Lyman Woods, 901 31st Street, Downers Grove

Young adventurers can spend their summer at Lyman Woods engaging in outdoor explorations and connecting with nature. Led by our team of naturalists, counselors, and volunteers, children will spend time outdoors playing, exploring, and making new friends. Each week is an exciting new adventure with new games, crafts, experiments and explorations. Sign up for the weeks that spark your child's interest, or choose all for a fun-filled Summer! Our traditional nature camps are half-day options only. Check out our new All Day Nature Camp option if you need a full day of camp. Camp fee includes camp T-shirt. Need Before or after care? Check out our Before Care and After Care options. Campers are responsible for bringing their own mid-camp snack and a lunch for full day campers. No camp on June 19, July 4 and 5. All participants must be fully potty-trained and independent with bathroom needs.

REGISTER ONLINE

  • 2024 Registration begins March 11 at 9:00am for Park District residents and March 18 at 9:00am for non-residents! Registration deadline is the Wednesday prior to a camp session week or until the camp fills to the maximum number of participants.
  • Waitlists will not be available for Nature Camps. If you do not get a spot in your preferred camp, please check online regularly to see if a spot has become available.


2024 Nature Summer Camp Parent manual

Nature Camp Parent Manual 2024 

PARENT COMMUNICATION

Parents will receive a "Welcome to Camp" email by May 24, 2024 with general camp information including what to wear to camp, what to bring to camp and camp policies. Please note, snacks and lunches are not provided at any camp. Following the initial communication, each camp will be emailed no later than the Friday prior to each session with specific camp information for the upcoming week.

Participant Information/Emergency forms

  • The Downers Grove Park District utilizes ePACT for camper information/emergency forms.
  • If you do not have an ePACT account, within 24 hours of your camp registration, you should receive an email from ePACT to set up an account and complete your emergency forms.
  • If you were enrolled in Summer Camp in 2023 or another program that utilized ePACT, you will receive an email to verify your information in ePACT. You need to review the information to make sure it is accurate before the start of a camp session.
  • All forms must be completed prior to a camp session beginning in order for your camper to attend.

What to bring to camp each day

  • Backpack
  • Change of clothes
  • 1 snack (Teen Wilderness Explorers and Full Day campers will need 2 snacks)
  • Teen Wilderness Explorers and Full Day camp only - will need a lunch
  • Filled re-fillable water bottle
  • Sunscreen (arrive already applied - sunscreen is for re-applying)
  • Insect Repellant (arrive already applied)
  • For Lyman Woods camps, we strongly recommend wearing or bringing a hat

What to wear to camp each day

  • Comfortable clothing that can get messy/wet/muddy
  • Closed toed shoes/boots with socks
  • Sunscreen

CANCELLATION POLICY

Cancellation/refund requests must be submitted at least 5 days prior to the start of a camp session in order to receive a full refund minus $5. Any cancellation requests received within 5 days of a camp session beginning will only be approved if accompanied by a doctor's note due to a medical reason and will be subject to a $10 cancellation fee. Self-cancellation prior to the deadline can be done online through your account or you can visit www.dgparks.org/request-a-refund to complete a refund request form. No refunds will be given for missed camp days unless cancelled by the park district.

All-Day Nature Camp & Teen Explorer Wilderness Camps will follow the Cancellation Policy for Traditional Day Camps.

financial assistance program

In an effort to provide recreation, health and wellness opportunities to all residents, including those who are experiencing financial hardships, the Downers Grove Park District has established a Financial Assistance Program. Participants must reside within the boundaries of the Downers Grove Park District to be eligible. For eligibility requirements or to donate to the Financial Assistance Program, please visit www.dgparks.org/financial-assistance-program.


TRADITIONAL NATURE CAMPS REGISTER ONLINE

pre-k to kindergarten

 

3rd-5th grade


SPECIALTY NATURE CAMPS REGISTER ONLINE

PRE-K TO KINDERGARTEN

3RD-5TH GRADE


ALL-DAY NATURE CAMPS REGISTER ONLINE

 


 

Nature Summer Camp Volunteers

Love being outdoors? Need volunteer hours or looking to build your resume? Join our team!

Over the Summer, Lyman Woods is host to a variety of nature-themed day camps for ages 4-14. Lyman Woods Summer Camp Volunteers gain valuable experience working with children in an adventurous, outdoor setting while meeting and working with other volunteers. Volunteers help the camp instructors and camps from assisting with crafts and games to set up and clean up to being a buddy to shy campers.

We prefer volunteers that are available for two or more weeks of camp, but no matter how many weeks you choose, you must commit to the entirety of that week. Morning (9am - 12pm), Afternoon (1 - 4pm) or full day (9am - 4pm) shifts available.

Volunteers should be able to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of camp and stay for 15 minutes after camp. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and able to attend a volunteer training session in early June (date and time TBD). Volunteers 18 years old and older must complete a Criminal Background Check.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the Volunteer Waiver and Nature Summer Camp Volunteer Application below and return them to Lyman Woods (901 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515) or lymanwoods@dgparks.org.

Volunteer Waiver

Nature summer camp volunteer application