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.
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
Lake Forest Country Day School is ADA accessible
Learn more about our host school: https://www.lfcds.org/
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
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.
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!
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.
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
Explore new baked creations with fillings, spices, and add-ons, as you customize your confections to satisfy your sweet and savory palate.
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.
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. Get the go-kart experience or unleash with athletic equipment essentials chosen especially for your site’s unique fields and rec spaces. Team up with peers and staff to play classic sports and even make up new games!
WEEKLY SPECIALS
Jump into a new special experience every day! Whether it’s a new giant inflatable, a musical performance, a movement workshop, or a popup petting zoo, you can count on this boredom-busting daily activity to switch things up! Check out our local 2025 weekly activity schedule, here.
WATER PLAY
There’s nothing like water play on a hot summer day! Stay cool with activities like water tag, inflatable slip n’ slides, and some giant sprinkler action. Wherever space, weather, and local water restrictions allow them, we bring it!
LOUNGE & LIBRARY
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.
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 9–13
Monday
Waterplay
Come prepared with swimwear & a towel!
Tuesday
Dino Jump
Rawr! Get ready to jump like dinosaurs in the dino themed bounce house!
Wednesday
Waterplay
Come prepared with swimwear & a towel!
Thursday
Brainchild Collective
Our collective of social emotional learning programming brings interactive fun to learning about emotional regulation.
Friday
Talent Show Firday!
Join us for the first talent show of the summer!
Jun 16–20
Monday
Waterplay
Come prepared with swimwear & a towel!
Tuesday
Kidokinetics
Sports enrichment and physical education programming.
Wednesday
Circus Jump
Come prepared to clown around in our circus bounce house!
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Camper Showcase
Campers will have an opportunity to show-off all of the amazing projects they’ve made while at camp.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Jun 23–27
Monday
Balloon Twister
A fun twist to camp with a Balloon Artist!
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Batman Jump
Ready to be a superhero? We have a fun bounce house and games where campers can be superheroes!
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Talent Show
A camp showcase for creativity and self-expression. Campers are invited to take the stage and share their unique talents–whether that’s singing, dancing, acting, joking, juggling, or anything else.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Jun 30–Jul 2
Monday
Bubble Party
It’s Bubble time! Create millions of bubbles with wands, blowers, and special bubble tools for an amazing outdoor party!
Tuesday
Red Clay Dance
Campers learn dance moves, styles, & techniques from a skilled instructor.
Wednesday
Hot Air Balloon Jump
Jump around our classic bounce house—the perfect place to get some energy out.
Jul 7–11
Monday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Tuesday
Aligator Slip N Slide
Campers stay cool as they race & slide down our inflatable slip ‘n slide–weather permitting.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Counselor Led Activity
Join one of our counselors for a special workshop!
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Talent Show
A camp showcase for creativity and self-expression. Campers are invited to take the stage and share their unique talents–whether that’s singing, dancing, acting, joking, juggling, or anything else.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Jul 14–18
Monday
Double Slide
Double the slide means DOUBLE the FUN!
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Counselor Led Activity
Join one of our counselors for a special activity!
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Fashion Show
Campers become designers and models for the day–creating their own looks in the Sewing Salon and showing them off in a playful, confidence-boosting runway show.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Jul 21–25
Monday
Balloon Twister
A fun twist to camp!
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Origami Workshop
Campers fold, crease, and transform paper into animals, shapes, and creative surprises through the Japanese art of origami.
Thursday
Julian the Magician
Julian the Magician is stopping by to perform an interactive show full of tricks and illusions.
Friday
Double Gameshow!
What better way to get through the week than a double game show? Double the chances to win, double the fun.
Friday
Pie Day!
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Jul 28–Aug 1
Monday
Face Paint
Watch imaginations come to life as campers transform into animals, superheroes, and more with custom face painting.
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Slime Workshop
Campers dive into sensory science as they mix, stretch, & create their own slime.
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Aug 4–8
Monday
Counselor Led Activity
Join one of our counselors for a special activity!
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Drumline
An interactive workshop to explore drums, rhythm, and creative expression through hands-on musical activities and collaborative jam sessions.
Thursday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Friday
Pie Day
Since 1980 Steve & Kate’s has celebrated the end of the week with an optional whipped cream pie to the face.
Friday
Camper Showcase
Campers will have an opportunity to show-off all of the amazing projects they’ve made while at camp.
Aug 11–15
Monday
Slackline Chicago
An interactive course on slack-lining!
Tuesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Wednesday
Waterplay
Campers stay cool while diving into water-filled activities like balloon tosses, sprinkler runs, and splash games.
Please bring a labeled swimsuit, towel, and water shoes/sandals to participate.
Thursday
Talent Show
A camp showcase for creativity and self-expression. Campers are invited to take the stage and share their unique talents–whether that’s singing, dancing, acting, joking, juggling, or anything else.
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.
MONDAY
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(EF)(SF)
Caesar Salad
Cheese Pizza
(VG)
Creamy Tomato Soup
(VG)(GF)(EF)(SF)
Ham & Cheese
(EF)
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Nut-Free Spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Salad with Italian
(VG)
Salad with Ranch
(VG)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)
TUESDAY
Caesar Salad
Cheese Pizza
(VG)
Chicken Apple Salad
(GF)(EF)
Creamy Tomato Soup
(VG)(GF)(EF)(SF)
Mac & Cheese
(VG)
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Nut-Free Spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Salad with Italian
(VG)
Salad with Ranch
(VG)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)
WEDNESDAY
Caesar Salad
Cheese Pizza
(VG)
Chicken Noodle Soup
(DF)(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup
(VG)(GF)(EF)(SF)
Grilled Cheese
(VG)(EF)
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Nut-Free Spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Salad with Italian
(VG)
Salad with Ranch
(VG)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)
THURSDAY
Caesar Salad
Cheese Pizza
(VG)
Creamy Tomato Soup
(VG)(GF)(EF)(SF)
Mac & Cheese
(VG)
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Nut-Free Spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Salad with Italian
(VG)
Salad with Ranch
(VG)
Tuna Sandwich
(DF)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)
FRIDAY
Caesar Salad
Cheese Pizza
(VG)
Chicken Bagel Stack
(SF)
Creamy Tomato Soup
(VG)(GF)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
(VG)(EF)(SF)
Plain Bagel with Nut-Free Spread
(VG)(VV)(DF)(EF)(SF)
Salad with Italian
(VG)
Salad with Ranch
(VG)
Turkey & Cheese Sandwich
(EF)
Veggie Sandwich
(VG)(EF)(SF)
DAILY SIDES & SNACKS
Banana
Yogurt
Graham crackers
Clementine
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 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 48 days of camp in Lake Forest!
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 by September 29, 2025.
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.
Feel free to contact us anytime with your questions about life at Steve & Kate’s, or questions about life in general.
ANNIE
she/her
We’re excited to have Annie back for her second summer with us! Annie enjoys exploring parks, and when not at camp you can usually find her prancing around with her dog–Spencer!
This summer Annie is most excited to make this the best summer possible for campers and counselors alike.
WHAT IT COSTS
REGISTER NOW
FEES & REFUNDS
FINANCIAL AID
REGISTER NOW
EMAIL US
CALL OR TEXT US
