Summer is for fun—
at Bennett, fun fuels growth
For kids aged 4 to 14, Bennett Day Camp is the launchpad for your child’s next great adventure. We match the joy of summer camp with the rigor of real-world exploration. From our nurturing Junior Kindergarten tracks to our specialized Middle School intensives, every week is designed to spark fearless discovery. Your child will embark on thrilling field trips, build lifelong friendships, and return home ready for what’s next.
Summer 2026 Camp Guide
Weeks of Flexible Fun.
Bennett Day Camp runs from June 8 to August 21, 2026, giving you a full summer of options. We’ve made it simple to tailor the experience: just mix and match our Art, Movement, and STEM tracks to suit your schedule and your child's mood. No rigid commitments—just a summer that works for you.
Field Trip Fridays!
Every Friday, campers cap off their week with a chaperoned adventure to some of Chicago’s most exciting destinations.
From the sensory wonders of Sloomoo and the Color Factory to the high-flying energy of Altitude Trampoline Park and classic summer fun at Navy Pier, we curate experiences that spark wonder. It’s the perfect balance of structured supervision and real-world exploration—giving your camper a safe way to navigate the city they call home.
Camp Hours
Early Morning Care: 7:30 am-8:30 am
Daily Camp: 8:30 am-3:00 pm
Extended After Care: 3:00 pm-5:30 pm
Middle School Camps: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
| Week 1 | June 8, 2026 | June 12, 2026 |
| Week 2 | June 15, 2026 | June 18, 2026 |
| Week 3 | June 22, 2026 | June 26, 2026 |
| Week 4 | June 29, 2026 | July 3, 2026 |
| Week 5 | July 6, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
| Week 6 | July 13, 2026 | July 17, 2026 |
| Week 7 | July 20, 2026 | July 24, 2026 |
| Week 8 | July 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 |
| Week 9 | August 3, 2026 | August 7, 2026 |
| Week 10 | August 10, 2026 | August 14, 2026 |
| Week 11 | August 17, 2026 | August 21, 2026 |
Camps
Week 1
June 8, 2026 to June 12, 2026
Week 2
June 15, 2026 to June 18, 2026 (No Camp Juneteenth)
Week 3
June 22, 2026 to June 26, 2026
Week 4
June 29, 2026 to July 2, 2026 (No Camp July 3)
Week 5
July 6, 2026 to July 10, 2026
Week 6
July 13, 2026 to July 17, 2026
Week 7
July 20, 2026 to July 24, 2026
Week 8
July 27, 2026 to July 31, 2026
Week 9
August 3, 2026 to August 7, 2026
Week 10
August 10, 2026 to August 14, 2026
Week 11
August 17, 2026 to August 21, 2026
(Please note: Camp will be closed for observed holidays, June 19th and July 3rd.)
Rising Junior Kindergarten to 4th Grade Students
Ages 4 to 10
Design Your Child’s
Perfect Summer
Bennett Day Camp blends high-energy fun with fearless exploration. Our Standard Camp gives students the agency to shape their own adventure through a balanced schedule of outdoor play and hands-on discovery.
Choice & Agency: We put the choice in your hands: Every week includes one daily Enrichment Class at no additional charge. These are specialized sessions led by experts in Art, Movement, or STEM, where students truly learn by doing.
Double the Discovery: Want to dive deeper? Families have the option to add a second enrichment activity to their camper's daily schedule for an additional fee. Whether they are building in the design lab or moving on the field, your child will finish the week with new passions and a deep sense of accomplishment.
How it Works
Select a Camp
Choose which weeks you'll attend camp. See camp weeks and dates.
Pick an Enrichment
For each week, choose an included Enrichment Class.
Add an Enrichment
Double the discovery and choose an optional second Enrichment Class.
Extended Care
Add on BeforeCare or AfterCare to align pick up and drop-off with your schedule.
Enrichments
Bennett Ballers
A week-long basketball clinic where young athletes will learn the fundamentals of the game in a fun and supportive environment. Over the course of the week, students will develop essential skills like
dribbling, shooting, passing, and teamwork, all while having a blast on the court. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this clinic is the perfect place to improve, make new friends, and enjoy the game of basketball!
