make it better 2014 camp guide

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2014

DIGITAL EDITION

2 2 0 1 4 C A M P G U I D E makeitbetter.net

Suddenly, your teenager isn’t sleeping in.

Because they’re going to Summer Camp at

Kendall College. From culinary arts to

hospitality management, business to

early childhood education, week-long

or weekend, overnight or day-camps,

Kendall has the camp your kid will actually

want to get up for.

CAMPS START IN JUNE—REGISTER TODAY

kendall.edu/camps 312.752.2206

GET YOUR TEEN OUT OF BED THIS SUMMER WITH

KENDALL SUMMER CAMPS

http://www.kendall.edu/news-and-events/kendall-camps


Click here to register for boys soccer camp!

Click to register

for girls soccer

academy!

http://www.nusoccercamps.com

http://www.northwesterngirlssocceracademy.com


contents2 0 1 4 c a m p g u i d e

Great camps listing u

CIT: Your Tween’s First Summer Job uBY KRISTINA TOBER

Summer Thrills–Camps for Your Teen uBY TR ACE Y L ABOVITZ

Special Camps for Special Kids uBY KRISTINA TOBER

Kids Tech Camps Take Gaming to Another Level uBY JESSICA DOWNS

COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP WOODLAND


Camp 2014

Register Online www.pdhp.org

Experts in Play

Field trips, friends, fun, life skills... it’s all HERE.

New! Early Bird Pricing Discounts until noon, Feb 28, 2014

http://www.pdhp.org


Summer Day CampFor kids ages 5–12

Summer Day CampFor kids ages 5–12

Sports

Swimming

Field Trips

Friends

www.GoodTimesCamp.com

June 9th to August i5th• Field Trips!• Special Events!• Swimming!• Sports & Activities!

Flexible SchedulesConvenient Drop off locationsGlenview, Northbrook, Deerfield, and Arlington heights

http://www.goodtimescamp.com


Is your tween too young for a summer job but they still love camp? This might be the summer to explore being a Counselor in Train-ing (CIT).

Most summer camps—both day and sleep-away—offer older campers the opportunity to serve as CITs or staff in training (SITs). It’s a great way to build necessary job skills, like

CIT: YOUR TWEEN’S FIRST SUMMER JOB

B Y K R I S T I N A T O B E R


leadership and accountabil-ity, while still taking advan-tage of all the fun to be had at camp.

W H E R E T O LO OK Start with your local park

district summer camp pro-grams. Local day camps, such as Banner Day Camp and Hi-Five Sports Camp, also offer CIT and SIT programs.

The application process varies from camp to camp. Most require an application (filled out by the prospective CIT), references and inter-views, while others are more casual in their approach and require a phone call or email.

K N OW T H E C A M P It helps if your child knows

what he is signing up for. Not only should the camp include

activities that your tween en-joys, it’s also beneficial to have familiarity with the staff, schedule, rules, emergency procedures and more.

“Having gone to the camp before, he knew the drill,” says Lydia Steck, a Lake For-est mother whose son has worked as a CIT for the same park district camp he attend-ed as a child. “He was able to apply his own experience to his CIT role and share stories of his past adventures with the younger campers.”

HOW OL D D O YOU H AV E T O B E ?

Day campers can usually become CITs the summer before 7th grade and contin-ue through 9th grade, though age requirements vary by camp and the level of respon-sibility given to the CIT/SIT.


Typically, a CIT receives some training from the camp and is there to assist the counselors with all camper activities.

Many overnight camps re-quire CITs to be older and un-dergo Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguarding, basic CPR and Canoe Whitewater Training, in addition to their CIT pro-gram training.

I S I T T H E R IG H T F I T ?

To be successful, prospec-tive CITs should be hon-est with themselves about whether the job fits. Ask yourself obvious questions like: Does your tween enjoy being with younger kids? Are they responsible, careful and energetic? Chances are if he or she is an avid artist, an all-day sports camp might not be the ideal fit. And perhaps

the most important question: Does your tween like camp?

R E M E M B E R , I T ’ S A JOB

Make sure your tween un-derstands that it’s a job. “Just because your child still goes to camp, you and he need to approach it like a job, with responsibilities to help staff work to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the young campers,” Steck says.

While a CIT can certainly enjoy the camp experience, it’s still a role that requires your tween to be on time and ready to help. It’s the best way to get a feel for what it really takes to be a counselor. And though it’s usually a “volun-teer” position, many camps offer reduced fees (up to half off) to any tween that takes the job.

