All year long, kids find themselves encased in rigid structure.
When summer comes, we give them what they desperately need — freedom to expand and evolve. At Steve & Kate’s, campers choose which activities they do, whom they do it with and for how long. For kids, this experience is pure joy. It’s also a kind of training ground for life, where they’ll need to be empowered and independent and resilient and responsible for their own decisions. Happy human-ing starts here.
Grown-ups adore freedom, too.
We’ve described the magical gift you give your kids when you empower them to make their own decisions. Now let’s talk hardcore convenience for you:
Buy a Summer Pass and send your kid to camp any day you want? Check.
Drop them off and pick them up whenever you want? Yup.
Long camp hours, all included in your camp fee? Totally.
Tasty meals and snacks, also included? You bet.
Get an automatic refund for unused days at summer’s end? For sure.
Coding. Sewing. Baking. Making. Sporting. Lounging. Every day, campers face the excruciating task of choosing from these and many more engrossing activities. Some select a mix of many. Others burrow deep into one or two. Every morning, they face a brand new day bristling with terrible trade-offs and tantalizing possibilities.
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
Create animated art in our bustling Media Lab, as you breathe life into your stories via stop-motion “shorts” filmed on our purpose-built animation stages.
SEWING SALON
Use customized patterns and challenges—and a mix of hand and machine sewing—to manufacture bags, clothing and other fashionable, funky creations. This year campers can even use stencils to design their own fabric.
CODING
Absorb hands-on coding concepts using curated iPad apps with drag-and-drop platforms that cater to both early and advanced readers. Our approach gamifies the learning process to put power in the hands of new coders.
THE STAGE
Move and groove with motion-based games like Just Dance, or film your own music videos with friends. New this year campers can also make puppets for our custom theater. Want to burst out in song and dance, or act out a gripping dramatic scene? This is your big moment.
ROBOTICS
Leverage leading-edge robotic technology to empower your learning and problem-solving. Choose from guided activities and self-directed games, plus tools like robot landscapes and custom mazes.
BAKERY
Bake up a storm in our wildly popular test kitchen. Choose fillings, spices, and add-ons, explore new flavors, and customize confections to satisfy your discerning palate.
TINKER LAB
Release your inner innovator with crafts, inventor kits, 3D pens, and giant foam blocks. Construct take-home projects or collaborate on large-scale builds such as forts or thrones. Our hand-selected STEAM-based materials fuel your curiosity and inspire exploration.
S&K TRADITIONS
Participate in decades-old Steve & Kate’s traditions like Find Chuckie—our beloved, elusive, rubber chicken—and Friday Pie-Day—where you can cap off a productive week by treating friends and camp staffers to a refreshing pie in the face.
SPORTS & REC
Run, jump, throw, kick, play. Each site is equipped with go-karts and additional athletic gear optimized for the available fields and play spaces. Team up with peers and staffers to play sports, design games, concoct obstacle courses and more.
WEEKLY SPECIALS
Every day, experience a special, show- stopping activity. A giant inflatable, a musical performance or guest speaker, a movement class, obstacle course—anything’s possible. We’ll announce our official 2024 specials lineup this spring.
WATER PLAY
On a sweltering summer afternoon, nothing keeps you cooler than games and activities like water tag, inflatable slip n’ slides and giant sprinklers. Wherever space, weather, and local water restrictions allow ‘em, we provide ‘em.
LOUNGE
Enter a pulsating paradise of foosball, marble mazes and other indoor diversions. Retreat to a quiet corner with sensory objects, puzzles and fidget toys. Or immerse yourself in a selection from our library of books curated for all ages and interests.
At Steve & Kate’s, enough is never enough. So every week we supplement our main offering of awesome activities with thrill-inducing weekly specials. Here’s what’s coming this summer to your location:
June 10th-14th
Disco Dom
Friday, June, 14th
Disco Party! First Friday of the summer, campers have a chance to hang in a our inflatable Disco Dome for music and fun!
June 17th-21st
Crayola Castle
Wednesday, June 19th
Bounce house, BUT CRAYOLA! Have some fun in our Crayola bounce castle!
June 24th-28th
Slam Dunk
Wednesday, June 26th
Calling all the ballers! Campers will have a chance to hang out and participate in a slam dunk contest.
July 1st-5th
Batman Jump
Tuesday, July 2nd
Superhero day! Looking to test out all of your cool tricks? Batman Jump house will be on deck!
July 8th-12th
Axe Glow
Wednesday, July 10th
Two lane Axe throwing but glow in the dark style! Super fun activity for our older campers!
July 15th-19th
Water Play Monday, Wednesday & Friday
We suggest bringing swimwear or a change of clothes if your camper wants to participate.
Archery
Wednesday, July 17th
Learn some new skills this summer with Archery!
July 22nd-26th
Water Play Monday, Wednesday & Friday
We suggest bringing swimwear or a change of clothes if your camper wants to participate.
Hot Air Balloon Jump
Wednesday, July 24th
More inflatable fun! Never been in a Hot Air Balloon? Well, this is close!
July 29th-August 2nd
Water Play Monday, Wednesday & Friday
We suggest bringing swimwear or a change of clothes if your camper wants to participate.
Toilet Races
Wednesday, July 31st
Get Ready for the best toilet race of your life! Mini carts shaped like toilets! Race to the potty!
Carnival August 9th
On the last day of camp we’ll trade in our traditional activities for a giant end-of-summer celebration! Get excited for carnival games, extra treats, and plenty of chances to win prizes, a foam party and Carnival Game Depot
Youngest campers fly solo, but there’s a net.
Most kids take to life at Steve & Kate’s like the naturally hardy individuals they are. For some, especially our younger campers, it can take a little longer to get their wings. That’s why each camp has staff dedicated specifically to supporting our youngest campers. Helping these campers discover their camp magic is the whole point of our Youngest Camper Support Staff, and every time it’s exhilarating to behold.
