Outdoors &amp; Nature Camps &amp; Lessons in Illinois

Ages 10–18Contact for pricing

Girls-only sailing and marine-STEM academy, ages 10-18, full days at Montrose Harbor.

Great Lakes Sailing

Girls-only sailing and marine-STEM academy, ages 10-18, full days at Montrose Harbor.

Ages 10–18

Kaneville, IL · Kane County

★★★★★ 5.0 (53)

Kaneville Community Child Center KCCC

★★★★★5.0(29 reviews)

Nonprofit center's morning-only themed summer camps, ages 6-11, 9:00-11:30am.

Ages 6–11Contact for pricing

Kaneville, IL · Kane County

Kaneville Community Child Center KCCC

Nonprofit center's morning-only themed summer camps, ages 6-11, 9:00-11:30am.

Ages 6–11

Galena, IL · Jo Daviess County

★★★★★ 5.0 (29)

Hoof It Goat Treks

★★★★½4.9(1215 reviews)

Half-day goat-farm camp near Galena: ages 5–12 do goat care, nature crafts and treks over three afternoons.

Ages 5–12$250 total

Galena, IL · Jo Daviess County

Hoof It Goat Treks

Half-day goat-farm camp near Galena: ages 5–12 do goat care, nature crafts and treks over three afternoons.

TNI Summer Day Camp

Godfrey, IL · Madison County

Nature day camp in Godfrey for ages 3-14, with creek play, archery and 1:5 to 1:8 staff ratios.

Ages 3–14Contact for pricing

Godfrey, IL · Madison County

TNI Summer Day Camp

Nature day camp in Godfrey for ages 3-14, with creek play, archery and 1:5 to 1:8 staff ratios.

Ages 3–14

Columbia Yacht Club

★★★★½4.8(432 reviews)

Ages 7–17Contact for pricing

Downtown Chicago yacht club home to a 10-week youth sailing day camp starting at age 7.

Columbia Yacht Club

Downtown Chicago yacht club home to a 10-week youth sailing day camp starting at age 7.

Ages 7–17

★★★★½ 4.8 (432)

Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club - Montrose Harbor

★★★★½4.8(95 reviews)

Ages 8–18Contact for pricing

Full-day sailing camp at Montrose Harbor, ages 8-18, four two-week sessions, all levels.

Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club - Montrose Harbor

Full-day sailing camp at Montrose Harbor, ages 8-18, four two-week sessions, all levels.

Ages 8–18

Lake Zurich, IL · Lake County

★★★★½ 4.8 (95)

Quentin Road Christian Preschool

★★★★½4.8(73 reviews)

Christian day camp on a 45-acre campus with fishing pond, paddle boats and field trips, ages 3–12.

Ages 3–12Contact for pricing

Lake Zurich, IL · Lake County

Quentin Road Christian Preschool

Christian day camp on a 45-acre campus with fishing pond, paddle boats and field trips, ages 3–12.

Ages 3–12

Lake Forest, IL · Lake County

★★★★½ 4.8 (73)

Lake Forest Sailing

★★★★½4.8(18 reviews)

Municipal half-day sailing camps at Forest Park Beach, ages 5-12, US Sailing accredited.

Ages 5–12Contact for pricing

Lake Forest, IL · Lake County

Lake Forest Sailing

Municipal half-day sailing camps at Forest Park Beach, ages 5-12, US Sailing accredited.

Ages 5–12

★★★★½ 4.8 (18)

The Road Less Traveled

★★★★★5.0(63 reviews)

Ages 11–18Contact for pricing

ACA-accredited teen travel: 1–3 week service and adventure trips, ages 11–18, US and abroad.

The Road Less Traveled

ACA-accredited teen travel: 1–3 week service and adventure trips, ages 11–18, US and abroad.

Ages 11–18

★★★★★ 5.0 (63)

Island Bay Yacht Club

★★★★½4.7(121 reviews)

Ages 8–15Contact for pricing

Yacht club running a full-day junior sailing camp on Lake Springfield for ages 8-15.

Island Bay Yacht Club

Yacht club running a full-day junior sailing camp on Lake Springfield for ages 8-15.

Ages 8–15

Ages 3–15Contact for pricing

★★★★½ 4.7 (121)

Geneva Park District

★★★★½4.7(57 reviews)

Geneva, IL · Kane County

Park district camps in Geneva, ages 3-15, 8:30-3:30 with extended care and nature, gym and sport options.

Geneva, IL · Kane County

Geneva Park District

Park district camps in Geneva, ages 3-15, 8:30-3:30 with extended care and nature, gym and sport options.

Ages 3–15

Olympia Fields, IL · Cook County

★★★★½ 4.7 (57)

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center

★★★★½4.7(38 reviews)

Park-district nature day camp on a 38-acre preserve; ages 5–12, weekly themes, trails and S.T.E.A.M.

