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Best Sleep Away Summer Camps For Kids In Chicago

By Sara Lugardo

With summer approaching, parents are thinking about what their kids should do for their summer break. Enrolling your children into a sleep away camp is a great way to put them in an activity they'll enjoy, while giving yourself some free time to have a night away from the kids. There are a number of great camps to choose from that cater to the wide variety of preferences for children of any age. Make sure to make the most of their summer break and enroll them in a sleep away camp that will help expand their minds and give them a little independence in a structured environment.

Tech Camps
(Credit: internaldrive.com)

iD Tech Camps
Lake Forest College
555 N. Sheridan Road
Lake Forest, IL 60045
(888) 709-8324
www.iDTech.com

Overnight camps are only available for ages 10-17 and are housed on campus with all meals included. There is 24/7 supervision with different overnight camps to choose from. The iD Tech Camp offers everything from computer activities to science and mathematics development. The iD Gaming Academy covers game development and 3D modeling and the iD Programming Academy deals with computer science programming. This is perfect for the tech-savvy kid in your life or the child that likes anything technology from video games to computer software.

Doug Bruno Basketball Camp
(Credit: brunocamp.net)

Doug Bruno Girls Basketball Camp
North Central College
30 N. Brainard St.
Naperville, IL 60540
(312) 994-5963
www.brunocamp.net

This all-girl basketball camp is open to girls of all ability levels from ages seven to 18 and is taught by renowned coach, Doug Bruno. Tuition includes camp instruction, full meals and dormitory accommodations. There are two girls to each room and a Dorm Mom that supervises at all times. Your daughter will be getting expert instruction, socializing with other girls and improving her skills from time management to setting goals.

YMCA
(Credit: ymcachicago.org)

YMCA Camp Duncan
32405 N. Highway 12
Ingleside, IL 60041
(847) 546-8086
www.ymcachicago.org

Camp Duncan is for children ages seven to 15 and is an all-encompassing summer camp experience. Some of the activities included are swimming, ropes courses, archery, hiking, boating, fishing, mountain biking, wall climbing and blobbing. There is also drama and games as well as arts and crafts. Campers are grouped together by age and gender and reside in small cabins with full-time supervision. Campers attend activities based on their own interests and staff members encourage problem solving, respecting each other's differences and sharing opinions.

O-D Football Camp
(Credit: o-d.com)

Offense-Defense Football Camp
North Central College
30 N. Brainard St.
Naperville, IL 60540
(843) 903-1888
www.o-d.com

Campers of all skill levels between the ages of seven and 18 are welcome. First-time campers learn a better understanding of the game, while veteran football players hone their skills with a challenging curriculum. There is constant supervision for safety. Parents are encouraged to watch practices during the week and the end camp day will feature a Super Bowl for all to enjoy. The camp goes by the motto of utilizing the "4 C's of football: Coaching, Curriculum, Contact, and Commitment."

Jazz Camp
(Credit: niu.edu)

NIU Jazz Camp
Northern Illinois University
1425 W. Lincoln Highway
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 753-1450
www.niu.edu

Campers range between grades eight and 12 with differing skill levels. The focus of the camp is to build improvisational skills in ensemble playing. There is performing, practicing, seminars, jam sessions and learning of the jazz tradition. Classes are taught by NIU jazz faculty, alumni and students. Campers are fully supervised, reside in the newly renovated residence halls and sleep two to a room.

Sara Lugardo is a Korean American who thrives in writing about Asian community news in Chicago. She has a Bachelor's in Communication and is currently working on her Master's. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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