Hinsdale, Illinois · Summer 2026

Summer Camps in Hinsdale, IL — The Complete Guide for Busy Parents

The Community House runs 10+ distinct programs, BAM Theatre puts kids on stage each week, and School of Rock brings the full band experience. Everything in one place.

Browse All Hinsdale Camps →
Updated March 2026 · 15+ camps · Ages 2–17
Why Hinsdale? Hinsdale is one of DuPage County's wealthiest communities (MHI $210K+), which means well-funded, high-quality programming across the board. The Community House — a nonprofit community center at 415 W Eighth St — is the backbone of summer in Hinsdale, running everything from flagship day camp to baking, puppetry, and animation. Families here have access to premium specialty programs you won't find in most surrounding towns.

Jump to a Category

  1. General Day Camp
  2. Arts & Specialty
  3. Culinary Arts
  4. Theater & Performance
  5. Music
  6. STEM
  7. Nature & Animals
  8. Sports & Athletics
  9. How I'd Narrow It Down
  10. FAQ
⏰ Registration note: The Community House flagship Summer Day Camp runs June 1–August 7 and has limited spots per age group. Specialty camps (Sewing, Culinary Science, Relief Printing) are 1-week sessions that fill independently. If you're eyeing a specific themed week, register soon — some weeks sell out months in advance.
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General Day Camp

The Community House runs Hinsdale's flagship day camp experience with age-based groups, themed weeks, pool swim days, and weekly field trips. There's also a half-day option for younger kids not ready for a full day.

The Community House — Summer Day Camp

The Community House
🗓 Jun 1 – Aug 7, 2026 (10 weeks, no camp Jul 3) 👧 Entering 1st–8th grade (ages 6–14) 💰 $375/week · $80/day 📍 415 W Eighth St, Hinsdale

Hinsdale's flagship day camp with 5 age groups: Guppies (pre-K), Minnows, Jellyfish, Stingrays, and Sharks. Pool swim Tue/Thu 12–2 PM. Weekly field trips. Clubs: Photography, Nature, Drama, Xtreme Sports. 10 themed weeks including Spirit Week, Water Warriors, Mad Science, and Camp Carnival. Free camp t-shirt included.

Ages 6–14 Pool swim Field trips 10 themed weeks
Register at Community House →

The Community House — Guppies Kiddie Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (multiple sessions) 👧 Ages 3–6 (must be potty trained) 💰 $250/week · $55/day 📍 415 W Eighth St, Hinsdale

Half-day preschool camp with creative activities — sports, drama, music, crafts, and water days — organized by weekly themes. Designed for younger children not yet ready for the full-day camp experience.

Ages 3–6 Half day Weekly themes
Register at Community House →

Village Children's Academy — STEAM Summer Camp

Village Children's Academy
🗓 Early Jun – Aug 2026 👧 Ages 2–12 ⏰ Full day (6:30 AM – 6:30 PM) 📍 901 N Elm St, Hinsdale

NAEYC-accredited STEAM camp with 20+ weekly themes including Young Entrepreneurs, Bugs & Butterflies, and Arctic Adventures. Spanish immersion program integrated. School-age campers get field trips and a kit with backpack and ID wristband.

Ages 2–12 STEAM Spanish immersion Full day available
Learn More →
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Arts & Specialty Camps

The Community House offers a depth of specialty arts camps that most DuPage towns can't match — including professional techniques like block printing taught by a master artist and a sewing-to-fashion-show experience.

The Community House — Summer Arts Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (weekly sessions through mid-Aug) 👧 Ages 5–13 💰 $225/week · $50/day

Themed weekly art camps with painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Options include Morning Drawing ($80/week) and Kids Open Art Studio ($210/week) for extended creative time.

Ages 5–13 Painting & sculpture Weekly themes
Register →

The Community House — Relief Printing Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (4-day session) 👧 Ages 7–16 💰 $213

Block printing techniques taught by master artist David Marcet. Campers learn relief printing fundamentals and create their own original prints — a genuinely rare specialty program.

Ages 7–16 Block printing Master artist
Register →

The Community House — Puppetry Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (3-day session) 👧 Ages 8–16 💰 $177

Campers create and operate puppets, then perform puppet shows. Combines crafting, storytelling, and performance art in one compact 3-day experience.

Ages 8–16 Puppet making Performance
Register →

The Community House — Sewing Camp

The Community House / Ev Fine Arts
🗓 Summer 2026 (1-week session, Mon–Fri) 👧 Ages 7–14 💰 $425

Daily sewing projects all week, culminating in a fashion show. Campers learn fundamental sewing skills and create wearable pieces. One of the more unique offerings in the western suburbs.

Ages 7–14 Sewing skills Fashion show finale
Register →

The Community House — Animation Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (4-day session) 👧 Ages 7–16 💰 Contact for pricing

Campers learn animation techniques and create their own animated projects. Part of The Community House specialty camp lineup — a good fit for digital-arts-curious kids.

