Step into a maker's world and bring your ideas to life! In this hands-on camp, you'll explore digital fabrication tools such as 3D design, laser cutting and 3D printing to engineer creative solutions to real-world challenges. Work through unique problem scenarios to design, prototype and refine your own invention while developing skills in design thinking, technology and collaboration. From concept to creation, get empowered to turn your imagination into reality!

An advanced performing arts camp for teens ages 13-18.

Calling all adventurers! This week is packed with exciting challenges that will test your strength, creativity, and teamwork. From scavenger hunts and obstacle courses to team-building games and nature exploration, kids will develop their problem-solving and coordination skills while having a blast.

Is your child taking an interest in sports, but doesn't have a favorite yet? The All Sorts of Sports Camp will explore a variety of both traditional and lesser-known sports each day.

Ready to take your art skills to the next level? Explore exciting materials like acrylic paint, chalk pastels, and clay in this creative art camp. Projects may include striking chalk portraits, quirky papier-mache food sculptures, geometric himmeli mobiles, and tie-dye fun. Get your hands messy making slime with a fun, playful twist! Light snacks provided – please inform us of any allergies.

Summer Dance Camp is one of the best times of the year for fast progression due to more weekly classes in every aspect and style of dance over the 4 weeks. Warmer weather helps keep muscles moving and warm while increasing flexibility. Parents are always so impressed with what the dancers learn in 4 short weeks. In Summer, your dancers can: Maintaining technique and strength Successfully transitioning between levels (ie. Beginning to Intermediate or Intermediate to Advanced) Catch up on missed training during the year

Campers are placed in small groups with 2-3 counselors and a team leader. We also have group leaders who majored in Special Education at NIU who help out with camp and support campers who may need additional assistance or time.

Campers of all backgrounds are invited to explore the richness of Black history and culture through engaging discussions and hands-on activities. We'll bring African culture and history to life through a drum making workshop, African song and dance workshop and other activities. With Professor T. Ajewole Duckett, director of Black Studies Program, as your guide, you'll explore the great kingdoms of Africa, African and African American textiles and fashion, key writings, oral history and hip hop. Sankofa comes from the Akan people of Ghana, and it teaches us that progress comes from understanding and honoring history. Join us to build a community of scholars from many backgrounds who together become Sankofa Scholars!

Experience a week away from home while making new lifelong friends, trying things you’ve never thought of before, and growing in your faith! In addition to the classic camp activities, kids will get to enjoy campouts, cookouts, and an electric campfire at the end of the week.

Enjoy one of DeKalb's favorite summer camps, including weekly field trips, water days, and entertainment.

Camp Maple Leaf is a summer camp offered through Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association that has served the DeKalb County and area communities since 1977! Camp Maple Leaf provides children of ALL abilities, aged 5-18 years old, a fun and rewarding summer experience. Campers participate in age-specific and age-appropriate group activities and join in whole-camp FUN. This program is designed with the following goals: To assist with social skills and enhance social interaction To assist with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and physical fitness To promote recreation and leisure and enhance leisure education

Camp Maple Leaf is a summer camp offered through Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association that has served the DeKalb County and area communities since 1977! Camp Maple Leaf provides children of ALL abilities, aged 5-18 years old, a fun and rewarding summer experience. Campers participate in age-specific and age-appropriate group activities and join in whole-camp FUN. This program is designed with the following goals: To assist with social skills and enhance social interaction To assist with fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and physical fitness To promote recreation and leisure and enhance leisure education

Soccer meets smiles! This fun introduction to soccer includes games, activities, and adventures.

Your all-time favorite activities - archery, canoeing, swim, hike, play games, build craft projects, roast s’mores, and explore God’s creation.

Campers will have fun learning about our local reptiles and amphibians. We will get up close and personal with our resident cold-blooded creatures and learn “cool” new facts about them too! We will learn how they survive and we may get to see them in their native home. You might decide to become a herpetologist by the end of the week!

