Peppermint Stick Children’s Center Summer Camp
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center – Round Lake Beach Center, 1124 N. Cedar Lake Rd., Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
About
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center Summer Camp includes weekly themes such as wild west, orient express, fiesta, carnival, yankee doodle, and luau. Campers take part in picnics, sprinkler fun, story tellers, magic shows, a pajama party, an ice cream social, arts and crafts, music, science and math activities, large and fine motor activities, games, roller skating, swimming, sports activities, live theater, traveling plays, and “behind the scenes” tours.
• Ages: 2–12 years old
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center uses Creative Curriculum®, a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, and also utilizes LifeCubby®, an app that keeps parents and teachers connected during the day. During the summer, the program shifts its emphasis from the classroom to outdoor activities and offers a variety of fun-filled experiences. The camp is part of a private, for-profit early care and education center that reports a staff average of longevity of 5 years and states that this is three times longer than the industry average.
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center states that it exists to provide a safe and stimulating early care and education experience which promotes each child’s social emotional, physical, and cognitive development, with a goal of supporting children’s desire to be lifelong learners. The mission includes promoting quality care, education, cultural and social programming, preparing life-long learners and responsible citizens, and utilizing community resources and partnerships with parents. The program states that it supports every child in its community and creates a learning environment in which all of its diverse learners can achieve their highest potential.
Peppermint Stick reports that its playgrounds have a park-like atmosphere, with all equipment surrounded by a shock-absorbing play surface that helps eliminate injuries, and that its facilities are inspected by the Health Department annually. The center states that its program is planned under the guidance of mature qualified teachers who develop each child’s potential through play and learning activities. Both locations are DCFS licensed.
Peppermint Stick has had its roots in the Lake County area since the 1960s, with a second location started in 1971. The leadership team includes Ms. Tiffany Beckett, Executive Director / Owner (May 1986 – Present); Ms. Karen O’Neill, Administrative Director / Owner (March 1992 – Present); Ms. Jessica Medina, Grayslake Program Director (August 2011 – Present); Ms. Natalalee Contreras, Grayslake Site Director (2022 – Present); Ms. Christina Kehoe, STEAM Preschool Director (2022 – Present); Ms. Brittany Nielsen, Educational Support Specialist – Grayslake (2018 – Present); Ms. Jessica Solano, Round Lake Assistant Director (June 2007 – Present); Ms. Cari Cox, Round Lake Curriculum Director (2019 – Present); and Ms. Kaylee Peters, Assistant Director / Lead PFAE Teacher. The center reports that its leadership team is made up of highly experienced professionals with a combined experience of over 120 years dedicated to early childhood education.
Parent testimonials describe positive experiences with Peppermint Stick Children’s Center, including comments from families such as the Yates, Trafford, Tiani, Jones, DiGirolamo, Krueger, Hunter, Gonsalez, and Sheth families, who report satisfaction with the staff, programs, and care their children receive.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 2–12 years old
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center uses Creative Curriculum®, a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, and also utilizes LifeCubby®, an app that keeps parents and teachers connected during the day. During the summer, the program shifts its emphasis from the classroom to outdoor activities and offers a variety of fun-filled experiences. The camp is part of a private, for-profit early care and education center that reports a staff average of longevity of 5 years and states that this is three times longer than the industry average.
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center states that it exists to provide a safe and stimulating early care and education experience which promotes each child’s social emotional, physical, and cognitive development, with a goal of supporting children’s desire to be lifelong learners. The mission includes promoting quality care, education, cultural and social programming, preparing life-long learners and responsible citizens, and utilizing community resources and partnerships with parents. The program states that it supports every child in its community and creates a learning environment in which all of its diverse learners can achieve their highest potential.
Peppermint Stick reports that its playgrounds have a park-like atmosphere, with all equipment surrounded by a shock-absorbing play surface that helps eliminate injuries, and that its facilities are inspected by the Health Department annually. The center states that its program is planned under the guidance of mature qualified teachers who develop each child’s potential through play and learning activities. Both locations are DCFS licensed.
Peppermint Stick has had its roots in the Lake County area since the 1960s, with a second location started in 1971. The leadership team includes Ms. Tiffany Beckett, Executive Director / Owner (May 1986 – Present); Ms. Karen O’Neill, Administrative Director / Owner (March 1992 – Present); Ms. Jessica Medina, Grayslake Program Director (August 2011 – Present); Ms. Natalalee Contreras, Grayslake Site Director (2022 – Present); Ms. Christina Kehoe, STEAM Preschool Director (2022 – Present); Ms. Brittany Nielsen, Educational Support Specialist – Grayslake (2018 – Present); Ms. Jessica Solano, Round Lake Assistant Director (June 2007 – Present); Ms. Cari Cox, Round Lake Curriculum Director (2019 – Present); and Ms. Kaylee Peters, Assistant Director / Lead PFAE Teacher. The center reports that its leadership team is made up of highly experienced professionals with a combined experience of over 120 years dedicated to early childhood education.
Parent testimonials describe positive experiences with Peppermint Stick Children’s Center, including comments from families such as the Yates, Trafford, Tiani, Jones, DiGirolamo, Krueger, Hunter, Gonsalez, and Sheth families, who report satisfaction with the staff, programs, and care their children receive.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
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