp day without a nap.
The leadership team includes founders Steve Susskind and Kate Susskind, along with Kevin and Mike in vice president roles. Steve & Kate’s Camp is included in Bright Horizons Back-Up Care benefits.
Testimonials about Steve & Kate’s Camp include comments from Andrew Stanton, director of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Finding Dory, who says that children at the camp “blossom and discover a freedom of identity” and “find their thumbprint” there. Apple’s Hot News states that “If kids ruled the world, it might look something like Steve and Kate’s Camp.” Variety magazine notes that, given the camp’s philosophy, it is not surprising that many children of people working at Pixar and Industrial Light & Magic attend. The Washington Post describes the camp as a blend of traditional camp with a modern, tech-savvy touch and a laid-back aura with innovative approaches to programming and payment. The Chicago Tribune states that “Working parents’ worries dissipate as they contemplate Steve & Kate’s model.”
Last updated April 30, 2026.