Programs

Dive into a summer of culinary exploration with our hands-on and fun-filled cooking experience! Our specially crafted kid-friendly full meal recipes are designed to whisk together excitement and learning. At our camp, we blend the joy of culinary arts with the wonders of science, creating a unique space where children can expand both their skills and palates. Join us to ignite a lifelong love for healthy cooking and adventurous eating. Our goal is to make every dish a delightful journey, one that children will relish and remember. Come, cook up some fun with us this summer, and let the flavors of creativity and discovery unfold in every bite!

Sections & Details

Summer School Worlds of Wonder D64 students can extend their day at S.S.O Nature Camps. This camp picks up summer school campers, and is not a drop off camp. Staff will be transporting Summer School campers and will pick up campers at Emerson at the release time for the D64 program (10:00am or 11:40am). Take part in outdoor adventures, science discoveries, and nature-based fun after summer school. Hike through the Wildwood Prairie and the Des Plaines River Trail, fish and dip net in the ponds, cook over the campfire, and enjoy experiments, live animals, and games like Capture the Flag, Zombie Tag, and Color War. Each week includes a special event like an Animal Show, Science Show, tie-dye, or Archery, or a field trip like Rock Climbing or Canoeing. Summer School Option Nature camp is separate from full day Nature Camp and is divided in separate rooms for ages 6-8 and 9-11(separate schedule, and separate indoor/outdoor space for Olders and Youngers). Transportation cost is included with the registration fee from the D64 summer school site to the camp site. Camp is located at Maine Park. All campers please bring daily: nut free lunch with drink (preferably in an eco-friendly container), swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. MPLC • Swimming at Centennial Aquatic Center (2-3 times a week, weather and safety depending) • Summer School Option Nature Campers can attend a full day of camp from 9:00am-3:00pm when D64 Worlds of Wonder summer school is not in session (June 8, 12, 19. 26 and July 3). • Special Events (during 2 of the 4 weeks) - such as Animal Shows, Science Shows, Archery • Field Trips (during 2 of the 4 weeks) - such as rock climbing, hiking, or canoeing • One camp t-shirt per summer for field trip weeks • Before Care and Summer School Shuttle available at Maine Park location • After Care add-on available at Maine Park location • Camper to Staff Ratio: 8:1 for ages 6-8 / 10:1 for ages 9-11 • Camp Location: Maine Park (Separate indoor and outdoor space for Youngers and Olders) • Camper must be registered in D64 Worlds of Wonder to attend this camp

Sections & Details

Summer School Worlds of Wonder D64 students can extend their day at S.S.O Nature Camps. This camp picks up summer school campers, and is not a drop off camp. Staff will be transporting Summer School campers and will pick up campers at Emerson at the release time for the D64 program (10:00am or 11:40am). Take part in outdoor adventures, science discoveries, and nature-based fun after summer school. Hike through the Wildwood Prairie and the Des Plaines River Trail, fish and dip net in the ponds, cook over the campfire, and enjoy experiments, live animals, and games like Capture the Flag, Zombie Tag, and Color War. Each week includes a special event like an Animal Show, Science Show, tie-dye, or Archery, or a field trip like Rock Climbing or Canoeing. Summer School Option Nature camp is separate from full day Nature Camp and is divided in separate rooms for ages 6-8 and 9-11(separate schedule, and separate indoor/outdoor space for Olders and Youngers). Transportation cost is included with the registration fee from the D64 summer school site to the camp site. Camp is located at Maine Park. All campers please bring daily: nut free lunch with drink (preferably in an eco-friendly container), swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. MPLC • Swimming at Centennial Aquatic Center (2-3 times a week, weather and safety depending) • Summer School Option Nature Campers can attend a full day of camp from 9:00am-3:00pm when D64 Worlds of Wonder summer school is not in session (June 8, 12, 19. 26 and July 3). • Special Events (during 2 of the 4 weeks) - such as Animal Shows, Science Shows, Archery • Field Trips (during 2 of the 4 weeks) - such as rock climbing, hiking, or canoeing • One camp t-shirt per summer for field trip weeks • Before Care and Summer School Shuttle available at Maine Park location • After Care add-on available at Maine Park location • Camper to Staff Ratio: 8:1 for ages 6-8 / 10:1 for ages 9-11 • Camp Location: Maine Park (Separate indoor and outdoor space for Youngers and Olders) • Camper must be registered in D64 Worlds of Wonder to attend this camp

Sections & Details

Hike the woods and prairie, fish in the ponds, cook over the campfire, and enjoy games, experiments, nature study, live animals, and projects. Learn about the world indoors and out, being green, and most importantly, how to have fun in nature! Nature and Science theme weeks and a field trip or special event each week (such as animal shows, science shows, archery, canoeing, and rock climbing), round out the adventure. Each week Nature Camp also tie-dyes, cooks over a campfire, hikes the Des Plaines River Trail, goes fishing and pond dipping, and plays Zombie Tag. Separate camp rooms for Ages 6-7 (Youngers), Ages 8-9 (Juniors), Ages 10-12 (Olders). • Swimming at Centennial Aquatic Center (approx. 2-3 times a week) for Nature Camp Youngers and Nature Camp Juniors; Swimming at Hinkley Pool and Centennial Aquatic Center (approx. 2-3 times a week) for Nature Camp Olders • Apply sunscreen before coming to camp. Bring a nut-free lunch and snack in a reusable container, water bottle, swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen daily. Pre-ordered hot lunch is also available. • One camp t-shirt per summer for field trip weeks • Field Trips (during 5 of the 10 weeks for Youngers and Juniors) - such as Indoor Rock Climbing, Canoeing, and others; Special Events (during 5 of the 10 weeks) - such as Animal Shows, Science Shows, Archery; Additional field trip weeks for Olders • Camper to staff ratio: Youngers 8:1, Juniors 8:1, and Olders 10:1. • Location: Wildwood Program Center (separate indoor and outdoor space for Olders, Juniors, and Youngers)

Sections & Details

Hike the woods and prairie, fish in the ponds, cook over the campfire, and enjoy games, experiments, nature study, live animals, and projects. Learn about the world indoors and out, being green, and most importantly, how to have fun in nature! Nature and Science theme weeks and a field trip or special event each week (such as animal shows, science shows, archery, canoeing, and rock climbing), round out the adventure. Each week Nature Camp also tie-dyes, cooks over a campfire, hikes the Des Plaines River Trail, goes fishing and pond dipping, and plays Zombie Tag. Separate camp rooms for Ages 6-7 (Youngers), Ages 8-9 (Juniors), Ages 10-12 (Olders). • Swimming at Centennial Aquatic Center (approx. 2-3 times a week) for Nature Camp Youngers and Nature Camp Juniors; Swimming at Hinkley Pool and Centennial Aquatic Center (approx. 2-3 times a week) for Nature Camp Olders • Apply sunscreen before coming to camp. Bring a nut-free lunch and snack in a reusable container, water bottle, swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen daily. Pre-ordered hot lunch is also available. • One camp t-shirt per summer for field trip weeks • Field Trips (during 5 of the 10 weeks for Youngers and Juniors) - such as Indoor Rock Climbing, Canoeing, and others; Special Events (during 5 of the 10 weeks) - such as Animal Shows, Science Shows, Archery; Additional field trip weeks for Olders • Camper to staff ratio: Youngers 8:1, Juniors 8:1, and Olders 10:1. • Location: Wildwood Program Center (separate indoor and outdoor space for Olders, Juniors, and Youngers)

Sections & Details