Diverse camps aim to keep kids busy over winter break
Keep kids engaged and their time structured during winter break. Many park districts and sports groups offer winter break camps for children. Here's some of what's offered in the Northwest suburbs:
• Hanover Park Park District Winter Break Camp: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays Monday, Dec. 21-Wednesday, Dec. 30, Ahlstrad Fieldhouse, 6900 Catalpa Road. Full or half-day; $16-$24 per day. For K-6. (630) 837-2468 or hpparks.org.
• Schaumburg Park District Winter Break Camps: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21-Wednesday, Dec. 23; and Monday, Dec. 28-Wednesday, Dec. 30, Meineke Recreation Center, 220 E. Weathersfield Way. Ages 6-12. $41-$61. (847) 490-7020. Separate camp will take place at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23. Ages 7-10 will learn about winter ecology; activities include animal- and bird-tracking, learning about snow, snowshoeing. $54-$65. (847) 985-2100.
• Vernon Area Library Youth Winter Reading Club: Saturday, Dec. 19-Jan. 31, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Preschool-8th grade. Prizes, raffles, magician. (847) 634-3650 or vapld.info.
• Hersey High Winter Break Fielding Camps: 1-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21-Wednesday, Dec. 23 or 2-4 p.m. Monday Dec. 28-Wednesday, Dec. 30, Hersey field house, 1900 E. Thomas, Arlington Heights. Professional defensive baseball camp for ages 9-14 hosted by the Arlington Heights Park District, Tom Barnard and The Athletic Barn. $110 per session. (847) 290-1330.
• Schaumburg High girls basketball camp: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21-Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1100 W. Schaumburg Road. For grades 1-8. $80. Proceeds benefit girls basketball program. Contact Coach Berggren (970) 819-1511 or aberggren@d211.org to register.
• Salt Creek Park District basketball, soccer camps: Basketball is Tuesday, Dec. 22, and Wednesday, Dec. 23; soccer is Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 30. Times for both are 4:15-5:15 p.m. for ages 4-6 and 5:15-6:15 p.m. ages 7-9. Hat Trick Hockey, Palatine. $20 each. (847) 259-6890.
• Sports Education Holiday Camp: 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 28-30, Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center, 1501 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove. Includes instruction, contests, basketball, soccer, dodgeball, baseball, more. Registration required. (847) 229-0292.
• Third-grade girls basketball clinic: 10:30-11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, and Wednesday, Dec. 30, St. Peter School, 111 W. Olive St., Arlington Heights. Free, hosted by Arlington Cardinals Girls Travel Basketball. Info: Steve at (847) 373-9001 or sjs@4scp.com.