Ages 5–12Contact for pricing

Olympia Fields, IL · Cook County

Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center

Park-district nature day camp on a 38-acre preserve; ages 5–12, weekly themes, trails and S.T.E.A.M.

Ages 5–12

★★★★½ 4.7 (38)

Sheridan Shore Sailing School

★★★★½4.7(15 reviews)

Ages 5–18Contact for pricing

Half-day Lake Michigan sailing camps, ages 5-18, from water-comfort intro through race training.

Sheridan Shore Sailing School

Half-day Lake Michigan sailing camps, ages 5-18, from water-comfort intro through race training.

Ages 5–18

St. Charles, IL · Kane County

★★★★½ 4.7 (15)

Pottawatomie Community Center

★★★★½4.7(7 reviews)

Park district day camp base in St. Charles, ages 3-11, with flexible 2-5 day weeks and pool trips.

Ages 3–11Contact for pricing

St. Charles, IL · Kane County

Pottawatomie Community Center

Park district day camp base in St. Charles, ages 3-11, with flexible 2-5 day weeks and pool trips.

Ages 3–11

Naperville, IL · DuPage County

★★★★½ 4.7 (7)

KLA Schools of Naperville

★★★★★5.0(18 reviews)

Reggio Emilia preschool's themed summer camp: movement, design, art and nature, open 6:30am–6:30pm.

Naperville, IL · DuPage County

KLA Schools of Naperville

Reggio Emilia preschool's themed summer camp: movement, design, art and nature, open 6:30am–6:30pm.

★★★★★ 5.0 (18)

Camp Ojibwa For Boys

★★★★★5.0(11 reviews)

Ages 6–16Contact for pricing

Overnight sports camp for boys ages 6-16 in Eagle River, WI; 2, 4, and 8-week sessions.

Camp Ojibwa For Boys

Overnight sports camp for boys ages 6-16 in Eagle River, WI; 2, 4, and 8-week sessions.

Ages 6–16

★★★★★ 5.0 (11)

South Barrington Park District

★★★★½4.6(45 reviews)

Ages 5–14Contact for pricing

Park district day camps, K-9th grade, with swimming, sports and field trips, 8:30am-4:30pm.

South Barrington Park District

Park district day camps, K-9th grade, with swimming, sports and field trips, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Ages 5–14

★★★★½ 4.6 (45)

South Barrington Club

★★★★½4.6(96 reviews)

Ages 5–14Contact for pricing

Park district day camps, K-9th grade, with swimming, sports and field trips, 8:30am-4:30pm.

South Barrington Club

Park district day camps, K-9th grade, with swimming, sports and field trips, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Ages 5–14

Lake in the Hills, IL · McHenry County

★★★★½ 4.6 (96)

Bear Paddle Swim School - Lake In The Hills

★★★★½4.6(123 reviews)

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Lake in the Hills, IL · McHenry County

Bear Paddle Swim School - Lake In The Hills

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

★★★★½ 4.6 (123)

Jackson Park Yacht Club

★★★★½4.6(153 reviews)

Ages 8–18Contact for pricing

Two-week junior sailing camp on Lake Michigan, ages 8-18, open to non-members.

Jackson Park Yacht Club

Two-week junior sailing camp on Lake Michigan, ages 8-18, open to non-members.

Ages 8–18

★★★★½ 4.6 (153)

The Northwest Passage

★★★★½4.9(35 reviews)

Ages 10–14Contact for pricing

Kayak and paddleboard day camp on Chicagoland waterways, ages 10–14, from a 1984 adventure outfitter.

The Northwest Passage

Kayak and paddleboard day camp on Chicagoland waterways, ages 10–14, from a 1984 adventure outfitter.

Ages 10–14

★★★★½ 4.9 (35)

Camp Ondessonk

Ozark, IL · Johnson County

Catholic overnight camp, ages 8-16, on 983 forested acres with horseback riding and lakes.

Ages 8–17 · Financial aidContact for pricing

Ozark, IL · Johnson County

Camp Ondessonk

Catholic overnight camp, ages 8-16, on 983 forested acres with horseback riding and lakes.

Ages 8–17 · Financial aid

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

★★★★½4.5(14 reviews)

Ages 6–17Contact for pricing

Girls-only day and overnight camps across central Illinois with flexible pricing and scholarships.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

Girls-only day and overnight camps across central Illinois with flexible pricing and scholarships.

Ages 6–17

★★★★½ 4.5 (14)

Easterseals Central Illinois - Peoria, IL

★★★★½4.8(190 reviews)

Ages 0–17Contact for pricing

Nonprofit adaptive camp and recreation for kids with disabilities, birth-21, at Timber Pointe.

