The Complete Guide for Busy Parents — 20+ programs across STEAM, day camp, gymnastics, dance, music, and sports leagues
La Grange surprises. For a village of 16,000, it packs an unusual variety of summer programming — five Park District day camps spanning preschool through middle school, four tiers of Camp Galileo STEAM at St. Francis Xavier, Gemini Gymnastics' trampoline-and-foam-pit setup that's been running since 2005, and a Lyons Township High School summer catalog so broad it includes choral, orchestra, rock climbing, cheerleading, gymnastics, and volleyball. The result is that La Grange families rarely need to look outside the village to build a full summer — though the nearby Illinois guides below are worth a scan if you want to compare.
The Park District of La Grange runs five day camps covering nearly every age group from preschool through middle school. All use WebTrac at webtracpdlg.org for registration. Before/after care available for all PDLG camps.
PDLG's youngest camp at Gilbert Park. Weekly themed activities including crafts, games, music, storytime, nature, drama, cooking, and special in-house field trips. Nut-free zone. Campers receive a camp t-shirt. Before care (8–9 AM) and after care (3–5 PM) available. Staff trained in CPR and first aid. Great first-camp experience for kids just finishing preschool or heading into kindergarten.
Register at PDLG →Outdoor-focused day camp at Sedgwick Park. Group games, arts and crafts, individual and team sports with weekly themes. Field trips on Wednesdays via school bus. Swimming included. Campers receive a camp t-shirt. Good middle-ground camp for elementary kids who want outdoor adventure without the intensity of a specialty program.
Register at PDLG →Day camp for older elementary at Denning Park, focused on self-confidence, self-esteem, and leadership. Weekly themes with daily activities including arts and crafts, games, healthy activities (yoga, dance, aerobics), and water games. Field trips and in-house entertainment. Nut-free zone. The right choice for pre-teens who've outgrown traditional camp programming.
Register at PDLG →Brand new for 2026 — PDLG's fifth day camp option. Part of their expanded summer lineup alongside Mighty Munchkins, Camp Quest, and Camp Apollo. Weekly themed sessions with outdoor adventures, activities, and opportunities for lasting friendships. Full pricing and age specifics in the 2026 Summer Brochure. Register early — new programs often fill once word gets out.
PDLG Day Camps →Camp Galileo is the standout STEAM program in La Grange, with four age-tiered tracks running at St. Francis Xavier from mid-June through July. Middle schoolers can build actual go-karts.
STEAM exploration camp for youngest learners. Collaborative innovation challenges, mindful outdoor play, and weekly STEAM projects. Themed weeks include Animal Extravaganza, Rail Rides & Road Trips, Amusement Park Party, Coral Reef Quest, Mission to the Moon, and Superhero Adventure.
Register at Camp Galileo →Elementary STEAM with age-appropriate innovation challenges. Themed weeks include Outer Space Odyssey, Dinosaur Park, Castles & Kingdoms, Inventor's Garage, Toymaker's Workshop, and Tropical Rainforest Trek. Collaborative building, design challenges, and outdoor games.
Register at Camp Galileo →Advanced STEAM with complex weekly projects: Animal Bot Builder, Mechanical Scene Maker, Treehouse Architect, Super Safecracker, Pinball Whiz-Kid, and Dazzling Light Designer. Extended care and multi-week discounts available.
Register at Camp Galileo →Middle school STEAM where each camper works on one individual project all week. Three project tracks: Remote-Control Robot ($455–$525), Custom Go-Kart ($625 including $100 materials fee — campers build and take home a functioning go-kart), and Escape Room Design ($455–$525). The go-kart track fills fastest. Register by project and week — not all projects run every week.
Register at Camp Galileo →Two dedicated studios with strong local roots — Gemini Gymnastics has been in La Grange since 2005, and Impact Dance Studio brings 28 years of local training to its themed summer camps.
La Grange's gymnastics fixture since 2005. Summer camp includes gymnastics instruction, tumble-track, trampoline, foam pit, Gemini Jumping Castle, games, crafts, and outside time (weather permitting). Expert coaching in a safe, supportive environment helping kids build strength, coordination, and confidence. A local favorite that returns families year after year.
Gemini Gymnastics →Themed summer dance camps for toddlers and preschoolers. Weekly themes include Frozen, Disney Tots, K-Pop, Zootopia 2, and Bluey — high-energy classes with creative choreography and nonstop fun. 28 years of quality dance training on La Grange Road. Perfect for early movers who aren't ready for traditional camps but love music and movement.
Impact Dance Studio →LTHS North Campus (100 S Brainard Ave, La Grange) runs one of the most diverse public school summer catalogs in the western suburbs. All open to in-district and out-of-district families. Registration: lths.revtrak.net — opened March 2, 2026.
Three-week rock climbing camp on the LTHS North Campus Fieldhouse climbing wall. Register for one session per day (A, B, or C — by grade). Limit 25 per session — fills fast. T-shirt included. The longest-running LTHS summer camp and one of the more physically adventurous offerings in the La Grange area. Grades 5–8 in morning sessions; grades 6–9 in the afternoon session.