Overnight Summer Camp • Transportation AvailableOnline Registration Available • Outrageous Fun!!

PLYMOUTH, WI • WWW.ANOKIJIG.COM • 800.741.6931

Explore, Experience, Create Lasting Memories

COED OVERNIGHT CAMP, AGES 7–16 • TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES, HORSES, TEEN PROGRAMS, ADVENTURE TRIPS • SESSIONS FROM 4 DAYS TO 1 OR MORE WEEKS • LOCATED 2 HOURS FROM CHICAGO

GREAT ADVENTURES!NEW FRIENDS!

OUTRAGEOUS FUN!

POSITIVE VALUES!

PERSONAL GROWTH!

register

for camp

http://www.anokijig.com/

makeitbetter.net 2 0 1 4 C A M P G U I D E 1 1

At most overnight camps, CITs start finessing the skills necessary to be a counsel-or. At Kooch-i-Ching, an all-boys wilderness camp in Minnesota, the CIT program emphasizes educational best practices.

“CITs do more than fo-cus on campers having fun,” explains camp director JR Verkamp. “Partnering with counselors, CITs learn how to challenge campers and get to know each camper’s back-ground, skill sets and inter-ests. They quickly learn the importance of being a care-giver and the amazing re-sponsibility that comes with being a staff member.”

P R E PA R AT ION FOR L I F E

Not only is being a CIT a great introduction to work-

ing, but according to Dr. Wendy Mogel, acclaimed clinical psychologist and the author of the best-selling parenting books “The Bless-ing of a Skinned Knee,” and “The Blessing of a B Minus,” there’s no better first job for your child than being a camp counselor.

“For most kids, it’s the first time they are responsible for keeping other people safe,” Mogel says. “They quickly learn that campers throw up and they have to clean it up. They have to be patient, work with others and stay focused. Camp offers authentic expe-riences with real consequenc-es. It’s preparation for college and beyond.”

1 2 2 0 1 4 C A M P G U I D E makeitbetter.net

Camps for Your TeenB Y T R A C E Y L A B O V I T Z


Your teenager has likely spent many summers swimming in lakes and making crafts. It’s time to step up the game and give your young adult a truly exciting summer.

Here are some summer opportunities guaranteed to change your teen’s life.


C A M P JA MHeld at Lake Forest Acad-

emy, Camp Jam can make an aspiring teen musician’s dream summer come true.

Founded by Jeff Carlisi, former lead guitarist for .38 Special, this overnight and day rock ‘n’ roll camp was featured on MTV’s “Camp’d Out.” Beginner to advanced guitarists, bassists, keyboard-

ists, drummers and vocalists receive instrument-specific instruction, on-stage perfor-mance time, song-writing sessions and master classes taught by celebrity musicians.

Jennifer Batten—Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist for over 10 years—will perform and work hands-on with first-session campers.

If your teen doesn’t play an instrument, Camp Jam Tech, a new program taught by in-dustry professionals, covers all aspects of staging and re-cording live performances.

A P O G E E A DV E N T U R E S

Your teen can watch the entire country unfold while bicycling. America Coast to Coast starts with back wheels in the Atlantic Ocean off South Carolina, then takes

Teens bike across the country with Apogee Adventures.

click to see our summer classes u

An acclaimed North Shore institution celebrating 41 years of excellence in training children and adults in the theatre arts.

Offering camps, classes, workshops, and more.

8 4 7. 8 6 6 . 6 5 97 | E VA N STO N , I L | P I V E N T H E AT R E .O RG

http://piventheatre.org/summer-youth-programs-2013/


cyclists 2,600 miles over six weeks through the Deep South, small town America, the Rocky Mountains and desert landscapes before dip-ping front wheels in the Pa-cific Ocean off San Diego.

“The neatest thing I’ve heard a teen say after a trip,” says founder Kevin Cashman, “is he had renewed faith in

human kindness.”

Cyclists carry their own gear and spend many nights indoors. Touring bikes required. Ages: 15-18Locations: Starts, Charleston, South Carolina; Ends, San Diego, California

For more information, vis-it apogeeadventures.com/trips or call 877-700-5046.

Teens can volunteer at Equestrian Connection


E QU E S T R I A N CON N E C T ION

If your teen loves horses, he or she will feel great about vol-unteering at this Lake Forest horseback riding facility that provides therapy to disabled children. The camp needs vol-unteers to walk alongside the horses while the children ride, groom the horses and more. The minimum age is 13.

