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 any number of days and send your kid to camp any day you want? Check.
- Drop the kiddos off and pick them up whenever you want? Yup.
- Long camp hours, all included? Totally.
- Tasty meals and snacks, also included? You bet.
- Get an automatic refund for unused days at summer’s end? For sure.
- Do you deserve this kind of freedom? Yes, you do.
WHAT IT COSTS
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Camp details
CAMP DETAILS
DATES
Jun 16 - Aug 8
NOTES
Closed July 4
HOURS
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
AGES
4–12
ADDRESS
Coonley Elementary
4046 N Leavitt St.
Chicago, IL 60618
DIRECTOR
Syd
CALL/TEXT
FOOD
View Weekly Menu
Local Camp Drop-off/Pick-Up Procedures
As we get closer to summer, we’ll email registered families a link to our virtual, camp orientation. This will provide important information such as our local 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
Coonley Elementary is ADA-Accessible
Learn more about our host school: www.coonley.cps.edu
Mentorship Program
Mentorship Program
We’re excited to offer our Mentorship Program at this camp location for Summer 2025!
Intended exclusively for children ages 14-15, our Mentorship Program is an experience where participants can get a taste of what it’s like to be a counselor and develop leadership skills, while upholding our self-directed philosophy.
With the supervision of Steve & Kate’s staff, Mentees (our program participants) will help facilitate camp activities, engage with campers, and help encourage camper connection and participation. The program utilizes self-directed learning to support Mentees in their development into young adults ready to take on more responsibilities.
Mentorship Rates:
Mentorship Day Pass Rate: $94
Mentorship Day Pass (20+) Rate: $79
Mentorship Summer Pass Rate: $2,370
Returning Mentees: $0
Per usual, any unused Mentorship Day Passes will be automatically refunded in full at summer’s end. If you purchase a Mentorship Summer Pass and end up using less than 30 days of camp, then we’ll calculate what you would have paid at the daily rate and refund you the difference automatically.
Mentorship Application
To participate in the Mentorship Program, please submit an application here. Please note that Mentees must attend the camp location they apply for. Once approved, your local director will email you with instructions for completing registration. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local director.
Activities
Choosing activities: the daily dilemma.
Coding. Sewing. Baking. Making. Sporting. Filming. 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. Either way, each day they face new experiences bristling with trade-offs and tantalizing possibilities.
In the early morning and late afternoon, campers ramp up and wind down with recreational choices. For the bulk of the day, children will choose from the activities listed below.
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION
SEWING SALON
CODING
MEDIA LAB
ROBOTICS
BAKERY
TINKER LAB
S&K TRADITIONS
SPORTS & REC
WEEKLY SPECIALS
WATER PLAY
LOUNGE & LIBRARY
FEES & REFUNDS
Even more activities.
At Steve & Kate’s, enough is never enough. So every week we supplement our main offering of activities with thrill-inducing weekly specials. Here’s what’s coming this summer to your location:
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. (It’s included.)
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.
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 summer 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 any day at any open location.
- Add more Day Passes to your account at any time.
- All unused passes are automatically refunded back at the rate you paid, by September 29, 2025.
Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am to 6:00pm.
- One fee covers the entire summer–That’s up to 39 days of camp in Chicago – North Center!
- If you purchase a Summer Pass and use less than 25 days of camp, we’ll calculate what you would have paid at the Day Pass rate and refund you the difference automatically by September 29, 2025.
FINANCIAL AID
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Testimonials
Staff
Our dedicated camp
team.
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.
Mentorship Program
Mentorship Program
This camp location also participates in a Mentorship Program (or junior counselor program) for teens who might want to work at camp some day or who just aren’t quite ready to give up that sweet camper life. This program guides children ages 14-15 through camp experiences aimed to develop their leadership skills, all while honoring our approach to self-directed learning. Learn more, here.
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.
Local Events
Your camp director
Get in Touch.
Feel free to contact us anytime with your questions about life at Steve & Kate’s, or questions about life in general.
SYD
she/her
Syd joined Steve & Kate’s in 2017 and became a director in 2019. Syd even taught herself how to bake at camp, while leading the Baking activity in 2018. When not at camp you can usually find Syd playing the bass or at a concert or a friends’ show.
This year Syd is most excited to hold a camp-wide music video competition!”
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CALL OR TEXT US
AND DOZENS MORE!
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