Summer Dance Camp is one of the best times of the year for fast progression due to more weekly classes in every aspect and style of dance over the 4 weeks. Warmer weather helps keep muscles moving and warm while increasing flexibility. Parents are always so impressed with what the dancers learn in 4 short weeks. In Summer, your dancers can: Maintaining technique and strength Successfully transitioning between levels (ie. Beginning to Intermediate or Intermediate to Advanced) Catch up on missed training during the year

Unleash your creativity in this fun-filled art camp! Young artists will experiment with vibrant chalk pastels, colorful paints, and squishy model magic to create stunning masterpieces. Projects may include whimsical self-portraits, bright and bold landscapes, sunburst magnets, and tie-dye creations. We’ll also get hands-on with some slime-making for an extra splash of fun. Light snacks provided – please inform us of any allergies.

Step into a fun and energetic week of dance exploration! Campers will learn the basics of several styles - including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and more - through engaging instruction, creative movement, and interactive games. Each day builds confidence and skills while encouraging self-expression in a supportive environment. The week concludes with a mini showcase where dancers can share what they've learned with family and friends.

Walcamp's Summer Day Camp program is an ideal option for your summer day care needs.

Walcamp's Summer Day Camp program is an ideal option for your summer day care needs.

Walcamp's Summer Day Camp program is an ideal option for your summer day care needs.

Energy in Motion Camp is all about movement, creativity, and fun! Campers will take part in a mix of games, challenges, and activities designed to keep bodies moving and minds engaged. Each day encourages kids to try new skills, build coordination, and gain confidence in a positive and inclusive environment. This camp is a great fit for kids who enjoy being active and learning through movement while making new friends along the way!

Could you build a model house that stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer—without using a lot of energy? That's exactly what you'll do at our STEAM summer camp for future energy innovators. Dive into science, technology, engineering, art, and math to learn how to reduce carbon emissions and use renewable energy in innovative and creative ways. Explore solar power, wind energy, insulation and energy efficiency to build your own sustainable model house. Have fun with fellow campers while you build your real-world career skills.

Spend a week living the college life with NIU and the Migrant Education Program. This leadership academy will focus on identifying different opportunities for high school students to find success. Future leaders will be exposed to a variety of different careers through hands-on activities, tours, and engagement with university professionals.

The Digital Fabrication Camp aims to have participants learn the process of using digital tools and fabrication techniques to address real-world scenarios. Campers will gain valuable skills in digital design, prototyping, and fabrication, while working collaboratively to devise and implement innovative solutions.

The Explorer program is our classic camp offering! Experience a week away from home while making new lifelong friends, trying things you’ve never thought of before, and

Create your own film using state-of-the-art filmmaking technology in this comprehensive multimedia camp. Campers of all experience levels will learn each step of the filmmaking process. Work in small groups to write an original script, act, direct, shoot and edit your film. Then, present it at our end-of-the-week film festival. During the filmmaking process, you'll have access to state-of-the-art filming and production technology, including the latest 4K+ Blackmagic cinema cameras, a green screen studio, lighting kits, audio and microphones, editing technologies and more. Industry professionals, along with graduate and undergraduate media production students working as camp counselors, will lead you through skills and techniques for filming, editing and using the various equipment. Campers all receive a digital copy of their short films.

Are you interested in doing hands-on activities to explore careers in forensic science? In this STEAM careers camp, you'll carry out a variety of investigations related to evidence collection and processing at a crime scene, including DNA fingerprinting, documentation, identifying unknown substances, blood typing, and hair/fiber analysis. You'll also work with professionals working in forensics related careers to learn about how they process evidence at a real crime scene. At the end of the week, you will create a simulated crime scene model, which includes an analysis of the evidence included in your diorama.