Food
Eat your heart out.
Life without delicious food sucks. That’s why our cuisine de camp features a mouth-watering array of tasty, nourishing grub. In partnership with fan favorite restaurants, we keep kids fired up with food they love — from piping hot pizza to salubrious Caesar salads to tangy tomato soup, and much more. Our menus include rotating specials as well as healthy snacks and sides kids can grab whenever their fuel gauge dips into the red. Chomp, chomp. Munch, munch.
What’s on the menu.
MONDAY
Cheese Pizza
(VG)(SF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)(SF)
Bagel w/ cream cheese or vegan nut-free butter spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup w/ fresh baguette
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Salad w/ choice of dressing
Italian (VG)(VV)(GF)(DF)(EF), Caesar (GF), Ranch (VG)(GF)
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(EF)(SF)
TUESDAY
Cheese Pizza
(VG)(SF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)(SF)
Bagel w/ cream cheese or vegan nut-free butter spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup w/ fresh baguette
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Salad w/ choice of dressing
Italian (VG)(VV)(GF)(DF)(EF), Caesar (GF), Ranch (VG)(GF)
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
(VG)(EF)
WEDNESDAY
Cheese Pizza
(VG)(SF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)(SF)
Bagel w/ cream cheese or vegan nut-free butter spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup w/ fresh baguette
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Salad w/ choice of dressing
Italian (VG)(VV)(GF)(DF)(EF), Caesar (GF), Ranch (VG)(GF)
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
(DF)(SF)
THURSDAY
Cheese Pizza
(VG)(SF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)(SF)
Bagel w/ cream cheese or vegan nut-free butter spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup w/ fresh baguette
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Salad w/ choice of dressing
Italian (VG)(VV)(GF)(DF)(EF), Caesar (GF), Ranch (VG)(GF)
Signature Mac & Cheese
(VG)
FRIDAY
Cheese Pizza
(VG)(SF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)(SF)
Bagel w/ cream cheese or vegan nut-free butter spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup w/ fresh baguette
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Salad w/ choice of dressing
Italian (VG)(VV)(GF)(DF)(EF), Caesar (GF), Ranch (VG)(GF)
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
(VG)(EF)(SF)
DAILY SIDES & SNACKS
Bananas
Yogurt
Graham crackers
Clementines
Pretzels
Snack Bars
Smartfood popcorn
Apple Sauce
String Cheese
Kettle Chips
*Items subject to daily availability
Fees
What camp costs.
Perhaps you are a grown-up who loves to plan. Or maybe you’re an expert of the fine art of logistical improvisation. Miraculously, our camp fees are designed to scratch both of your respective itches. Buy any number of Day Passes or a Summer Pass, and use them whenever you want during the summer. Don’t even bother to let us know when you’re coming — just roll up. If your plans change, don’t sweat it. We’ll automatically refund your unused Passes in full at summer’s end. How many other camps can offer you that level of flexibility?*
*Not one that we know of.
Day Pass and Summer Pass fees cover the entire Steve & Kate’s experience, including lunch, snacks, activities and the entire day from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Buy any number of Day Passes and use them anytime
Upgrade to a Summer Pass at any time by purchasing 30 Day Passes per a given child
Unused Day Passes are automatically refunded in mid September
Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm.
One fee covers the entire summer–that’s up to 44 days of camp in Chicago – Bucktown!
If you purchase a Summer Pass and use less than 30 days of camp, we’ll calculate what you would have paid at the Day Pass rate and refund you the difference automatically in mid September
Check out our virtual camp orientation for everything you need to know before your first day of camp, coming this spring. Once we get closer to summer, we’ll email registered families a link to our virtual, camp orientation. This will provide important information such as camp drop-off & pick-up procedures, how to check-in and check-out of camp each day, what to bring (and not bring), and a few more camp details.
Campus & Accessibility Details
This campus is not ADA-compliant
Testimonials
These people are very smart. You should listen to them.
The staff was really wonderful at the Chicago-Lakeview location. They were all highly personable and warm with our children. I always appreciated hearing how much they enjoyed spending the day with our kids. They made me feel like my kids were part of a family.
Amy S.
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on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!
Thank you so much for an amazing summer. (He) is like a different kid. We've found our camp, and it was the first summer that wasn't stressful for our family. The counselors were awesome. Can't wait for next year!
Kelly D.
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on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!
I was incredibly impressed with the camp and have told many of our friends about it. The entire team at the Lakeview location was fantastic and I loved that my kids felt so welcome there. They both learned so much this summer and are already talking about how excited they are to come back to camp next summer. Thanks for making it all easy.
Marisa P.
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on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!
Staff
So much more than a job.
For our team members, giving kids the space to liberate their true potential becomes a kind of calling. Think of them as a high-energy, warm-hearted crew of child advocates who deftly balance two invaluable skills — that of providing structure and guidance, and that of staying the heck out of campers’ ways. If that’s not enough, they’re all background-checked and trained in CPR and first-aid. Say “hi” to them at camp — they’d love to meet you.
Events
Steve & Kate's Events
Join us at an upcoming virtual Information Session to learn all the camp basics. We’ll give a quick presentation and overview on our program, and then answer any questions you have. Please note that Information Sessions are open to all Steve & Kate’s Camps, and are not specific to any given location. All Information Sessions are listed in ET.
Feel free to contact us anytime with your questions about life at Steve & Kate’s, or questions about life in general.
BRIA
she/her
We are excited to welcome Bria to the S&K team this summer! Bria enjoys trying new foods and wishes she was a food critic. You can find her with her family and her new baby when not at camp. Bria is most excited for all of the 1st year campers to experience this journey together!