Summer Camp: Helping your kids have the best summer EVER in Champaign-Urbana
Are you interested in highlighting your summer camp? Email us to find out more information about listing your camp in our 2026 summer camp guide.
Welcome to the 2026 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 Champaign Park District and Indian Acres for presenting this comprehensive guide.
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 at three convenient locations.
Read more about their camp at Champaign Park District in the “active” section below and visit its website.
Make a splash this summer at Indian Acres Swim Camp—where confidence grows, skills improve, and fun is guaranteed! With experienced instructors, small groups, and daily time in the pool, campers build strong swimming foundations while making great memories. Perfect for all levels, from beginners to confident swimmers.
Read more about their camp at Indian Acres Day Camp in the “outdoor” section below and visit its website.
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
Jump to camps by name: Academy High | Allerton Park Summer Day Camp | Amara Yoga & Arts Kids Camp | Campus Cooperative Preschool | Camp Countryside | Camp Kiwanis | Champaign Ballet Academy | Champaign County Forest Preserves | Champaign Park District | Class Act | CU Community Fab Lab | D-BAT Champaign Baseball/Softball Camp | Horizon Climbing Summer Camp | I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja | Illinois Makerlab at Gies College of Business | Illinois Volleyball Camps | Indian Acres | Parkland College for Kids | Stephens Family YMCA | Uni High Summer Enrichment Camp | University of Illinois Soccer Camps | Urbana Fine Arts Center | Urbana Park District | Words on Fire Writing Camp for Teens
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.
Champaign Park District 💦 💲 🕗 😎
Champaign Park District offers day camps for ages 3 through 14. Camps include Preschool Camps and Creative Kids at Springer Cultural Center, Adventure Explorers at Leonhard Recreation Center and Douglass Community Center, and Teen Trailblazers, which gives teens the opportunity to explore their community and beyond, and Farmhands at Prairie Farm.
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Ages served: 3-14 years old
Location: Leonhard Recreation Center, Springer Cultural Center, Douglass Community Center and Prairie Farm
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Illinois Volleyball Camps
Illinois Volleyball Camps offer the chance to train with the University of Illinois staff and players. They combine skills development with competitive play to improve skills and build confidence in a high-energy environment, making for an unforgettable camp experience.
Dates: All dates have two separate camp sessions, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and/or 1 – 3 p.m.
June 6 and June 7
June 13 and June 14
June 20 and June 21
July 11 and July 12
Ages served: 10 – 18 years old
Location: Huff Hall at the University of Illinois, 1206 S. 4th St., Champaign
For more information: Website
I-Power Gymnastics and Ninja
I-Power’s summer camps focus 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, and more. I-Power preschool camp includes gymnastics, ninja, group activities, creative learning, theme activities including music, games, water fun, and crafts.
Dates:
School Age camps run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are for ages 5-13. Early drop off (7-7:30 a.m.) and late pick up (5 – 5:30 p.m.) are available for an extra charge.
Week 1 – June 1-5
Week 2 – June 8-12
Week 3 – June 15-19 – Color WARS
Week 4 – June 22-23
Week 5 – July 6-10
Week 6 – July 13-17 – WATER WEEK
Week 7 – July 20 – 24
Week 8 – July 27 – 31
Week 9 – Aug 3-7 – ILLINI FANS
Preschool camps run from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and are for ages 3-5. Campers must be fully toilet independent.
Week 1 – June 1-5 – Land of Dinosaurs
Week 2 – June 8-12 – Art Attack!
Week 3 – June 15-19 – Safari Expedition
Week 4 – June 22-26 – Under Construction
Week 5 – July 6-10 – Bluey
Week 6 – July 13-17 – Pirate Adventure
Week 7 – July 20-24 – Frozen
Week 8 – July 27-31 – Paw Patrol
Week 9 – Aug 3-7 – Space Explorers
Ages served: 3 – 13 years old
Location: I-Power School of Gymnastics, 215 S. Staley Rd., Champaign
For more information: Website
Champaign Ballet Academy
Since 1998, Champaign Ballet Academy has been providing quality ballet training to Central Illinois. While some CBA students go on to professional careers in ballet, most students are here for the fun, the challenge, and the reward of an inspired ballet experience. Focus, drive, discipline, and commitment learned at CBA transfer to other activities.
Dates: June 15 – August 7, summer semester
Pre Ballet ages 4-7, 3 sessions : Tuesday and Thursday 4:15 – 5 p.m.
Ballet I/II : Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 4:15-5:30 p.m.
Ages served: 3 – 18+
Location: Champaign Ballet Academy, 2810 West Clark Road, Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
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.
Camp information and the camp program guide will be released in January/February.
Financial assistance is available through the Stephens Family YMCA and CCRS.