Easterseals Central Illinois - Peoria, IL

Nonprofit adaptive camp and recreation for kids with disabilities, birth-21, at Timber Pointe.

Ages 0–17

Carlyle, IL · Clinton County

★★★★½ 4.8 (190)

Carlyle Sailing Association

★★★★½4.8(69 reviews)

Five-day overnight junior sailing camp on Carlyle Lake, ages 10-16, boats and tent camping included.

Ages 6–16Contact for pricing

Carlyle, IL · Clinton County

Carlyle Sailing Association

Five-day overnight junior sailing camp on Carlyle Lake, ages 10-16, boats and tent camping included.

Ages 6–16

Evanston, IL · Cook County

★★★★½ 4.8 (69)

Northwestern Sailing Center

★★★★½4.5(41 reviews)

Half-day sailing and windsurfing camps on Lake Michigan in Evanston, ages 5-15.

Ages 5–15Contact for pricing

Evanston, IL · Cook County

Northwestern Sailing Center

Half-day sailing and windsurfing camps on Lake Michigan in Evanston, ages 5-15.

Ages 5–15

Hinsdale, IL · DuPage County

★★★★½ 4.5 (41)

The Community House

★★★★½4.8(37 reviews)

Nonprofit community-center day camp with weekly themes, field trips and pool swims, ages 5-13.

Ages 5–13Contact for pricing

Hinsdale, IL · DuPage County

The Community House

Nonprofit community-center day camp with weekly themes, field trips and pool swims, ages 5-13.

Ages 5–13

River Forest, IL · Cook County

★★★★½ 4.8 (37)

River Forest Community Center

★★★★½4.5(179 reviews)

Full-day community center day camps, 10am-4pm, for ages 3 through incoming 5th grade.

Ages 3–10Contact for pricing

River Forest, IL · Cook County

River Forest Community Center

Full-day community center day camps, 10am-4pm, for ages 3 through incoming 5th grade.

Ages 3–10

★★★★½ 4.5 (179)

Columbia Sailing School

★★★★4.3(4 reviews)

Ages 7–17Contact for pricing

10-week youth sailing day camp in downtown Chicago, from age 7, booked one to ten weeks.

Columbia Sailing School

10-week youth sailing day camp in downtown Chicago, from age 7, booked one to ten weeks.

Ages 7–17

Oak Park, IL · Cook County

★★★★ 4.3 (4)

Refugee Education & Adventure CHallenge

★★★★★5.0(2 reviews)

Nonprofit adventure camp for refugee youth 10–18: day camps, overnights and sleep-away, with English support.

Ages 10–18Contact for pricing

Oak Park, IL · Cook County

Refugee Education & Adventure CHallenge

Nonprofit adventure camp for refugee youth 10–18: day camps, overnights and sleep-away, with English support.

Ages 10–18

★★★★★ 5.0 (2)

Chicago Yacht Club

★★★★½4.7(239 reviews)

Belmont Harbor sailing school, ages 5-17, one- and two-week full-day summer sessions.

Chicago Yacht Club

Belmont Harbor sailing school, ages 5-17, one- and two-week full-day summer sessions.

★★★★½ 4.7 (239)

North Shore Yacht Club NSYC

★★★★½4.7(62 reviews)

Ages 6–16Contact for pricing

Lake Michigan club sailing camp for swimmers 6-16; members first, limited non-member spots.

North Shore Yacht Club NSYC

Lake Michigan club sailing camp for swimmers 6-16; members first, limited non-member spots.

Ages 6–16

Kildeer, IL · Lake County

★★★★½ 4.7 (62)

Bear Paddle Swim School - Kildeer

★★★★4.4(37 reviews)

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Kildeer, IL · Lake County

Bear Paddle Swim School - Kildeer

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

★★★★ 4.4 (37)

Camp Palos | Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

★★★★½4.7(51 reviews)

Lemont, IL · Cook County

Girl Scouts girls-only day camp on 80 wooded acres, weekly units with bus and optional care.

Lemont, IL · Cook County

Camp Palos | Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Girl Scouts girls-only day camp on 80 wooded acres, weekly units with bus and optional care.

Woodridge, IL · DuPage County

★★★★½ 4.7 (51)

Bear Paddle Swim School - Woodridge

★★★★4.4(109 reviews)

Half-day swim camp, ages 4+: daily lesson, free swim and STEM crafts, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri.

Woodridge, IL · DuPage County

Bear Paddle Swim School - Woodridge

Half-day swim camp, ages 4+: daily lesson, free swim and STEM crafts, 9am-12pm, Mon-Fri.

Lake Bluff, IL · Lake County

★★★★ 4.4 (109)

The Farm System

★★★★★5.0(18 reviews)

Lake Bluff baseball/softball/basketball training facility; program details sit behind a login portal.

