2013
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2013 camp guide
DIGITA makeitbetter.netL E DI T I O N
AUDITIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SUMMER ACTING PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
SUMMER PERFORMANCE PLAYHOUSE
PROFESSIONAL TEEN SUMMER INTENSIVE
This four-week intensive challenges the committed musical theatre actor under the direction of ATC Musical Theater Director Janet Louer. Two casts of actors will each workshop a popular musical, with a focus on acting, singing, and dancing. Shows will be performed on the Wilmette Theatre stage. Current shows under consideration include Chicago, A Chorus Line, Urinetown, Avenue Q, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Legally Blonde.
In addition to strengthening monologue, on- camera, improv, voice technique, and scene study skills, students will have the unique opportunity to revise their resumes and take new headshots under the guidance of leading industry professionals. Students will have the chance to interface with Chicago agents and casting directors, and the class culminates in a showcase for invited industry professionals so students can launch their professional careers with confidence.
CAST 1
CAST 2
SCHEDULE
PROGRAM
Performances: Sat, July 13 @ 11am Sun, July 14 @ 11am & 5pm
Performances: Sat, July 20 @ 11am Sun, July 21 @ 11am & 5pm
MANDATORY PREP CLASS
FINAL SHOWCASE
Rehearsals run June 17 - July 12, Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 1:30pm
Rehearsals run June 24 - July 19, Mon - Fri, 2 - 6pm
Tuition: $1,300 (one show) • Grade Level: (entering) 7th - 12th grades
TO SIGN UP FOR AN AUDITION: 2
2013 camp guide
August 4 - August 19
Mon - Fri, 9am - 4pm
Mon, August 19 @ 7pm
Sun, August 4, 9am - 4pm Tuition: $1,500 • Grade Level: (entering) 9th - 12th grades
EMAIL INFO@ACTORSTRAININGCENTER.COM 847-251-8710 / ACTORSTRAININGCENTER.COM makeitbetter.net
Where Science, Nature & Fun Meet! Science, nature, art, and ecology come together for kids ages 2 to 15.
New this year, Camp CBG gives parents flexible scheduling options with before- and after-camp care. We offer half- or full-day camps from June 17 to August 16, 2013. Our instructors are highly qualified, and many have been teaching with Camp CBG for more than five years. All staff members participate in annual training, are first-aid certified, and love teaching.
t
Get outside this summer and take advantage of the facilities and expertise at the Chicago Botanic Garden!
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Click here to view classes and register online.
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contents 2013 camp guide
Choosing a summer Overnight camp: day camp u When to push your reluctant child u By L au r a Hine
Summer arts camp u By K aren Gentry
By Mel anie K alm ar
Managing food allergies at overnight camp u
Into the wild: Trip camps u
Great camps listing u
By k ristina tob er
By Mel anie K almar cover Photo courtesy of Lake of the Woods
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Imagine More... Exciting, hands-on, progressive educational activities taught by master teachers, a wide variety of games and play, and small camp groups led by fun and caring counselors are the hallmarks of Baker Summer Discovery. Our camp program offers a unique summer of growth and learning for the whole child. Open to all campers entering Pre-Kindergarten ďż˝ Grade 9
For the creative and curious camper.
SUMMER DISCOVERY
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REGISTER TODAY! bakerdemschool.org
Family Owned and Operated
ng
Spor ts
s
Field Trip
For Kids Ages 5–i2 June i0th to August i6th
Swimmi
es l u d e h c S e l Flexib e any Day Com w a nt! you
3 Convenient locations Glenview Servicing • Des PLaines
• Northbrook & More
Libertyville Servicing • Lake Villa
• Lake Zurich • Wheeling & More
Naperville Servicing • Lisle
• Glen Ellyn • Wheaton & More 6
GoodTimesDayCamp.com 2013 camp guide
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choosing a summer day camp 5 questions to ask By L aur a Hine
I am the laziest mother in the world when it comes to driving my kids, so when we were looking at summer day camps, my only question was: Can they walk? (They could, and did.) But perhaps you’re a nicer mother, and are willing to drive your children to their summer fun. In that case, the North Shore is your oyster, and the choices can be overwhelming. Here are five questions to help guide your decision.