The Spanish Countryside

T H E ROA D L E S S T R AV E L E D

Though headquartered in Chicago, RLT explores the world through its adventure, language, service and leader-ship programs. Whether it’s planting coral in Florida, build-ing a school in India, back-packing through Alaska or performing a concert in Costa Rica, this family-run business

Now celebrating our 60th Anniversary Season!

http://www.harandcamp.com/


Now celebrating our 60th Anniversary Season!

promises a safe, rewarding ex-perience for your teen.

Ages: 13-19 Locations: Countries through-out the U.S., Canada, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, EuropeCost: Varies; Financial aid available for Chicago area resi-dents.

For more information, visit theroadlesstraveled.com or call 773-342-5200.

TEEN PUEBLO INGLESYour teen can experience

beautiful Spain and gain an

intimate knowledge of its cul-ture by helping Spanish stu-dents learn English at Pueblo Ingles, which is Spanish for English Village. Accommo-dations and meals are covered. Ages: 13-18Location: SpainCost: Airfare and hotel the night before and after the one-week program.

For more information, visit diverbo.com/en/volun-teer-abroad/teens.

Camper backpacking through Alaska

eaglerivercamps.com • 847-446-7311 • [email protected]

RIDING • SAILING • TENNIS • SWIMMING • ARCHERY • AND MUCH MORE!

TOWERING PINES CAMPfor BOYS, since 1946

CAMP WOODLANDfor GIRLS, since 1970

VISIT THE

BOYS CAMP

GO u

VISIT THE GIRLS CAMPGO u

CLICK TO

WATCH PARENT

TESTIMONIALS

CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOWERING PINES & WOODLAND ADVANTAGE!LOCATED IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN

FOR KIDS, CAMP IS ALL ABOUT FUN & FRIENDS!

PARENTS, you know it’s about growing up and the power of fun! Surrounded by purposeful, caring leaders, your child will:

• Specialize in a variety of activities • Build self reliance in a supportive environment • Practice leadership skills with growing confidence

http://www.toweringpinescamp.com/about-towering-pines/camp-testimonials/

http://www.campwoodland.com/

http://www.toweringpinescamp.com/

LOCATED IN MINOCQUA, WI (847) 383-5643 KAWAGA.COM

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF CAMPING IN 2014

sports • waterskiing • sailing • tripping • American Indian traditions

Camp Kawaga – an exciting and fun tradition like none other for the development and growth of your son.

• 4 or 8 week sessions• Ages 7–16

• 1 or 2 week sessions available for Rookie Campers under age 10.

LEARN MORE!

http://www.kawaga.com/


B Y K R I S T I N A T O B E R

Finding the right camp is always important, particularly when your child has special needs.

“It’s not just about summer recreation,” explains Katie Koske, manager of cooperative programs for the Northern Suburban Special

Recreation Association (NSSRA). “When you have a child who is already challenged

developmentally, it’s imperative to find a summer program that can provide consistency

and support ongoing developmental needs.”

SPECIAL CAMPS FOR SPECIAL KIDS


There’s also the simple reality that parents need help. Caring for a child who needs constant one-on-one supervision can be exhausting and taxing on the whole family. Summer camp provides the necessary respite while allowing your child to stay engaged.

So where do you start?

IDENTIFY YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS FIRST.Does your child have medical needs? Will your child’s physi-cal challenges limit his or her participation in typical camp activities, or does the camp offer adaptive activities? Does your child need one-on-one assistance? Does your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) recommend summer school?

In addition to your child’s needs, you need to take into consider-

ation the needs of your family. Do you need a full-day camp? Transportation? Do you require a more flexible schedule to ac-commodate therapy schedules and summer school? Do you want your child to attend the same camp as siblings and peers?

REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS.As with mainstream kids, there are a variety of camp options for kids with special needs.

Both Northern Suburban Spe-cial Education District (NS-SED) and NSSRA, as well as Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) and the Special Recreation Association of Lake County (SRALC), offer a combined summer program that ensures an easy transition between school and recreation. When a student enrolls, they have the option to stay after

For more information: 847.905.1500 • musicinst.org/summer

summer camps and festivals

Beginning June 10, 2014

Enroll Today!