Ages 7–16 Animation Digital arts
Register →

Tianto Art — Outdoor Summer Art Camp

Tianto Art Studio
🗓 Summer 2026 📍 941 S Monroe St, Hinsdale 💰 Contact for pricing

Outdoor art camp in Hinsdale with creative projects in an open-air setting. Contact the studio for current session details and availability.

Outdoor setting Fine arts
Visit Tianto Art →
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Culinary Arts Camps

Hinsdale has not one but two culinary camp options through The Community House — cooking and baking run as separate weekly programs, both led by experienced instructors.

The Community House — Culinary Science Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (multiple 1-week sessions) 👧 Ages 5–11 💰 $380/week

Hands-on kitchen camp with a Chopped Challenge competition format. Kids learn basic cooking through daily projects with a fun competitive edge. Multiple sessions available throughout summer.

Ages 5–11 Hands-on cooking Chopped Challenge
Register →

The Community House — Baking Camp

The Community House
🗓 Summer 2026 (multiple 1-week sessions) 👧 Ages 5–11 💰 $365/week

Baking fundamentals through hands-on projects all week. Multiple sessions available throughout summer — a good option if your kid is more baker than chef.

Ages 5–11 Baking Hands-on
Register →
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Theater & Performance

BAM Theatre is the standout in Hinsdale for performing arts — kids audition, rehearse, and perform a full Broadway musical within a single week. Past shows include Cinderella and Newsies Jr.

BAM Theatre — Broadway Workshop Series

BAM Theatre
🗓 Jun – Aug 2026 (weekly sessions) 👧 Ages 4–16 💰 $325/week 📍 641 S Bodin St, Hinsdale

Weekly theatrical camps where campers audition, rehearse, and perform a condensed Broadway musical by Saturday. Covers singing, acting, and dance. All participants receive a camp t-shirt. Programs also run at Clarendon Hills location. Past productions: Cinderella, Newsies Jr.

Ages 4–16 Broadway musicals Saturday performance Singing + dance + acting
Register at BAM Theatre →
Tip for theater families: BAM Theatre runs weekly — you can do a single week to try it, or back-to-back weeks if your kid gets hooked. The Saturday performance at the end of each week is a genuine mini-production, not a rehearsal-room showcase. Great for kids who freeze up in recitals but come alive with an actual audience.
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Music Camps

School of Rock Hinsdale brings the full band-camp experience to the western suburbs — from tiny rockers (age 3) through teens ready for a real stage.

School of Rock Hinsdale — Summer Music Camps

School of Rock
🗓 Summer 2026 (multiple sessions) 👧 Ages 3–17 💰 Contact for pricing 📍 116 S Washington St, Hinsdale

Summer music camp where students learn to play songs through live performances like real musicians. Programs for preschoolers (3–5), kids (6–12), and teens (13–17). Most camps end with a live show performed by campers. All instruments and vocalists welcome — all skill levels.

Ages 3–17 Live performance finale All instruments All skill levels
Register at School of Rock →
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STEM Camps

The Community House brings in Bright Child Learning for their spring-break STEAM session, which blends culinary arts with science, crafts, and art. For summer-long STEM, Village Children's Academy integrates STEAM through their themed weekly camps.

The Community House — STEAM Camp (Bright Child Learning)

The Community House / Bright Child Learning Co.
🗓 Mar 30 – Apr 2, 2026 (Spring Break, Mon–Thu) 👧 Ages 5–13 💰 $400 ⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Spring break STEAM camp combining culinary arts with science exploration, crafts, and art. Participants make something new each day integrating cooking, science, crafts, and art. Note: spring break session — confirm summer availability directly with The Community House.

Ages 5–13 STEAM Cooking + science + art
Check Availability →
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Nature & Animal Camps

The Hinsdale Humane Society runs one of the most distinctive summer camps in DuPage County — hands-on animal interaction with actual shelter pets, therapy animals, and animal professionals.

Hinsdale Humane Society — Summer Camp

Hinsdale Humane Society
🗓 Summer 2026 (multiple sessions) 👧 Ages 6–12 💰 Contact for pricing 📍 21 Salt Creek Ln, Hinsdale

Hands-on adventure for kids who love animals. Curriculum includes interactive activities, games, crafts, and creative projects about animal care and behavior. Campers meet animal professionals, safely interact with shelter pets, and receive visits from therapy animals. Small groups led by experienced educators.

Ages 6–12 Shelter pets Therapy animals Small groups
Register at Humane Society →
Worth noting: The Hinsdale Humane Society camp is rare — most suburbs don't have animal shelter camp access. If your kid is animal-obsessed (future vet vibes), this is genuinely the kind of summer experience they'll talk about for years.

