About
Summer Day Camp includes six weeks of summer activities such as sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor activities. Civic engagement, environmental awareness, inclusion, collaboration and team building, brain play, reflection and journaling, and friendship and kindness are included throughout the camp experience. At some parks, Rec Leaders in Training who are 13–15-year-old program participants assist with day camp activities.
• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Six-week camp program running June 22–July 31, 2026; most camps run six hours a day, typically 9 am–3 pm or 10 am–4 pm, with times varying by park
• Price: The highest-cost camp in 2025 was $4.00 per hour, and the average cost across the District was $1.39 per hour
Prior to camp, each Day Camp Director receives eight hours of specialized camp training. All individuals in the Recreation Leader position participate in a four-day Recreation Leader training, and the minimum age requirement for Recreation Leaders is 16. The leadership team for the program includes a Park Supervisor or Playground Supervisor, a Day Camp Director, a Recreation Leader, and a Rec Leader in Training. The mission of the Chicago Park District is to give people of all ages, identities, and abilities access to quality recreation, wellness opportunities, and sustainable green spaces in every neighborhood. The Chicago Park District sponsors the Summer Food Service Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, through which children enrolled in park programming during the summer can receive up to one free meal and snack per day, depending on the park. These meals are reviewed by a registered dietitian and are crafted to meet the nutritional needs and preferences of growing kids. Financial assistance is available for Chicago residents, and Chicago Housing Authority residents receive reduced pricing for day camp.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
• Ages: 6–12 years old
• Schedule: Six-week camp program running June 22–July 31, 2026; most camps run six hours a day, typically 9 am–3 pm or 10 am–4 pm, with times varying by park
• Price: The highest-cost camp in 2025 was $4.00 per hour, and the average cost across the District was $1.39 per hour
Prior to camp, each Day Camp Director receives eight hours of specialized camp training. All individuals in the Recreation Leader position participate in a four-day Recreation Leader training, and the minimum age requirement for Recreation Leaders is 16. The leadership team for the program includes a Park Supervisor or Playground Supervisor, a Day Camp Director, a Recreation Leader, and a Rec Leader in Training. The mission of the Chicago Park District is to give people of all ages, identities, and abilities access to quality recreation, wellness opportunities, and sustainable green spaces in every neighborhood. The Chicago Park District sponsors the Summer Food Service Program, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, through which children enrolled in park programming during the summer can receive up to one free meal and snack per day, depending on the park. These meals are reviewed by a registered dietitian and are crafted to meet the nutritional needs and preferences of growing kids. Financial assistance is available for Chicago residents, and Chicago Housing Authority residents receive reduced pricing for day camp.
Last updated February 24, 2026.
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