Cabins, campfires, lifelong friendships – pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime! There’s just something special that overnight camp does for children.
If you’re ready to send your child to sleepaway camp this summer for a trial weekend, week, or month-long stay, here are a wealth of popular overnight camps that cater to kids from the Chicagoland area.
Featured: YMCA Metro of Chicago’s Overnight Camps
YMCA Metro of Chicago’s Overnight Camps offer a transformative experience for kids, combining nature, a variety of seasonal activities, and the opportunity to develop character, independence, and friendships in picturesque locations across Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.
YMCA Camp Duncan
June 3-Aug. 9, 2024
- Address: 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside
- Cost: $955-$1,500
- Best for ages: 7-15
Situated on Fish Lake in Northern Illinois, Camp Duncan spans 300 acres and offers traditional camping and special medical camps in collaboration with various foundations. Highlights include adventurous activities like blobbing, zip-lining and an innovative playground.
YMCA Camp Independence
June 16-Aug. 9, 2024
- Address: 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside
- Cost: $1,850
- Best for ages: 7-20+
Designed for campers with spina bifida, Camp Independence in Northern Illinois provides a nurturing environment on 300 acres of natural beauty. It focuses on promoting independence through activities like boating, swimming and ropes courses.
YMCA Camp MacLean
June 16-Aug. 11, 2024
- Address: 31401 Durand Avenue, Burlington, Wis.
- Cost: $955-$1,885
- Best for ages: 7-16
In southeast Wisconsin, Camp MacLean offers a serene setting by Rockland Lake, featuring adventure programs and activities such as kayaking, tobogganing and a unique Skyway attraction amidst its 156-acre woodland and field landscape.
Looking for more summer camps? Check out our Ultimate Summer Camp Guide to find the best summer camps for Chicagoland kids.
Featured Overnight Summer Camps for Chicagoland Kids
In this section, Chicago Parent’s advertising partners share their top summer camp offerings.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Caledonia, WI
April 26-Oct. 14, 2024
- Address: 8425 Highway 38 Caledonia, Wis.
- Phone: 262-835-2565
- Cost: Cost varies, please see our website for details
- Best for ages: All ages
Plan your visit to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Caledonia, Wis., to experience the best family camping and cabins in the Midwest. Leave all of the planning and fun to them while you relax and enjoy spending time with the kiddos in the great outdoors.
Start your day with Donuts with Cindy Bear™, then spend the day at their outdoor water park featuring two activity pools, giant water slides and a kid’s zone.
For adventurous families, jump on Adventure Island — the largest floating water obstacle course in the Midwest at our neighboring property, Bear Paw Adventure Park! Or, climb to new heights on Bear Paw High Ropes Course. End your day of excitement at Bear Paw Beach watching the Northern Lights Drone Show take to the sky in a unique display of enchanting lights while you cozy up next to a fire pit.
Jellystone Park™ in Caledonia promises endless fun! With more than 12 activities planned per day during peak camping season, fun both water and land, character experiences and all the outdoor time you can handle, there’s never a dull moment.
Camp Anokijig
June 16-Aug. 17, 2024
- Address: W5639 Anokijig Lane Plymouth, Wis.
- Phone: (920)893-078 2
- Best for ages: 7-16
- Cost: Resident Camp $995/week ($957 before Feb 15). There are additional fees for specialty camps and day trips. See website for details
New friends, positive values, personal growth, great adventures, and outrageous fun are just the icing on top of what you will experience at Camp Anokijig. Since 1926, Anokijig has been recognized for excellence in camping with a rich tradition of offering youth experiences that will last a lifetime. Summer programs are open to boys and girls ages 7-16. A campers’ time at Anokijig is defined by each individual as providing choice and building independence in a safe, supportive environment is what Anokijig’s programming is based on. Campers can come for four days, one week, two weeks or up to nine weeks of summer fun!
Anokijig’s programming provides diverse options to engage and capture the interest of all of our campers. Programming at Anokijig includes skill periods where campers choose and focus on specific activities throughout the week to learn and enjoy a new skill. All-camp activities happen every week including opening and closing campfires, beach parties, dances, skit night, and a weekly special theme day filled with outrageously fun activities. Directed free time is the time where camper choice shines as campers can move between the program areas and choose what activities they want to spend their time doing. Sectional activities are when campers who live together get to enjoy bonding experiences as a group.
There is something for everyone at Anokijig! Programs offered include activities such as canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, paddle boats, kayaks, swimming, archery, advanced archery, medieval archery, pellet guns, yoga, nature, digital photography, woodworking, trail crafts, arts and crafts, fishing, large group games, drama, ukulele, mini golf, horseback riding and more. Anokijig is not just another place to go, it is a community where the Anokijig spirit is shared and cherished by all who visit. Your camper will leave Anokijig having experienced responsibility and independence, lasting friendships, great adventures thanks to a community based on positive values and outrageous fun.
Camp Nicolet for Girls
June 23-July 12, July 14-Aug. 9, June 23-Aug. 9, 2024
- Address: 16040 WI-70, Eagle River, Wis.
- Phone: 715-545-2522
- Cost: $4,500-$9,995. Cost varies dependent upon length of stay.
- Best for ages: 7-17
Experience a fun and educational summer adventure in Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods. This overnight camp features top quality instruction in water skiing, horseback riding, sports, sailing, and much more. Young girls can also enjoy exciting tripping opportunities and leadership training. This family-owned camp was established in 1944 and is ACA accredited.
WeHaKee Camp for Girls
June 17-Aug. 2, 2024
- Address: N8104 Barker Lake Road Winter, Wis.
- Phone: 608-787-8304
- Cost: Costs vary by session length. See website for details.
