Set your alarms, Chicago parks: Registration for select Chicago Park District summer programs begins Monday.
According to the Chicago Park District, online registration for 2024 day camps and summer programs opens at 9 a.m. Monday for parks west of California Avenue,
For parks in eastern California, online registration will open at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
If you’re hoping to register in person, you’ll be able to do that too, but it won’t be anytime soon.
In-person registration begins Saturday, April 20 or Monday, April 22 – the date depends on your park location. You can find each park’s registration date here.
Children ages 6 to 12 will be able to attend the park district’s summer day camp, which runs from June 24 to August 2. The six-week experience will include a variety of sports, arts, fitness and outdoor activities, with an emphasis on civic engagement, inclusion, team building, kindness and well-being. Moreover.
Most camps operate six hours a day, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, hours vary depending on the park.
Day camp is not the only option for children. Many summer programs are offered, and there are even some for adults and seniors.
Kids can sign up for classes on everything from archery to arts and crafts, dance, woodworking and more. Teenagers, meanwhile, have a range of options, such as self-defense classes, rowing and the Recreation Leader training program.
Adults will have the chance to hone “old skills and learn new abilities” through programs focused on boxing, band, swimming and more.
Seniors aged 60 and over are also spoiled for choice.
Opportunities include activities like boxing, Pilates and cardio, as well as others like ceramics and line dancing. The aforementioned activities, excluding day camp, will take place between June 10 and August 25.
See the full list of activities and camps for 2024
Want to see a full list of activities? The park district’s activity finder is available here.
The summer programs will take place at several sites across the city, including country homes that served as shelters for migrants. Costs vary depending on the activity, although some programs are free.
For those worried about whether they will be able to afford it, financial assistance is available.
“No child will be turned away due to inability to pay,” the park district website states.
Details on how to apply for financial assistance can be found here.
NBC Chicago