Piano Boot Camp (JUNE 23- 27)

Chicago Suzuki Institute

(JUNE 28- JULY 4)

Quintet Attacca’s Chamber Camp for

Winds(JUNE 16 - 20)

Guitar Boot Camp (TBD)

2014 Chicago Duo-Piano Festival(JULY 11 - 20)

Oboe Boot Camp (JUNE 9 - 13)

Adult Piano Camp (JUNE 12 - 15)

Art of the Jazz Band Camps (JUNE 16 - 20 & JUNE 23 - 27)

Musical Theater Camps

(JUNE 16 - AUGUST 1)

https://www.musicinst.org/


morning summer school for the recreation portion in the after-noon. Kids are assured consis-tency by having the same loca-tion and staff as they do in the morning, and can develop ap-propriate social interaction with their peers and the staff. While transportation is provided at no additional cost, typically there is a nominal fee to cover recre-ational staffing, field trips and activities.

In addition to the combined school/recreation programs, special recreation associations typically offer a wealth of other summer activities including options for after-camp care, overnight camps, mini-trips and ongoing programming.

In addition to specialized camp programs, there are many camps that support inclusion, providing your child with a typi-


Riding is a therapeutic activity for campers


cal camp experience with main-stream peers. Local park districts will partner with special recre-ation associations to provide the necessary staff and support to ensure your child’s success in a mainstream camp program. A Big Blast in Glenview offers a summer camp and year-round programming using a buddy system. Keshet partners with the Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Chicago and the Apache camp network to provide a truly inclusive camp experience. Their goal is to foster inclusion to the best of each child’s ability, pro-viding life-changing benefits to everyone involved.Equestrian Connection in Lake Forest offers a flexible camp program, run week-to-week, that combines hippotherapy (therapeutic riding), art therapy and outdoor activities.

PUT ASIDE YOUR EXPECTA-TIONS OF WHAT SUMMER CAMP SHOULD BE.We all want our children to experience the joys of summer camp. More importantly, we want a child to go where he or she will have the most success. Sometimes that means putting aside your own reservations or expectations.

“I felt so guilty sending my son away to overnight camp,” la-mented one mom of a teen boy with autism. “But when I saw the opportunities available to him there, versus my ability to keep him happy and enter-tained all summer, there was no question that we made the right decision.”

2014 CAMP SEASONJune 16 – August 8 • 4, 6 or 8 week options

Instructional Swim Twice Daily

Sports, Performing Arts, Archery, Nature, Tennis, Specials Week and Athletic Clinics!

Door to door transportation

Before and after camp care available

TAMARAK DAY CAMP

REGISTER NOW FOR 2014!

SCHEDULE A TOUR OR REGISTER TODAY! 847.634.3168 • TamarakDayCamp.com

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE TAMARAK!

23970 N. Elm Road Lincolnshire, IL BEST CAMP

http://tamarakdaycamp.com/tamarak_overview.php


Discover yourself in the Colorado Rockies at Cheley Camps

Boy and Girls Ages 9-171-800-CAMP-FUNwww.cheley.com

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Can’t wait to go back. My son said he could live there as long as I came to visit on the weekends!

– Camp Parent

Click to take a virtual tour of Cheley u

http://www.cheley.com


Now accepting registrations for weekly lessons and swim camps...Schedule your FREE In-water Level Assessment today!!

Swimmers Guaranteed.

LearnTo Swim!!

Highland Park • Lakeview • Libertyvillewww.fossswimschool.com

®

Click here to register

for session

s today!

http://www.fossswimschool.com/


GAME MODDING, IPHONE AND IPAD design, 3D modeling, game level de-sign, Multimedia Fusion, Java programming, and web and

graphic design.Confused? I was. Imagine a camp where kids as young as seven years old are mastering these skills, and that’s exactly

KIDS TECH CAMPS TAKE GAMING TO ANOTHER LEVEL

B Y J E S S I C A D O W N S

Now accepting registrations for weekly lessons and swim camps...Schedule your FREE In-water Level Assessment today!!

Swimmers Guaranteed.

LearnTo Swim!!

Highland Park • Lakeview • Libertyvillewww.fossswimschool.com

®


what Northwestern Universi-ty’s iD Tech Camp is. At 60 prestigious universities throughout the country, kids ages 7-17 are taking their gam-ing and computer interests to the next level. Besides North-western, kids at Lake Forest College, University of Wis-consin-Madison, University of Michigan, Purdue, Stanford, and Princeton are taking their hobbies and learning how to make them into possible ca-reers.In rooms at Northwestern stocked with computers, in-structors assist kids as they design their own video game levels, generate video game characters, create 2D and 3D worlds from their own imagi-nations, and much more.

