Cabins, campfires, lifelong friendships โ pack your bags for the adventure of a lifetime! Thereโs just something special that overnight camp does for children.
If youโre 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.
Looking for more summer camps? Check out ourย ultimate guide to find the best summer camps for Chicagoland kids.
Featured Overnight Summer Camps for Chicagoland Kids
In this section, Chicago Parentโs advertising partners share their top summer camp offerings.
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
Two-week sessions from June 25-Aug. 17, 2025
- Address: 300 E. Crystal Lake Road, Twin Lake, Mich.
- Phone: 800-221-3796
- Cost: $1,780 – $1880 (varies depending on major; significant scholarships available for motivated students; discounts for siblings, Session 4, and those enrolling in more than one session)
- Best for ages: 11-18
Celebrating 60 years, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp offers immersive two-week summer programs for Grades 5-12 in music, art, theater, dance and writing. Located in West Michigan, Blue Lake provides an inspiring environment where students of all skill levels grow artistically and personally. Days include expert instruction, recreation and evening performances. Campers stay in rustic cabins, forming lasting friendships.ย
With a dedicated faculty of arts professionals and no audition requirements, Blue Lake ensures accessibility through scholarships based on merit and financial need. Join 4,000 young artists each summer for a transformative experience filled with creativity, achievement and traditional camp fun.
Camp Anokijig
9 one-week sessions starting June 15-Aug. 16, 2025
- Address: W5639 Anokijig Lane Plymouth, Wis.
- Phone: 920-893-0782
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 7-16
Camp Anokijigโs largest and most popular program is the Resident Camp, which offers the campers a great variety of activities to participate in. This program has adventures for all ages with emphasis on having a well-rounded and fun camp experience. For younger or first-time campers who just want a taste of Resident Camp, Anokijig offers half-week Mini-Camp sessions. A number of day trips are also available for campers who will be staying the week!
Along with the Resident Camp, we have Specialty Programs that focus on a particular activity. These run at the same time as the Resident Camp so the participants will have opportunities to enjoy activities in both.
Camp Deerhorn
June 8-Aug. 16, 2025
- Address: 3725 Deerhorn Road, Rhinelander, Wis.
- Phone: 800-713-3130
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 6-16
Since 1930, Camp Deerhorn has helped boys grow through adventure, friendship and fun. The overnight camp offers 4-day Father-Son camps and sessions from 10 days to 8 weeks, with activities like sailing, water-skiing, horseback riding and mountain biking.ย
More than just campfires and competitions, Deerhorn fosters independence, confidence, and lifelong friendships. Their culture of kindness, rooted in the Deerhorn Creed, encourages boys to be their true selves, embrace challenges and support one another. There, they gain the courage to try, fail and grow, surrounded by friends who become family. At Deerhorn, the journey is just as important as the destination.
Culver Summer Schools & Camps
June 11-Aug. 2, 2025
- Address: 1300 Academy Road, Culver, Ind.
- Phone: 574-842-8300
- Cost: Varies, see website for details
- Best for ages: 7-17
For 115 years, Culver Summer Schools & Camps has empowered kids ages 7-17 with adventure, leadership and lifelong friendships. Located on Lake Maxinkuckee in Indiana, Culver hosts 1,400 campers from 40+ states and 35 countries. With 65+ electives, activities include sailing, horseback riding, aviation, athletics, arts and nature courses.
Junior Woodcraft (ages 7-9) offers a four-day experience, while Woodcraft Camp (ages 9-14) and Upper Camp (ages 14-17) provide six weeks of leadership, independence and fun. Upper Camp follows a military structure, with specialized programs in naval training, aviation and horsemanship.
The Gow School
June 29, 2025-Aug. 2, 2025
- Address: 2491 Emery Road, South Wales, New York
- Phone: 716-687-2005
- Cost: $9,700 boarding, $6,900 full day, $6,200 academic day
- Best for ages: 8-16
The Gow School Summer Program (GSSP) is a five-week academic and adventure camp for students ages 8-16 with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD and more. With boarding and day options, mornings focus on academics like Robotics and Reconstructive Language, while afternoons and weekends include sports, camping, water parks and Cedar Point trips.