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1 Does my child love the camp’s main activity?
Don’t sign your sportloving soccer player up for “Cosmic Chemistry” no matter how much you think she might like to improve her science grade. This may seem obvious, but parental aspirations can sometimes supercede good sense.
2 Are any friends signing up?
Not every child needs friends to make camp fun, but Dave Clatch, of the family-owned and operated Good Times Day Camp, which has various North Shore locations, notes that “friends are very important to making camp a better experience.” A gregarious child might plunge in unaccompanied, but for most kids, a familiar face or two makes the transition to camp much easier.
3 Is lunch included?
Trivial? Perhaps, but if your mornings are rushed, a lunch-included option can make your summers much more pleasant. On the flip side, if you have a fussy eater or a child with allergies, packing a sack lunch might be the preferred food option.
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4 How do you keep track of the children at the beach or pool?
According to Dave Thoensen, co-director of Tamarak Day Camp in Lincolnshire, water safety questions deserve their own answers. Start with how big is the swim group, but also ask how children are evaluated and is everyone on the water safety staff a lifeguard or are some “look outs?”
5 Who are your counselors?
Some camps use students, but others set themselves apart by their counselors. Amy Kerr Wells, manager of camp programs for the Chicago Botanic Garden, says that their camps are taught by “degreed adults,” who are teaching professionals and assisted by high school or college students. It’s also worth asking about what background checks the camp uses.
And finally, if you’re not sure, ask for references and call a parent whose child was in the program last summer.
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• Coed Overnight Camp, ages 7–16
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• Traditional Activities, Horses, Teen Programs, Adventure Trips
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Click here to watch video of Camp Anokijig
• Sessions from 4 days to 1 or more weeks • Located 2 hours from Chicago
Overnight Summer Camp • Transportation Available Online Registration Available • Outrageous Fun!! 1 0 2 0 1 3 c a mWI p g• uid e makeitbetter.net Plymouth, www.anokijig.com • 800.741.6931
Overnight
Camp When to Push Your Reluctant Child B y M e l a n i e K a lm a r
Is it right to send a child to sleepaway camp if he or she is strongly opposed to it? “Absolutely not,” says Gordie Kaplan, executive director of the American Camp Association in Chicago. “The camper is going to fight the experience, and maybe have homesickness, and
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not make it through the session.” Even worse, the child’s quest to prove mom and dad wrong will make everyone around them unhappy, too. However, not every expert feels that way. Don’t give up, says Beth Levine, a social worker at The Family Service Center of Wilmette. “Your reasons for sending your child to overnight camp should coincide with what they want.” Help them find the positive in the experience.
“They learn to negotiate the world around them,” says Enid Grabiner of Camp & Teen Travel Consultants in Northbrook. They make their beds, wash their clothes, navigate friendships and manage conflict. It also presents them with opportunities to speak up for themselves. For example, if they don’t like the food, they learn how to say, “I don’t like this,” and ask for something else to eat.
W h y r a l ly f o r camp?
M a k e the decision a bou t sleepaway ca mp w ith you r child, not for them
Studies show overnight camp is great preparation for college, Levine says. Campers experience much less homesickness and greater independence. Why?
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First, find out why they are reluctant to go, Levine says. It could be:
FOR KIDS, CAMP IS ALL ABOUT
FUN & FRIENDS!
K TO NT C I L C ARE S P H L C WAT AMONIA TEST
RIDING • SAILING • TENNIS • SWIMMING • ARCHERY • AND MUCH MORE!
PARENTS KNOW it’s about growing up and the power of fun! 3 Generations of Trusted Educators. 2 Exciting Camps. 1 Fun Summer. 0 Chauffeurs Necessary!