One camper who looked about 10 years old created his very own iPhone application, which gave step-by-step instructions on how to beat a particular vid-eo game. Another was using Java programming to create his own Black Jack program, a game he looked about ten years too young to play.As for the instructors who are helping them, they aren’t just your average techies. Most of the instructors are college stu-dents with majors or minors in the specific area they’re in-structing, and with an average ratio of one instructor to every six kids, students are sure to get the attention they require.Through the week, campers work on one project in a spe-cific category so at the end of


the week they can show their parents what they have accom-plished.Marion Lewis, 15 of Wilmette, is designing a 3D robot on the computer, which eventu-ally will be animated to dance. Coming in with no prior knowledge, Marion is learning to use a 3D animation design program which offers a state-of-the-art toolset used in film, games, TV, advertising, pub-lishing, and graphic design.“I wanted to be familiar with the Maya program,” Marion says. “I’m really interested in animation.” Many of the stu-dents at the camp, Marion in-cluded, have aspirations to have a career in field in which they are working. Working for Pix-

ar would be a dream come true for Marion.Besides the iD Tech Camps, there is also the iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and the iD Visu-al Arts Academy for kids to choose.If you missed out this year, these camps are the perfect choice for kids interested in technology. No matter their level of exper-tise, from completely clueless or a young computer genius, this camp provides the opportunity for a child’s hobby to become a successful profession, or at least a really cool way to impress friends.For more information on tech camps, visit iDTech.com or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324).

http://joyofthegame.com/programs/camps/hifivesportscamp.html

http://www.chicagobotanic.org/camp/summercamp


ACTORS TRAINING CENTER AT WILMETTE THEATRE Wilmette, IL | 847-251-8710 actorstrainingcenter.com

BANNER DAY CAMPLake Forest | 847-295-4900bannerdaycamp.com

CAMP ANOKIJIGPlymouth, WI | 800-741-6931 anokijig.com

CAMP CBG AT THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENGlencoe, IL | 847-835-8361 chicagobotanic.org/camp

greatcamps


MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGOEvanston | Chicago Downers Grove | Highland Park Lake Forest | Lincolnshire Winnetka | 847-905-500 musicinst.org

NORTHWESTERN BOYS SOCCER ACADEMYEvanston, IL | 847-491-4392 nusoccercamps.com

NORTHWESTERN GIRLS SOCCER ACADEMYEvanston, IL | 847-467-5297 nugirlssoccercamps.com

NORTHWESTERN VOLLEYBALL CAMPSEvanston, IL | 847-467-3893 northwesternvolleyballcamps.com

PARK DISTRICT OF HIGHLAND PARK CAMPSHighland Park | 847-831-3810 pdhp.org

PIVEN THEATRE WORKSHOPEvanston, IL | 847-866-6597 piventheatre.org

TAMARAK DAY CAMPLincolnshire, IL | 847-634-3168 tamarakdaycamp.com

TOWERING PINES CAMP FOR BOYS Eagle River, WI | 847-446-7311toweringpinescamp.com

VALLEY LO CLUB Glenview | 847-729-5550valleylo.com

https://northwesternvolleyballcamps.com/

Eagle River, WI847-914-0992

campmenominee.com [email protected]

Where Friends and Memories Last a Lifetime2, 4, and 8 Week Sessions Available * FUN-Traditional Camp

with Lots of Sports! * Live on a Beautiful Sand Bottom Lake * 87 Year Tradition of a Family Atmosphere * Modern Facility with

Electrified Cabins with Bathrooms! * Best Food Ever!

THE BOY YOU WANT YOUR SON TO BE, COMES HOME FROM CAMP MENOMINEE

CLICK FOR

MORE INFO

Actors trAining center

June 16 – August 18A thoughtful, process-driven summer acting program for the professionally minded student. For 1st–12th graders.

to register, cAll (847) 251-8710see progrAms online At www.wilmettetheatre.com/atc

Summer 2014ProgramS!

At the wilmette theAtre

Proud SPonSor: North Shore Community Bank



















http://www.campmenominee.com/
































http://www.wilmettetheatre.com/atc-home

make it better 2014 camp guide

Documents

camp gu id e

sports camp

banner day camp

park district camp

boys soccer camp

kendall summer camps

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