Located on a 125-acre campus, GSSP builds confidence, academic skills and independence in a structured yet flexible environment. Virtual and on-campus Open Houses are available.
More Overnight Summer Camps for Chicagoland Kids
Beber Camp
June 15-Aug. 8, 2025
- Address: W 1741 Co Rd J, Mukwonago, Wis.
- Cost:ย $3,690-$7,100
- Best for ages:ย 7-17
This Jewish summer camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, offers an overnight experience full of fun and learningย in a breathtaking setting. Archery, water skiing, jewelry making and ultimate frisbee are just some of the cool thingsโ campers can do.
Camp Echo
June 8-August, 2025
- Address:ย 3782 S. Triangle Trail, Fremont, Mich.
- Cost:ย $1,095+
- Best for ages:ย 8-18
This YMCA camp on Ryerson Long Lake offers 500 scenic acres with hiking, horseback trails, campgrounds, sports courts, climbing walls, archery, a ropes course and waterfront activities.
Camp Chi
June-August 2025
- Address:ย 443 W. Munroe Ave., Lake Delton, Wis.
- Cost:ย Cost varies, see website for details
- Best for ages:ย 8-16
Tamarack Camp
June-August 2025
- Address: 4361 Perryville Road, Ortonville
- Cost: Cost varies, see website for details
- Best for ages:ย 7-18
Tamarack Camp, founded by the Fresh Air Society, offers a private lake, sports, horseback riding, arts and ropes courses, fostering friendships, confidence and Jewish identity.
Agawak
June 16-Aug. 6, 2025
- Address:ย 7851 Agawak Road, Minocqua, Wis.
- Cost: $8,200-$13,500
- Best for ages:ย 7-16
Camp Agawak, a premier girls’ camp in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, offers 48+ activities, including kayaking, horseback riding, drama, water skiing, archery and sports, tailored to campers’ interests.
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See
June 8-July 24, 2025
- Address:ย 6641 6000 W, Manteno
- Cost:ย $625
- Best for ages: 7-17
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, a 4H camp in Illinois, offers 100+ scenic acres by Rock Creek with climbing, low ropes, campfires and hands-on environmental programs.
Camp Walden
June 22-Aug. 9, 2025
- Address:ย 5607 S. River Road, Cheboygan, Mich.
- Cost:ย $775-$12,600
- Best for ages:ย 7-16
This Northern Michigan overnight camp offers 50+ activities, including sports, arts, horseback riding, wilderness skills and media like creative writing, podcasting and videography.
Camp Eagle Ridge
June 22-Aug. 19, 2025
- Address:ย 75392 Lake Galilee Road, Mellen
- Cost:ย $2,300-$9,765
- Best for ages: 7-17
Camp Eagle Ridge builds leadership, healthy living, and community responsibility. Campers choose daily activities, including dance, fine arts, soccer, martial arts and waterfront fun.
Camp Crosley
June 15-Aug. 9, 2025
- Address: 165 EMS T2 Lane, North Webster, Ind.
- Cost: $805
- Best for ages:ย 6-17
Phantom Lake
June 15-Aug. 16, 2025
- Address: s110w30240 YMCA Camp Road, Mukwonago, Wis.
- Cost:ย $1,074-$1,199
- Best for ages: 8-15
Phantom Lake YMCA Camp offers unique activities like lake swimming, crafts, high ropes and more, providing unforgettable experiences kids wonโt find anywhere else.
YMCA Camp Duncan
June 15-Aug. 8, 2025
- Address:ย 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside
- Cost:ย $640-$1,800
- Best for ages:ย 7-15
Camp Duncan, on Fish Lake in Illinois, spans 300 acres, offering traditional and medical camps with activities like blobbing, zip-lining and an innovative playground.
YMCA Camp Independence
June-August 2025
- Address:ย 32405 N. US Highway 12, Ingleside
- Cost: $1,850+
- Best for ages:ย 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 15-Aug. 8, 2025
- Address:ย 31401 Durand Avenue, Burlington, Wis.
- Cost:ย $800-$1,920
- 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.
This article was recently updated on Feb. 2, 2025 by Chicago Parentโs writer, Sarah Knieff. The updates reflect the latest information. Questions? Please reach out to editor@chicagoparent.com.
Follow Chicago Parent onย Instagram.ย
