Welcome to CAC Summer Camps!
CAC Summer Camps give children aged 8-14 unique opportunities to explore the built environment and learn firsthand why design matters.
Summer Camps take place virtually, at the CAC, and off-site. Campers will work with their Camp Leader and other campers daily, to get to know one another, share their work, and receive instruction and motivation to complete design projects. Parents/Guardians with online campers will receive step-by-step instructions in order to best support their camper.
All camps require teamwork, creative problem-solving and visual thinking. Campers will share and present their ideas throughout the program, all while developing self-confidence and communication skills. They will see Chicago’s buildings in a new light and discover how architects' dreams become reality. Join us!
See upcoming camps
Important Information & Forms
Registration
Registration is a two-step process. Please complete both steps to ensure your child's spot in the camp.
STEP ONE: Use our website to select the preferred camp and purchase a ticket for your child. Full payment is required at the time of purchase. After the purchase, you will receive a confirmation and receipt via email. Your child's spot in the camp is now reserved.
STEP TWO: After the ticket purchase is complete, you will need to fill out all Required Forms & Agreements . These forms are due no later than two weeks before the camp start date.
You will also receive an email before the start of camp including:
Welcome letter from your camp leader
Reminder to complete Required Forms & Agreements
Daily schedule
Camp checklist
Required Forms & Agreements
To complete your registration, review and sign all required forms, agreements, waivers,and releases prior to the start of camp including:
Camper Information
Emergency Contact Information
Code of Conduct & Discipline Policy
Student Acceptable Use Policy
Indemnification and Hold Harmless Agreement
Waiver and release
Digitally sign all the required forms, agreements, waiver and release:
SIGN FORMS AND AGREEMENTS
SIGN WAIVER AND RELEASE
All required forms, agreements, waivers and releases are due no later than two weeks before the camp start date.
Getting Ready for Camp
Camp Leaders and Facilitators
Camps are led by no fewer than two full-time CAC education staff members at all times. Camp leaders are college graduates with education experience. They will be assisted by one or more full-time educators/facilitators. We will also host guest professionals to speak or assist with a project.
A Day at Camp
Each day campers will have a morning check-in with their group and camp leaders. We’ll share some inspiration, a warm-up activity, and kick-off the day. We want to make camp week exciting and special! Specific camp curriculum varies. Activities range from hands-on art projects, to outdoor scavenger hunts, to virtual chats with special guests. In general, each day in camp includes a morning check-in, 3-4 hours of activities, occasional online components, and a daily journal prompt.
First Day of Camp (Virtual Only)
Parents and guardians are asked to help their camper logon to Zoom to check-in their camper and meet camp staff. Campers should be prepared to introduce themselves to the group on the first day.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to support their campers during virtual camp check-ins and with at-home camp activities. However, to ensure the best group experience, parents/guardians are asked to let the camper be the lead on the video.
Virtual Participation
Each day camp begins with a virtual group check-in. Campers’ parents/guardians will receive an email invitation with a private link and password to Zoom. Any text chats or video conferencing will be monitored by CAC staff at all times.
During virtual group check-ins, campers are asked to be present by turning on their camera and microphone. Muting their microphone may be necessary if there is excess background noise, or when instructed. Of course, as necessary for your at-home learning environment, please feel comfortable muting the camera and/or microphone.
CAC Camp Staff provides daily live office hours for any camper that may need further assistance working on activities or would like feedback on their progress. If your camper cannot participate, or needs to leave early, in any group online activities contact your Camp Leader to let them know.
The remainder of the camp day can generally be completed off-line. We encourage students to take screen breaks to make, build, play and move their bodies during the day!
Campers will be expected to follow the Student Acceptable Use Agreement and Code of Conduct guidelines when using devices and computers during camp.
Attendance Policy
Each day campers are learning new things, completing small projects and working toward their final project. Campers who miss one or more days of camp will be behind or missing parts of their projects. We will provide a fun, camp-like environment to encourage continued participation. No refunds will be given for partial or nonattendance in camp.
What to Bring (Virtual)
In order for a camper to be successful during the program, they need:
Access to wifi
Access to a device (phone, tablet, computer) for at least 90 minutes per day
A safe work space for making art projects
Zoom account
WHAT TO BRING (IN PERSON)
In order for a camper to be successful during the program, they need:
CAC Camp shirt
Comfortable shoes, no flip-flops
Water bottle
Nut free lunch
Hat/sunscreen
No tech is required for CAC camps
Camp Supply Kits
Primary camp materials will be provided by CAC including supplies such as:
CAC Camp T-shirt
Pencils, crayons, or other drawing tools
Various papers
Project boards
Tape or glue
Scissors
Specialty items specific to the camp
Notebook for journaling
Final Showcase
Each camp will culminate with a final showcase for family and friends beginning at 2pm on the last day of camp. Campers will display their work from the week, present their final project and receive a camp certificate.
More Information
Cancellations & Refund Policy
Cancel and request a refund by contacting CAC Groups Sales at 312.922.1130 or groupsales@architecture.org .
Wait List Policy
registration page .
If a spot becomes available in the requested camp, CAC will send a notification via email. Any available tickets will be distributed first come, first serve.
Student Support
Eligibility, Skill Level & Students with Disabilities Does my camper need any experience or skills to enjoy this camp? Previous experience or technical skills in architecture are not required. The academic skill set is less important to consider than the kinds of experiences staff have designed for campers. We expect campers will be able to—and want to—do collaborative, team-based activities as well as independent work. The camper should want to work in teams and with small groups, positively contribute to online group discussions, do hands-on projects and be eager to participate. If those things are unpleasant for a student, CAC Camp likely will not be a good experience.
My camper has a learning/behavioral/emotional disability; can they participate in your program?
Consider the information below and speak with our education team if you have any questions. We will do our very best to ensure it is a positive experience for all campers! Contact the Education department at 312.561.2158 or education@architecture.org .
Virtual programs are small (30 students) and will be staffed by two adults. Our staff members are all college graduates with education experience.In person programs cap at 16 students, or a 1: 10 instructor/student ratio.Programs are highly interactive, but include independent, self-paced activities. There are academic components and we expect campers to want and be able to take notes, observe, sketch and listen to presentations for 30-45 minutes. Activities completed at home include step-by-step instructions, yet final project outcomes are open ended and student-informed.Camps require students to be able to transition multiple times each day. Campers should be comfortable meeting many new people in various settings, transitioning from quiet to active time and alternating between individual and group work. In a virtual camp setting, campers will have additional flexibility to transition between activities at their own pace.Campers should be capable of self-regulating and have well-developed personal, social and emotional coping mechanisms. If they are unable to self-regulate, if they're not sure how to signal to the program leader that they need a break or they don't currently have a way to manage distractions on their own, parts of the program may be challenging for them and quite possibly for other members of the group.