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
University of Illinois Soccer Camps 😎
The Illinois Soccer Day Camps provide soccer campers of all levels with fun instruction on the technical aspects of the game including dribbling, passing, and shooting. In the older age groups, campers will also be challenged in the tactical areas of the game. Players will be grouped based on age, level, and skill to ensure a proper learning environment.
Dates: June 1-4 – Day Camp; July 20-23 – Skills Academy
Ages served: Grades K-8
Location: Demirjian Soccer and Track Park, 606 St. Marys Rd, Champaign
For more information: Website
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 will open February 7.
Dates: June 3 – August 7. 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
Campus Cooperative Preschool
Splash, Create & Play — Summer Camp Fun for Little Explorers!
Looking for a joyful, safe, and exciting way to keep your preschooler busy this summer? Preschool Summer Camp is the perfect mix of play, creativity, and sunshine—designed just for curious kids ages 3–5!
Campus Cooperative camp runs for six weeks, and families can choose any weeks that work for them. Join for one week or all six. Every week is packed with age-appropriate adventures, including:
- Outdoor play to run, jump, and explore
- Water play days to cool off and giggle
- Arts & crafts that spark imagination and creativity
- Group games & activities that build confidence and friendships
Their days are thoughtfully planned to keep little campers engaged, happy, and smiling—while still leaving plenty of room for free play and discovery.
Note: Campus Cooperative Preschool is a DCFS-licensed facility. The camp is run by 3 experienced teachers.
Dates: Hours are 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Week 1: June 1 – 5 – Fun with Fairy Tales: Castles and Dragons!
Week 2: June 8 – 12 – Science Explorers: Let’s Experiment!
Week 3: June 15 – 18 (4-day week, no camp on June 19, in observance of Juneteenth) – To the Rescue: Superheroes in our Neighborhood!
Week 4: June 22 – 26 – All about Reptiles and Amphibians!
Week 5: June 29 – July 2 (4-day week, no camp on July 3rd, in observance of Independence Day) – Happy Birthday USA! with a Patriotic Parade on July 2
Week 6: July 6 – 10 – X Marks the Spot: Pirate Treasure!
Ages served: 3 – 5 years old
Location: Wesley Methodist Church, 1203 West Green Street, Urbana
For more information: Website or Facebook
D-BAT Champaign Baseball/Softball Camp
D-BAT Champaign is your ultimate destination for everything baseball and softball. Their summer camp for boys and girls ages 6-12 will run every weekday from the first week of June through the middle of August from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every camp will include fun, games, competitions and instruction in all areas of baseball and softball. Their instructors are the best in the area and will keep players actively engaged. Sign up for a single day, for a week or for the whole summer! Membership discounts apply.
Dates: Anticipated dates are June 1 – August 7, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ages served: 6 – 12 years old
Location: D-BAT Baseball and Softball Academy, 1912 Glenn Park Drive, Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Horizon Climbing Summer Camp
At Horizon Climbing Summer Camp, kids ages 7-12 will learn climbing technique, play games on and off the climbing wall, and make new friends! Horizon Climbing is a family-friendly bouldering gym that beginner, intermediate, and advanced climbers will enjoy. Summer camps are led and organized by Mika Malter, early childhood professional and co-owner of Horizon Climbing. Please email info@climbhorizon.com to inquire about age restriction exceptions.
Dates:
Session 1: June 8-12; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily
Session 2: June 22-26; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily
Session 3: July 13-17; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily
Session 4: July 27-31; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily
You are welcome to sign up for multiple sessions!
Ages served: 7-12 years old
Location: Horizon Climbing, Round Barn Road, Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
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.
Academy High
At Academy High’s summer camps, programs are intentionally designed for middle school students, with most offerings serving grades 6–8 and a limited number of spots available for 5th grade students who are ready for a challenge. Camps are led by experienced educators and structured around small-group, project-based learning that encourages curiosity and independence. Families can combine morning and afternoon camps for a full-day experience that feels purposeful, engaging, and supportive.
Dates: June 8 – 12
Ages served: Rising 6th-8th graders, with limited spots available for rising 5th graders
Location: Academy High, 2001 Fox Drive, Champaign
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Amara Yoga & Arts Kids Camp
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. 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 muti-media design and construction. Children will be introduced to the practice of long-term art projects that need to be accomplished in stages and take many days to complete.
Dates: June 2 – August 7
Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ages served: 5 – 12 years old
Location: Amara Yoga & Arts, 300 S. Broadway, Urbana
Class Act 😎
Class Act offers quality theatre and performing arts camps taught by professional educators. Their programs help young people gain confidence and skills while exploring their creativity through acting, improvisation, singing, dancing, and circus arts!
