Summer break is a favorite time of the year for many children. It is a designated time to have fun, play, be outside, spend the entire day doing something they love, and hopefully make new friends! DeKalb Park District Summer Camps offer that experience from May 27 – August 8. Children, ages 3-18, are invited to have an adventurous summer with their favorite camp offerings and summer-long programs, all in a structured environment! Families can sign up on a week-to-week basis, for the full 11 weeks, or choose one of our week-long specialty camps.
Camp Discover: Enjoy one of DeKalb’s favorite summer camps that delights campers ages 6-12 each week with games, craft activities, field trips, water days, come-to-us entertainment, and more. Camp Discover is held Monday through Friday, 8:45 am – 5:00 pm. Camp Discover is located at Jefferson Elementary School, at 211 McCormick Drive, for weeks 1-9; however, it will be at Hopkins Park Shelter, 1403 Sycamore Road, during weeks 10 and 11. The fee is $195 per week or $1,969 for the full 11 weeks. If you enroll by April 30, you will receive an additional 5% discount on Early Bird Rates. There are also prorated rates for the shortened weeks of Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
A Parent Meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:00 pm to share more details about summer camps. For an additional fee, parents can opt for a Before Camp (7:00–8:45 am) and an After Camp (5:00–6:00 pm) option for their Camp Discover participants. These options provide extended care for your child, allowing you to drop them off earlier or pick them up later if needed.
Specialty Camps: The DeKalb Park District offers week-long Specialty Camps throughout the summer for ages 5-18, held at various times and locations. These camps include All Sorts of Sports (June 2-6), Yarn Camp (June 9-13), Let’s Make a Mess (June 16-20), DeKalb Explorers (June 23-27), Pickleball Camp (July 7-11), radKIDS Camp (July 14-18), and Theater Camp (July 21-25).
Summer-Long Mini Programs: These programs are designed for children ages 3-5. It offers a variety of engaging activities, including arts and crafts, outdoor play, come-to-us entertainment, educational games, and local field trips. Offered Monday through Friday, May 27-August 8, parents can choose Morning Minis (8:30 – 11:30 am), Lil’ Lunchers (11:30 am–1:30 pm), or Afternoon Adventures (1:30 – 4:30 pm). Sign up for one, two, or all three sessions at the Sports and Recreation Center, located at 1765 South 4th Street, for a weekly fee per time slot. All children participating must be fully potty-trained.
Scholarship Assistance is provided to qualifying DeKalb residents and can be used towards Summer Camp, Specialty Camps, and Summer-Long Programs. This program aims to make our camps and programs accessible to all DeKalb families, regardless of their financial situation. Application forms and more details are available at dekalbparkdistrict.com/scholarship-program.
Every child deserves a fun and rewarding summer experience at DeKalb Park District. We recommend Camp Maple Leaf through the Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association, a camp specifically designed to support individuals with special needs. Information is available on their website at kishsra.org. We value every child’s unique abilities and are committed to ensuring a fun summer for all.
To learn more about Camp Discover, Specialty Camps, and Summer-Long Mini Programs and to register, please visit dekalbparkdistrict.com/summer-camps or call (815) 758-7756 to secure your child’s spot this season.
Camp Discover & Summer-Long Minis
Emily Kvasnicka, Recreation Supervisor
Phone: (815) 901-4695
Email: ekvasnicka@dekalbparkdistrict.com
Specialty Camps
Sabrina Hunley, Recreation Supervisor
Phone: (779)777-7270
Email: shunley@dekalbparkdistrict.com
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