11 Academic Summer Camps Near Chicago

The Summer Lab programs at the University of Chicago offer so many different opportunities for children to learn, connect, and discover—from sports and theater to urban adventure and academics. The programs are fun and like everything at Lab, they are designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in each child. 

Offered at various Chicagoland locations, these chess camps help kids improve their skills in a low-pressure and fun environment. Kids will receive top notch instruction and evaluations. Camps are aimed to help strengthen critical thinking and analytical skills that kids can use outside of the classroom. Beginners are welcome to attend. Students are grouped by skill level.

Academic campers at this respected private school can catch up on their study skills in the morning before having a little fun at separate themed or sports camp in the afternoon. Kids in the academic program are grouped by grade level to work on reading, writing, and math skills with the help of games and technology. Programs utilize creative activities to keep learning fun and relaxed.

Instituto Cervantes provides a fun and engaging way to introduce kids to the Latin American and Spanish cultures and to learn the Spanish language. The summer camp offers a full immersion in the Spanish language as kids practice their speaking and writing skills. Elite professional teachers will guide them through the learning process with educational activities and games.

Founded in 2013, Saper Law's law immersion program gives high school and college students the chance to taste the life of a professional lawyer. Students are introduced to the art of negotiation and legal writing, take part in mock trials, have the opportunity to network with guest lecturers, and take field trips to the state and federal courthouse. The program is taught by Saper Law attorneys. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as students are accepted on a rolling basis.

This premier Chicago prep school can help your child meet their goals with one of several focused academic camps that include Topics in Language Arts, Middle School Math Review, and Introduction to History. Other camps focus on test prep, study skills, computer science, leadership, art exploration and more. They offer sports camps, too.

Students in this one week workshop work with professional writers to create new work and revise existing projects without worrying about grades. Knowledgeable program leaders can answer questions about publishing and writing as a career. Students will learn how to push through writer's block and spice up their work.

Lycee Francais partners with other Chicago cultural institutions to offer several comprehensive language immersion programs in French, Arabic, German, Italian and Mandarin. Camps include plenty of fun activities, like cooking, beach days, field trips and unique cultural activities. Older students can expect a more focused academic atmosphere, albeit with plenty of cultural activities and field trips mixed in.

Northwestern CTD provides academically advanced concepts in fun yet challenging ways that encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving for kids in PreK through 6th grade. Older kids (6th-12th grades) can enjoy fast-paced, intensive courses that engage students in critical and creative problem solving as they grapple with advanced concepts in subjects from math and science to writing and technology to leadership and service-learning, producing products such as writing portfolios, original iOS apps, or community action plans.

This language immersion program teaches Italian through songs, games, and skits as well as through participation in traditional day camp activities, albeit with an Italian twist. Elective activities vary year to year, but may include Italian folk dance, bocce, Italian table games, theatre, cooking, chess and more. Kids also learn about specific regions of Italy and its culture. The camp experience culminates with a final performance for the parents.

If you're looking for some high quality study skills instruction this summer, the College of Lake County has a good mix of general and highly specialized academic courses such as Junior Chemists: Explore Matter Matters, Web Design, and Advanced Writers in Progress. Students can sign up for a single morning or afternoon course or pair a half day of study with half a day of art or science.