Circus Skills
Run away and join the circus—no tent required! Campers will learn fun circus skills like juggling, balance, and simple acrobatics while discovering the science of movement and coordination. Every day is packed with practice, play, and plenty of chances to shine like a star
Color & Chemistry
Discover the magic where science meets creativity! In Artful Science, students explore experiments with color, texture, and motion while learning about physics, chemistry, and engineering concepts. Every project is a hands-on adventure that sparks curiosity, imagination, and problem-solving skills.
Drone Explorers
Take to the skies in this hands-on STEM adventure! Students learn to pilot kid-friendly drones, explore basic flight principles, and tackle fun aerial challenges. Through teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, kids gain confidence while discovering the science behind flight—one mission at a time
Fit Quest
Turn fitness into the ultimate video game! In this high-energy movement adventure, campers (Grades 1–4) navigate agility mazes and conquer balance missions. Through physical puzzles and timed challenges, students build resilience, coordination, and the confidence to master any obstacle in their path.
Game Time!
Game Time is all about big fun and classic play! Campers will jump into favorite group games like kickball, tug of war, capture the flag, and more while building teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship. Every session is fast-paced, inclusive, and full of chances to move, play, and cheer each other on.
Improv
Get ready to laugh, play, and think on your feet! Our improv classes for kids focus on creativity, imagination, and pure fun. Through silly games, playful exercises, and team activities, children build confidence, practice quick thinking, and discover the joy of performing—no experience needed! Every class is a chance to be spontaneous, make new friends, and have a blast.
Jewelry Design
Get ready to design, create, and shine! In Jewelry Design, campers will explore the art of wearable design while learning how color, shape, and texture work together to create beautiful pieces. From beaded bracelets to clay pendants and wire charms, students will use their imagination to craft jewelry that expresses their own unique style. Throughout the week, young designers will experiment with different materials and techniques—stringing, molding, wrapping, and pattern-making—while discovering how artists throughout history have used jewelry to tell stories and share culture.
Legends of the Hidden Temple
Calling all thinkers, jumpers, and secret-code-crackers! In Clue Crew Action Team, the world is your puzzle. Every day, a new mystery unfolds that only your physical skills and sharp wits can solve. Will you leap across “molten lava” to find the hidden key? Can you navigate the vine-tangled jungle to rescue the ancient treasure? Join the Team and prepare to crawl, climb, and collaborate through immersive, story-based escape challenges. The clock is ticking—are you ready to solve the story?
Lemonade Stand
Little entrepreneurs, big fun! In this hands-on class, kids learn how to run their very own lemonade stand—mixing up tasty drinks, designing signs, and practicing customer service—all while having a blast. Along the way, they build creativity, confidence, and teamwork. At the end of the week, parents are invited to “buy” a lemonade using Bennett currency and see their child in action!
Life Size Board Games
Why just play the game when you can be the game? In this high-energy strategy lab, campers step off the sidelines and onto the board. Students will become the pawns in larger-than-life challenges, navigating human-scale mazes and rolling giant dice to advance. Beyond the fun, this track builds critical reasoning and collaboration, teaching campers that winning takes more than luck—it takes a team.
Logic Lab
Step into the Logic Lab, where young thinkers experiment with patterns, sequences, and brain-teasing challenges. This hands-on program strengthens critical thinking and reasoning while making math feel like a fun puzzle to solve.
Magic Class
Step right up for a science camp where magic meets mystery! Campers will discover how classic magic tricks really work by exploring cool science ideas like light, air, motion, and perception. Get ready to experiment, practice tricks, and amaze your friends—no wands required
Math Quest
Embark on an exciting adventure through numbers! In Math Quest, students solve puzzles, crack codes, and tackle fun challenges that build confidence and sharpen problem-solving skills. Every session is a new mission where math becomes an epic journey.
Mission Machine
Calling all young inventors! In Mission: Machine, students design and build imaginative Rube Goldberg-style machines that turn simple tasks into wild chain reactions. This hands-on STEM class sparks creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, where every twist, turn, and domino fall is part of the fun.
Mural Makers
Big ideas need big canvases! In Mural Makers, young artists will work together to dream, design, and create large-scale artworks that tell a story. Campers will learn how murals can express ideas, celebrate communities, and transform ordinary spaces into something extraordinary. Throughout the week, students will explore color theory, pattern, and composition while sketching and painting sections of a collaborative mural. They’ll practice teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity as they see how their individual artwork fits into a larger masterpiece. Along the way, we’ll look at famous murals from around the world and talk about the stories they tell—from city streets to school walls.