- Best for ages: 7-17
At WeHaKee Camp for Girls, you will have more fun than you can imagine. At camp, you’ll create incredible friendships with girls and young women from around the United States and the world. Strengthen your relationships with yourself, others and nature, while discovering gifts within you that you never knew were there.
Camp I Am Me
June 16 – 22, 2024
- Address: 32405 N. U.S. Highway 12, Ingleside
- Phone: 847-390-0911
- Cost: Free for burn survivors
- Best for ages: 7-20
A special and unforgettable one-week overnight camp experience for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns. Through the generosity of donors, supporters and volunteers, Camp I Am Me offers this summer camping opportunity at no-cost to campers, including lodging, meals, activities, and transportation to and from camp (YMCA Camp Duncan – Ingleside, IL).
Since 1991, the Summer Camp program has been providing a safe, non-judgmental summer camp environment for children to have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they enjoy the varied activities that make up their week-long experience.
Camp provides the setting for child burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self-conscious about their scars. The benefits to the campers are physical, psychological and emotional.
Camp I Am Me Summer Camp is open to kids ages 7-20, who have experienced a burn injury requiring out-patient treatment or hospitalization. Enrollment is subject to medical approval.
More Overnight Summer Camps for Chicagoland Kids
Beber Camp
June 16-Aug. 1, 2024
- Address: W 1741 Co Rd J, Mukwonago, Wis.
- Cost: $3,415-$6,585
- Best for ages: 7-17
This Jewish summer camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, offers an overnight experience full of fun and learning in a breathtaking setting. Archery, water skiing, jewelry making and ultimate frisbee are just some of the cool things’ campers can do.
Camp Echo
June 3-Aug. 21, 2024
- Address: 3782 S. Triangle Trail, Fremont, Mich.
- Cost: $1,015-$4,035
- Best for ages: 8-18
This residential YMCA camp on Ryerson Long Lake includes 500 acres of scenic land, an extensive network of hiking and horseback trails with onsite campgrounds, a traversing wall, a ropes challenge course, climbing wall, archery range, ga-ga pits, basketball court, tennis court, softball field, and a lake for fishing, sailing, boating, swimming and canoeing.
Camp Chi
June 16-Aug. 9, 2024
- Address: 443 W. Munroe Ave., Lake Delton, Wis.
- Cost: $3,010-$9,735
- Best for ages: 8-16
Located near the Wisconsin Dells on 600 beautiful acres of land, Camp Chi is the Midwest’s premier Jewish overnight camp, around for more than 100 years. Modern facilities bring campers’ summers alive through activities such as horseback riding, sports in an air-conditioned gymnasium, arts and crafts, and water skiing.
Tamarack Camp
June 18-Aug. 9, 2024
- Address: 4361 Perryville Road, Ortonville
- Cost: $3,180-$11,555
- Best for ages: 7-18
Tamarack Camp is a leading Jewish camp that was established by the Fresh Air Society. Campers enjoy both group and individual activities that include their own private lake, sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, ropes courses, and performing arts. The experience helps create lifelong friendships, strengthens confidence and builds Jewish identity.
Agawak
June 17-Aug. 7, 2024
- Address: 7851 Agawak Road, Minocqua, Wis.
- Cost: $7,300-$12,700
- Best for ages: 7-16
Located in the northwoods of Wisconsin, Camp Agawak is a premier girls’ summer camp offering over 48 camp activities which campers select based on personal interest. Examples of a few activities include kayaking, horseback riding, drama camp, water skiing, archery, and various sports.
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See
June 9-July 25, 2024
- Address: 6641 6000 W, Manteno
- Cost: $400-$700
- Best for ages: 7-17
Located in northeastern Illinois, just an hour south of Chicago, Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See is a 4H camp on 100-plus acres of campgrounds surrounded by the beautiful Rock Creek. Popular camp activities include wall climbing, low ropes, campfires and hands-on environmental programs.
Camp Walden
June 17-Aug. 3, 2024
- Address: 5607 S. River Road, Cheboygan, Mich.
- Cost: $775-$11,500
- Best for ages: 7-16
This traditional overnight summer camp in Northern Michigan lets campers curate individual activity schedules from a list of 50-plus options: land and water sports, visual and performing arts, English-saddle horseback riding, wilderness and nature skills, and media, such as creative writing, podcasting and videography.
Camp Eagle Ridge
June 23-Aug. 10, 2024
- Address: 75392 Lake Galilee Road, Mellen
- Cost: $2,590-$9,065
- Best for ages: 7-17
Camp Eagle Ridge is a boys and girls summer leadership camp with a mission to develop strong leaders, healthy living skills, and a sense of community responsibility. Kids choose their activities on a daily basis, ranging from dance and fine arts to soccer, martial arts and waterfront activities.
Camp Crosley
June 10-Aug. 10, 2024
- Address: 165 EMS T2 Lane, North Webster, Ind.
- Cost: $785
- Best for ages: 6-17
Nestled in the lakes of Kosciusko County in Indiana, Camp Crosley is a YMCA camp located on the shores of Lake Tippecanoe. Camp Crosley teaches self-reliance, a love for nature, and the development of attitudes and practices that instill leadership – all while having fun at the waterfront, campfires, archery, and many more camp activities.
Phantom Lake
June 16-Aug. 17, 2024
- Address: s110w30240 YMCA Camp Road, Mukwonago, Wis.
- Cost: $1,020-$1,145
- Best for ages: 8-15
Phantom Lake’s YMCA overnight camp offers wonderful opportunities for kids to engage in activities that they will most likely not get anywhere else. They will get to swim in the lake, make bracelets in the Craft Shop, climb through a high ropes course and many other unique activities.
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