Sports & Athletics

Hinsdale Parks & Recreation runs youth sports camps and leagues through their Vermont Systems platform, plus the Hinsdale Herd brings serious lacrosse programming from U6 through U14. The Community House at The Hinsdale Park serves as a hub for volleyball through Chicago Elite.

Hinsdale Parks — Youth Sports Programs

Village of Hinsdale Parks & Recreation
🗓 Spring/Summer 2026 👧 Various ages 💰 See brochure for pricing 📍 Hinsdale, IL

Hinsdale Parks runs seasonal youth sports including Basketball Skills Camp, Soccer Camp, Pee Wee Soccer 'N T-Ball (young kids intro program), Spring Youth T-Ball League, and Winter Basketball Clinic. Register via the Vermont Systems platform (ilhinsdaleweb.myvscloud.com).

Basketball Soccer T-Ball Multiple ages
Register via Hinsdale Parks →

Hinsdale Herd — Youth Lacrosse

East Ave Lacrosse
🗓 Preseason: Sundays Mar 1–29 · Spring: Apr–May 2026 👧 Pre-K – 8th grade (U6–U14) 💰 $140–$210 (preseason) · Contact for spring season 📍 Hinsdale Central High School

Boys and girls programs with separate time slots. U6 preseason (Sun 10–11:15am), U8 (12–1pm), U10 (1–2pm), U12/U14 (2–3:30pm). Introduces new players to fundamentals; prepares returning players for spring season. Equipment required: stick, helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, mouth guard.

Pre-K–8th grade Boys & girls Lacrosse $140–$210
Register — Hinsdale Herd →

Chicago Elite — Youth Volleyball Programs

Chicago Elite Volleyball Club
🗓 Spring 2026 (academy + club + spring break camp) 👧 Youth through high school 💰 Contact for pricing 📍 The Community House, 415 W 8th St, Hinsdale

Chicago Elite runs a Youth Volleyball Academy, Development Club, and Spring Break Camp out of The Community House. Suitable for players building recreational skills through to those pursuing competitive development. Register via Hinsdale Parks Vermont Systems platform.

Volleyball Academy + Club Recreational to competitive
Register via Hinsdale Parks →
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How I'd Narrow It Down

My kid needs a solid home base all summer: The Community House Summer Day Camp (entering 1st–8th grade). Ten themed weeks, age groups so they're with peers, pool swim twice a week, field trips, and clubs. At $375/week it's well-priced for what you get. Register early for specific theme weeks.
My preschooler isn't ready for all day: Guppies Kiddie Camp — half day, The Community House structure, $250/week. Or if they're the performing-arts type, BAM Theatre accepts ages 4+ and a Saturday-performance week goes fast.
My kid is animal-crazy: Hinsdale Humane Society Summer Camp (ages 6–12) — shelter pets, therapy animals, small groups. This is genuinely rare in the suburbs and won't last on the waitlist.
My kid wants to be on stage: BAM Theatre Broadway Workshop — audition, rehearse, and perform a real musical in one week. The Saturday show is the real deal. They run all summer, so you can do a single week or multiple.
My kid is into cooking: Choose between Culinary Science Camp ($380, Chopped Challenge format) and Baking Camp ($365) — both at The Community House for ages 5–11. Or do both in separate weeks.
My kid is into unusual arts: Sewing Camp with the fashion-show finale, Relief Printing taught by master artist David Marcet, or Animation Camp — all at The Community House, all specialty, all worth grabbing early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best summer camp in Hinsdale, IL?

The Community House at 415 W Eighth St is Hinsdale's flagship summer camp provider, offering 10+ distinct programs for ages 3–16. The flagship Summer Day Camp has 5 age groups, 10 themed weeks, field trips, and pool swim days. BAM Theatre is the top pick for performing arts families.

When do The Community House summer camps fill up?

The Community House camps tend to fill early, particularly the flagship Summer Day Camp (Jun 1–Aug 7) and specialty sessions like Sewing Camp and Culinary Science Camp. Registration typically opens in late February or March — check thecommunityhouse.org or ActiveKids for current availability and waitlists.

Are there summer camps in Hinsdale for toddlers and preschoolers?

Yes. The Community House Guppies Kiddie Camp is designed for ages 3–6 (must be potty trained). BAM Theatre's Broadway Workshop accepts ages 4+. Village Children's Academy STEAM Camp starts at age 2. School of Rock accepts ages 3+ for summer music camps.

Does Hinsdale have performing arts summer camps?

BAM Theatre runs weekly Broadway Workshop camps for ages 4–16 throughout summer, with campers rehearsing and performing a condensed Broadway musical by the end of each week. The Community House also offers Puppetry Camp and Animation Camp. School of Rock covers music for ages 3–17.

How do I register for Hinsdale Parks & Recreation summer programs?

Hinsdale Parks & Recreation uses Vermont Systems for online registration at ilhinsdaleweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/. The Community House uses ActiveKids for many programs. Visit thecommunityhouse.org for the full program list.