The Complete Guide for Busy Parents — 20+ programs across general day camp, Montessori, music, aquatics, and sports
Clarendon Hills punches above its weight for summer programming. The Clarendon Hills Park District anchors the summer with Camp Imagination — a Mon–Thu morning camp at Prospect Park that many families pair with the afternoon Camp Champions for a near-full day. Seton Montessori's community-open camp on a six-acre wooded campus adds a distinctive option, and the American Music Institute brings three tracks of music-intensive programming for ages 5–18. If your family is also exploring nearby options, this guide includes notes on programs that serve multiple towns.
Clarendon Hills Park District's flagship programs dominate this category. Most run June 8 – July 16, Monday–Thursday, at Prospect Park.
The flagship morning day camp at Prospect Park. Arts and crafts, cooperative games, entertainment, and outdoor activities — campers divided into age-appropriate groups (K–2nd and 3rd–5th). Highlights include a tie-dye t-shirt during the first week and Water Wednesday every week. Camp is held entirely outdoors; Clarendon Hills Middle School gym serves as emergency shelter.
Register at CHPD →The natural afternoon companion to Camp Imagination. Dodgeball, Capture the Flag, and rotating games at Prospect Park. Campers divided by age group (K–2nd and 3rd–5th), and everyone gets a t-shirt. Stack this with Camp Imagination for a near-full morning-through-afternoon day.
ACA-accredited Montessori summer camp on a six-acre wooded campus open to the community — no prior enrollment required. Montessori classroom activities, swim lessons with certified lifeguards, sports, games, arts and crafts, nature exploration, and field trips. Families can enroll in all four 2-week sessions or just the ones that fit. One of the more complete and distinctive programs in the southwest suburbs.
Learn More →Week-long full-day summer camp at Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA). Elementary-age children ages 6–12. Note: the church website (yourchrist.org) was offline as of March 2026 — call (630) 325-2220 to verify 2026 dates and registration before planning around this program.
Multiple programs serve ages 2–5 in Clarendon Hills, including CHPD's dedicated preschool camp and two programs at Christ Lutheran Church's campus on 55th St.
CHPD's dedicated preschool summer camp exploring a new theme each day — crafts, songs, games, and independence-building. Indoor/outdoor mix. Age-grouped. Nut-free table available. Every camper receives a camp t-shirt. Great for children who just completed one year of preschool or are entering preschool in fall.
Register at CHPD →One-week nature-focused camp exploring the sights and sounds of Prospect Park. Stories, songs, arts and crafts — dress to get messy. A gentle first camp experience for young children ready to explore independently. Short commitment, low price point — great intro camp.
Register at CHPD →Community-open weekly themed summer camp at Celebration Preschool, housed at Christ Lutheran Church. You don't need to be an enrolled student. Each week features a new theme with crafts, stories, music class, outdoor play, and fitness. Two groups: Rising 3's and Rising 4's/5's. Families can pick individual weeks or the whole summer — flexible enrollment.
Learn More →The younger sibling to the Elementary program above — ACA-accredited Montessori camp on the same six-acre wooded campus. Swimming lessons, sports, crafts, nature exploration, field trips, and family picnics. Open to the community. Families can register for all or part of the four 2-week sessions.
Learn More →The American Music Institute (AMI) — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — runs three parallel music camp tracks at its Clarendon Hills campus during a single intensive week in July. All three share the same dates and location.
Half-day intensive for students at all levels — no prior experience needed. AMI is a nonprofit providing high-quality music education. Aftercare available Mon–Fri 3–5:30 PM for $150 additional. Tuition is non-refundable and not pro-rated for partial attendance.
Learn More →Full-day music camp with extended afternoon instruction beyond the Beginner track. Same age range (5–12), same week, same campus — choose this if your child wants a deeper dive or you need full-day coverage. Private lessons available on-site ($50–100 for 30–60 min).
Learn More →Full-day advanced music camp for teen musicians. More experienced players who want intensive instruction in a focused week. Private lessons available on-site ($50–100 for 30–60 min). The only camp in Clarendon Hills specifically serving teens ages 13–18.
Learn More →CHPD offers several sports-focused add-on camps beyond Camp Champions, including a one-of-a-kind Knockerball (bubble soccer) camp.
Friday morning sports camp rotating through different sports each week. Two age groups: 6–8 and 9–12. Run by Hot Shots Sports through the park district at Prospect Park. Great add-on for families not using Camp Champions, or as a standalone Friday activity.
