Student Life

Summer

Get Ready for Ancona Summer!

Conveniently located in Chicago's Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood, Ancona Summer is a fun, enriching, and engaging summer experience. At Ancona Summer's progressive, student-centered day camp, kids take the lead. Registration Opens February 2026!
 
Ancona's summer camp program offers nine themed week-long sessions for early childhood and primary-aged students, 3 years old through rising 5th graders! Campers explore new skills, build friendships, and create lasting summer memories in a safe and supportive environment. Plus, Ancona Summer's Counselor-in-Training program provides a dynamic leadership experience for rising 6th and 8th graders!

All Sessions Include: themed activities, swimming lessons, beach days, field trips, and community-based experiences designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, connecting campers to Chicago and the world around them. 

Dates and Pricing

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  • Session Dates & Weekly Themes

    Ancona Summer Camp offers weekly sessions from June 22, 2026, to August 21, 2026. Sign up for the whole summer, or just a few weeks—Ancona's summer day camp program is designed to offer Chicago families the flexibility they need!

    Week 1: Camp Olympics & Friendly Challenges  (June 22 - June 26, 2026)
    Week 2: Time Travelers: Explore the Past, Present, and Future (June 29 - July 3, 2026)
    Week 3: Music & Movement: Rhythm, Dance & Sound (July 6 - July 10, 2026)
    Week 4: Super Spies & Secret Agents: Solve Mysteries and Master Spy Skills (July 13 - July 17, 2026)
    Week 5: Around the World in 5 Days: Travel, Cultures, and Global Fun (July 20 - July 24, 2026)
    Week 6: Lights, Camera, Action! Performance & Drama (July 27 - July 31, 2026)
    Week 7: Game Show Week: Trivia, Challenges & Laughs (August 3 - August 7, 2026)
    Week 8: Super Sports & Outdoor Fun (August 10 - August 14, 2026)
    Week 9: Camp Memories: Celebrate and Reflect (August 17 - August 21, 2026)

  • Pricing

    Ancona Summer's all-inclusive session pricing includes one week of camp plus lunch and snacks every day! We partner with Chi-Fresh Kitchen to offer delicious, kid-friendly meals, with gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-friendly options available.

    Get your summer plans locked in early and save 10%! Special discounted Early Bird rates are in effect for all weekly sessions booked by March 31, 2026. 

    Weekly Full-Day Rate: $595/camper
    Weekly Half-Day Rate (Early Childhood only): $300/camper

    Early Bird Full-Day Rate: $535/camper

  • Arrival and Departure Times

    Ancona Summer offers a full-day option for Early Childhood, Primary, and CITs, and a half-day program option for Early Childhood (3 years old - rising K) only.

    Full Day Camp: 8 am - 5:30 pm
    Half Day Camp: 8 am - 1 pm
Early Childhood Camp
For: 3-year-olds - rising Kindergarteners
Program Options: Full-day and half-day (AM) options available
Program Details: Ancona Summer Early Childhood combines Montessori elements with developmentally appropriate applications of each weekly theme. Weekly Outdoor Adventure Challenges will engage campers' imaginations, build physical coordination, and promote teamwork. Campers in Ancona's Early Childhood program engage in structured programming and exploratory play designed specifically for our youngest campers. Each Early Childhood group is overseen by two Ancona Summer Adult Staff, one Junior Counselor, and one Counselor-in-Training.
Primary Camp
For: Rising 1st - 5th graders
Program Options: Full-day only
Program Details: Ancona Summer Primary campers engage in activities, projects, and challenges centered around a weekly theme. Rooted in Ancona's progressive model, Ancona Summer is hands-on and student-led, offering a balance of structure and flexibility. From building imaginative creations to exploring the world’s wonders or becoming heroes in mythical worlds, every camper will immerse themselves in experiences that bring the theme to life. Plus, whether it's outdoor learning, cooking, Spanish, art, athletics, or offerings from our partner organizations, campers have the freedom to choose how they augment each week's themed activities.
Counselor-in-Training Program
For: Rising 6th-8th graders
Program Options: Full-day only. The CIT program is limited to 12 participants per week. Students may sign up for individual weeks or the entire nine-week series. 
Program Details: The Counselor in Training (CIT) Program offers a dynamic leadership development experience for rising 6th–8th graders interested in honing communication, teamwork, and mentorship skills. CITs will engage in structured learning, hands-on training, and weekly field trips, preparing them for future leadership roles in camp and beyond.

Each week, CITs will focus on three core skills (e.g. active listening, conflict resolution, nonverbal communication, team leadership, etc.). They will spend time learning and discussing these skills and then apply them as they shadow counselors and interact with younger campers.

CITs attend each weekly field trip, enabling them to practice leadership in different environments and foster stronger connections with peers.

Program Highlights

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  • Field Trips

    Every Friday, campers will venture off-site for engaging and memorable field trips. These excursions are designed to align with each weekly theme and offer opportunities for exploration, fun, and hands-on learning.

  • Swimming Lessons

    All campers have the option to participate in weekly swimming lessons at the YMCA. With trained instructors and lifeguards, children are grouped by skill level and build confidence in the water through structured lessons and supervised play. 

  • Beach Visits

    Taking advantage of our location along Lake Michigan, campers will enjoy weekly trips to the beach for a mix of relaxation and fun. Activities may include sandcastle building, beach games, or simply soaking in the summer sunshine.

  • Bike & Scooter Rides

    Campers are encouraged to bring their bikes or scooters to camp! We will offer scheduled group rides around the neighborhood, ensuring a safe and supervised way to explore the area while staying active.

  • Neighborhood Walks

    Campers will have opportunities to take guided walks around Ancona's tree-lined historic Kenwood neighborhood, encouraging mindfulness and quiet exploration. These walks provide a refreshing break, allowing kids to reset in a calm and minimally distracting outdoor environment.

Featured Partners and Programs

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  • Challenge Island

    Challenge Island is a hands-on, adventure-based STEAM program that brings exciting themed challenges to life. Working in small teams, campers will tackle creative problem-solving tasks that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. With a focus on making science and engineering fun and approachable, this program inspires kids to think outside the box while having a blast.

  • Hyde Park School of Dance

    Campers will experience the joy of movement through workshops provided by the Hyde Park School of Dance. These sessions encourage self-expression, creativity, and an appreciation for the performing arts, all while promoting physical activity and coordination.

  • Cooking Class

    In our cooking sessions, students will start with the essentials: learning how to read recipes confidently and maintaining a clean, organized kitchen space. As their skills grow, they’ll explore flavor-building and practice fun techniques like flipping food. The experience culminates in the creation of personalized grain bowls that celebrate creativity, healthy ingredients, and teamwork.

  • Outdoor Learning

    Nature becomes the classroom with Ancona's Outdoor Educator, Chris Weber! Campers engage in hands-on science experiments, nature observation, and environmental exploration. Whether building bug habitats or learning about local ecosystems, kids deepen their connection to the outdoors.

  • Spanish Immersion

    Through games, songs, stories, and conversation, campers are immersed in the Spanish language in a fun and interactive way. This daily exposure builds vocabulary, pronunciation, and a love for learning new languages.

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  • Disclaimers

    A non-refundable enrollment fee of $100 per camper will be applied to the cost of camp.
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4770 S Dorchester Ave Chicago, IL, 60615
Phone: (773) 924-2356    Contact Us

    • Affiliations

      Independent Schools Association of the Central States

    • Affiliations

      Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools

    • Affiliations

      National Association of Independent Schools

    • Affiliations

      American Montessori Society

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