Thank you for your interest in FSA’s Little Campers, a summer program specially designed for Campers ages 6 to 11 who reside in DeKalb County, Illinois. Our camp also offers limited Camp Helper opportunities for youth ages 12 to 17, providing older participants with a chance to build leadership skills while supporting younger campers. As a youth mental health agency, our camp emphasizes Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through a variety of engaging, supportive, and developmentally appropriate group activities and experiences. These groups may explore topics related to: Building self-confidence Managing emotions Positive relationships Creative expression Problem-solving Personal safety And more! Please note: Specific group offerings and activities may vary, and final programming will be determined by staff based on the needs of the participants.

Are you interested in doing hands-on activities to explore careers in health and medicine? In this STEM careers camp, you'll work with medical professionals to test for the spread of disease, dissect a cow eye to learn about eye-related health conditions, and learn about biomedical engineering design. You will also visit the NIU health, wellness, and literacy center to learn about audiology, speech, and language tests, as well as work with professionals working in careers related to health and medicine.

Explore passions, meet mentors, build skills and have fun! Your week will be jampacked with activities from multiple career fields including the DeKalb Police and Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, Criminal Investigation Unit, Military and more! Along with tours and demonstrations from theme organizations, children will receive CPR instruction, self-defense instruction and information about the military branches and training. Each day will start and end at the Sports and Recreation Center.

This is a special interest camp designed for high school students graduating in 2027 who have a documented disability impacting their education, who intend to go to college and are interested in STEAM careers. An application is required to ensure campers meet program eligibility. Students with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) fields. Huskies BELONG aims to increase participants' understanding of STEAM majors and career opportunities, as well as their belief that they can succeed in college.

Bug lovers unite! Be an entomologist for a week. What's the difference between bugs and insects? Come to camp and find out as we collect and study all kinds of creepy crawlers from the forest. We will make a live trap to see who crawls around at night. Camp is filled with games and hands-on activities.

Summer Dance Camp is one of the best times of the year for fast progression due to more weekly classes in every aspect and style of dance over the 4 weeks. Warmer weather helps keep muscles moving and warm while increasing flexibility. Parents are always so impressed with what the dancers learn in 4 short weeks. In Summer, your dancers can: Maintaining technique and strength Successfully transitioning between levels (ie. Beginning to Intermediate or Intermediate to Advanced) Catch up on missed training during the year

This camp will help you improve your performance and understanding of jazz. Designed for enthusiastic musicians of any skill level, the camp is full of performing, learning and listening. You'll benefit from: Classes on jazz improvisation and jazz theory Instrument master classes Jam sessions, private lessons, and group classes Discussions on jazz styles and the music business You'll stay in Gilbert Hall during camp. Your experience will end with a concert open to your friends and family. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt!

Stay busy this summer by making a mess without worrying about your house! Let us handle the mess for you as we tackle slime, shaving cream, paint, and more in tons of fun activities. Mess guaranteed, so dress appropriately!

Discover the excitement of the park district with our Little Campers. Packed with adventure and tailored for kids ages 6-10, this camp offers a dynamic mix of outdoor games, creative activities, and team-building experiences. From nature exploration, arts and crafts, sports, and spending time at the Splash Fountain, each weekly camp promises non-stop fun! Camp will include a small snack each day. Please let us know of any allergy restrictions.

Bring your creativity to life with this dynamic art camp for budding artists! Learn new techniques and experiment with unique materials to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Projects may include bold charcoal drawings, innovative paper and cardboard sculptures, vibrant printmaking, and stylish tie-dye creations. Expand your artistic skills while having a blast! Light snacks provided – please inform us of any allergies.

Afternoon Adventures: Our young adventurers will spend the afternoon participating in crafts and activities that change with the theme each week. Weather permitting, kids will embark on weekly outdoor adventures including a trip to the Splash Pad. A small snack is provided each afternoon from the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

Lil' Lunchers: This lunchtime program is designed to promote social interaction amongst our young kids. This program begins with a full lunch provided by Northern Illinois Food Bank and ends with small activities related to story time and imagination games.

Morning Minis: This morning program is designed specifically for our motivated and active young kids. A variety of activities and events are designed to get the young generation moving. Activities include daily trips to the park, kids concerts, or external entertainment on select weeks.

