Camp Overview

ABOUT KIDS PLAYING CAMP

Kids Playing Began in 2001

23 years ago, Kathy was looking for a summer camp for her oldest child to attend. She wanted a camp that was led by adults, but incorporated mentoring and guidance for children in their everyday life. She wanted to create a place that campers could have fun, while learning the values of acceptance, diversity and respect.

So Kathy, took her 20 plus years of experience with youth and started Kids Playing Camps.  From the very beginning, it was a success. Kids Play All Day! And over the years, the camp has grown, but has never lost the core focus of why it is here…to teach life long skills to children in an accepting environment through various methods. Kathy knows and relates to kids in a way that few adults can. She understands what makes it FUN. She knows how to keep it SAFE.  Above all, she expects the best from everyone in the process and treats everyone with RESPECT and KINDNESS.

Kids Playing Camp is a different summer camp

Safety and Wellness at Camp!

Your child's physical and emotional safety are a top priority for Kids Playing Camp.

Our Senior Leadership Team members meet regularly to review camp procedures and to ensure the health of our campers.  During the off season we meet monthly to discuss KPC and keep up to date on key issues and receive additional training.

We are proud to have such an incredible and well-trained staff.

Kids Playing partners with Northeastern Illinois University

What sports/outdoor activities are offered?

All sports are lead by our Leadership and College coaches. and with the help of the Physical Education Department at NEIU.  They run, play and instruct the campers throughout every activity. Each coach encourages and teaches every camper. It's not about the score. It's about learning a new skill, playing with friends and just being a kid.

Some of the sports activities offered at camp include (there are more):

  • Backyard Games

  • Badminton

  • Basketball 

  • Coach Games

  • Football Bowling

  • Floor Hockey

  • Frisbee

  • Gaga

  • Kickball

  • Old Fashioned Games

  • Ping Pong

  • Running Bases

  • Softball/T-Ball

  • Socially Distanced Games

  • Soccer

  • Swimming

  • Team Building

  • Tetherball

  • Tennis

  • Tumbling

  • Volleyball

  • Wall Climbing

What Activities are offered?

  • Craft Projects from Recycled Materials 

  • Engineering Activities

  • Guest Artists

  • Mayor's Reading Challenge

  • Outdoor Nature Education

  • Science Experiments

  • Kids In the Kitchen

  • And More! 

What are Kids Theme Days?

Each Wednesday camp will be centered around a theme.  Some of the themes in the past summers include:

  • Red White Blue

  • Super Hero/Heroine

  • Winter Wonderland

  • Olympic Day

  • Treasure Hunt Day

  • Color Wars

  • Willie Wonka

  • Be What You Want Day

  • Splish Day Day

  • Save the Planet

  • Carnival Day

  • Block Party

What are "Out of the Box" Activities?

Every week campers will have a chance to do something new. Check out some of the activities that will be offered:

  • Dance Contest
  • Snapshot Day
  • No Sew for Kids
  • Cookie Decorating
  • Old Fashioned Games
  • Create Your Own Game
  • Minute to Win It
  • Hippo Hop
  • Balloons Galore