Music and Movement Art
Let’s move, groove, and make art come alive! In Music and Movement Art, young artists will explore how sound, rhythm, and motion can inspire colorful, expressive artwork. Each day, children will listen to different kinds of music—fast and slow, loud and soft—and use paint, crayons, and collage to show how the music makes them feel and move. Through dancing, drumming, and creative play, campers will discover how music and art work together to tell stories and express emotions. They’ll swirl paint to the beat of drums, draw lines that “dance” across the page, and even create group artworks inspired by movement and sound
Olympics Games
Olympic Games brings the excitement of the Summer Olympics to life through fun, kid-friendly events! Campers will compete in track races, long jump challenges, relay events, soccer-style drills, and javelin toss using foam equipment, all adapted for safe play. Teams will represent different countries, practice good sportsmanship, and celebrate effort, teamwork, and personal bests—just like real Olympians.
Photography Perspectives
Step into the world behind the lens! In Photography Perspectives, young artists will explore how cameras can capture the world in amazing and unexpected ways. Through fun, hands-on activities, students will learn how to see ordinary things from new angles—up close, far away, high, and low! Campers will discover the basics of composition, lighting, and focus while experimenting with different types of photography—nature shots, portraits, and even creative abstract photos. Along the way, they’ll connect photography to science by learning how light works and to storytelling by creating photo series that express emotions or tell a visual story.
Pixel Pioneers
Step into the world of digital creativity! In Pixel Pioneers, students explore coding, digital art, and interactive design through hands-on projects. From designing their own mini-games to creating animated stories, kids develop problem-solving skills and creativity while learning the fundamentals of technology.
Playful Prints
Get ready to press, stamp, and roll your way into fun! In Playful Prints, young artists will explore the exciting world of printmaking through hands-on experiments with shapes, textures, and colors. Campers will learn how everyday objects—like leaves, sponges, and even their own handmade stamps—can be used to create bold and beautiful patterns on paper. Each day, students will play with new tools and materials as they design their own stamps, mix colors, and discover the magic of seeing their images appear again and again. This class encourages curiosity, creativity, and sensory exploration as children practice printing, layering, and pattern-making in fun, open-ended ways.
Plein Air Painting for Young Artists
Discover the joy of painting outdoors! In Plein Air Painting for Young Artists, campers will step outside the studio to explore how light, color, and atmosphere bring landscapes to life. Inspired by the natural world around them, students will learn to observe carefully and paint what they see—trees, flowers, skies, and more—just like famous artists who found beauty in the open air. Throughout the week, young painters will experiment with sketching, watercolor, and tempera techniques while practicing how to capture changing light, perspective, and texture.
Puzzle & Prime
Get ready to play with numbers! Puzzle & Prime combines games, riddles, and math mysteries to boost skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and more. Students practice logic and number sense while having a blast.
Shadow, Sculpture, and Light
Let’s explore the magic of light and shadow! In Shadow, Sculpture, and Light, our youngest artists will play, build, and create as they discover how light changes the way we see the world. Through hands-on art and sensory activities, children will experiment with flashlights, sunlight, and simple materials to see how shadows move, shapes transform, and colors glow. Campers will build small sculptures from clay, paper, and found objects, then use light to bring their creations to life in shadow play and mini “light shows.” Along the way, they’ll explore early science ideas—like how light travels and how different materials block or reflect it—all through joyful, creative play.
Slimy Science
Get ready for a week of ooey-gooey fun! This hands-on class is packed with wobbly, squishy, and slime-filled experiments that will have campers mixing, stretching, and discovering the science behind all the gooey goodness. It’s the perfect week for young scientists to get messy while learning the wonders of chemistry and physics!
STEM Tales
Tired of the same old “happily ever after?” In STEM Tales, campers rewrite the script! This class is all about using real-world science and engineering to fix the misfortunes of classic characters. Campers will sharpen their critical thinking to analyze problems and then design and construct creative solutions, proving that a little bit of STEM can save the day!
Superhero Training Camp
Suit up and get ready to train like a superhero! Campers will build strength, speed, and teamwork through obstacle courses, action games, and heroic challenges. Every day brings a new mission to save the day and discover their own superpowers
Team Quest
Campers become part of a squad on exciting strategy challenges and team-based games. From cooperative obstacle courses and relay puzzles to capture-the-flag style missions, every activity encourages communication, planning, and problem-solving. Teams earn points for collaboration, creativity, and smart decision-making, showing that working together is the ultimate superpower.
