The complete guide for busy parents — 35+ camps across Village Recreation, the Children's Theatre, Blue Moose Sports, and more. Updated March 2026.
Western Springs punches well above its size when it comes to summer camp options. The Village Recreation Department runs one of the most creatively programmed lineups in the western suburbs — think CSI forensics camps, baking book clubs, and a Manners Boot Camp alongside the expected LEGO builds and youth soccer. A brand-new full-day Summer Springs Day Camp launched in 2026 for ages 6–12, adding the kind of all-day coverage many working parents need.
The biggest draw may be the Children's Theatre of Western Springs, which runs a proper musical theatre camp — not just drama games, but a full production of The Music Man JR with a public performance — across three independent two-week sessions. It's one of the most distinctive summer programs in Cook County's western suburbs.
Registration runs through RecDesk (wsprings.recdesk.com). Specialty camps fill first — CSI, Chess, and the CTWS sessions have limited seats.
The Village Recreation Department launched a brand-new full-day camp program for summer 2026, alongside their long-running Safety Village tradition.
Brand-new full-day camp with hands-on activities, sports and games, arts and crafts, field trips, live entertainment, and weekly pool visits. Nut-free facility. Camp shirt included. Sibling discount $10. Payment plan available (25% at registration + 3 equal installments). No camp June 19 or July 3.
Register via RecDesk →Children drive pedal cars through a miniature replica of Western Springs, learning 55 facets of safety. Real 911 calls, fire truck/police car/ambulance visits, fire safety house escape practice, and lifesaving lessons by Cinders the Fire Dog and McGruff. A beloved community tradition for incoming kindergartners. Mandatory parent orientation June 8.
Themed half-day programs for the youngest campers — hands-on, imaginative, and parent-friendly in length.
Zoo animal-themed camp with hands-on learning about animal behavior, care, and conservation. Stories, songs, crafts, and multi-sensory activities. Toilet-trained children only. Bring water bottle and nut-free snack.
Register via RecDesk →Fairy-themed craft camp where children create a fairy castle, crown, fairy wings, wand, and Tooth Fairy box. Taught by Kidscreate Studio. Bring nut-free snack and drink.
Register via RecDesk →Western Springs has a genuinely distinctive niche: camps that combine daily baking with children's books. Three themed programs for different ages, each a full week of morning baking tied to beloved stories.
Daily cooking camp based on classic children's picture books. Each day features a new story, baking a treat inspired by the book, and crafting/games to bring the story to life.
Register via RecDesk →Read The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye together, bake inspired treats each day, and bring the story to life through crafts and games.
Register via RecDesk →Celebrate each Baby-Sitters Club member through the graphic novel series. Discuss books, bake themed treats, and craft — from Kristy Thomas on day one through all the sitters.
Register via RecDesk →Kidscreate Studio-led art camps with imaginative themes — from puppy portraits to pet shop sculpting.
Puppy-themed art camp: draw, paint, and sculpt adorable puppy creations — in pajamas. A mix of creativity, cuteness, and comfort. Pack a nut-free snack and drink.
Register via RecDesk →Create pets of all shapes and sizes using clay, paint, and drawing. Imaginative, hands-on art creation with a mix of media.
Register via RecDesk →From crime scene investigation to French culture to chess — Western Springs Recreation has a rich specialty enrichment lineup that most suburbs can't match.
Forensics camp where kids search for evidence, gather clues, conduct crime lab experiments, and learn fingerprinting and chemical analysis. Take home your own detective kit.
Week-long chess camp with lessons, tournaments, team games (Corner Chess), recess, snacks, and puzzles. Each camper takes home a T-shirt, trophy, and puzzle folder. All materials included.
Register via RecDesk →Explore French language, traditions, food, music, art, and everyday life through stories, songs, games, and hands-on activities. Builds cultural awareness and inspires curiosity about the world.
Register via RecDesk →Writing camp exploring classic literature, creative language games, and different genres. Builds writing skills, grammatical concepts, and creative expression across a wide age range.
Register via RecDesk →Social etiquette camp covering introductions, conversation skills, telephone and technology manners, thank-you notes, and table manners. Dress code: khakis and a collared shirt.
Register via RecDesk →From AI-powered robots you take home to Minecraft LEGO builds to Scratch game design — Western Springs Recreation runs one of the stronger STEM camp lineups in the area for ages 5–13.
Build and take home 4 AI SmartCore modular smart vehicles: All-Terrain Cube, Super Snake, Turbo Trike, and Titan Tank. 42 snap-together parts, remote control, rechargeable LiPO battery included. Real robotics, real take-home kit.
Build Minecraft worlds using LEGO bricks. Craft shelters, mob characters, critters, and tools. Specialized model plans incorporate beams, gears, axles, motors, and battery packs.
Register via RecDesk →Design and build a LEGO city from the ground up — roads, monuments, parks, schools, skyscrapers. Assemble motorized construction equipment, vehicles, and amusement park structures.
