Kids Summer Camp in Chicago
Summer Adventures Await at Camp in Downtown Chicago!
It’s always a beautiful day at Bobby’s Be a true Chicagoan Adventure Youth Camp! We are bringing decades of experience as Chicago’s #1 rated outdoor adventure company to Chicagoland’s youth with our action packed weekly summer camps. Our core values of travel, community, health, and service are important to us and we will engage with all four of them as children will have the opportunity to bike, hike, swim, and kayak their way through learning about local history and legendary landmarks from our expertly trained staff. While learning, exploring and having fun, kids will also form lasting friendships throughout the week. Bringing people together and forming friendships is what we do best.
The Be a true Chicagoan Adventure Youth Camp is for ages 9-16, and is designed for all skill levels. Activities include: bike trips, kayak lessons, swim times, adventure hikes, arts/crafts, sports/games, and learning outdoor education and Chicago tidbits that, like them or hate them, are truly Chicago. Lessons include the story behind why some Chicagoans still mispronounce the Willis tower as “Sears”, how Chicago got the nickname the second city and windy city, and why Chicagoans never put ketchup on their hot dog.
The Ramblers group (ages 9-12) will focus on fun and friendship while trying out new adventures in a safe learning environment. We’ll enjoy the calm, sheltered waters off Ohio Street Beach for swimming and kayaking, the fenced in and expansive Olive Park for sports and games, and the traffic free bike route along the lakefront for bike trips.
The Rovers group (age 13-16) will emphasize fun and friendship while also helping each participant develop the independence and leadership skills required to adventure around the city. Participants will learn preparedness, route planning, basic bike repair, teamwork, and self and aided kayak rescue techniques. Participants will learn to safely explore beyond the lakefront path and tour more of the city by bike.
Camp Details
Age Groups: Ramblers (ages 9-12), Rovers (ages 13-16)
Program Time/Length: Week-long Camps |
JUNE 12 – AUGUST 25
Session Duration: Monday-Friday
Half-Day:
- 9am – 1:30pm
- $449.99
Full-Day
- 9am – 3:30pm
- $599.99
Pick Your Week:
Camps run for 5 days Monday-Friday throughout the summer season. Please pick your specific week by selecting the Monday you wish to join the camp.
Downtown Chicago at Ohio Street Beach
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
$50 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The final balance will automatically be charged 60 days prior to the start of the camp.
Experience Necessary for Adventures: Beginner
*In the event of really bad weather, we will move camp indoors to Navy Pier
Program Location
Bobby’s Kayaks at Ohio Street Beach
600 North Lake Shore Drive,
Chicago, IL 60611
Adventures
- Bike
- Kayak
- Swim
- Crafts
- Games
- Learn
Session Schedule
Each session is a week long, Monday through Friday. You can register your child for multiple sessions. Sessions will be similar, but not exactly the same. Your child will explore more of the city by bike and refine their kayaking skills through practice. Half-day and full-day camp options.
- Session 1: June 12-16
- Session 2: June 19-23
- Session 3: June 26-30
- Session 4: July 10-14
- Session 5: July 17-21
- Session 6: July 24-28
- Session 8: July 31-August 4
- Session 9: August 7-11
- Session 10: August 14-18
- Session 11: August 21-25
Highlights
- Learn new kayak and bike skills every day
- Parts of the bike and basic maintenance
- Route planning and bike riding as a group
- Weather and marine forecasts
- Paddling, steering, getting in and out of the kayak
- Kayaking as a group
- Self and aided rescue in kayak
- Discover Chicago’s unique history
Learning
There is nothing like the independence that comes from learning how to explore Chicago.
More than just coming along for a bike ride, your child will learn how to: map a bike route, prepare their bike and bike bag, select proper nutrition and hydration, ride safely in a group, and fix minor bike issues that may occur. Along the way we’ll learn the stories of the people and events that made Chicago the world class city that it is today. We’ll explore and stop at various destinations throughout Chicago, some of which include: Oz park, Northerly Island, Maggie Daley Park, Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo area, River Walk, and cruise the 606 trail.
The sheltered waters off Ohio Street beach provide an excellent introduction to kayaking. Participants will learn new skills daily such as water safety, understanding marine forecasts, paddling technique, and understanding how to use kayaking gear.
Chicago Learnings: Chicago’s native inhabitants, the formation of the city, the origin of the ferris wheel, the Chicago flag, the city skyline, the Chicago fire, and how to make a Chicago-style hot dog.
*In the event of really bad weather, we will move camp indoors to Navy Pier
Packing List
The following is a list to help ensure that your child is safe, warm and comfortable for the week. Please pack all of your child’s belongings in a day pack or duffel to keep everything together so that we may keep everything safe while your child is on the water.
Water, Snacks and Lunch
All children will need to pack a non-perishable lunch and water bottle for each day of camp. Please label each item with the campers name.
Clothing
Comfortable, breathable clothing that is weather appropriate. We recommend synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene or capilene which keep you warm when you get wet. In cooler weather, we recommend synthetic long underwear beneath athletic shorts. We suggest an extra set of clothing to change into at the end of the day.
Shoes
We recommend comfortable, secure shoes that are suitable for athletic activity. Waterproof sandals (Tevas or otherwise), aqua socks, and tennis shoes that you don’t mind getting wet are all acceptable options. Avoid backless sandals, as they are more likely to come off and float away.
Miscellaneous
- Towel
- Hat or Visor (this is key to prevent sunburn!)
- Sunscreen (waterproof and lots!! Stuff for the lips too)
- Sunglasses with retaining strap
FAQs
Yes! Sessions will be similar, but not exactly the same. Your child will explore more of the city by bike and refine their kayaking skills through practice.
The more the merrier. We offer a 10% discount for a second child of the same family/household.
25% deposit is non refundable. Cancellations will be accepted up to 1 month prior to event. Within 1 month, no cancellations but we can offer a future gift card value to be used at later date. If your child is sick on day of activities, they would forfeit that particular amount.
Email to inquire. If space is available in the desired session we will try to accommodate the request. There may be penalty charges if canceling for an upcoming or immediate weeks use.
Yes! Sessions will be similar, but not exactly the same. Your child will explore more of the city by bike and refine their kayaking skills.
Drop off and pick up is both at 600 North Lake Shore Drive at Ohio Street beach. There will be instructors at the drop off location to give you guidance.
Payment and Cancellation Policy:
$50 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The final balance will automatically be charged 60 days prior to the start of the camp.
If Bobby’s Kayak, Inc. cancels you may either reschedule or receive a full refund. If you cancel 60 or more days prior to the camp you will forfeit your $50 deposit. If you cancel within 60 days of your camp, no refund is given.
60-days prior to the start of your camp, you will charged the remaining balance. Please contact us if you want to change how the remaining balance is charged.
Questions About Camp Registration? Get in touch.
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Have Questions?
Call 312-245-9300 or Email reservations@bobbysbikehike.com
Week-long Sessions
| Price: | Mon-Fri |
|---|---|
| Half-Day Session 9am – 1:30pm | $449.99 |
| Full-Day Session 9am-3:30pm | $599.99 |
Pick Your Week:
Camps run for 5 days Monday-Friday throughout the summer season. Please pick your specific week by selecting the Monday you wish to join the camp.
Register Today