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Summer camp round-up: Wave boredom bye-bye

Summer fun is returning! Kids will get to enjoy a variety of summer camps for outdoor fun and indoor learning. (Provided photo)

Guess what’s back! Camp is back! Tell your friends! You can find your perfect summer camp fit with our go-to guide.

These camps give kids opportunities over the summer for learning, exploration, arts and athleticism, all while respecting CDC health guidelines. Forget the quiet doldrums of last year, and get ready to have fun in summer 2021.

Just for Fun

Camp 2021
With its annual summer camp, the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District provides a variety of activities, games and hands-on projects. Kids get a chance to play outdoors at the playground and enjoy entertainment, too. After Camp is available for families who need extra time. Multiple sessions offered by H-F Park District at Irwin Community Center.

Little Kids Camp Discovery
This one’s for the tots, who can play, laugh and learn at the new Discovery Preschool. In addition to enjoying the outdoors and playing with friends, campers will make crafts and perform other motor skill building activities. Multiple sessions offered by H-F Park District at Irwin Community Center.

Nature Kids Camp
Young ones who love to explore the outdoors will dig into this camp, which includes nature adventuring and also activities in art, STEM, exploration and building community. Stick around for After Camp, for an additional fee. Multiple sessions offered by H-F Park District at Irons Oaks Environmental Learning Center.

STEAM Stuff

GSU STEAM Camp
This free virtual camp provides kids 11 to 16 with a bag of supplies and directions to support camp activities, which include both recorded and live sessions, along with self-scheduled, parent-directed activities. Offered in July by Governors State University.

Girls STEAM Camp
Designed for ages 8 to 11, this camp aims to develop girls’ confidence and interest in STEAM subjects, by involving them in an investigation of comparative anatomy with forensic applications. Offered in June at Homewood Science Center.

Digital Fix://
Two different sessions provide kids ages 11 to 13 really cool opportunities to learn modern technologies. In “Build an App,” kids will work in teams using MIT App Inventor to design a mobile app that can help solve a problem. In “Green Screen Movie Scene,” try your hand at producing photo and video content using green screen technology. Students will debut final projects during a family VIP premiere party. Offered in July at Homewood Science Center.

Jedi Engineering With Legos
Prepare to defeat the Empire! In two age groups, young ones from 5 to 12 will fly into this introductory engineering course. They’ll explore engineering principles with Legos while constructing Star Wars-inspired motorized and architectural projects. Instructor-led course offered in June by H-F Park District at H-F Racquet and Fitness Club.

Pokemon Engineering With Legos
It doesn’t get much better than designing your own Poke Balls, exploring the Kanto region and flying with Charizard during this weeklong camp that lets kids in two age groups discover engineering through the vast world of Pokemon with tens of thousands of Legos. Instructor-led course offered in July by H-F Park District at H-F Racquet and Fitness Club.

Summer of Code: Web Wizards
In this introductory course, students ages 6 to 9 will create their very own custom game or story, while exploring computer science topics like Web safety, sequences, loops and events. Sessions help instill meaningful collaboration and problem solving. Offered in July at Homewood Science Center.

Get hands-on

Hobo Jungle
This perennial favorite camp teaches kids to use basic carpentry tools as they build themed full-size structures. Safety is stressed and reinforced. Campers will spend part of their day in the construction area, where safety is taught and reinforced, and the rest playing organized games. Multiple sessions offered by H-F Park District at Flossmoor Park.

Hobo Jungle lets kids work with tools and build projects. (Provided photo)

Crime Scene Investigation Camp
Investigate, collect evidence and gain an understanding of forensic laboratories with hands-on experiences during this expert-led camp for kids ages 8 to 10. Offered in June at Homewood Science Center.

Makey Makey Design Studio
Kids 8 to 11 will use a Makey Makey circuit board kit to create a cardboard game they design within the Scratch programming language. Offered in July by Homewood Science Center.

So Dramatic!

Musical Theater Camp
Presented by the renown Bel Canto Children’s Choir, this virtual camp geared toward kids ages 8 to 12 teaches them a choreographed dance routine to “Hand Jive” from the movie “Grease.” At the same time, they’ll learn vocal projection, stage presence and techniques for quick memorization. Culminates in an online performance for family and friends. Offered in June via Google Meet.

GSU Theatre Summer Camp
Singers, dancers, improvisers and writers ages 8 to 15 can take a magic carpet ride in this immersive musical theater camp that focuses on scenes from the Disney movie “Aladdin.” A final in-person performance for friends and family makes this non-competitive camp especially exciting. No experience necessary. Offered in June at Governors State University.

Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra
Kids ages 9 to 12 who are interested in the violin can try this immersive camp to receive hands-on instruction from a 30-year professional. Instruments and materials are provided for in-class use while students learn beginning technique and music reading skills. A concert for family and friends comes at the end. Offered in August by H-F Park District at Irwin Community Center.

Go for gold

Golf Camps
Coyote Run Golf Course hosts a number of camps for young golfers of all levels to get on the greens. In Coyote Pups, kids ages 5 to 8 set off on the right foot by learning proper technique for grip, aim and setup. Junior Golf Camp continues to develop these skills for young people ages 9 to 15. Two age groupings hit the course in Let’s Go Play, where kids can put their skills to the test. Clubs are available to borrow and buy. Offered in June and July by H-F Park District at Coyote Run Golf Course.

Flag Football Camp
Kids ages 7 to 12 learn the fundamentals of passing, route-running, defensive techniques and ball handling while honing speed and agility. Learn fundamentals and improve your game through team and individual competition. Offered in July by H-F Park District at Lions Club Park.

Make a new friend at tennis camp. (Provided photo)

Tennis Camps
Four levels of tennis camps are offered by H-F Park District in June, July and August at H-F Racquet and Fitness Club.

Little Stars: Kids 4 to 6 will focus on basic sending and receiving skills. Camp is designed to help hand-eye coordination and develop athleticism.

Middle School: Players 7 to 10 will be introduced to topspin, a variety of serve progressions, rallying and keeping score.

Junior Aces: Designed for intermediate to advanced intermediate players, children 11 to 14 will learn aspects of tennis including strokes, rallying, recovery and decision-making skills.

High School: This camp helps players 14 to 18 train for match play and tournaments with live ball drilling and competitive play, grouped by ability.

Basketball Camp
Kids ages 7 to 12 will learn fundamentals and improve their game through team and individual competition. Athletes will receive training on shooting, dribbling, rebounding, ball handling and defensive techniques. Offered in June by H-F Park District at the H-F Sports Complex.

Chicago Union Ultimate Frisbee Camp
Get to know ultimate frisbee with basic rules and strategies, proper catching techniques, how to throw a backhand and forehand, and basic competitive skills. This beginner class is for kids 8 to 13. Offered in August by H-F Park District at Lions Club Park.

Marian Catholic High School Athletic Camps
For younger students at all grade and skill levels, Marian Catholic offers athletic camps to learn fundamentals and skills from coaches of each program. Sports include baseball, softball, running, basketball, fencing, football, cheerleading, soccer, golf, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Offered in June and July at Marian Catholic High School.

Chicago White Sox Summer Camp
Go! Go! White Sox Summer Camp! Kids ages 5 to 12 will learn from programs designed by professional coaches at the White Sox organization. Campers of all ability levels will work on throwing, hitting, fielding and base-running. Offered in July by H-F Park District at Lions Club Park.

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