Summer Camp: Helping your kids have the best summer EVER in Champaign-Urbana

2025 Summer Camp information coming soon!

Welcome to the 2024 Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Camps guide. If you are looking for quality experiences for your child this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Registration for summer camps is already up and running at many organizations, although some may not have information ready yet.

This guide is continually receiving updates, as camps share their information with us. Please check back frequently. 

Editor’s Note: We will keep adding and making updates to this list, so come back often. Camps listed below may be finalizing details.

Thank you to Indian Acres Swim Club and I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja for presenting this article.

Indian Acres Swim Club

Indian Acres Swim Day Camp is the longest standing day camp in the C-U area, known for its excellence in swim instruction. They meet your child in their current skills and work with them at their level to increase confidence and ability in the water. Now offering a full day option in addition to their very popular 1/2 day option! Indian Acres Swim Day Camp is a traditional outdoor camp that focuses on physical activity and fun!

Read more about camp at Indian Acres in the “outdoor” section below and visit its website.

I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja

I-Power Summer Camp is guaranteed to keep your child active, engaged, and physically fit! Kids will work on gymnastics and ninja skills, play group games, do craft/art time, and hang out with friends. The specialty camp weeks are themed and include extra-special bonus activities like tie dying, water games, a color powder war, visits from Olympic sport athletes & more! Camp is taught by experienced, professional I-Power Gymnastics staff.

Read more about camp at I-Power in the “active” section below and visit its website. 

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ACTIVE |  CREATIVE |  EDUCATIONAL |  OUTDOOR

We have created this menu and legend to help you sort through the different camps in the Champaign-Urbana area. Camps with featured listings are paid sponsors with chambanamoms.com. The lists included at the bottom of each section are to help you sort through other available options in the community. Chambanamoms.com does not endorse any camp over another and we encourage you to do your own research to find the best fit for your family this summer.

• ACTIVE – While nearly all camps are inherently active, these camps include sports, swim, martial arts, play-based day camps to reach a broad audience of participants and much more.
• CREATIVE – These camps focus on the arts, including but not limited to drama, music, maker camps and more.
• EDUCATIONAL – These include STEM camps, academic enrichment and other camps with an educational focus.
• OUTDOOR – Many camps (including most of our “active” camps) are held outdoors, but the camps in this category focus on experiencing nature as part of the camp experience. This is also where you’ll find most of our overnight camps (which are almost entirely outdoors, excluding some sports camps) a short drive from Champaign-Urbana.

LEGEND

😎  –  BIG KID, includes camps for kids over 12 years of age
🖍  –  PRESCHOOL, camps for kids not yet entering kindergarten
💦. – SWIM, camps that include swimming daily or weekly as part of the schedule (not necessarily a swimming camp)
💲. – CCRS accepted at this camp
🕗. – EXTENDED DAY, before/after care available for a fee

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Jump to camps by name:  Academy High | Allerton Summer Day Camp | Amara Yoga & Arts | Camp Countryside | Camp Invention | Camp Kiwanis | Champaign County Forest Preserve District | Champaign Gymnastics Academy | Champaign Park District | Champaign’s Best Summer Camps | Class Act | Classics Summer Camps | Fighting Illini Sport Camps | Hua Nian Art Studio | Illinois Volleyball Camps |  Indian Acres Swim Club | I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja | Parkland College | Project Athletes | Soccer Planet | Stephens Family YMCA | Uni High Summer Camps | University of Illinois Campus Recreation – Active Illini Day Camp | Urbana Fine Arts Center | Urbana Park District | Words on Fire Writing Camp for Teens | X-PLORE Summer Camp

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ACTIVE

ACTIVE CAMPS may include sports camps, swim camps, martial arts and play-based day camps

Many summer camps include physical activity; these stand out as having the most physical activity as part of their day-to-day schedule.

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I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja 😎 🖍 🕗 💦

I-Power’s preschool camp includes gymnastics, ninja, group activities, creative learning, theme activities including music, games, water fun, and crafts. Great opportunity to introduce your child to a structured setting with lots of fun incorporated. Children must be fully toilet independent. Ages 3 – 5 years.

I-Power’s school age athletic camp focuses on fitness and fun! Kids will work on gymnastics and ninja skills, play group games, do craft/art time, and hang out with friends. The specialty camp weeks are themed and include extra-special bonus activities like tie dying, water games, a color powder war, visits from Olympic sport athletes & more! Ages 5-13.

