OVERNIGHT ADVENTURES AT LYMAN WOODS

Bring your group to Lyman Woods for a fun-filled camping experience!

Whether you're a Scout group, a youth group, a birthday party, school, camp, or just a large family, Lyman Woods is the perfect place to go camping! You can simply rent the space and bring your own food and activities, or let the staff at Lyman Woods plan a whole evening of fun for you! Choose from camping outside, or having a sleepover in the Interpretive Center! Our Overnight Adventures last from 6pm on Friday or Saturday to 8am the next morning.

Activities Program

This is a 1.5 hour long program led by one of our trained Lyman Woods instructors. Activity program topics can include:

  • Astronomy
  • Nature at Night
  • Owls
  • Scout Badge (inquire about badges offered)
  • Frogs (seasonal)

What is provided?

We will provide the space to set up tents, access to flush bathrooms, two members to stay on site the whole night for any questions that arise during your stay, a 1.5 hour program, 30 minute campfire with s'mores. Depending on the extras chosen, we may provide a dinner (hot dogs, buns, condiments, chips, and water), a light breakfast in the morning (donuts, muffins, fruit, and juice) and an extended 30 minutes of campfire.

New! Tent Rentals Available!

Size of Tent Fee
2-Person $10
4-Person $15
6-Person $20

What do I bring?

As a group, you are responsible for bringing your own tents unless using our rental tent, sleeping bags, camp mats, toiletries, food (if not chosen as an extra), games, etc. Please note that you will not have access to the campfire unless the extra is purchased. We do not allow patrons to use the campfire and wood without a staff member tending it.

General Rules

Lyman Woods is jointly owned by the Downers Grove Park District, Village of Downers Grove, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. We are categorized as a Nature Preserve and as such certain rules apply to our visitors and those staying on our grounds overnight:

  1. Be respectful of nature - this includes not picking plants or flowers or walking off trail.
  2. Do not take anything you find at Lyman Woods home with you or bring plants or animals to release here.
  3. No pets allowed.
  4. Campers are responsible for putting their garbage in the required receptacles.
  5. Camp only in the designated spot shown to you by a Lyman Woods staff member.
  6. The campfire is only to be used if purchased and operated by a Lyman Woods staff member.
  7. There is a 10pm curfew and lights out.

Fees

The Overnight package includes use of the space (indoor or outdoor) for up to 30 guests. The fee is required as a deposit for all Overnight Adventures. We require 1 adult for every 5 children on overnights.

Item Fee
Overnight Package Fee (Up to 30 guests) $600

Extras

Extras are optional and can be added to enhance your experience.

Item Fee
30-minute Extended Campfire $30
Dinner (Hot dogs, Chips, Drink) $5 each (Min. 10)
Light Breakfast (Donuts or Muffins, Fruit, Juice) $5 each (Min. 10)
*The maximum of 30 includes children and adults. For groups over 30 people, call Lyman Woods for large group rates and options at 630.963.9388.

How to Register

We offer overnights on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dates will be released on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call Lyman Woods at 630.963.9388 or email lymanwoods@dgparks.org to inquire about availability. Please note in order to secure the date, we require the $600 Overnight fee to be paid at the time of registration. Any extras can be added and paid for up to one week before the overnight. Due to supplies, we cannot guarantee extra choices will be available less than one week before the overnight.

Cancellations/Refunds

For cancellations at least 7 days in advance, a refund of $500 will be granted. Cancellation less than 7 days in advance results in a forfeit of the full $600 reservation fee. If needed, overnights can be rescheduled and the fee can be transferred. Please note that we do not give refunds due to weather. If weather is inclement, the group will have the option to move indoors if possible. Our indoor space can comfortably accommodate 30 guests for sleeping.

scouts at lyman woods

Bring your Scout Troop to Lyman Woods for an unforgettable adventure!

With over 135 acres of natural habitats (including woodlands, wetlands, and prairie) and two and a half miles of trails, we offer scouts with year round opportunities to earn badges.