THE VISIT AMP C BOYS u GO
TOWERING PINES CAMP for BOYS, since 1946
CAMP WOODLAND for GIRLS, since 1970
VISIT GIRL THE S CA GO u MP
LOCATED IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN CONTACT US TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TOWERING PINES & WOODLAND ADVANTAGE!
eaglerivercamps.com • 847-446-7311 • info@eaglerivercamps.com 2013 camp guide makeitbetter.net
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• Paralyzing anxiety that can be overcome with therapy • Leaving behind friends and family • Missing out on a summer sport Ta k e b a b y s t e p s
• Reduce their anxiety by visiting the camp first • Enroll in a “mini-camp,” a three- to four-day version of a full session. • Register for one to two weeks maximum • Suggest a friend join them If they remain u ncon v inced, r esea rch a lt e r n at i v e s t o ov e r n i g h t c a m p
• Theater and arts programs • Community service 14
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• Specialty camps (Space Camp and Lego Engineering are among them) • Sports camps • Teen tours. Putney Student Travel in Vermont hosts non-camp adventure and cultural immersion trips. Kaplan admits overnight camp is not for everyone. It depends on the child and whether they are emotionally ready and feel secure. Also, some kids are opposed to camp because they embrace the lazy days of summer and keep themselves busy, Grabiner says. As long as your kids have something to do, our experts agree that it’s okay to pass on overnight camp.
sports • waterskiing • sailing • tripping • American Indian traditions
Camp Kawaga – an exciting and fun tradition like none other for the development and growth of your son.
• 4 or 8 week sessions • Ages 7–16
• 1 or 2 week sessions available for Rookie Campers under age 10.
98 SUMMERS OF CAMPING! LOCATED IN MINOCQUA, WI
(847) 383-5643
KAWAGA.COM
Interlochen Center for the Arts is in its 85th season of offering summer arts programs in Northwest Michigan. 16
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summer
camp Interlochen and Blue Lake, traditions in Michigan By K aren Gentry
The benefits and rewards of attending an arts camp are many. For some kids, it’s their first opportunity to connect with other kids who are as passionate about a certain activity as they are. “Everybody here on campus wants to be here and wants to be here in a very sincere way,” says Chris Hintz, national marketing and communications manager for Interlochen Center for the Arts in northwest Michigan. “For the student it’s very eye-opening and rewarding to be around people that care about their art as much as they do.”
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Stewart Music Shell at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
lent. McFarlin notes that Blue Lake’s counselors undergo nine days of training before they see their first camper. A R a nge of Progr a ms a nd L e n g t h s o f S tay
O u t s ta n d i n g Fac u lt y
Both Blue Lake and Interlochen are renowned for the strength and caliber of their faculty. Bill McFarlin, director of the international program for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp says, “Our faculty come from all over the U.S. and Canada. One of the best resources we have is our faculty and our staff,” says. The counselors at both camps are also excel18
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The length of summer programs at Interlochen vary by age and range from one to six weeks—junior programs are two weeks, intermediate programs are three weeks and some high school programs are six weeks. Blue Lake offers four 10-day sessions; the first two sessions are for high school students and the second two sessions are for junior high school students. Although Interlochen is most widely recognized as a music camp, there are many new programs of equal caliber that are less well known, according to Hintz. For its
An acclaimed North Shore institution celebrating 40 years of excellence in training children and adults in the theatre arts. Offering camps, classes, workshops, and more.
click to see our summer classes ď ľ
847.8 66. 65 97 | EVANSTON, I L | P I V ENT H EAT R E .ORG
About 5,400 students, including many from the Chicago area, attend summer sessions at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. The summer arts camp is located on a 1,400acre campus in Twin Lake, Michigan.
new filmmaking program for high school students, Interlochen brings in filmmakers, screenwriters and faculty members dedicated to the motion picture program, where students work with cameras, sound stages, editing suites and lighting. “It’s kind of a hidden gem right now,� Hintz says. Other new programs include animation, a singer-songwriter pro20
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gram and rock music program. At Blue Lake, students declare a major in choir, jazz, piano, harp, band or theater. Students can also select from roughly 30 minors ranging from radio broadcasting to guitar to creative writing. Other examples of minors include fiddling, team sports, conducting, music composition, jazz, contemporary dance, world music, health and fitness and
radio broadcasting. “There are always new and interesting minors. It’s always changing,” McFarlin says. Every student also now has the opportunity to see opera during their stay at Blue Lake as well as live Shakespeare in the new Elizabethan theater. Interlochen, of course, offers similar opportunities to see live performances.
