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General Recreation Camps
Summer Warm-Up
Jump into summer with this one-week pre-camp that runs from the end of school until the beginning of Session I camp. Campers are grouped by age and enjoy different field trips each day, as well as crafts, sports and games. Parents will receive a calendar and field trip schedule two weeks before the program begins.
You Are My Sunshine (YAMS)
Introduce children to the camp experience and enjoy sharing their adventures. A parent, guardian or caregiver joins each child to participate in story time, art, songs and play two days per week for one hour. The camp facilitator guides children and adults through an exploration of themes and activities. The socialization can help prepare children for a classroom setting. Children must be 2 years old by 6/18/12.
Kids Corner (Ages 3-4)
This half-day variety camp is the perfect first camp for preschoolers, introducing them to summer fun with carefully supervised indoor and outdoor activities planned around a weekly theme. Group games, playground time, water play and nature walks combine with arts and crafts, small group activities and story time. Once each week, campers enjoy 30 minutes of drawing instruction by Young Rembrandts, and a guest entertainer visits every Friday. Our caring and compassionate staff create a warm, friendly environment to make the first camp experience enjoyable. Counselors encourage social skills, such as sharing, taking turns and following directions. Campers must be potty-trained and 3 years old by 6/18/12. (Staff to camper ratio is 1:8)
Little Sportsters (Ages 4-5)
Everyone's a winner in this non-competitive, first sports camp. Little Sportsters play a variety of sports, while learning to follow the rules and work as a team. The focus is on fundamentals of sports, teamwork and physical fitness with an emphasis on sportsmanship rather than winning. Sportsters learn critical skills, such as following directions, taking turns and socializing. Each session offers appropriate field trips and/or sports-related guests. Parents can sign up for two, three or five days per week. The camp offers a low staff-to-child ratio (1:8) to ensure personal attention. Campers must be 4 years old by 6/18/12.
Camp Curiosity (Ages 4.5-6)
This delightfully diverse camp offers a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, group games, nature activities, Spanish lessons and fitness activities, planned around a weekly theme. Twice each session, we welcome a local entertainer or venture out on a field trip. Choose Camp Curiosity I for five days per week or Camp Curiosity II for three days per week. Campers who attend five days per week have swim lessons twice a week at the Northbrook Sports Center Pool. Campers must be potty-trained and 4.5 years old by 6/18/12. (Staff to camper ratio is 1:8)
Kaleidoscope Kids (Ages 5-7)
Promote self-expression and friendship for your child during this fun-filled, classic camp with exciting twists. Kaleidoscope Kids provides the perfect day camp experience with activities that foster socialization and personal exploration. The staff-to-camper ratio is 1:8. A four-week session offers a variety of activities, including:
- One field trip per week
- Professional science instruction once per week
- Swimming lessons twice each week
- Recreational swimming twice each week
- Professional art instruction once per week
- Camp-wide activities and theme days
New! Camp All S.T.A.R. (Ages 5-7)
Feed your child's need for technology and fun with our specialty camp that emphasizes Science,
Technology, Art and Recreation in a classic camp atmosphere. Daily hands-on activities create learning communities to spark campers' interest and ignite their excitement for building, creating and problem- solving. Projects with COMPUTER EXPLORERS will emphasize technology, including digital arts, robotics, engineering and programming.
A four-week session includes the following:
- Recreational swim two days per week
- One field trip per week
- Science instruction twice per week
- Specialized art instruction
- Theme days, group games and team-building
- Swim lessons once per week
Mighty Mites (Ages 6-7)
Join the Mighty Mites team at this fast-paced camp that teaches the basics of a variety of sports and games. Campers focus onmastering one sport each week, with specialized instruction and skill-enhancing games. Traditional games take the spotlight also, as campers learn the importance of teamwork and patience. Sports may include baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, floor hockey, team handball and football. The staff-to-camper ratio is 1:8
A four-week session includes the following:
- Indoor and outdoor skills and drills
- Sports-related art projects
- Martial arts and gymnastics twice each session
- One field trip each week
- Swimming lessons twice each week
- Recreational swimming twice each week
New! Camp Exploration (Ages 7-10)
Grab your compass and prepare for a summer filled with thrilling exploration. Weekly adventures will focus on animals, nature, outdoor exploits and environmental stewardship. Campers will travel to exciting destinations, such as zoos, aquariums, wildlife preserves and conservatories, once or twice per week. Rounding out the fun-filled schedule are outdoor activities, games, arts and crafts, science projects and swimming.