Fees and Scheduling

Programs are offered at 1, 1.5, or 2 hour options, depending on program chosen and recommendation of the staff. Programs can be done at your facility, but are designed to be done at Lyman Woods. We do have a minimum group size of 8 scouts or the corresponding fee. Please see below for pricing:




PROGRAM PRICING

Program Length Fee Outreach
1 hour $8/scout; $64 minimum $9/scout;$72 minimum
1.5 hours $10/scout; $80 minimum $11/scout; $88 minimum
2 hours $12/scout; $96 minimum $13/scout; $104 minimum
30 minute campfire with s'mores add on: $55 Not available

Specialty programs are available to any level and are a set length and fee:

Program Length Fee
Snowshoeing 1 hour $10/scout; $80 minimum (12 scout max.)
Fishing 1.5 hours $11/scout; $88 minimum
Archery 2 hours $12/scout; $96 minimum (16 max)
Team Building 2 hours $12/scout; $96 minimum
Nature at Night 1.5 hours $9/scout; $72 minimum (8 scout min.)
Camping/Overnight Adventure 6pm-8am $325 base; additional fees apply for activities, dinner, breakfast, campfire, games

If you are interested in scheduling a Scout program or would like more information, please contact Lyman Woods: (630) 963-9388 or lymanwoods@dgparks.org.

Girl Scout Badges Available

Daisy:

  • Space Science Explorer
  • Outdoor Art Maker
  • Eco Learner
  • Daisy Trail Adventure
  • Clover Petal
  • Rose Petal
  • Buddy Camper
  • Snow and Climbing Adventure

Brownie:

  • Pets
  • Senses
  • Home Scientist
  • Space Science Adventurer
  • Letterboxer
  • Outdoor Art Creator
  • Eco Friend
  • Bugs
  • Outdoor Adventurer
  • Hiker
  • Brownie Trail Adventure
  • Cabin Camper
  • Household Elf
  • Brownie First Aid

Junior:

  • Animal Habitats
  • Detective
  • Space Science Investigator
  • Geocacher
  • Outdoor Art Explorer
  • Flowers
  • Camper
  • Gardener
  • Eco Camper
  • Junior Trail Adventure
Cadette:
  • Night Owl
  • Outdoor Art Apprentice
  • Eco Trekker
  • Trees
  • Archery
  • Trailblazing (not the full badge)
Senior:
  • Eco Explorer
  • Sky

Boy Scout Badges Available:

Lion

  • Mountain Lion
  • Ready, Set, Grow!

Tiger

  • My Tiger Jungle
  • Sky is the Limit
  • Tigers in the Wild

Wolf

  • Paws on the Path
  • Call of the Wild
  • Digging in the Past
  • Finding your way
  • Air of the Wolf

Bear

  • Fur, Feathers, & Ferns
  • Bear Necessities
  • A Bear Goes Fishing
  • Beat of the Drum

Webelos

  • Cast Iron Chef
  • Webelos Walkabout
  • Camper
  • Outdoorsman*
  • Castaway*
  • Earth Rocks*
  • Into the Wild*
  • Into the Woods*
* Arrow of Light requirements

If you don't see a badge listed, please contact us at 630-963-9388.


eagle scout and gold award projects at lyman woods

Looking for a meaningful project to help complete your Eagle Scout or Gold Award? Then look no further than our diverse list of potential projects for Lyman Woods! We would love to see these hands-on, impactful projects become a reality, but we need your help. Projects from the "Scout Project List" focus on enhancing our environmental programming or improve our conservation and stewardship to restore the natural areas around Lyman Woods. Don't see a project that sparks your interest? Reach out to us directly to schedule a meeting to see if we can find something that fits. For Eagle Scout and Gold Award Project inquiries, please reach out to Ryan Maywin (Supervisor of Natural Areas and Programs) at 630-960-2069 or email rmaywin@dgparks.org