Cost a n d A p p l i c at i o n Timeline
The cost to attend Blue Lake is typically about $1,000 to $1,200 depending on the program selected; the cost of Interlochen is $1,000 to $1,600 per week, for programs anywhere from one week to six weeks long (so, the total cost can range up to $7,970). Both
World Youth Symphony Orchestra performs at Interlochen
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2012 production of Children of Eden at Interlochen Center for the Arts
camps offer more than $1 million in merit-based scholarships and financial aid. Camp registration is first come, first served at Blue Lake and it has sold out every year, McFarlin says. “We’re usually full by May, but some majors may be filled earlier than that,” he says. Hintz says that while Interlochen encourages students to submit their applications by February 1, there is still room in most of the programs and the camp considers applications on a rolling basis until 22
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the programs fill. He notes that some programs fill very quickly, particularly the theater program. Interlochen has streamlined the audition process. Although parents and students may get nervous about the thought of the audition, there’s “nothing to lose by submitting an audition to see what happens,” Hintz says. For more information, visit interlochen.org or bluelake. org.
Harand Camp Sulie and Pearl
of the
Theatre Arts est. 1955
SINGING, DANCING, ACTING SPORTS & ACTIVITIES CO-ED, AGES 7 TO 18 NON-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT MODERN FACILITIES ON LAKE MICHIGAN 1, 3, AND 6 WEEK OVERNIGHT SESSIONS
Contact Us!
847-864-1500 harandcamp@gmail.com www.harandcamp.com Where Island” and EVERYONE is a STAR! 2 3 2 0“No 1 3 c a mMan p g u i d Is e an makeitbetter.net
ls
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s a p n m d a c f es t r e m iva m u Beginning June 13, 2013
Musical Theater Camps • Adult Piano Camp Quintet Attacca • Chamber Camp for Winds Art of the Jazz Band • Chicago Suzuki Institute Guitar Boot Camp • Chicago Duo Piano Festival
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For more information: 847.905.1500 • musicinst.org/summer
2013 camp guide
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Managing Food Allergies at Overnight Camp B y M e l a n i e K a lm a r
Avoiding foods that trigger allergic reactions is a way of life for children with food allergies and the families who love them. But many families wonder if their child’s savvy is enough to navigate sleepaway camp
with new conditions, foods and friends. The answer, according to camp directors and experienced families, is yes—you just need to prepare ahead of time, when camp directors can focus on your child.
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With approximately 5.9 million kids, 1 in 13, suffering from a food allergy, it is a serious public health concern that camps should be able to handle, says Nancy Gregory, of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE, foodallergy.org) in Virginia. Three North Shorebased camps with grounds in Wisconsin, Beber Camp in Mukwonago (bebercamp. com) Camp Kawaga in Minocqua (kawaga.com) Camp Menominee in Eagle River, (campmenominee.com) are peanut-free, employ medical staff on-site and work with parents to create food management plans.
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How can you tell if an overnight camp is equipped to care for kids with food allergies? Follow these guidelines created by FARE: • Has the camp previously cared for kids with food allergies? • Are counselors trained to administer an Epipen? • Is there medical staff on-site? • Is a hospital nearby? Before choosing a camp, think about emergencies, and make sure it is within a reasonable distance from your home. Once you’ve selected a camp, do your due diligence: • Review the menu with the head chef.