Register at LTHS →Week-long choral camp with four levels: Choral I (grades K–2, co-ed, limit 40), Choral II (grades 3–5, girls, limit 40), Choral III (grades 6–9, girls, limit 50), Choral IV (grades 3–9, boys, limit 40). The week culminates in a concert Friday June 12 at 6:30 PM — a real performance moment for all ages. One of the more accessible performing arts camps in the area.
Register at LTHS →Week-long strings orchestra camp for students with at least one year of violin, viola, cello, or string bass experience. Held in the LTHS North Campus Vaughan rooms. No enrollment limit — good availability compared to the capped camps. Morning schedule works well paired with afternoon PDLG or Galileo programs.
Register at LTHS →Youth cheerleading camp at LTHS North Campus Dance Gym. Two age-group sessions: Cheerleading I (ages 4–6) and Cheerleading II (ages 7–8). Limit 100 per session. Cheerleading gift included. Fun first-week-of-summer option for young kids — same week as choral and orchestra camps.
Register at LTHS →Four-day gymnastics camp at LTHS North Campus Lower Gym. Three levels: Gymnastics I (grades 2–5, limit 30), Gymnastics II (grades 6–8, limit 30), Gymnastics III (grades 9–12, limit 40). T-shirt included for all levels. Great option for girls who want skill development beyond a gym studio — different atmosphere than Gemini's recreational camp.
Register at LTHS →Age-tiered boys volleyball camp at LTHS North Campus Fieldhouse. Focuses on correct technique, skill development, and team competition. Four tiers serve elementary through high school boys in the same July week. Rare to find boys-specific volleyball programming at this breadth in the suburbs.
Register at LTHS →La Grange's youth sports scene is anchored by La Grange Little League (since 1952), AYSO Region 300, and a PDLG travel basketball program. The Challenger Division — $35, inclusive baseball for all abilities — deserves special mention.
Community baseball founded in 1952 with seven divisions: T-ball, Coach Pitch, Rookies, Farm League, C League, B League, and A League. Most divisions play 12 regular-season games (A League plays 14) with Championship Saturday June 13. Completely volunteer-run with parent coaches. Bye weeks for Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the La Grange Pet Parade.
LGLL Registration →Girls softball in five divisions: Pixies (ages ~5½–7½, coach-pitch at Gurrie Fields), Peanuts, Minors, Majors, and Juniors (ages 13–14). All follow the same season structure with volunteer parent coaches and Championship Saturday June 13.
LGLL Registration →Inclusive baseball for young athletes of all abilities at just $35 — Little League's Challenger Division provides an adaptive, supportive Saturday game environment where every player participates. Buddy support from league volunteers. Registration closes June 1. One of the most accessible and affordable sports programs in La Grange.
LGLL Registration →Community soccer serving La Grange, Western Springs, Brookfield, Countryside, and La Grange Park since 1981. Playground Soccer for ages 3–4. Core recreational programs for U5–U10. United travel teams for U11–U18 competing in YSSL and IWSL leagues. Everyone Plays philosophy — no tryouts required for recreational divisions.
AYSO 300 →Boys and girls lacrosse camps run by East Ave Lacrosse Club in partnership with PDLG. Two age-tiered sessions: Pre-K through 2nd grade (1 hour) and 3rd through 8th grade (1.5 hours). Coached by Jerry Considine. Fall training and Hinsdale Herd partnership scrimmages also available.
LaGrange Lightning →Competitive travel basketball for grades 3–8 competing in the DuPage Youth Travel Basketball League. Teams play 20–25 games between December and March via tournaments, shootouts, and league play. Half home games at the PDLG Recreation Center, half away. Tryouts in June — sign up early as availability fills by grade level.
PDLG Athletics →It depends on your kid. The Park District of La Grange's five-camp lineup (Mighty Munchkins through Apollo) covers most age groups with solid outdoor, field-trip-based programming. Camp Galileo at St. Francis Xavier is the best specialty option — especially the Meteors track for middle schoolers where campers build custom go-karts, RC robots, or escape rooms. Gemini Gymnastics is the local institution for gymnastics families.
PDLG camps open registration in early spring and fill on a first-come basis. Camp Galileo Meteors — especially the go-kart project — fills weeks out due to limited materials slots. LTHS Rock Climbing caps at 25 per session and runs a 3-week commitment (June 15 – July 2) — register promptly at lths.revtrak.net. LTHS registration opened March 2, 2026.
Yes. PDLG's Camp Mighty Munchkins (ages 4–6) is the flagship early childhood camp with weekly themes, before/after care, and a t-shirt. Impact Dance Studio runs themed dance camps for ages 2–6 (Frozen, Disney, K-Pop, Bluey). Camp Galileo Nebulas starts at Kindergarten. AYSO Region 300 has Playground Soccer for ages 3–4.
Camp Galileo is the main STEAM option with four age tiers at St. Francis Xavier. The Meteors track (grades 6–8) is the standout — campers choose one individual project for the week: Remote-Control Robot, Custom Go-Kart ($625, they take it home), or Escape Room Design. Multi-week discounts apply if you book 2+ weeks.
PDLG uses WebTrac — register at webtracpdlg.org. A $75 non-refundable registration fee per child applies. Sibling discount is 10%. Before care (8–9 AM) and after care (3–5 PM) are available for most camps. Confirm 2026 pricing in the summer brochure — posted prices reflect 2023 rates.