Schaumburg Park District hosts winter break camps for kids

Keep holiday shopping during winter break while children enjoy camps at the Schaumburg Park District.

The District will offer a variety of camps to keep children learning, staying active and having fun during winter break.

Way Fun Winter Break Camp will offer field trips, games, art projects and gym time to children ages 6 to 12. Camp is held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 26 to 28 and Jan. 2 to 4 at Meineke Recreation Center, 220 E. Weathersfield Way. Sack lunches are required each day. Snacks will be provided. Resident cost is $35 per day and $166 for the entire camp session. Non-resident cost is $53 per day and $186 for the entire camp session.

Children ages 7 to 12 can spend time exploring nature in Spring Valley Winter Break Camp. Camp will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 2 to 4 at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road. Campers will track animals, look for birds, experiment with snow and snowshoe. Sack lunches and weather appropriate clothes are required each day. Cost for residents is $60 and for non-residents is $80.

The Chess Scholars Camp, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 26 to 28 at Bock Neighborhood Center, 1223 W. Sharon Lane, is designed for beginners and experienced players ages 5 to 12 interested in learning new strategies from a renowned Chess Scholars coach. Each class consists of a fun interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Each camper will take home a chess set and an award. Participants must bring their own peanut free snacks. Camp cost is $150 for residents and $170 for non-residents.

Strategy 4 Kids Camp is an exciting opportunity for children ages 7 to 11 to develop logic, problem solving and planning skills. Participants will learn two or three skill based games each class from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 26 to 28 at Bock Neighborhood Center. Both team and individual games will be played. There will also be tournaments and prizes. Camp cost is $95 for residents and $115 for non-residents.

A LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Mini-Camp is set for 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 27 and 28 at the Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road. Children ages 8 to 13 will work as a team to create programs that control a robot and complete simple tasks. Participants will also learn mechanical design, building techniques, programming and teamwork skills. Participants will not take home the robot at the conclusion of class. The cost is $50 for residents and $70 for non-residents.

The District's Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road, will host basketball, badminton, gymnastics, dodgeball and volleyball camps. The camps are Schaumburg CAN (Children – Activity – Nutrition) programs. Schaumburg CAN's mission is to align the community around opportunities that build a foundation of healthy activity and nutrition for children.

Conant High School Coach Dan Travers will teach a camp highlighting basketball fundamentals to children ages 9 to 13 from 1 to 3 p.m., Jan. 2 to 4. Cost for residents is $62 and for non-residents is $82.

Athletes ages 11 to 14 will have the chance to hone badminton and volleyball skills at the Sport Center. Campers will enhance badminton basics including serving, smashing and clearing during badminton camp from 1 to 3 p.m., Jan. 2 to 4. Camp cost is $46 for residents and $65 for non-residents.

Junior high girls will improve skills through instruction and games before school team try outs during two volleyball camps. Camps run from 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 26 to 28 and Jan. 2 to 4. Resident cost per camp is $75 while non-resident cost per camp is $95.

Gymnastics camps will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Dec. 26 to 28 for children ages 4 to 12. Camps include tumbling, bar, beam, vault and the pommel horse. Children will be divided according to age, skill level and gender. Resident cost per camp is $46 and non-resident cost per camp is $66.

A dodgeball camp will teach children ages 7 to 13 the basic skills of throwing, dodging, catching, teamwork and strategy from noon to 2 p.m., Jan. 2 to 4. Cost is $35 for residents and $55 for non-residents.

Pre-registration is required for camps. Registration is available online at www.parkfun.com and at Park District registration facilities.

For more information, call (847) 490-7020 or visit www.parkfun.com.