• Read all ingredients and make necessary substitutions. • Find out how food is prepared to avoid cross-contamination. • Examine the camp’s food allergy management plan, and your food allergy action plan with the staff. • Bring the plan to your child’s allergist for approval. Tips for making sure your child doesn’t feel left out: • Consult with other mothers. Denise Bunning, cofounder of the North Shore support group Mothers of Children Having Allergies (MOCHA, mochallergies.org), and Dr. Ruchi Gupta, included a chapter
on overnight camp in their book, “The Food Allergy Experience” (CreateSpace, 2012). • Ask for the itinerary and find a way to include your child in every facet of camp. For Highland Park mom Bari Lichtman, it meant sending safe treats for her son to pick up at the canteen. • Make sure your child eats with a friend, if separate seating is recommended at mealtimes. • Assign a buddy who can recognize an allergic reaction. Once you’ve done your part, and everyone knows the drill, all that’s left is to have fun.
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Spend your summer in the Colorado Rockies at Cheley Camps Besides growth and fun, Cheley delivers a healthy break from the pressures that our young people face today. Our family is really grateful for EVERYTHING that Cheley provides! Your staff all do a wonderful job! – Camp Parent
Click to take a virtual tour of Cheley u
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Boy and Girls Ages 9-17 1-800-CAMP-FUN www.cheley.com
into the wild: trip camps By Kristina Tober
Many summer camps offer a “trip� option. For some, that means one night camping 50 feet away from their cabin. For others, it can mean a two-night canoe trip. Often, the trip is optional and just one of the many electives offered, like riflery and sailing.
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Only a small number of summer camps center their curriculum around a wilderness trip. “There’s nothing like a wilderness experience to develop a child in body and spirit,” explains JR Verkamp, director of Kooch-i-Ching, an all-boys camp in Minnesota. “Through a trip’s adventures and challenges, our youth not only gain a respect and reverence for nature, but for themselves as well.” 30
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W h at ’ s a w ilder ness tr ip ?
Some trips involve backpacking or mountaineering, others canoe or kayak trips. Depending on the age and experience level of each group, a trip can last from 5 days to a month in the wild. While in camp, participants help with trip planning and preparation. They are taught how to paddle, portage a canoe, carry a wigwam, read a map, pitch a
tent, start and build a fire. Older campers finesse climbing, and wilderness survival skills that they will put to use on their wilderness adventure—whether hiking across the peaks of Colorado or paddling the waterways of North America. A reputable trip camp requires its wilderness trip leaders to be certified in wilderness first aid, American Red Cross CPR, whitewater training and leave-no-trace camping. They should have an evacuation plan, and provide satellite phones to trip leaders. T r i p ta k e away s
Every summer camp teaches valuable life lessons, but on a wilderness trip, the gains may be greater.
S e l f - co n f i d e n c e and resilience. “My sons learned to make fires when cold and make meals from what they packed. They learned to manage bad weather and find resilience from within,” says Catherine Yehle, mother of two boys who have attended Kooch-i-Ching for many years. “On these trips, they are literally and figuratively learning to navigate the rapids.” Teamwork. “It quickly becomes clear that everyone can and has to play a role; there is no bench for the weakest player,” adds Ellen Flight, director of Songadeewin, an all-girls camp located in Vermont. Strength. There’s nothing like paddling for eight hours a day or traversing a mountain to build strength
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and endurance, and to prove to yourself and others just how strong you are, physically and emotionally. Appreciation for the little things. For many kids, it’s the first time they really know hunger, crave a shower and a warm bed. Even better, it’s the first time they experience the magic of the northern lights or a beaver at work. Peace and quiet. A wilderness trip provides time to think, reflect and imagine. There is no electricity, no technology, only a campfire and tent, your trip mates and mother nature. “Over four weeks a camper will spend approximately 280 hours outdoors, paddling and portaging canoes, experiencing animals and trees in
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the wild; they will hike, fish, start fires, make and build things and stretch their imagination,” reflects Verkamp. “During the equivalent period, the child left inside will spend 182 hours watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Internet.” Fin ding a tru e w ilder ness tr ip camp
One of the best resources is the American Camping Association, the largest national camp association in the U.S. To become a member, a camp must be audited every three years, and is checked on hundreds of items covering everything from health and safety to wilderness tripping. The ACA’s website is acacamps.org.