Lake Bluff, IL · Lake County

The Farm System

Lake Bluff baseball/softball/basketball training facility; program details sit behind a login portal.

★★★★★ 5.0 (18)

Chicago Yacht Club

★★★★½4.6(87 reviews)

90-year-old Belmont Harbor sailing school, ages 5-17, full-day one- and two-week sessions.

Chicago Yacht Club

90-year-old Belmont Harbor sailing school, ages 5-17, full-day one- and two-week sessions.

Plano, IL · Kendall County

★★★★½ 4.6 (87)

PNA Youth Camp

★★★★½4.6(87 reviews)

Polish-heritage overnight camp, ages 6-15; week-long sessions with swimming, archery, and sports.

Ages 6–15Contact for pricing

Plano, IL · Kendall County

PNA Youth Camp

Polish-heritage overnight camp, ages 6-15; week-long sessions with swimming, archery, and sports.

Ages 6–15

★★★★½ 4.6 (87)

Bear Paddle Swim School - Niles

★★★★4.3(43 reviews)

Niles, IL · Cook County

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Niles, IL · Cook County

Bear Paddle Swim School - Niles

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Aurora, IL · DuPage County

★★★★ 4.3 (43)

Bear Paddle Swim School - Aurora

★★★★4.3(112 reviews)

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Aurora, IL · DuPage County

Bear Paddle Swim School - Aurora

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Orland Park, IL · Cook County

★★★★ 4.3 (112)

Bear Paddle Swim School

★★★★4.3(153 reviews)

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Orland Park, IL · Cook County

Bear Paddle Swim School

Half-day indoor swim camp (ages 4+) pairing daily swim lessons with STEM crafts, 9am-12pm Mon-Fri.

Scott Air Force Base, IL · St. Clair County

★★★★ 4.3 (153)

Youth Center

★★★★½4.9(11 reviews)

Scott AFB youth center: full-day summer program plus specialty camps for military families' kids.

Scott Air Force Base, IL · St. Clair County

Youth Center

Scott AFB youth center: full-day summer program plus specialty camps for military families' kids.

★★★★½ 4.9 (11)

Fox Valley Christian Action

St Charles, IL · Kane County

Free ACA-accredited Christian day and overnight camp for grades 1-6 in low-income Fox Valley areas

Ages 6–12Contact for pricing

St Charles, IL · Kane County

Fox Valley Christian Action

Free ACA-accredited Christian day and overnight camp for grades 1-6 in low-income Fox Valley areas

Ages 6–12

Camp Little Giant

Makanda, IL · Jackson County

Overnight camp for youth and adults with disabilities; 4:1 ratio, no diagnosis required

Ages 13+Contact for pricing

Makanda, IL · Jackson County

Camp Little Giant

Overnight camp for youth and adults with disabilities; 4:1 ratio, no diagnosis required

Ages 13+

Northern Illinois Resident Camps - ADA

Volo, IL · Lake County

ADA overnight camp for children 9-17 with diabetes, at YMCA Camp Duncan in Northern Illinois.

Volo, IL · Lake County

Northern Illinois Resident Camps - ADA

ADA overnight camp for children 9-17 with diabetes, at YMCA Camp Duncan in Northern Illinois.

O'Fallon, IL · St. Clair County

Midwest Survival Swim

★★★★½4.9(9 reviews)

ISR survival swim lessons, not a camp: 15-minute 1:1 sessions 4x/week, from six months old.

Ages 0+Contact for pricing

O'Fallon, IL · St. Clair County

Midwest Survival Swim

ISR survival swim lessons, not a camp: 15-minute 1:1 sessions 4x/week, from six months old.

Ages 0+

★★★★½ 4.9 (9)

Camp Widjiwagan

★★★★½4.9(9 reviews)

ACA-accredited Girl Scouts day camp for girls K-8 on Lake Springfield; membership not required.

Camp Widjiwagan

ACA-accredited Girl Scouts day camp for girls K-8 on Lake Springfield; membership not required.

Ages 8–15Contact for pricing

★★★★½ 4.9 (9)

Camp Nageela Midwest

★★★★½4.5(17 reviews)

Skokie, IL · Cook County

Jewish overnight camp, grades 3-10, single-gender sessions on 550 acres in Marshall, Indiana.

Skokie, IL · Cook County

Camp Nageela Midwest

Jewish overnight camp, grades 3-10, single-gender sessions on 550 acres in Marshall, Indiana.

Ages 8–15

★★★★½ 4.5 (17)

Burnham Park Yacht Club

★★★★½4.8(57 reviews)

Member yacht club on Burnham Harbor with a junior sailing school; current camp details unpublished.

Burnham Park Yacht Club

Member yacht club on Burnham Harbor with a junior sailing school; current camp details unpublished.