Dates
June 8-July 31; Schedule varies weekly, with half day (9 a.m. – noon or 1-4 p.m.) and some full day opportunities.
Pay-What-You-Can plan available for those requiring assistance.
Ages served: 5-14
Location: Academy High, 2001 Fox Drive, Champaign
For more information: Website or Facebook
Urbana Fine Arts Center 🕗
Urbana Fine Arts Center (UFAC) offers a summer camp with classes and activities in dance and art, taught by experienced teachers and professional artists. Besides ballet and other types of dance, campers will learn about folk dances and art from different regions of the globe, each week has its own theme.
At UFAC, they provide a warm and safe environment where children experience, learn and enjoy fine arts. UFAC is located in a very accessible area with parking space available and surrounded by beautiful landscaped grounds.
Dates: June 1 to July 24, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Full day and half day options. Early drop-off at 8 a.m and late pick up at 5:30 p.m.
Ages served: 6 to 12 years old
Location: Urbana Fine Arts Center, 2860 Philo Road, Urbana
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Words on Fire Writing Camp for Teens
At Words on Fire, teens retreat for a week to a beautiful natural setting near Fairmount, IL to learn the art of writing stories. Author Alice McGinty leads interactive sessions teaching character development, plot, voice, and mystery and fantasy writing. Camp includes individual writing time, group critique, individual critique, and plenty of fun, including bonfires (and s’mores) and free time activities.
This year’s theme is making connections — between characters, story elements, and with each other.
Dates and ages served:
Overnight camp sessions run from 9-10 a.m. on Monday until 4:30-5 p.m. on Friday.
Day camp hours are from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. with an overnight campout on Thursday night and a 4:30-5 p.m. pickup on Friday.
Session 1 – Monday, June 8 – Friday, June 12 – Girls entering grades 6-8
Session 2 – Monday, June 15 – Friday, June 19 – Girls entering grades 7-9
Session 3 – Monday, June 22- Friday June 26 – Girls entering grades 8 and up
Session 4 – Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7 – Boys entering grades 7-10
Session 5 – Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14 – Girls entering grades 6-8, boy day campers
Location: Words on Fire Writing Camp for Teens, Fairmount, IL
For more information: Website or Facebook
EDUCATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL CAMPS may include STEM/STEAM camps, programs with an academic emphasis and camps that focus on certain professions, trades or skills
Education can happen in a number of ways (including spending time outside and in creative, unstructured moments); the camps in this category have more of an emphasis on curriculum/instruction as part of their camp programming.
CU Community Fab Lab
The Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab offers high-tech, hands-on summer camps for youth ages 10+ that bridge the gap between digital design and physical making. Campers move beyond basic screen time by using professional tools like 3D printers, sewing machines, laser cutters, and electronic sensors to bring their own unique projects to life, from custom plushies and digital games to tiny houses and functional electronics. Campers will discover and learn new skills fueled by their curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
Dates:
June 8-12
June 15-18 (closed for June 19 holiday)
June 22-26
June 29-July 3 NO CAMPS
July 6-10
July 13-17
July 20-24 NO CAMPS
July 27-31
August 3-7
Morning camp sessions start at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Afternoon camp sessions start at 1 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. Camper drop-off begins 30-minutes before the camp sessions start. Aftercare is available.
Ages served: 10-15 years old
Location: Performing Arts Annex, 1301 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Parkland College for Kids
Parkland College presents exciting youth and teen camps to fill the summer days! College for Kids two-week, half-day camps for ages 6–13 offer fun and engaging STEAM classes in coding, technology, visual and performing arts, culinary, math, science, and much more. DiscoverU, the teen programming, offers students 12-18 the opportunity to explore camps that may lead to potential careers and help develop and build key skills for the future in Parkland’s state-of-the art facilities. Registration opens February 16 with Early Bird Discount through March 15. Scholarships available. See their website for over 70 camps!
Dates:
College for Kids
June 15 – 25, 12:45 – 2:45 p.m. and 3 – 5 p.m.
July 6 – 16, 12:45 – 2:45 p.m. and 3 – 5 p.m.
DiscoverU, teen programming: various weeks in June and July,
Ages served: 6-18 years old
Location: Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley, Champaign
For more information: Website or Facebook
Camp Countryside 😎
Camp Countryside is open to ANY student from ANY school. Choose from enrichment camps in STEM, theater, fantasy, performance, global cultures, art, adventure, sports and more – including Put on a Musical, Personal Finance for Middle Schoolers, Origami, Mythical Creatures, Time Travels, Dungeons & Dragons, and the exceptionally popular Footprints (local exploration/field trips).
Dates
Week-long camps: June 8 to July 3 (no camp June 19), Monday through Friday. Choose half day or full day options.