TAMARAK DAY CAMP
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE TAMARAK!
REGISTER NOW FOR 2013! 2013 CAMP SEASON June 17 – August 9 • 4, 6 or 8 week options Instructional Swim Twice Daily Sports, Performing Arts, Archery, Nature, Tennis, Specials Week and Athletic Clinics! Door to door transportation Before and after camp care available SCHEDULE A TOUR OR REGISTER TODAY!
847.634.3168 • TamarakDayCamp.com
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23970 N. Elm Road, Lincolnshire, IL makeitbetter.net
great camps
Actors training center at the Wilmette theatre Wilmette, IL | 847-251-8710 actorstrainingcenter.com The Art Center of Highland Park Highland Park, IL | 847-4321888 | theartcenterhp.org Baker Summer Discovery Wilmette, IL | 847-425-5814 bakerdemschool.org Big Blue Swim School Wilmette, IL | 847-729-POOL bigblueswimschool.com
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Camp Anokijig Plymouth, WI | 800-741-6931 anokijig.com Camp CBG at the Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL | 847-835-8361 chicagobotanic.org/camp Camp kawaga Minocqua, WI | 847-3835643 | kawaga.com Camp Woodland for girls Eagle River, WI | 800-8827034 | campwoodland.com Cheley Colorado Camps Denver, CO | 800-CAMPFUN | cheley.com
Foss Swim School Highland Park, IL 847-266-FOSS Libertyville, IL 847-680-SWIM fossswimschool.com Game On! Sports Camp 4 Girls Lake Forest, IL | Chicago, IL Decatur, MI | 847-229-9959 gameonsportscamp.com Good Times Day Camp Glenview, IL | 847.729.4884 Libertyville, IL | 847.680.4884 Naperville, IL | 847.680.4884 goodtimesdaycamp.com Harand Theatre Camp Kenosha, WI | 847-8641500 | harandcamp.com
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Loras College All-Sports Camp Dubuque, IA | 563-588-7053 lorasallsportscamps.com
Northwestern Wildcat Baseball Camps Evanston, IL | 847-491-4651 wildcatbaseballcamps.com
Music Institute of chicago Evanston, IL | Highland Park, IL Lake Forest, IL | Winnetka, IL 847-905-1500 | musicinst.org
Northwestern softball camps Evanston, IL | 847-491-4291 northwesternsoftballcamp.com Northwestern volleyball camps Evanston, IL | 847-467-2134 northwesternvolleyballcamps.com
North Suburban YMCA Summer Day Camps Northbrook, IL | 847 272 7250 nsymca.org Northwestern Boys Soccer Academy Evanston, IL | 847-491-4392 nusoccercamps.com Northwestern Girls Soccer Academy Evanston, IL | 847-467-5297 nugirlssoccercamps.com
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Piven Theatre Workshop Evanston, IL | 847-866-6597 piventheatre.org Tamarak day Camp Lincolnshire, IL | 847-634-3168 tamarakdaycamp.com Towering Pines for Boys Eagle River, WI 800-882-7034 toweringpinescamp.com
Northwestern Sports Camps BOYS BASEBALL
wildcatbaseballcamps.com
GIRLS SOFTBALL
northwesternsoftballcamp.com
VOLLEYBALL
northwesternvolleyballcamps.com Visit us online for a full camp schedule and details.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
r e f f o S p M A C r e M M Y Su iTY & vAlue vArieTY, flexibil 40 Y Camps! Choose from over
CHeCK ouT THe Y CAMp GuiDe AT WWW.NSYMCA.orG The North Suburban YMCA 2705 Techny Road Northbrook, IL 60062
847-272-7250 www.nsymca.org