Dates 

Preschool Camp (Ages 3-5)

May 28-31 Week 1 – Land of Dinosaurs
June 3-7 Week 2 – At the Zoo
June 10-14 Week 3 – In My Garden
June 17-21 Week 4 – Frozen
June 24-28 Week 5 – Bluey
July 8-12 Week 6 – Beach & Mermaids
July 15-19 Week 7 – Under Construction
July 22-26 Week 8 – Paw Patrol
July 29-Aug 2 Week 9 Magical Kingdom
Aug 5-9 Week 10 Outer Space

School Age Camp (ages 5-13)

May 28-31 Week 1 – Ninja Challenge
June 3-7 Week 2 – Gymnastics Training
June 10-14 Week 3 – Ninja Challenge
June 24-28 Week 5 – Gymnastics Training
July 15-19 Week 7 – Ninja Challenge
July 29-Aug 2 Week 9 Gymnastics Training
Aug 5-9 Week 10 Ninja Challenge

School Age Camp for ages 5-13, runs 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., (before and after care available)

Preschool Camp for ages 3-5, runs 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Ages Served: 3-13

Location: I-Power School of Gymnastics, 215 S. Staley Rd., Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook and Instagram

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Illinois Volleyball Camps

Head to Historic Huff Hall for another summer of Illinois Volleyball Camps! The Illinois Volleyball staff and its student-athletes will help you learn and fine-tune all the skills to becoming an elite volleyball player!

New this year, their week long youth camps with Illinois Softball and Illinois Gymnastics will have five days of fun, learning from the coaches and athletes of all three sports, and will end with a supervised open/gym play time while each camper waits for their guardian to pick them up.

Dates
Youth Camps: June 3-7, June 10-14
Elite Camps: June 8 & 9, July 20 & 21

Ages served: Youth Camps, 5 – 12 years old; Elite Camps 12 – 18 years old

Location: Huff Hall, 1206 S. 4th St., Champaign

For more information: Website

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Urbana Park District  🖍 💦 🕗 😎

The Urbana Park District is offering a wide range of summer camps, including creative, nature, sports and more. Find details on all camp offerings in the program guide here. Registration for camps is already open, with Super Early Bird Prices in effect through April 2.

Dates: June 3 – August 9. Camp hours vary between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with full and part day options available.

Ages Served: 3-15

Location: Urbana Park District

For More Information: Website or Facebook

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Champaign Gymnastics Academy 🖍

CGA will be offering five weeks of Preschool Camp for Tiny Humans this summer! Camp will take place in their designated preschool gym, incorporating gymnastics, games, fine motor stations, crafts, and a daily snack. Each week has a unique theme to shape their lesson plans.

Dates:

All weeks are Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Week 1: June 10, 12, 14 – Animal Adventure: Dive into the wilderness and learn about animals in nature.

Week 2: July 8, 10, 12 – Silly Scientists: Celebrate science with an introduction to the scientific method and basic science concepts.

Week 3: July 15, 17, 19 – Community Helpers: Identify our community’s helpers and the roles they play.

Week 4: July 22, 24, 26 – Cosmic Cadets: Explore the solar system, sun, moon, and Earth.

Week 5: July 29, 31, August 1 – Artistic Antics: Creating with color and creative expression

Ages served: 3 – entering kindergarten

Location: 219 S. Mattis, Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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Champaign Park District 💦 💲 🕗 😎

Activity-filled days for kids, worry-free days for parents. Participants will enjoy a variety of activities such as sport activities, games, weekly pool days, and field trips.

Parents: Participant packets must be completed and submitted by the first day at drop off before a child can attend. Packets are both online and at the facilities for pickup. Scholarships are available. Details coming soon.

Summer Youth Program information and pricing for 2024 is coming soon! Registration will open in March.

Dates: End of May through beginning of August

Ages Served: 6-12

Location: Champaign Park District

For More Information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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Champaign’s Best Summer Camps  🕗

Looking for a fun and bully free camp for your child? Look no further! You and your child are going to love this program! Imagine how much FUN your child is going to have each day in camp while making new friends and participating in all of the awesome activities like martial arts, arts and crafts, and more!

Dates: June 3 – August 12 (dependent on Unit 4 school schedule)

Ages served: 5-12 years old

Location: Leaders for Life Martial Arts, 2413 Village Green Place, Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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Fighting Illini Sport Camps 😎

Camps with Illinois Athletics focus on the development of well-rounded athletes. Young athletes have the opportunity to learn more about their sport, improve their skills, create new friendships and have fun at the same time. Campers receive excellent coaching and meet athletes from a variety of backgrounds. They are confident that campers will benefit from the experience.

Dates: June 1 – August 1

Ages served: 8 – 18

Location: Illinois Athletic Facilities

For more information: Website

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Project Athletes

Project Athletes Speed School offers speed, agility, and conditioning training- a place to belong and a team to be a part of. PA training is not sport-specific and focuses on overall general athleticism and teamwork.

Dates: June 3 – July 26

Ages served: Grades 6 – 12

Location: Zahnd Park, Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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Stephens Family YMCA  💦 🕗 😎 💲

As the warmer days approach, it’s time to ignite the spark of excitement in your child’s summer! Imagine their laughter echoing outdoors, new friendships blossoming, and unforgettable experiences waiting to unfold.

Stephens Family YMCA summer camp registration is not just about signing up for a program; it’s an investment in your child’s growth, resilience, and joy.

