Student Life

Summer

Save the Date: Summer Awaits!
Registration opens on February 1, 2025!

Imagine Summer!

Ancona Summer 2025 offers eight themed week-long sessions for preprimary and primary-aged students beginning Monday, June 23, 2025.

Program Overview:

Each week, a new adventure is waiting to unfold! Themed weeks are designed to inspire creativity, teamwork, and hands-on exploration, offering an exciting and varied experience for every camper. Whether they are building imaginative creations, exploring the world’s wonders, or becoming heroes in mythical worlds, every camper will have the chance to immerse themselves in engaging experiences that bring the theme to life. 

Preprimary Camp: (3-year-olds - rising kindergarteners), will combine Montessori elements with developmentally-appropriate applications of each weekly theme, along with offerings from our partner organizations and other structured programming. Full-day and half-day (AM) options are available for Preprimary Camp.

Primary Camp: (rising 1st - 5th graders), will be theme-based throughout. Offerings from partner organizations, field trips, and other structured programming will augment each week's themed activities. 


Session Dates and Prices

Weekly sessions begin every Monday from June 23, 2025 to August 11, 2025. Sign up for all eight weeks or pick and choose the weeks that work best for your family!

Ancona Summer will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2025 due to the Independence Day holiday; the session beginning June 30th will run from Monday-Thursday only.

Register early and save!
Early Bird pricing for all sessions is available through March 14, 2025

Regular Weekly Session: $550/camper
Regular Half-Day (AM) Preprimary Weekly Session: $275/camper
Early Bird Weekly Session: $500/camper; $275/half-day preprimary camper
Week of June 30th Special Rate: $500/camper; $250/half-day preprimary camper

Questions about pricing? Reach out to summer@anconaschool.org.

Weekly Theme Details

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  • Week 1: Teamwork and Friendships

    June 23 - 27, 2025

    Kick off summer camp by building strong connections! This week is all about fostering teamwork and creating friendships through fun group challenges, icebreaker activities, and cooperative games. Campers will learn the value of collaboration and support as they embark on their camp journey together.
  • Week 2: Time Travelers—Explore the Past, Present, and Future

    June 30 - July 3, 2025
    Please note: Ancona Summer is closed on Friday, July 4th

    Embark on an exciting adventure through time! Campers will explore ancient civilizations, dive into today’s world, and imagine futuristic possibilities. Activities include creating time capsules, re-enacting historical events, and designing inventions for the future.
  • Week 3: Creative Expressions—Art and Imagination

    July 7 - 11, 2025

    Unleash your inner artist! This week is all about self-expression through art, music, drama, and creative writing. Campers will explore their imaginations as they craft unique masterpieces, perform in skits, and showcase their creativity in new and exciting ways.
  • Week 4: Super Spies & Secret Agents—Solve Mysteries and Master Spy Skills

    July 14 - 18, 2025

    Calling all future secret agents! Campers will crack codes, solve puzzles, and embark on top-secret missions. With activities like scavenger hunts and escape-room-style challenges, they’ll sharpen their problem-solving and teamwork skills while having a blast.

    Service Field Trip: PAWS Chicago
  • Week 5: Around the World in 5 Days—Travel, Cultures, and Global Fun

    July 21 - 25, 2025

    Travel the globe in just one week! Campers will explore the traditions, cuisines, and customs of different cultures through interactive activities, games, and crafts. They’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the diversity and beauty of our world.

    Service Field Trip: Chicago Food Depository
  • Week 6: Mad Scientist Week—Explore Science and STEM

    July 28 - August 1, 2025

    Put on your lab coats and dive into a week of discovery! Campers will experiment, explore, and engineer as they tackle fun STEM challenges, conduct cool science experiments, and learn about the wonders of the natural world.
  • Week 7: Builders and Inventors—Construct, Design, and Create!

    August 4 - 8, 2025 

    Channel your inner engineer and bring your ideas to life! This week focuses on hands-on projects, from building structures to designing inventions. Campers will work with various materials to create, construct, and problem-solve, all while developing critical thinking and creativity.

    Service Field Trip: Urban Farming


  • Week 8: Camp Memories—Celebrate and Reflect

    August 11 - 15, 2025

    End the summer on a high note! Campers will reflect on their favorite moments, celebrate their accomplishments, and enjoy special activities to close out the season. Highlights include a camp-wide showcase, memory book creations, and plenty of laughter to wrap up an unforgettable summer.

Summer Partners

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  • Chicago Fire FC Soccer

    Chicago Fire FC Camps are the perfect way to introduce your child to the world’s fastest-growing youth sport and develop their soccer skills. Through small group instruction, certified, professional coaches will guide campers through activities structured around daily themes, including dribbling, passing, attacking, and defending. Chicago Fire FC Camps incorporate nationally recognized SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) traits and values like self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and teamwork into activities.
  • Challenge Island

    Challenge Island is a hands-on, adventure-based STEAM program that engages kids in creative, team-centered problem-solving activities through exciting themed challenges. Children work in small groups to tackle tasks that develop critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. With its blend of fun themes and practical learning, Challenge Island makes science and engineering engaging and accessible for all types of young learners.
  • Cooking Class

    Starting with the essentials, students will learn how to read recipes with confidence and create a clean, organized kitchen space. As we progress, we'll dive into understanding flavors and building taste profiles, practice fun techniques like flipping food, and finish with creating personalized grain bowls that celebrate creativity and healthy ingredients. A special highlight of the class includes a field trip to Magnolia Bakery for a cake icing demonstration, where students get an inside look at professional techniques. This class is perfect for anyone eager to boost their cooking skills, explore new flavors, and have fun in the kitchen!
  • Hyde Park School of Dance

    Campers will experience the joy of movement through workshops provided by the Hyde Park School of Dance. These sessions encourage self-expression, creativity, and an appreciation for the performing arts, all while promoting physical activity and coordination.
  • Robotics by STEAM Academy

    Our Robotics Program combines hands-on learning with creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. Using platforms like LEGO Mindstorms or VEX Robotics, campers will design, build, and program their own robots. Through project-based learning, they will tackle real-world challenges, exploring topics such as motion, coding, and problem-solving while fostering an appreciation for STEAM disciplines.

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  • Disclaimers

    A non-refundable enrollment fee of $100 per camper will be applied to the cost of camp.
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    • Affiliations

      Independent Schools Association of the Central States

    • Affiliations

      Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools

    • Affiliations

      National Association of Independent Schools

    • Affiliations

      American Montessori Society

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