Your little creators will dive into an exciting mix of art projects that inspire imagination and self-expression! Campers may craft colorful chalk pastel landscapes, adorable animal sculptures with model magic, intricate paper weavings, and groovy tie-dye pieces. Hands on fun and new discoveries await every day! Light snacks provided – please inform us of any allergies.

Unleash Your Inner Agent and join our team for a week of spy-inspired STEAM adventures! Campers crack codes, build gadgets and complete hands-on missions using science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Work with NIU Police to solve a mystery with fingerprinting, invisible ink and simple chemistry. Create spy disguises using your design thinking. Solve puzzles with basic coding. Guided by your Huskie spirit, solve challenges, unlock creativity, and prove that with teamwork and imagination, every mission is STEAMpossible!

Love Monsters? Love writing? Join us this summer for Monster Makers! We'll create projects inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, a classic gothic novel, and later adaptations. Use NIU's BookLab to create your own lab notebook. Design a digital Zine. Explore Artificial Intelligence to develop your own monstrous creatures. Make creative projects using NIU's historic printing presses. You'll use a variety of creative technologies to design monstrous projects while reading the original novel and watching early screen adaptations under the guidance of NIU Professor of English Melissa Adams-Campbell. This camp is ideal for creative/humanities-focused high school students, especially those with an interest in writing, reading, art, science fiction and horror.

This is a special interest camp designed for high school students graduating in 2026 who have a documented disability impacting their education, who intend to go to college and are interested in STEAM careers. An application is required to ensure campers meet program eligibility.

Explore the world of snare drum, drum set, gamelan, timpani and keyboard percussion, rehearse in samba bands, concert percussion ensembles, steel bands, enjoy faculty recitals and perform in the Percussion showcase concert! As a camper you'll stay in Gilbert Hall during the week. We'll send you a packet of camp information in early June.

Are you a high school student fascinated by the universe's biggest questions? Join the NIU Physics Career Camp for a hands-on experience that unlocks real-world applications and exciting career paths in physics! Explore current areas of physics research, from particle physics to materials science, and see how theoretical concepts translate into world-changing innovations. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the world-class science conducted at nearby national laboratories, including Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory. Learn about NIU's leadership roles in major international collaborations, such as the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) hosted by Fermilab, and research conducted at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. This camp is your chance to connect with leading scientists, see how local research impacts global discovery, and find your place at the frontier of physics.

Experience a week away from home while making new lifelong friends, trying things you’ve never thought of before, and growing in your faith! In addition to the classic camp activities, kids will get to enjoy campouts, cookouts, and an electric campfire at the end of the week.

Build. Code. Compete! Campers explore the world of robotics through fun, hands-on challenges using block coding, creative problem solving and team collaboration. Design battle-ready robots, tackle obstacle courses and put your skills to the test. Learning the foundations of engineering and coding has never been more fun!

Dive into the depths with your team of young marine explorers! Join us to design and program robotic submarines, investigate mysterious ocean environments, and tackle hands-on STEAM challenges. Guided by teamwork, curiosity, and creativity, you'll uncover secrets of the deep sea while discovering real-world ocean careers. Every mission is an adventure—can you uncover what lies beneath?

Crime scene investigation isn't like the movies… but it's still an exciting career field with hands-on applications of science and technology! In this STEAM careers camp, you'll dive into forensic science with a variety of investigations. Learn how evidence is collected and processed during crime scene investigations as you practice DNA fingerprinting, blood typing and identifying unknown substances. You'll also meet with NIU police officers to learn how they process real-life crime scenes. Throughout the week of this day camp, create a simulated crime scene model, which includes an analysis of the evidence you choose to include.

Skateboarding at Fargo Camp (July 8-10) by DeKalb Park District

Skateboarding at Fargo Camp (Jun 10-12) by DeKalb Park District

Join us for an interactive summer camp experience that celebrates the power of food!

