Parker Summer Camps

Parker Summers is a city day camp for children entering Junior Kindergarten through 2nd grade, combining the best traditional games and projects with new and exciting adventures! We plan activities to capture the imagination of children at each age level, including specialty programs that focus on a variety of weekly themes.

Lunch
Children should bring their own bag lunches and drinks. Refrigerated facilities are not provided. An insulated lunch box with an ice pack is recommended. Please note for the health/safety concerns for those students who have severe allergies, we have a NO NUT policy at Parker. Campers should bring lunches that do not contain nuts or peanut butter in keeping with this policy.

Chess Camp
for students entering Junior Kindergarten–grade 8
 

Chess Camp introduces students to the magical world of chess. Children learn how to play and master chess techniques from our renowned Chess Wizards. They learn cool chess openings, midgame tactics (including forks, pins, discovered attacks and more) and endgame concepts. In addition to regular chess, students learn many fun and exciting chess variation games, such as Bughouse and Allies (team games), Fischer Chess, Einstein Chess and more—all designed to inspire students to think creatively while having fun and practicing core chess skills.

The camp caters to all levels of chess players, and participants are divided into Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Wizards. All participants receive a Chess Wizards t-shirt and earn a trophy. Full-Day campers receive a chess board their friends can autograph, creating a lasting memory of the friends they made and the fun they had at camp!
  Instructors: Chess Wizards
  Mornings: 9 a.m.–12 noon
  Afternoons: 12:30–3:30 p.m.
  Session I: June 10–14
  Session II: July 29–August 2
  Session III: August 5–9
  Tuition: One Session Morning or Afternoon: $270
One Session Full Day: $520
Two Sessions Morning or Afternoon: $540
Two Sessions Full Day: $1,040
Three Sessions Morning or Afternoon: $810
Three Sessions Full Day: $1,560
     
Parker Summers Morning Program
for students entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten
  This program features a morning of old-fashioned summer camp fun. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, games, water play and one beach visit each session. Campers participate in camp-wide meetings and Fun Friday Barbecue lunches.
  Program Directors: Stacie Newmark and Jan Zoufal, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Session I: June 17–28
  Session II: July 1–12 (no camp July 4 and 5)
  Session III: July 15–26
  Tuition: One Session: $750
Two Sessions: $1,280
Three Sessions: $1,880
   
Parker Summers Afternoon Program
for students entering Junior Kindergarten and Senior Kindergarten
 

Extend your JK or SK camper’s day with an afternoon specialty activity. In addition to outside play and choice time, campers participate in exciting afternoons focusing on the topics below.

Monday: Crazy Kitchen Creations
Tuesdays: Sports-O-Rama
Wednesdays: Art Studio
Thursdays: Mad Science

This is an additional, optional program. JK and SK campers must be registered for the morning program to participate in the afternoon program. Campers may join us for as many afternoons as they like. We must have a minimum of eight campersregistered to make EACH afternoon option available.
  Program Directors: Stacie Newmark and Jan Zoufal, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 1–3 p.m.
  Tuition: $70 per session per day
 
Parker Summers Full Day Program*
for students entering grades Senior Kindergarten–grade 2
  Campers engage in activities that revolve around weekly themes. Arts and crafts, sports and games are part of the fun. In addition to their regularly scheduled morning of Old Time Favorites, campers participate in Sports Shorts Clinics, Wacky Wednesday Mystery Guests, Fun Friday Activities and Barbecues. Campers also experience off-campus excitement with our Weekly Field Trips. Instructional swim time at the Woman’s Athletic Club (Michigan and Ontario) and weekly visits to the beach round off their week. Book Club and Storybook Theatre are also included in the fun. Campers must bring their own lunches Monday–Thursday.
  Program Directors: Stacie Newmark and Jan Zoufal, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Session I: June 17–28
  Session II: July 1–12 (no camp July 4 and 5)
  Session III: July15–26
  Tuition: One Session: $1,130
Two Sessions: $1,920
Three Sessions: $2,810
  *New This Year: Full day program for students entering Senior Kindergarten!
 
Parker Summers Extreme
for students entering grades 3–8
  This year’s program provides campers with both on- and off-campus experiences. Each week campers select one morning activity. After lunch, there are a variety of gym games, group activities, beach visits, swim lessons and tournament days. Each session includes one “Undernight” adventure—an extended field trip—on Thursday. Adventures revolve around a weekly theme.
  Program Directors: Stacie Newmark and Jan Zoufal, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
9 a.m.–8 p.m. (Thursday Undernight Adventure)
  Session I: June 17–21
  Session II: June 24–28
  Session III: July 1–3 (no camp July 4 and 5)
  Session IV: July 8–12
  Session V: July 15–19
  Session VI: July 22–26
  Click here for each session’s offering.
  Tuition: One Week: $670
Two Weeks: $1,300
Three Weeks: $1,640
Four Weeks: $2,210
Five Weeks: $2,740
Six Weeks: $3,230
 
Food Camp: Restaurants, Markets and Hoods*
for students entering grades 7–9
 

From visiting markets to meeting chefs to tasting ethnic foods, campers experience a unique culinary adventure that takes them through many of Chicago’s neighborhoods and beyond. Campers follow the food path from farm to market to restaurant to table, stepping out of their comfort zone and sampling foods to expand their culinary horizons.
  Program Directors: Jeff Stone, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Session: July 22–26
  Tuition: $650
  *New program this year!
 
Parker Underground
for students entering grades 8 and 9
 

Using the entire city as their campus, Underground campers take part in a variety of daily challenges and projects, from chef competitions to adventures in Chinatown to participating in city scavenger hunts. Each activity incorporates creativity, quick thinking, a sense of humor and guts!

Aside from the daily challenges, participants also have the chance to relax and spend time together in other ways. They have control over their day and the freedom to make choices. The best thing about Underground is that it is student-driven. Space is limited. Underground is offered weekly. Campers should bring comfortable shoes for walking.
  Program Directors: Duane Freeman and Jeff Stone, Parker Faculty
  Hours: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  Session I: July 29–August 2
  Session II: August 5–9
  Session III: August 12–16
  Lunch: Children in Parker Underground should bring money for lunch.
  Tuition: One Week: $590
Two Weeks: $1,090
Three Weeks: $1,540

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