From Paintball Camp to Super Swimmers to Future Mechanics, our camps offer a wide variety of fun and learning for youth entering grades K through 8.

Let your child discover their inner artist, gain new skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the chance to give your child a summer filled with laughter, learning, and endless possibilities!

Registration for summer camp opens March 4 for members and March 11 for guest members. Let the adventure begin!

Dates:  May 28 – early August

The Y offers pre-activities starting at 7:30 a.m. and post activities until 5:30 p.m.
*There is no additional cost for Y camp, however; there is an additional cost for specialty camps.

The Y also offers scholarships for those who may need financial assistance.

Ages Served: K – 8th grade

Location: Stephens Family YMCA, 2501 Fields South Dr., Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook or call (217) 359-9622

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Academy High 😎

Discover a world of creativity and exploration at Academy High’s Summer Camp! From unraveling mysteries in Crime Scene Investigation to unleashing artistic expression in Mural Painting, join rising 6th-8th graders for an unforgettable experience led by their passionate faculty. Dive into hands-on activities, forge new friendships, and make lasting memories this summer at Academy High’s engaging camp program.

Dates: June 10-14, 2024

Ages served: Rising 6th-8th graders

Location: Academy High, 2001 Fox Drive, Champaign

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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Soccer Planet

Kids will learn the basics of soccer while having a blast on the field. Their enthusiastic coaches will lead creative, age-appropriate, high energy games that will ensure an amazing soccer experience!

Soccer Planet offers both recreational and competitive camps, whether your child is trying soccer for the first time or looking to push their game to the next level.

Dates:

June 24-28
July 15-19
July 22-26
August 5-9

Goalkeeper Camps TBD

Ages served: 3-12 years old

Location: Soccer Planet, 2310 N Willow Rd., Urbana

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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University of Illinois Campus Recreation – Active Illini Day Camp

Active Illini Day Camp offers active, collaborative, and educational programming throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. Recreational programming, such as games, sports, and movement-based play, is balanced with laid-back activities such as puzzles, crafts, and reading.

Active Illini Day Camp also takes weekly field trips around the UIUC campus, giving your camper the opportunity to experience many of the wonderful amenities the university has to offer.

Dates: 

Monday, June 3 through Friday, August 2

Operating hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Early arrival: 7:30-8:30 a.m. (no extra cost)
Post care: 4:30-5:30 p.m. (no extra cost)

*No camp held July 1 – July 5

Ages Served: 5-12

Location: Campus Recreation Center East (CRCE), 1102 W. Gregory, Urbana

For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram

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More Active Camps in Champaign-Urbana:

• Champaign’s Best Summer Camp & After School
• Champaign Gymnastics Academy (CGA)
• Illinois Women’s Basketball Youth Girls Day Camp
• Savoy Parks and Recreation
• Soccer Planet
• Stephens Family YMCA
• Youth Summer Sports Camps at the High School of Saint Thomas More

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CREATIVE

CREATIVE CAMPS may include camps that focus on drama, music, the arts and more

While many camps incorporate creative activities into their day, these camps feature it as a key component of their programming.

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Amara Yoga & Arts

Kids Camp at Amara will be a blend of art and yoga in a fun and relaxed environment. Activities will be open–ended and provide an opportunity for the kids to feel empowered and be themselves. Kids will learn basic yoga elements through focused breathing, play, storytelling, balance, meditation, and creative visualization.

They want the kids to have a stress free, magical, safe environment where they can grow and flourish. Each week will have a theme that will inspire exploration through art making activities using all kinds of materials and will be loosely directed by the teachers so kids can have ownership of their own creative process. Projects will include elements of drawing, painting, sculpture, knitting, weaving, sewing and multimedia design and construction. Children will be introduced to the practice of longterm art projects that need to be accomplished in stages and take many days to complete.

Hua Nian Art Studio

For more than two decades, the Hua Nian Art Studio has been a place for children who love to draw and paint, especially for those who want to learn and grow in art. It offers the area’s most comprehensive drawing and painting program all year round. Children gain self-confidence and have fun through Ms. Nian’s gentle teaching approach, development of technique, and diligent practice. This summer, the Studio is excited to offer the 24th annual acrylic, watercolor and drawing camps!

Dates

Acrylic Painting Camp 1 – June 10-14, Monday-Friday, 9:00-11:45 a.m.

Acrylic Painting Camp 2 – June 17-21, Monday-Friday, 9:00-11:45 a.m.

Acrylic Painting Camp 3 – June 24-28, Monday-Friday, 9:00-11:45 a.m.

Watercolor Camp – August 5-9, Monday- Friday, 9:00-11:45 a.m.

Afternoon Drawing Lessons for Young Beginners – August 5-9, Monday-Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Ages served: 6 and up

Location: 1308 S. Race St. Urbana

For more information: Website, email or call (217) 377-7477

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