See history come alive through hands-on activities as we ask: What makes a revolution? The Scientific Revolution. The Disco Movement of 1970s America. The Industrial Revolution and the political revolutions of the U.S., France and Haiti… In all these cases, how and why did people spark change in their societies? Play interactive games, dive into discussions and find and interpret real historical documents. Walk away from the course with college-level research skills and a revolutionized understanding of revolution.

Speech and Debate: Fun With Forensics camp at NIU DeKalb Campus.

Do hands-on activities to learn more about STEAM careers in this introductory camp. Carry out mock urinalysis tests as a medical laboratory scientist. Act as a genetic counselor to test DNA samples and evaluate a family's inheritance pattern for genetic conditions. Create a project in our makerspace using digital fabrication and engineering. Daily projects introduce a wide range of science, technology, engineering and arts careers in a fun, hands-on way.

This summer, let curiosity take the lead! Build a mini machine. Paint with the patterns of nature. Tour campus with an interactive scavenger hunt. At STEAM Explorers Wonder Workshop, campers explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, art and math through hands-on experiments, creative problem-solving and exciting projects. Variety is the spice of life as you do, make and explore. Come discover with us

This summer, let curiosity take the lead! Build a mini machine. Paint with the patterns of nature. Tour campus with an interactive scavenger hunt. At STEAM Explorers Wonder Workshop, campers explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, art and math through hands-on experiments, creative problem-solving and exciting projects. Variety is the spice of life as you do, make and explore. Come discover with us

Summer Leadership Academy at NIU DeKalb Campus.

Send summer out in style! This traditional-style afternoon camp gives kids the chance to play games, get creative, and stay active in the gym while celebrating the final days of summer break with friends. Providing a great balance of structured activities and free-choice fun, this camp allows kids the opportunity to explore their creativity and enjoy being active in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Join us at Theatre Arts Camp for a week packed with exciting theatre activities! Each day, you'll rehearse for a production and perform it for your family and friends at the end of the week. Our 2026 camp theme is: “Our Summer at Olympus: Where Myths Come to Life on Stage” Come play amongst the gods and unleash the power of ancient Greece with fables and folklore from Zeus to Hades! Other activities you'll enjoy include: Daily workshops Acting classes Theatre games Improvisation exercises You'll stay in Neptune Hall during camp. All campers will receive a t-shirt! We'll email you a packet of camp information in early June.

Every year new medications are created and approved to treat conditions ranging from blood clots to diabetes, kidney disease to cancer. Chemists are part of every step of the process from designing new compounds, through testing and refining before rigorous clinical trials. Experience a hands-on introduction to the chemistry of drug design in this camp led by NIU Assistant Professor of Chemistry Chanté Muller. Work in small groups to synthesize aspirin, an "ancient medicine" from willow bark. Extract caffeine from coffee. Conduct solubility tests of various vitamins. Analyze drugs using chromatography, and conduct microscopic observation of brain activity. Discussion combined with hands-on lab activities offer an exciting introduction to this vibrant career field.

A person can go 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. In this camp, we will be looking at issues in food systems that can be influenced and impacted by teens. Campers will investigate topics concerning food waste, insecurity in underrepresented communities, climate change mitigation, and food safety and nutrition.

Anyone who loves exploring the outdoors and discovering how nature works will feel right at home at this camp! Campers will step into the role of real adventurers, participating in hands-on exploration, solving challenges, and uncovering the secrets of the forest. From plants and animals to rocks and hidden ecosystems, each day is filled with exciting discoveries, active learning, and plenty of fun in the great outdoors.

If you're excited about art, we invite you to challenge yourself in a variety of art media at our Visual Arts Camp. You'll experiment with new materials and techniques while producing portfolio-quality work. You'll also experience: Group art and recreation activities. Performance art presentations. Presentations by nationally known artists, art historians and studio artists. You'll stay in Gilbert Hall during camp. Your experience will end with an art show open to your friends and family. All campers will receive a camp t-shirt!

Take the camp experience to the next level with the Voyager program! New this year to Walcamp, campers that participate in Voyager will get to select a specialty to focus on throughout the week.