Register via RecDesk →Ninjago-themed LEGO camp: build dojos, ninja weapons, spinjitzu spinning machines, and vehicles. Features LEGO mosaics, 3D color builds, and motorized technic LEGO machines.
Register via RecDesk →Superhero-themed LEGO and science camp. Build gadgets and vehicles, create LEGO mosaics and motorized technic projects, and take home daily arts and crafts.
Register via RecDesk →Design video games and animations using Scratch (MIT Media Lab). Covers conditional statements, variables, loops, object-oriented design, and data structures. Bring a laptop/tablet, mouse, keyboard, and headphones.
Register via RecDesk →Chicago Loves Dance-led programs that combine yoga, cheerleading, and gymnastics for ages 6–12.
Each day starts with yoga for breath and flexibility, then transitions to learning cheers and poms routines. Parent watch day on the last day.
Register via RecDesk →Cheerleading and gymnastics: learn 3–4 new cheers daily, work on kicks, jumps, cartwheels, round offs, somersaults, and toe touches. Parent watch day with 15-minute performance on the final day.
Register via RecDesk →The Children's Theatre of Western Springs is the area's standout performing arts organization — a real community theatre, not a franchise. Their summer camps culminate in actual performances, not just in-house showcases.
Full musical theatre camp where every camper performs in numbers from The Music Man JR. Three independent 2-week sessions available — each session is self-contained, each ends with a public noon performance. No prior experience required.
Introductory theatre for younger children. Learn songs and dances, play theatre games, and perform in a showcase on the final day. A gentle entry point for kids who want to try the stage.
Register at CTWS →Improv games, scene writing, and musical improv. Students develop quick-thinking performance skills and showcase their work on the final day. Ideal for older kids who love comedy and spontaneity.
Register at CTWS →Blue Moose is a local multi-sport operation based at Field Park — flexible scheduling, sport-specific add-ons, and an early-registration T-shirt sweetener.
Multi-sport camp: castle ball, gaga ball, dodgeball, flag tag, capture the flag, water games, skill drills, and scrimmages. Sport-specific add-on clinics available (soccer, flag football, basketball, baseball/softball, pickleball) for $100/wk ($75 if enrolled). Artsy Adventures art camp also available. T-shirt included for early registrations before May 20.
Register at Blue Moose →Western Springs has a strong recreational sports infrastructure — from flag football clinics to archery at Katherine Legge Memorial Park (in partnership with Hinsdale).
Football fundamentals camp covering throwing, catching, running routes, and defensive/offensive principles. Prepares campers for the upcoming season through drills and scrimmages.
Register via RecDesk →Learn archery using the nationally recognized beginner's 9-step to the 10-ring progression method. Recurve bow technique, arrow parts, stance, and release. Family Archery session (ages 6+ with adult) also available at 7:00 PM.
Teaches flexibility, body positioning, and core strength while practicing sprints, relays, hurdles, and long jump. Concludes each session with a track meet.
Register via RecDesk →Co-ed U6 intro plus separate boys/girls divisions for U8/U10 and U12/U14. Develops cradling, scooping, passing, catching, and shooting through drills and mini games.
Register via RecDesk →High-energy progressive martial arts covering stances, strikes, blocks, and kicks. Beginner and advanced levels available. Belt testing on Jul 18 and Oct 17.
Register via RecDesk →AYSO Region 300 serves Western Springs alongside La Grange, La Grange Park, Brookfield, and Countryside. Built on the six AYSO philosophies: Everyone Plays, Balanced Teams, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Good Sportsmanship, and Player Development. Non-team programs for ages 3–4; team play for 4–18.
Register at AYSO 300 →The Western Springs Recreation Department runs the most complete lineup, with everything from the new Summer Springs Day Camp to CSI forensics and LEGO engineering. For performing arts, the Children's Theatre of Western Springs (The Music Man JR) is one of the most distinctive programs in the western suburbs — every child performs in a real production.
Western Springs Recreation uses RecDesk (wsprings.recdesk.com). CSI Forensics, Chess Camp, and CTWS theatre sessions have limited enrollment and fill quickly after registration opens. Summer Springs Day Camp (the new full-day program) has capped seats too. Register early, especially for specialty camps.
Yes. Animal Enthusiasts (ages 3–6), Tinker Bell Camp (ages 3–6), and Cooking Up a Story (ages 4–7) are Village Recreation's youngest-focused programs. Safety Village serves incoming kindergartners. AYSO soccer starts at age 3, and Blue Moose Sports Camp accepts ages 5+.
Yes — the Children's Theatre of Western Springs (CTWS) is the standout. The Music Man JR musical theatre camp runs in three independent 2-week sessions (June–July), each ending in a public performance. Warmup Theatre Adventure (K–3rd grade) and Improv Camp (grades 5–9) round out their summer offerings.
Registration is at wsprings.recdesk.com. Browse the 2026 Summer Brochure at wsprings.com or contact the Recreation Department at (708) 246-9070. Payment plans are available for Summer Springs Day Camp (25% at registration + 3 installments).