Wearable Art
In Wearable Art, young artists will explore color, texture, and design by creating fun, imaginative pieces that can be worn like jewelry, hats, or costumes. Campers will use safe, hands-on materials to decorate, paint, and assemble their creations, turning their ideas into wearable masterpieces. Each day, children will experiment with patterns, shapes, and colors while learning how art can move from the page to real life. This class encourages self-expression, creativity, and fine motor skills as children mix materials, try new designs, and proudly showcase their wearable creations.
Daily Schedule
7:30 am
Morning Care
8:00 am
Camper Check-in
8:15 am
Morning Connections
Campers develop relationships with other campers and their camp environments.
9:00 am
Enrichment Block 1
Campers with no Enrichment during Block 1 will have outdoor play time.
10:15 am
Enrichment Block 2
Campers with no Enrichment during Block 2 will have outdoor play time.
11:30 am
Lunch
12:15 pm
Mind Time
This is a time to pace our energies. This restful period can include yoga, reading time, drawing, etc. For our youngest campers, we have a nap during this time.
1:45 pm
Outdoor Play and Camp Activity
The youngest campers have outdoor play. Other students participate in traditional camp activities such as team-building, color wars, and tug-of-war, led by our Counselors in Training.
2:45 pm
Dismissal
3:00 – 5:30
AfterCare
Rising 5th to 10th Grade Students
Ages 11 to 15
Level Up Your Summer.
For Middle School students, summer isn't just about taking a break—it's about defining who they are. Our Specialty Camps are designed for students (Ages 11–15) who have outgrown traditional day camp and are ready for independence, agency, and real-world connection.
Deep Dives & Demonstrated Mastery: This is the ultimate opportunity to invest in a passion. Your student will find their crew, master a visible skill, and practice the human advantages—like collaboration and complex problem-solving—that the future will reward.
Camps
Strategy Lab: An Executive Function Camp
Research shows that success isn't just about intelligence—it's about execution. In this intensive "life-hack" track, students (Rising 5th–9th) utilize the renowned EF > IQ curriculum from Rush to master the cognitive processes that control their day,.
The Skill: Using the Rush "EF > IQ" framework, we target the specific skills that predict school success better than IQ: regulating attention and organizing complex tasks,.
The Activity: Through interactive challenges, campers act as project managers for their own lives, building systems that actually fit their brains.
The Result: Students will design a personal Academic Application Plan, a physical system they can take home to conquer their workload and reclaim their free time.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 1: June 8 – June 12
Time:
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Early camper drop-off beginning at 8:00 am at no additional cost)
Cost:
$475
Counselor in Training (CIT)
Are you ready to transition from camper to leader? The CIT program is an exclusive mentorship track for students ready to take ownership of the camp experience. Working directly alongside Program Administrators, CITs don't just watch—they do. In addition to developing leadership and management skills, CITs design and lead experiences for our younger campers.
The Skill: Master the fundamentals of child development, behavior management, and professional communication.
The Flexibility: You design your summer. Once trained, CITs can choose specific weeks to participate or combine the program with half-day Middle School Specialty Camps.
The Outcome: Beyond the fun, CITs can earn CPR/First Aid Certification and build a Leadership Portfolio suitable for future high school or job applications.
Note:
Those interested should begin by submitting the Counselor In Training Application (available soon). Applicants will be contacted by school administration to be interviewed via phone or in-person to ensure they are ready for this role. Applications will be limited and accepted on a rolling basis. CITs may elect to participate in CPR/First Aid training. Students enrolled in any half-day middle school camps may choose to do CIT for the remaining half days of camp.
Ages:
Training Week Availability
Week 1, 2, or 3: June 8 – June 26
Cost:
$350 per Week Full Day
(Includes CPR/First Aid certification)
$175 per Week for Half Day
Gallery to Studio with Mr. Kirk
Take your art off the page and into the real world. Led by Mr. Kirk, this specialty track uses the Art Institute of Chicago as a living textbook. Students will move beyond simple observation to analyze the intent, materials, and techniques of history's greatest masters. Student work will remain on display in the Bennett Gallery throught the coming school year.
The Grind: This isn't just a tour—it's a study. Campers engage in deep discussions about artistic meaning before heading back to the studio to apply those concepts to their own work.