Camp Challenge (Ages 8-12)
New adventures and camp classics combine to make every day fabulous at Camp Challenge. Campers can explore and push their limits on thrilling field trips and daily challenges that include: team-building activities, camp-wide tournaments, swimming, science, arts and crafts and an overnight adventure. Campers bond through themed days that encourage creativity and self-expression. The positive,supportive environment allows campers to discover new friendships and interests.
A four-week session includes the following:- Recreational swim three days per week
- One field trip each week, such as professional baseball games,
Magic Waters and Action Territory - Professional science instruction once per week
- Professional art instruction once per week
- Themed days, such as Everybody's Birthday, '80s Day and Be-A-Chef
Artistic Adventures (Ages 8-11)
Promote a love of art by supporting your child's creative side with a camp that focuses on the fundamentals. Campers draw upon their imagination as they learn to express their creativity with guidance from three professional artists. Projects emphasize design, perspective and personal exploration, using a variety of media to create masterpieces. Individual attention enhances the learning process and promotes self-confidence at every level. At the end of each theme-based session, the budding artists display their creations at an art show for friends and family. The camp also includes two art-related field trips each session, recreational swimming twice per week and outdoor activities focusing on natural art.
Discover and develop athletic potential with Sports Camp, offering a variety of lifetime sporting activities. Each session may include instruction on the following: basketball, volleyball, baseball, handball, soccer, track and field, flag football, floor hockey, bowling and ultimate frisbee. Wacky theme days and crazy camp games combine with drills, structured sports and tournaments. Campers will build leadership skills and increase physical fitness awareness.
Sports Campers are on the move! Swim lessons are offered twice each week at the Northbrook Sports Center Pool and recreational swim twice each week at the Sports Center Pool or Meadowhill Aquatic Center. In addition, campers take a different field trip each week to popular destinations, such as Action Territory, professional sporting events and outdoor water parks.
Camp groups are formed primarily for attendance purposes and change frequently during games to encourage fair play and teamwork.
New! Outdoor Adventures (Ages 12-14)
Log off and get outside! This high-energy, weekly camp focuses on outdoor adventures and nature awareness in a safe, encouraging environment. Join us to experience kayaking, rock climbing, biking, water sports and hiking. Campers also can get up close and personal with wildlife while exploring zoos, forest preserves and other natural areas. Examples of possible trips include: a day in the life of a ranger, behind the scenes at the zoo and wildlife encounters at the aquarium. Choose a few weeks or sign up for all eight to enjoy the outdoors, adventures and hanging out with friends. Each week includes two unusual field trips and free swim at our pools.
Junior Counselor Apprentice
Do you love working with young children? Bring your energy and enthusiasm to the Northbrook Park District and enjoy summer as you train to become a Junior Counselor. You'll help Park District staff with campers, and we'll help you develop leadership skills and prepare for jobs. You'll assist campers of all ages throughout the day and build self-esteem as you work with children who look up to you as a role model.
If you want to become a Junior Counselor Apprentice, fill out an application at the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Avenue, or online at nbparks.org.
Applications are due by March 1, 2012. Applications received after the deadline will be kept on file for possible openings. Interviews will take place during March and acceptance letters will be mailed in April. The minimal fee includes training, field trips and supplies for each four-week session.
Northbrook Golf Academy
Hats off to young golfers! The Northbrook Golf Academy (NGA) offers one-week camps that focus on skills application, course management, rules and etiquette. PGA professionals teach the camps, which include prizes and gifts. Levels 3-4 include daily lunch from Open Kitchens.
Level 1 (Grades K-3)
Explore the game of golf for the first time, and learn the basic skills through fun games. Key fundamentals and skills will be established through a step-by-step process with daily on-course play.
Level 2 (Grades 3-5)
Golfers will gain an appreciation of the game while improving their strokes and learn rules, etiquette and safety while playing on-course. After completing this level, players can participate in the Anetsberger Youth Golf League.
Level 3 Grades 4-7 (Ages 9-12)
Players learn to manage the course strategically, while enhancing their shot-making skills. Structured practices will incorporate skills challenges to improve concentration. Staff will use V1 video swing analysis and TrackMan® technology. After completing this level, students can participate in the Sportsman’s East 9 Youth Golf League.
