A variety of camps

With Elmhurst Park District camps are in session, Park District spokeswoman Megan McNamara is hoping to get the word out about camps offered for people of all ages. The district offers sports, arts, dance and typical day/general camps that feature crafts, songs, games and special field trips, she said. Adding to the appeal of the variety is the fact that most camps are offered in half-day, full-day and multi-day options. For information on camps, call (630) 833-5064 or (630) 993-8901.

Before and after care

The Park District is offering extended camp times before and after programs to accommodate working parents, McNamara said. “It’s supervised time for the kids,” she said. At Courts Plus camps, Sunrise and Sunset camps are available from 7 to 9 a.m. or from 3 to 6 p.m. Wagner Community Center Summer Rec Stations are available at the same time. “It’s available for the whole summer session or you can purchase a pack of 10 if you only need to use it occasionally,” McNamara said.

Cooling off

For the first time, the district will offer Camp Aqua Kids for 4- and 5-year-olds. “That’s for preschoolers who love the water,” McNamara said. “It’s a great introduction to summer camps. They go to the Hub and Berens Park, they go to water carnivals and games.” Older children are not left out, as camp Wet ‘n’ Wild is for 5- to 8-year-olds. It features two afternoons per week of swimming at Park District pools, a field trip to the Hub and a field trip to an outside water park once every two weeks. For 8- to 12-year-olds, Camp Water Wonders is “basically for kids who are really into playing in water,” McNamara said. Campers will go to two water parks in each two-week session, and spend afternoons at district pools.

Social skills

Besides offering children a summer full of fun activities, the camps are a great way for them to learn how to be social, McNamara said. She added the ability to meet fellow campers and branch out is important and something parents might appreciate.

Sports fun

The Park District has sports camps that begin in August, close to the beginning of the academic year, and that could be helpful for students who will play fall sports at their schools. “We have really laid-back sports camps that help kids pick up skills and have fun,” McNamara said. “We have back to school blast camps at Courts Plus that helps kids get ready for sports camps. They focus on cross country, basketball, soccer, football and all of the school sports.”