The Skill: We develop "Artistic Fluency" and "Critical Reasoning", challenging students to articulate why they make the artistic choices they do.
The Portfolio: Students will produce a series of reflective studio pieces demonstrating their new techniques, ready to be added to a developing art portfolio.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 2: June 15 – June 18
Time:
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Early camper drop-off beginning at 8:00 am at no additional cost)
Cost:
$475
Basketball Camp: Built for the Game
Great players have handle; elite players have heart. In this high-intensity specialty camp, athletes (ages 10 to 14) drill the fundamentals—shooting mechanics, defensive agility, and court awareness—while mastering the mental side of the sport. We focus on sportsmanship and grit, challenging players to respect the game, lift up their teammates, and stay focused when the pressure is on. The week culminates in a Team Championship Tournament, proving that the best victory isn't just the score—it's how you played the game.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 3: June 22 – June 26
Week 4: June 29 – July 3
Time:
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Open Gym from 8:00 am – 9:00 am included)
Cost:
$375 per week
Spanish Immersion: La Cuidad es Tu Aula
Don't just study Spanish—live it. In this immersive specialty camp, students (Grades 5–9) leave the textbook behind to explore the vibrant Latino culture of Chicago. Each week has unique experiences. Campers who choose both weeks will build upon skills in the second week.
The Adventure: From the murals of Pilsen to the bakeries of Little Village, campers navigate the city entirely in Spanish. Daily missions include ordering authentic lunches, interviewing local artisans, and navigating public transit.
The Skill: We focus on conversational fluency and cultural competence, helping students build the confidence to speak spontaneously in real-world situations.
The Outcome: The two-week session culminates in the creation of a digital "Chicago Barrio Guide"—a student-produced vlog or interactive map documenting their favorite cultural discoveries to share with friends and family.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 6: July 13 – July 17
Week 7: July 20 – July 24
Time:
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
(Early camper drop-off beginning at 8:00 am at no additional cost)
Cost:
$475 per week
(Lunch and venue tickets included)
Human + Machine: Art, Design, and AI
In Human + Machine, students explore the evolving relationship between creativity and artificial intelligence. Through hands-on graphic design projects, critical discussions, and ethical inquiry, students will experiment with AI as a tool for inspiration, iteration, and questioning authorship—while centering human intention, originality, and voice. This camp invites students to design thoughtfully, create boldly, and reflect on what it means to be an artist in the age of AI.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 10: August 10 – 14
Time:
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Early camper drop-off beginning at 8:00 am at no additional cost)
Cost:
$375 per week
Bennett Ambassadors Boot Camp
Show your school spirit and learn how to share your unique perspective as a Bennett student with prospective families and students in this one week boot camp! New student ambassadors will sharpen skills related to speaking with adults and kids, giving tours, greeting visitors, and planning and executing visits for prospective families. This is a great way to learn valuable life skills and leave a legacy at Bennett. Interested students need to apply here and will be interviewed for the year-long program. Existing ambassadors can register to freshen up their skills.
Ages:
Availability:
Week 11: Two Days August 18 – 19
Time:
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
(Early camper drop-off beginning at 8:00 am at no additional cost)
Cost:
Free for current and accepted Ambassadors
Camp Pricing
| Bennett Day Camp for Ages 4 to 10 | |
|---|---|
| Day Camp +1 Enrichment Class | $535 |
| Day Camp +2 Enrichment Classes | $595 |
Lunch is included for campers ages 4 to 10. Vegetarian options are always provided, and we can accommodate most allergies. Campers can also bring a lunch from home. Bennett is a nut-free campus.
| Camps for Ages 11 to 15 (Grades 5 to 9) | |
|---|---|
| Check listings for the cost of individual specialty camps | $175 – $475 |
Refund Policy
At Bennett Day Camp, we know plans change! You can switch camp sessions at any time up until the first day of camp. If you need to cancel, refunds are available (less a $50 non-refundable deposit).
Contact
Our campus is located at 955 W Grand Avenue, just west of the Milwaukee, Halsted, and Grand intersection.
Registration
Secure Your Spot Today!
Registration is managed through Campbrain to make planning your summer simple. Click the button below to create your account and select your camps.
Learning doesn't stop when summer ends.
At Bennett (PreK–12), education is purposeful, personal, and project-based. By combining deep project work with competency-based assessment, we nurture the creativity and collaboration that AI can't replace. Whether building robots or building arguments, Bennett students graduate ready for the world.