Registration Opens Soon for Chicago Park District’s Summer Day Camp. Here’s What to Know

Eunice Alpasan | April 7, 2025, 9:00 am

(Courtesy of Chicago Park District)

Parents and guardians, on your marks, get set… Online registration for Chicago Park District’s popular summer day camp begins next week.

The six-week summer camp runs from June 23 to Aug. 1. Most camps run for six hours a day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with times varying by park.

Specific programs can be viewed on the Chicago Park District’s website.

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Summer day camp activities include sports, arts and fitness, according to the park district’s website, with themes incorporated throughout such as civic engagement, environmental awareness, inclusion, collaboration, journaling and kindness.

The camp is for children 6 to 12 years old, as determined by the child’s age on Sept. 1 following the camp, according to the park district.

Online registration begins at 9 a.m. Monday, April 14, and 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, depending on the park. April 14 online registration applies to programs at parks located west of California Avenue, while April 15 online registration applies to programs at parks located east of California Avenue.

Online registration for gymnastics centers opens at noon April 15.

Before online registration, caregivers are recommended to either create or check their online account, and update their wishlist and account information, according to a registration checklist on the park district’s website. Caregivers can also view screenshots of the online registration process to know what to expect.

In-person registration will be held on either April 19 or April 21 for most parks, according to the park district.

Registrations vary per park with some locations filling to capacity quickly while other locations may not reach capacity until the program starts, Chicago Park District spokesperson Michele Lemons said in a statement.

“Many highly sought after programs are available in other parks across the city,” according to the Chicago Park District’s website. “If you can be flexible on your location, you’ll have a greater chance of getting into the program you want.”

This summer, fees are being raised to bring fees back up to pre-pandemic levels and to address rising operational costs, according to Lemons, adding that day camp fees remain below pre-pandemic levels at 97% of Chicago parks even with the fee increase.

The park district will not turn away a child for a family’s inability to pay, according to Lemons. Financial assistance is available to families who qualify.