Register at CHPD →Bubble soccer — participants play on a grassy field wrapped in a plastic bubble from the waist up. Colliding, flipping, bouncing, and scoring goals. High-energy and unlike anything else in the summer catalog. Two Friday sessions available. One of the more unique offerings in the western suburbs.
Register at CHPD →Outdoor survival skills camp at Prospect Park — navigation, survival techniques, and more. Single-session Friday camp. Low commitment, low cost. A nice standalone activity for kids curious about the outdoors.
Register at CHPD →Lions Park Pool is the hub for Clarendon Hills aquatics programs. The Sea Lion Swim Team competes in the West Suburban Swim Conference all summer.
Seven-week summer swim team competing in the West Suburban Swim Conference. Daily practices, dual meets, and an end-of-season conference championship. Focus on stroke technique, summer fun, and competition. Swimmers must pass a first-practice swim test. Register by May 29 — season fills early.
Lions Park Pool →Week-long aquatics leadership camp teaching lifeguarding basics, first aid, CPR, water rescues, teamwork, and safety. Must swim 25 yards freestyle and be confident in 12-foot-deep water to participate. Great stepping stone for kids interested in eventually earning a lifeguard certification.
Lions Park Pool →One dedicated leadership program for middle-schoolers, built directly into the summer camp calendar.
For natural leaders in grades 6–9 who enjoy working with younger kids outdoors. LITs work alongside Camp Imagination and Camp Champions groups under staff mentorship, developing planning, communication, and leadership skills. Smaller cohort than the main camps — a good fit for motivated middle-schoolers who aren't quite ready to be counselors.
Register at CHPD →Clarendon Hills has strong baseball, soccer, and baseball options through the park district and community organizations.
Little League International–chartered spring season. Five baseball divisions: T-Ball (Pre-K/K), A-Ball (1st, machine pitch), AA-Ball (2nd, machine pitch), Minors (3rd–4th, kid pitch), and Majors (5th–6th, kid pitch). Girls' softball divisions also available. Opening Day Parade April 18 at Prospect Park. Registration opens January 11, 2026.
CHLL Registration →Three-division fall baseball league run by CHPD at Prospect Park. T-Ball for ages 4–5 (everyone bats in order, volunteer coaches). Minor League for 1st–2nd graders (coach pitch). Major League for 3rd–4th graders (player pitch). All divisions include a team shirt and hat. Saturday games generally at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, or 3 PM slots.
CHPD Fall Ball →AYSO recreational youth soccer serving Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, Westmont, and Willowbrook. Divisions by class year so kids play with classmates. Core philosophies: Everyone Plays, Open Registration, Positive Coaching, Player Development. Games and pro training clinics at Robbins Park in Clarendon Hills. Register early for the early-bird pricing.
AYSO Registration →The Clarendon Hills Park District's Camp Imagination is the flagship — outdoor morning camp at Prospect Park, grades K–5, running June through mid-July. Many families pair it with the afternoon Camp Champions for a near-full day. For something more distinctive, Seton Montessori's ACA-accredited summer camp on a six-acre wooded campus is open to the community and offers swimming, field trips, and Montessori-style programming ages 3–10.
CHPD programs open registration in early spring and fill on a first-come basis. Seton Montessori's enrollment is capped by session. AMI music camps run one week only (July 13–17) and have limited slots per track — the Young Artist Camp (teens) typically fills fastest. Register as soon as registration opens.
Yes. CHPD's Camp Discovery (ages 3–4) and Mini-Explorer's Camp (ages 3–5) are the park district options. Seton Montessori's Early Childhood program takes ages 3–6. Camp Celebration at Christ Lutheran (55th St) is open to the community with weekly themed sessions for rising 3-year-olds through 5-year-olds.
Yes — the American Music Institute runs three parallel tracks at their Clarendon Hills campus during the week of July 13–17: Beginner Music Camp (ages 5–12, half-day), Little Mozart Camp (ages 5–12, full day), and Young Artist Camp (teens 13–18). All three offered by a nonprofit. Aftercare available for the half-day track.
CHPD uses the Vermont Systems platform — register online at ilclarendonhillsweb.myvscloud.com. All camper forms are due by May 29. Camp Imagination/Discovery Parent Meet & Greet is June 4. CHPD summer programs run June 8 – July 16, Mon–Thu.