Thank you to Mabel’s Labels for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Some would argue that Summer is the most wonderful time of the year. It really is such a special season. Everyone is outside from sunup to sundown, and it’s a time when kids can truly be kids. I firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to go to camp. Camp has always been an integral part of who I am, from childhood to who I am today.

I’m thrilled to bring you the inaugural, Annual Summer Camp Roundup by A Glass of Goldwater. This guide is the premier resource for all Chicagoland families for choosing summer camps for their kids. 

Because this is the inaugural roundup, we carefully selected only 5 camps to feature. It’s our hope for 2020 that we will have a comprehensive list of ALL camps in the Chicagoland area. 

So why Mabel’s Labels?

You know that pre-camp and pre-school letter that comes home from the teacher or counselor saying: “YOU MUST LABEL EVERY SINGLE THING THAT YOUR CHILD BRINGS TO CAMP!”? As parents, we have to label SO MUCH that we might as well stick a label on our kids’ foreheads. 

There are a few different ways that you can choose to label, but we’re big fans of Mabel’s Labels. Why? Whether they’re heading to summer day camps or overnight camp, Mabel’s Labels has the perfect collection of personalized name labels and clothing labels to keep everything in order and from getting misplaced. Great for swim gear, backpacks, water bottles, camp trunks, toiletries and more, these essential summertime labels are the best way to avoid mix-ups and lost items at camp. Plus, allergy and medical alert labels help to keep kids safe. See all of Mabel’s Labels Camp Labels here. Did we mention, they’re waterproof? 

For all of these reasons and more, we’re proud to partner with Mabel’s Labels to sponsor the Summer Camp Roundup, and without further adieu, let’s dive into the magical world of camp!

**It should be noted that the Summer Camp Roundup is an informational resource as opposed to a camp review. 

 

• Dates: May 28th – August 30th
• Ages: Pre-K – 8th grades
• Cost: $100 – $765
• Description: Fun, hands-on STEM will keep your budding scientist or engineer engaged over the summer! Curious explorers (PreK & grades K-8th) will build STEM skills and creative problem solving with different exciting themes each week. At Noggin Builders Summer Camps, each day is filled with science experiments, open-ended explorations, and design projects in STEM. Robotics camp (5th-8th) includes robotic design and coding. Noggin Builders offers flexible options to meet the needs of your summer. Because each week’s theme and activities are different, you can sign up for the weeks that fit your child’s schedule and themes they love!
• For more information visit nogginbuilders.com or email info@nogginbuilders.com. 

Rootz

• Dates: Multiple camps available June 10th – August 16th
• Ages: 3-14 years
• Description: Rootz was founded in 2017 to provide a variety of unique, high-quality activities to the youth and families in the Chicago North Shore community. Rootz provides an inclusive environment where participants come to learn and, most importantly, have fun. The facility is designed with the youth and parents in mind. A vast array of creative arts, fitness and performing arts camps are offered throughout the summer and entire year. At Rootz, there’s something for everyone!
• For more information visit getrootz.com/camp/summer_camp/.

Lincoln Park Zoo Summer Camp 

• Dates: Multiple camps available June 10th – August 23rd, full or half-day options
• Ages: PreK-4th grade (Summer Conservation Camp) and 5th-8th grade (Zoo Crew)
• Description: Conservation Camp (PreK-4th) offers exciting exploration opportunities for animal and nature lovers from preK to those entering fourth grade in fall 2019. Each Conservation Camp group explores the zoo and participates in activities to discover animal diversity, environmental conservation, and ways Lincoln Park Zoo cares for animals at the zoo and conserves them in the wild. 
• Zoo Crew (5th-8th) is a two-week summer learning opportunity for campers entering grades 5–8 in fall 2019. Through team-building and experiential learning activities, campers will explore the relationships between animals, humans, and ecosystems. They will meet zoo scientists and zookeepers, go on field trips, sleep over at the zoo, and ultimately complete a project that generates awareness about a conservation issue. 
• For more information on Conservation Camp click here. And for more info on Zoo Crew click here.