Ages served: Entering Kindergarten – 9th grade.
Location: Countryside School, 4301 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign,
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram or call (217) 355-1253
Illinois Makerlab at Gies College of Business
At Illinois MakerLab, campers design on screen and hold their creations in their hands — from Minecraft worlds turned into 3D printed models to robot arms they build and train themselves. Located at the University of Illinois, the lab offers five unique STEM camps for ages 10+ that blend cutting-edge technology like AI, 3D printing, and robotics with hands-on, project-based learning. With small class sizes and university-grade equipment, every camper gets to take home what they make.
Dates:First Week of June to the End of July.
Morning camps 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., afternoon camps 1-4 pm, five days a week.
Your child can do both camps and stay through the lunch hour and they have provision for drop off starting at 8:30 a.m. and late pickups till 5 p.m.
Ages served: 10 – 17 years old
Location: Business Instructional Facility, 515 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign
For more information: Website or Instagram
Uni High Summer Enrichment Camp 😎
Uni Summer Enrichment Camp Classes are taught on a wide variety of subjects by school faculty, students, and community volunteers. Uni Summer Camp supports diversity and welcomes students from all backgrounds and ethnicities. Camps are open to students entering 5th, 6th or 7th grade.
Dates: Week 1: June 1–5; 2eek 2: June 8–12
Monday–Friday 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Students can register for Week 1, Week 2, or both
Ages served: Students entering grades 5, 6, or 7 in Fall 2026
Location: University of Illinois Laboratory High School, 1212 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
For more information: Website
OUTDOOR
OUTDOOR CAMPS conduct nearly all of their camp activities outdoors (weather permitting) during the summer
It may seem like nearly all of the camps in this post have outdoor activities and that may in fact be true; the camps on this list identify as “outdoor camps” in that nearly all of the camp activities (weather permitting) are held outside.
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. They offer 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.
Dates: 10 weeks, beginning June 1 and continuing through August 7
Ages served: 3-13
Location: Indian Acres Swim Club, 1 Arrow Road, Champaign
For more information: Website or call (217) 352-9538; Facebook and Instagram
Allerton Park Summer Day Camp
Get your child outside all day to discover art, nature, and science through hands-on exploration at Allerton Park Summer Day Camp. Acorns, campers aged 5-7 years, and Adventurers, campers aged 8-11 years, will spend their time doing whole-group and small-group, structured and camper-led exploration activities in the great outdoors. Camp will provide your child with opportunities to learn new skills, exercise responsibility, and understand their place in the natural world – in addition to playing games, making new friends, and having a whole lot of fun!
Each week of camp features a different theme and requires registration for each week. Themes this year are: Imagination Station, I Spy!, All About Illinois, Survival of the Fittest, Crafty Creations, Jammin’ Together, Science Center, and Farm to Table. Two snacks, a camp T-shirt, and all necessary materials and supplies are included in registration fees. Lunches can be purchased as an add-on. Adventurers (campers aged 8-11 years) will take twice-weekly trips to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center.
Dates: Jun 8 – Aug 7 (no camp the week of Jun 29-Jul 3), 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with options for early drop-off from 7 – 8 a.m. and late pickup from 3 – 5:30 p.m. for an additional cost
Ages served: 5-7 and 8-11 years old
Location: Allerton Park, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello
For more information: Website or Facebook
Camp Kiwanis 😎 🕗
Nestled in a beautiful forested setting, Camp Kiwanis offers a high-energy outdoor day camp experience where every day is a new discovery – whether campers are hitting a bullseye at archery, navigating the waters by canoe, or diving into hands-on STEM explorations or creative arts projects.
Rooted in Girl Scout tradition, this ACA-accredited camp fosters a spirit of inclusivity and warmly welcomes both Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts. With a unique camper-led planning approach, trailblazers don’t just attend camp – they design their own adventure, making Camp Kiwanis the perfect place to gain independence, make lasting friendships, and explore the great outdoors!
Dates: June 8 – July 31, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., before and after care available
Ages served: Entering grades 1 – 10
Location: Camp Kiwanis, 301 Sugar Lane, Mahomet
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Champaign County Forest Preserves
Forest Preserves summer camps offer immersive, hands-on experiences rooted in nature, science, and local history—set entirely within real forest preserves. Led by environmental educators and historians, these camps encourage curiosity, exploration, and connection to the land through outdoor discovery, creative projects, and place-based learning. Unlike traditional camps, each program helps campers build a lasting relationship with the natural world right in their own community.
Dates: Various dates June – July 2026
Ages served: 3 – 17 years old
Location: Champaign County Forest Preserves
For more information: Website, Facebook or Instagram
Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:
