Upcoming Events

Camp Conservation
Ages 5 – 12

Monday – Friday, July 27 – 31

This week will be focused on being responsible stewards. Campers will learn to be conservation superstars at home and in the parks, complete projects and crafts to help take care of the earth and wrap up the summer in style.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 20

Wild Wilderness and Western Whimsy
Ages 5 – 7

Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31

We are headed back to the wild, wild west! Horses, cowboy hats and rodeo-inspired crafts and activities are on the agenda. Mosey on over, we set out at dawn (or 9 a.m.)!

Registration deadline: Monday, July 20

Mission Objective: The Summer Saga
Ages 8 – 12

Monday, July 27 – Friday, July 31

High-priority objective incoming! This week of camp is full of mysteries, decoders and spy thrillers. We will have lots of challenges to solve, so get your disguise ready, secret agent!

Registration deadline: Monday, July 20

Ages 12 – 17

We will be doing a general spruce-up on the new garden space at the Grant Park Nature Cabins. Please come prepared for the weather. All Conservation Crew sessions count as service hours.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 27

Recommended for ages 8 and up

Help contribute to research by joining the naturalist on butterfly surveys. Identify and count butterflies while observing other seasonal wildlife as we stroll. No experience is necessary. Trail is approximately one mile in length on uneven terrain. This is a Tools to Trek program.

Registration deadline: Thursday, July 30

Ages 16 and up

Join Katie Blauser from Eat Pretty Darling for a brand new workshop focusing on growing and harvesting seasonal produce. Participants will cook an in-season dinner together and enjoy it on the back patio if the weather allows. Please note: all major food allergens could be present in this class.

Registration deadline: Sunday, July 26

All ages

The night will begin with games, crafts and activities designed to spark your imagination. We will even be joined by some real-life “Doug the Dogs”—lovable service dogs in training with 4 Paws For Ability! The movie start time will be approximately 8:45 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner and blanket, or grab a bite from What The Taco and a sweet treat from Sweet P’s Ice Pops at this special event.

This event is made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Jeff Probst Group- Keller Williams Community Partners. Be sure to stop by their event and enter their giveaways! Notice: Playground closes after dark.

Ages 12 – 17 plus a family member over 21
Sundays, August 2 – September 6
4:30 p.m. and/or 5:30 p.m.

Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this fall! All leagues are six weeks long. This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles) comprised of a teen and their parent/guardian or other close family member over the age of 21. You may be assigned matches at either start time listed.

Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19

Ages 3 – 6 with adult companion

Monday – Thursday, August 3 – 6 (Rain Date: Friday, August 7)

In this camp, we are teaming up with our grown-ups for some nature play and fun. We will create amazing art, learn about our smallest creatures, explore the creek, have a campfire sing-along and more! This year, we will focus on frogs, be totally thrilled about toads and learn about other amphibians that call Grant Park home.

Registration deadline: Monday, July 27

Ages 18 and up
Mondays, August 3 – September 7
5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. AND/OR 7:30 p.m.

Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this summer! This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s or mixed doubles) at the intermediate level. Please note that you may be assigned matches at any of the start times listed due to court availability.

Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19

Ages 18 months – 4 years with adult companion

We will complete crafts with nature/sensory themes, read stories, play games and take short hikes in the park — all to spark a love of nature in our youngest community members! The theme for August is ‘Sunshine & Seeds’. This program is limited to one adult companion per registrant. If your child is not walking, backpacks and front carriers are appropriate. Strollers are not recommended for parks with natural terrain.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 29

Ages 0 – 5 years with adult companion

Your leader will point out seasonal changes and other natural points of interest in the parks. Hikes can be on a natural or paved path, depending on the location. This is a Tools to Trek program. Backpacks and front carriers are appropriate if your child is not walking.

Registration deadline: Sunday, August 2

Ages 18 and up
Tuesdays, August 4 – September 8
6:00 p.m. and/or 7:00 p.m.

Join a Park District pickleball league and play pickleball in the parks this summer! This for-fun league is open to any doubles teams (men’s, women’s, or mixed doubles) at the advanced intermediate to competitive level. Please note, this is a league designed for players with a strong understanding of pickleball rules, and who are at an advanced intermediate to experienced level of competition. This is our highest level league at this time. No instruction/lessons are included in the league.

Registration deadline: Sunday, July 19

Ages 14 and up

Let your love for flowers flourish while creating a customized design of dried flowers within a shadow box frame! There will be a variety of dried flowers and greenery, as well as pieces you can personalize. We will also be painting the frames!

Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 29

All ages

Come with us on a hike and a splash in the creek as we see how weathering can cause a mountain of change in our environment. Closed-toe shoes are required. This is a Tools to Trek program.

Registration deadline: Thursday, August 6