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Have Bright Horizons Back-Up Care benefits? Steve & Kate’s Camp is included. Learn more, here.

Evanston Summer Camp

Beacon Academy 1574 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201

EVANSTON, IL

Evanston Summer Camp

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.
Camp details

CAMP DETAILS

DATES

Jun 15 - Aug 7

NOTES

Closed June 19 and July 3

HOURS

8:00am - 6:00pm

AGES

4–12

ADDRESS

Beacon Academy
1574 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201

DIRECTOR

Zach

CALL/TEXT

847-576-0436

FOOD

View Weekly Menu

Additional info for Evanston campers

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

Details coming soon.

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.

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STOP-MOTION ANIMATION

Learn the craft of stop-motion animation as you create unique characters and stories to produce your own short films on our custom-built animation stages. Available within the Media Lab. 
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SEWING SALON

Discover or deepen your love for sewing with colorful custom fabric patterns and exciting sewing challenges. Use hand-sewing and machine sewing techniques to design and create garments, accessories, and other cloth creations!
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CODING

Practice hands-on coding with our carefully selected iPad apps, designed for both early and advanced readers. These interactive programs gamify learning, making coding fun and accessible for all skill levels.
media lab

MEDIA LAB

Alongside film, coding, and robotics, you can unleash your digital creativity in the Media Lab. Explore 3D worlds with an interactive virtual reality experience or dive into interactive art apps to bring your vision to life
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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.
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BAKERY

Explore new baked creations with fillings, spices, and add-ons, as you customize your confections to satisfy your sweet and savory palate. 
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TINKER LAB

Tinker endlessly with a thoughtful supply of arts and crafts, custom ‘maker packs’ made to spur innovation, and even 3D pens for the coolest collaborative and take-home projects.
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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.
special performance

WEEKLY SPECIALS

Jump into a new special experience every single day! Whether it’s an obstacle course, a musical performance, a carnival game, a movement workshop, or a pop-up petting zoo, you can count on this boredom-busting daily activity to switch things up! Additional activity schedule coming soon!
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GAMEROOM & LOUNGE

Join friends for some get-your-wiggles-out fun playing tabletop games, building marble mazes and forts, or retreat to a quiet corner filled with satisfying sensory objects and a thoughtfully stocked bookshelf to engage all ages and interests.

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:

Jun 15–18

Monday

Friendship Bracelet Workshop

Learn how to make different bracelet designs to take-home and trade with your friends.

Wednesday

Bilingual Storytelling with Jasmin Cardenas

A combination of ancient legends, myths, folktales and personal tales from North, Central and South America.

Thursday

Butterfly Garden

Campers will learn about Painted Lady Caterpillars and watch them grow in their Butterfly Garden.

Jun 22–26

Monday

Keychain Making Workshop

Campers will learn how to make various types of keychains, some in animal shapes, braided, and beaded.

Tuesday

Brain to Belly Yoga

An introduction to yoga where campers stretch, breathe, and move through kid-friendly poses.

Wednesday

Fossil Dig

Campers will dig their own “fossils” while learning about prehistoric life and the processes that preserve it.

Thursday

Origami Workshop

Campers fold, crease, and transform paper into animals, shapes, and creative surprises through the Japanese art of origami.

Friday

Glitter Tattoos

Campers can step into our pretend tattoo parlor for some glittery art.

Jun 29–Jul 2

Monday

Bird Bullking

Our team of hero sewists make simple 4- to 5-inch bird bases with recycled fabric. These bird bases become canvases for bird conservation artworks handcrafted by people across the country.

Tuesday

Balloon Artist

Campers can join the balloon artist at 10 AM

Wednesday

Camper vs Counselor

Campers and counselors will join in on short sport challenges at Raymond Park.

Thursday

Slime Workshop

Campers dive into sensory science as they mix, stretch, & create their own slime.

Jul 6–10

Monday

Giant Kirplunk

Campers can join the Giant Kirplunk challenge for a chance to win prizes.

Tuesday

Brain to Belly Yoga

An introduction to yoga where campers stretch, breathe, and move through kid-friendly poses.

Thursday

Rock Art

A simple, hands-on craft where kids paint and decorate rocks—turning ordinary stones into camp-themed keepsakes.

