Play in Nature at Fun Summer Camps for Kids and Teens

(Feb. 15, 2022) — Registration is now open for DuPage County residents for a great lineup of fun outdoor forest preserve day camps for kids and teens through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County at dupageforest.org/camps. Registration for nonresidents begins March 1.

“Our summer camps provide exciting opportunities for kids and teens to make meaningful connections with nature, each other and their community,” said Anamari Dorgan, Forest Preserve District director of Community Engagement Services. “Research shows that the earlier children make a close connection with nature, the more likely they are to become stewards of the land and support efforts to preserve and protect natural areas.”

The District is again offering supervised lunch breaks and playtime before and after some camps. Programs with a B offer playtime before camps 8 – 9 a.m. for $45; those with an L offer supervised lunch breaks noon – 12:30 p.m. for $15; and programs with an A offer playtime after camps 3 – 5:30 p.m. Unless noted, camps are $150 for DuPage residents and $175 for nonresidents. Questions? Call 630-933-7247.

In accordance with current CDC guidelines, all visitors 2 or older regardless of vaccination status must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when inside forest preserve buildings. The CDC also strongly recommends masks in crowded outdoor settings, including Forest Preserve District summer camps. Recommendations may change as they year progresses.

Grossology (STEM Camp)

Learn why things are sticky, squishy, stinky, and slimy through fun science experiments and grossly cool investigations. 15 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – noon (B, L)

June 13 – 17; June 27 – July 1; July 18 – 22; or Aug. 8 – 12

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook

Insect Investigators (STEM camp)

Search for insects, discover where they live, and investigate what makes them so special. 15 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – Noon (B, L)

June 20 – 24; July 11 – 15; July 25 – 29; or Aug. 15 – 19

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook

Camping Adventures

Work as a team to set up a campsite, build a campfire, and follow “Leave No Trace” practices. Try your hand at fishing, hiking, and treasure hunting! 15 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – Noon (B, L)

June 20 – 24; July 11 – 15; July 25 – 29; or Aug. 15 – 19

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook

Experience how kids lived in the 1890s with games, crafts, and chores. Make new friends while caring for the animals, playing in the woods, and learning old-fashioned string games. 16 campers max per session. Register for Prairie Kids to make it a full week of camp.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B $30, A $70)

Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays

Starting June 13 or 27; July 11; 18 or 25

Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago

Learn about conservation and stewardship through nature play, hiking, fishing, crafts, and outdoor games. 20 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – 3 pm (B, A)

June 27 – July 1 or July 11 – 15

Herrick Lake, Wheaton

Nature’s Superpowers (STEM camp)

Join forces with nature’s superpowers — earth, wind, fire, gravity, and water. Simulate an earthquake, learn how to build a fire, and watch gravity in action with an egg drop experiment. 15 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – Noon (B, L)

June 13 – 17; June 27 – July 1; July 18 – 22; or Aug. 8 – 12

Fullersburg Woods, Oak Brook

Prairie Kids

Learn how kids lived and worked on the early Illinois prairie through chores, games, and crafts. 8 campers max per session. Register for Farmhands to make it a full week of camp.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m., (B $20, A $45)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

June 14 & 15; June 28 & 29; July 12 & 13; July 19 & 20; or July 26 & 27

St. James Farm, Warrenville

Get closer to the bullseye by learning about safety, practicing proper shooting techniques, and participating in friendly competitions and games. 20 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – noon

July 11 – 15

Blackwell, Warrenville

Experience how kids lived in the 1890s with games, crafts, and chores. Make new friends while caring for the animals, playing in the woods, and learning old-fashioned string games. 8 campers max per session. Register for Prairie Kids to make it a full week of camp.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B $30, A $70)

Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays

Starting June 13 or 27; or July 11, 18 or 25

Kline Creek Farm, West Chicago

Horse Sense (STEM camp)

Explore animals up close and learn what they eat, how they survive and where they live. Enjoy hands-on experiences with horses and the daily activities of a working barn as well as lead-line rides on the horses, stable chores, games, crafts and Friday Family Day.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B, A)

May 30 – June 3; June 13 – 17; June 27 – July 1; July 18 – 22; or Aug. 1 – 5

Danada Equestrian Center, Wheaton

Junior Keeper Camp (STEM camp)

Learn what it takes to be a wildlife keeper as you go behind the scenes to help prepare food, clean, and care for Willowbrook’s ambassador animals. 10 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – noon

June 13 – 17; July 11 – 15; or Aug. 1 – 5

Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen Ellyn

Learn about safety, gear, paddling strokes, navigation, rescues, and handling a kayak on lakes and rivers. 10 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – noon

Hidden Lake, Downers Grove

Prairie Kids

Learn how kids lived and worked on the early Illinois prairie through chores, games, and crafts. 8 campers max per session. Register for Farmhands to make it a full week of camp.

$100 DuPage resident; $150 nonresident

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B $20, A $45)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

June 14 & 15; June 28 & 29; July 12 & 13; July 19 & 20; or July 26 & 27

St. James Farm, Warrenville

Ranger Adventure Camp

Try archery, boating, fishing, and hiking while improving team-building and wilderness-survival skills. 20 campers max per session.
$250 DuPage resident; $290 nonresident

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B, A)

June 13 – 17; June 20 – 24; July 18 – 22; or July 25 – 29

Herrick Lake, Wheaton

Junior Keeper Camp (STEM camp)

Learn what it takes to be a wildlife keeper as you go behind the scenes to help prepare food, clean, and care for Willowbrook’s ambassador animals. 10 campers max per session. Register for Junior Rehab Keeper Camp to make it a full day.

9 a.m. – noon (L)

June 20 – 24; July 18 – 22; or Aug. 8 – 12

Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen Ellyn

NEW! Junior Rehab Keeper Camp (STEM camp)

Learn what it takes to be a wildlife keeper as you go behind the scenes to help prepare food, clean, and care for wildlife undergoing rehabilitation at Willowbrook. 10 campers max per session. Register for Junior Keeper Camp to make it a full day.

12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

June 20 – 24; July 18 – 22; or Aug. 8 – 12

Willowbrook Wildlife Center, Glen Ellyn

Riding Sense (STEM camp)

Enjoy all the fun of Horse Sense Camp with the wonders and challenges of daily riding lessons with Western tack led by one of our Danada instructors. 12 campers max per session.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (B, A)

June 6 – 10; June 20 – 24; July 11 – 15; July 25 – 29; or Aug. 8 – 12

Danada Equestrian Center, Wheaton

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has been connecting people to nature for more than 100 years. More than 6.2 million people visit its 60 forest preserves, 166 miles of trails, six education centers and scores of programs each year. For information, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org, where you can also link to the District’s e-newsletter, blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

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