Ivy League Kids Summer Camp
Ivy League Rec Center, 8500 W. 191st St., Mokena, IL 60448
About
Ivy League Kids Summer Camp includes field trips, hands-on learning experiences, team challenges, creative arts, sports games, team-building activities, arts and crafts, art, STEM, story-time, cooking, music, swimming, water play, chalk, fitness, and recreation. Campers can take part in clubs such as Art Club, STEM Club, Cooking Club, Horse Club, Minecraft Club, Pokémon Club, InspireHER Club, and Media Club, with club options varying by summer camp location. All campers must be fully potty trained, and swimming pool days are optional, with sunscreen applied every hour when campers are outdoors.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Full-day options are available on weekdays, with sites offering hours that range from early morning to early evening.
• Price: *Discounted Pricing Manteno, IL; *Discounted Pricing (for Manteno Elementary location)
The summer program includes three main groups: the Pioneer Summer Program (PreK–K) geared especially for 3–6 year olds, Adventurers (1st–5th), and X-TEAM (6th–8th). Pioneers have weekly scheduled field trips and pool days at the splash and take part in modified clubs for their age group such as art, STEM, story-time, cooking, and music. Adventurers take part in weekly field trips, swimming, team-building activities, and enrichment clubs. X-TEAM is a group of kids that help younger campers in arts and crafts, lunch, clean up, and more, and this group focuses on giving back to the community while gaining volunteer and community service experience and going on dedicated field trips.
Campers have the option to join clubs, with clubs available to Adventurer and X-TEAM campers, while Pioneer campers participate in modified clubs within their age group. Fun Fridays are described as a fun day at the park with sports, water play, chalk, and more, and Friday lunches consist of pizza, hot dogs, or hamburgers. Swimming pool days are optional, and campers are reminded to bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
The program states that it maintains secure areas that keep children constantly within sight indoors and outdoors, uses careful transition attendance procedures when moving children from place to place, and maintains an adequate ratio of staff to children. It follows strict hand washing and sanitary policies, and camp staff apply sunscreen to campers every hour when outdoors. Chicago Ridge, Shorewood, and Manteno locations have pool days on Mondays.
All camp counselors are CPR/First Aid certified and background checked, and all site directors and site aides are CPR/First Aid certified and background checked. The leadership team includes HR: Lisa Breitenberg; Programming: Veronica Balderman; Billing Department: Cindy Scroggin; Managing Director: Christina Knabjian; Front Desk: Amy, Irene, and Emily; and Billing/State Aid: Kristen Kerbs.
Ivy League Kids states that it believes out-of-school hours are an important time to enrich the lives of children to help them succeed in school and in life, with a focus on fitness, recreation, and academic enrichment in a healthy, safe environment for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The program describes core values of Safety, Caring, Passion, Integrity, and Fun, and includes statements such as “We are NOT babysitting! We are programming with purpose, play & passion!” and “We do what we say we are going to do, and are truthful.” It also states that it focuses on giving back to the community and that participants gain volunteer and community service experience.
The organization references a history noted as “copyright 2008-2019 Ivy League Before and After School Program, Kids Fit Foundation, Montessori Schools.” It also states that its Montessori School is based on the philosophy, teachings, and materials developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, and that its Pre-Kindergarten Program (Kinderbridge) serves children enrolled in a half-day Pre-Kindergarten class and enhances and furthers their development. Little Dribblers is described as fitness that improves coordination, fine motor skills, speed, and agility.
Testimonials from parents and caregivers describe staff as “super,” mention that children “had a blast” going to field trips and Minecraft Club, and note that there are “great field trips and classes” and “so many fun and educational experiences.” Several testimonials state that children look forward to attending, that staff are patient and involved, and that the variety of field trips, activities, and clubs offers “something for everyone.”
Last updated January 10, 2026.
• Ages: 3–13 years old
• Schedule: Full-day options are available on weekdays, with sites offering hours that range from early morning to early evening.
• Price: *Discounted Pricing Manteno, IL; *Discounted Pricing (for Manteno Elementary location)
The summer program includes three main groups: the Pioneer Summer Program (PreK–K) geared especially for 3–6 year olds, Adventurers (1st–5th), and X-TEAM (6th–8th). Pioneers have weekly scheduled field trips and pool days at the splash and take part in modified clubs for their age group such as art, STEM, story-time, cooking, and music. Adventurers take part in weekly field trips, swimming, team-building activities, and enrichment clubs. X-TEAM is a group of kids that help younger campers in arts and crafts, lunch, clean up, and more, and this group focuses on giving back to the community while gaining volunteer and community service experience and going on dedicated field trips.
Campers have the option to join clubs, with clubs available to Adventurer and X-TEAM campers, while Pioneer campers participate in modified clubs within their age group. Fun Fridays are described as a fun day at the park with sports, water play, chalk, and more, and Friday lunches consist of pizza, hot dogs, or hamburgers. Swimming pool days are optional, and campers are reminded to bring a swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen.
The program states that it maintains secure areas that keep children constantly within sight indoors and outdoors, uses careful transition attendance procedures when moving children from place to place, and maintains an adequate ratio of staff to children. It follows strict hand washing and sanitary policies, and camp staff apply sunscreen to campers every hour when outdoors. Chicago Ridge, Shorewood, and Manteno locations have pool days on Mondays.
All camp counselors are CPR/First Aid certified and background checked, and all site directors and site aides are CPR/First Aid certified and background checked. The leadership team includes HR: Lisa Breitenberg; Programming: Veronica Balderman; Billing Department: Cindy Scroggin; Managing Director: Christina Knabjian; Front Desk: Amy, Irene, and Emily; and Billing/State Aid: Kristen Kerbs.
Ivy League Kids states that it believes out-of-school hours are an important time to enrich the lives of children to help them succeed in school and in life, with a focus on fitness, recreation, and academic enrichment in a healthy, safe environment for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The program describes core values of Safety, Caring, Passion, Integrity, and Fun, and includes statements such as “We are NOT babysitting! We are programming with purpose, play & passion!” and “We do what we say we are going to do, and are truthful.” It also states that it focuses on giving back to the community and that participants gain volunteer and community service experience.
The organization references a history noted as “copyright 2008-2019 Ivy League Before and After School Program, Kids Fit Foundation, Montessori Schools.” It also states that its Montessori School is based on the philosophy, teachings, and materials developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, and that its Pre-Kindergarten Program (Kinderbridge) serves children enrolled in a half-day Pre-Kindergarten class and enhances and furthers their development. Little Dribblers is described as fitness that improves coordination, fine motor skills, speed, and agility.
Testimonials from parents and caregivers describe staff as “super,” mention that children “had a blast” going to field trips and Minecraft Club, and note that there are “great field trips and classes” and “so many fun and educational experiences.” Several testimonials state that children look forward to attending, that staff are patient and involved, and that the variety of field trips, activities, and clubs offers “something for everyone.”
Last updated January 10, 2026.
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