Jul 13–17

Monday

Junk to Art

In our Junk to Art class, campers of all ages design and create their own pieces of artwork by recycling and upcycling discarded items. Participants have hands-on guidance from Future Hearts, Minds, Dreamers’ professional Teacher Artists who inspire creative exploration, observation skills, and artistic design. You can expect your camper to practice problem solving and clear communication as well.

Tuesday

Birding

Campers can join Audubon to learn about birding in their own backyard.

Wednesday

Water Balloon Battleship

Campers can join at Raymond Park for a fun twist to a classic game, using water balloons to “sink” your opponent’s battleship.

Thursday

CircEsteem Workshop

In the morning, campers can move through three interactive circus stations, learning circus tricks from teaching artists from CircEsteem!

Friday

Double Gameshow!

What better way to get through the week than a double game show? Double the chances to win, double the fun.

Jul 20–24

Monday

Red Clay Dance

Campers can learn some base-level dance skills from Chicago’s own Red Clay Dance Company at 2 PM

Tuesday

Yoga & Midfulness

Campers can join our counselors in a yoga workshop where campers stretch, breathe, and move through kid-friendly poses.

Wednesday

Sewing Challenges

Campers can learn new techniques in preparation for the Showcase.

Thursday

Caricature Artist

Campers can take home their own caricature drawing done by a talented Caricature Artist.

Friday

Camper Showcase

Campers will have an opportunity to show-off all of the amazing projects they’ve made while at camp.

Jul 27–31

Monday

Creative Writing

Campers can join Future Hearts, Minds, Dreamers for a poetry and spoken word workshop.

Tuesday

Mini Golf

A portable mini golf experience where campers practice coordination and enjoy friendly competition in a fun, interactive setting.

Wednesday

Glitter Tattoos

Campers can visit our pretend tattoo parlor for a temporary glitter tattoo.

Thursday

Bilingual Storytelling with Jasmin Cardenas

A combination of ancient legends, myths, folktales and personal tales from North, Central and South America.

Friday

Robotics Challenge

Campers will be challenged to program robots & design obstacle courses.

Aug 3–7

Monday

Bubble Party

Campers will be invited to join the bubble party at Raymond Park.

Tuesday

Balloon Artist

Campers will go home with the balloon design of their choice!

Wednesday

Make-Your-Own Lava Lamp

Campers will be able to create their own mini lava lamps [using baby oil and food coloring].

Thursday

Double Gameshow

What better way to get through the week than a double game show? Double the chances to win, double the fun.

Friday

Carnival Day!

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.

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.

What’s on the menu.

DAILY SIDES & SNACKS
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 8:00am – 6:00pm.

Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am – 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 18, 2026.

Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am – 6:00pm.

  • Buy 15+ Day Passes per child and receive our 15-day rate.
  • Add more Day Passes to your account at any time at the 15-day rate of $114/day.
  • All unused passes are automatically refunded back at the rate you paid, by September 18, 2026.

Fee includes lunch, snacks, activities and all hours 8:00am – 6:00pm.

  • One fee covers the entire summer–That’s up to 38 days of camp in Evanston!
  • If you purchase a Summer Pass and use less than 30 days of camp, we’ll calculate what you would have paid at the 15-Day Pass rate and refund you the difference automatically by September 18, 2026.
Testimonials

These people are very smart. You should listen to them.

I really like that you've carved out something truly unique - a completely low-stress experience for parents. No pre-planning, no need to make lunch, no need to decide which days to attend, automatic refunds. It took some stress out of planning our summer.
Dan C.

(S&K parent)

Want to see more reviews or add your own kudos? Check us out on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!

Even though there are so many kids, she was able to put a personal touch to it by remembering every kid’s name, being open to suggestions as well as remembering to remind my 4 year old daughter to go to the bathroom! My daughter had so much fun making a dress for her bear, making bread, dancing, playing with the weekly specials and the list goes on and on.
Elaine C.

(S&K parent)

Want to see more reviews or add your own kudos? Check us out on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!

It's great to pick up your kid from camp with a smile and excited about the day they spent doing various activities. Staff was wonderful and not having to think about food was such a relief.
Christian K.

(S&K parent)

Want to see more reviews or add your own kudos? Check us out on Google, Yelp, or Facebook!

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.

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.

We would love to help you learn more about our program and at the same time learn more about you and your camper.

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