CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Get ready for summer, Chicago! For the first time in over a year, kids can enjoy a staple of summer.
The Chicago Park District is launching online registration for 2021 Summer Day Camp and Summer Park Programs on Monday, May 10 at 9 a.m.
According to the Park District, Summer Day Camp will run for six weeks, from June 28 to Aug. 6, and park programs will run from June 21 to Aug. 28.
This year's summer camp theme is "Summer of Possibilities." The Park District said the summer day camp will engage campers in activities that encourage them to think creatively and set and reach goals through play. The camps are tailored by age group and designed to teach participants that anything is possible.
According to the Park District, the six weeks of Summer Day Camp fun will include sports, arts, fitness, and outdoor camp play activities that will focus on civic engagement, environmental awareness, inclusion, collaboration, and reflection.
"For the first time in over a year, our young people will be able to safely enjoy summertime Park District programming in-person," said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, in a statement. "Summer of Possibilities is the perfect addition to our ongoing reopening efforts and will give our young people the access to exciting and fun opportunities they deserve—especially after making it through such a difficult year."
Summer day camps for children, ages 6 to 12 years old, are available at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Play Camps for ages 3 to 5 years old and Teen Camps for ages 13 to 17 years old are available for younger and older audiences. Fees for camps vary depending on location, offerings and hours. Financial assistance is available.
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COVID-19 related guidelines for Summer Day Camp are as follows:
• Smaller group sizes will be implemented in accordance with CDPH guidelines. Staff to camper ratio is currently set at 1:15. This may increase pending further direction from CDPH;
• Registration will be done by age group (ex. 6-7, 8-10, 11-12) to ensure campers are with kids their age. Children will remain with their group throughout each day of camp;
• Campers must practice social distancing;
• Campers will be required to wear their own face covering/mask during camp;
• Campers must attend camp in good health. If any symptoms present, the child will be isolated and a parent will be called to take the child home;
• Campers must bring their own water as drinking fountains will not be available.
Classes will operate with static pods and stable cohorts. Program capacity is limited to the size of the facility to observe social distancing and other public health guidelines. To meet these capacity limits, day camp registration slots will be restricted to Chicago residents.
Given the popularity of programs, patrons are encouraged to browse through the list of available park programs, which are now available to view, and create a wish list before the start of registration.
Summer online registration at www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com is as follows:
• Parks located West of California Avenue and all our virtual programs will begin registration Monday, May 10 at 9 a.m.
• Parks located East of California Avenue will begin registration Tuesday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
• Gymnastics centers will begin registration Tuesday, May 11 at 12 p.m.
Dependent on the number of program spots remaining, in-person registration will begin Friday, May 14.
Online registration for park programs at McFetridge Sports Center, Morgan Park Sports Center, Addams Park, and Gately Park begins on Tuesday, May 18, followed by in-person registration on Saturday, May 22. Programs at these facilities run from June 1 to August 29.
In addition to day camp, the Park District will offer more than 80 virtual programs for the public to enjoy from home. These programs include arts and crafts, sports, and fitness programs.
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