Level 4 (Grades 7-9)
Develop the skills needed to play competitive golf in high school. Sportsman’s is the home course for the GBN Boys’ and Girls’ Golf Teams. Our tournament-experienced staff will cover advanced short game and full swing techniques as well as course management, shot selection and mental strategy. Golfers will play on the Classic and East 9 Courses, learn to perform under pressure, and learn techniques to improve future performance.
In addition, our TrackMan system and V1 technology will help analyze each player’s equipment and swing. Campers will enjoy contests and skills tests and receive a development plan for improvement, as well as entry into Sportsman’s Youth Club Championship.
Private Golf Lessons are available. Call Sportsman's Country Club at 847·291·2351 for details.
Babes on Broadway (Grades 1-2)
If your children are interested in music, dance and drama, give them an early start developing their talent with Babes on Broadway, an introductory workshop in the performing arts. Our professional staff teaches daily classes in acting, singing and dancing, and the workshop culminates in the presentation of a musical revue. The workshop includes theatre-related field trips, special classes in performance arts, swimming and other outdoor activities. Daily attendance is mandatory.
Creative Drama (Grades 3-5)
The Creative Drama Workshop offers daily classes in music, dance and drama, with scenery, costumes, makeup and props supporting the creative efforts. Master classes, theatre-related field trips, swimming and other outdoor activities keep the workshop a well-balanced choice for active, arts-minded children. The Creative Drama Workshop culminates in a fairy tale theatre production performed by the young thespians. Daily attendance is mandatory.
Theatre Arts (Grades 6-10)
Act! Sing! Dance! Build scenery! Children entering grades 6-10 can do it all with the Theatre Arts Workshop, which offers an integrated course of study in the performing arts. Students experience all aspects of the theatre, on stage and behind the scenes, and perform a musical comedy as the final project. Field trips and special master classes are included in the fee. Daily attendance is mandatory.
Skate & Dance Camp (Grades 1-8)
Campers enjoy daily skating instruction, practice time and an off-ice dance class in this popular and diversified camp. Two four-week sessions also include arts and crafts, light baking/candy making, theme lunch days, open swim three days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) and two field trips per session. At the end of each session, campers present a short recital for family and friends. Children are grouped by age and skating level; friendship requests will not be accepted. The instructional portion of camp differs slightly from our regular skating school program; the camp atmosphere is more relaxed. Several weeks before camp starts, parents receive a camp guide and a camper information form.
Skate & Dance Camp Counselor Assistant (Grades 9-10)
Do you enjoy working with young children who love to skate and dance? Join our camp team and train to be a Counselor Assistant. CA’s will assist staff and campers throughout the day with various activities on and off the ice, while learning more about leadership and skills necessary to become an instructor or counselor. CA’s must be entering 9th grade and be in Freestyle 5 or above.
If you are interested in a counselor assistant position, applications are available at the Sports Center. Completed applications are due by January 16, 2012. Interviews will be arranged in January and applicants will be notified after February 6, 2012.
Learn to Play Hockey Camp (Grades 3-8)
This camp is designed for skaters who have never played hockey but have always wanted to learn. Instruction will focus on improving skating skills and increasing knowledge and understanding of the game. Students will have one hour of on ice instruction each day, as well as an hour of off-ice training that will focus on strength drills and stick handling skills. Fun outdoor activities and games will also be used for conditioning and team play. Camp ratio is 1:10. Requirements: Basic skating ability (able to skate across the ice by yourself, fully stop on the ice and beginning backwards skating), helmet with face guard and stick. Other hockey pads recommended, but not required.
Youth Hockey Academy (Grades 3-5)
Improve your hockey game this summer with professional instruction in a fun camp atmosphere. Skaters play in their respective age groups, or in-line with their individual abilities. Students receive training from experienced coaches and players. Staff to student ratio is 1:10. Camp is open to both male and female players. Hockey levels: Squirt, Mite, Girls U8-U12, House league, and or equivalent lesson experience. Ice time will incorporate skating instruction (edges, agility drills, transitions, stops and starts) and game play. On ice skill instruction will focus on shooting, stick handling and passing. The off-ice portion will focus on core strength training, puck control, shooting, stick handling and plyometrics specifically designed for the needs of young players. Organized outdoor sports, swimming (every Wednesday and Friday) and games will also be used for conditioning and team play. Full hockey equipment required.
