NATURE CAMPS
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.
- Resident registration begins at 10AM on March 10
- Non-resident registration begins at 10AM on March 17
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.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
- Registration deadline is Wednesday prior to each week of camp or until the camp fills to the maximum number of participants.
CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
- Self-cancellation prior to the cancellation deadline can be done online through your account or you can visit dgparks.org/request-a-refund to complete a refund form.
- Cancellation requests must be received by the end of day Tuesday for the following week.
- Cancellations made after Tuesday for camps beginning the following week will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Withdrawals made before May 15 will incur a $5 service fee per participant, per camp.
- Withdrawals made on or after May 15 will incur a $10 service fee per participant, per camp.
- Camp Registration
participant information/Emergency forms
- The Downers Grove Park District will be utilizing ePACT for camper information/emergency forms. Within 1 week of your camp registration, you should receive an email from ePACT to set up an account and complete your camper's electronic information/emergency forms.
- Information/emergency forms for each camper must be completed through ePACT no later than the Wednesday prior to your child's first camp session and you only need to fill out the forms once regardless of how many camps your child is enrolled in.
- Campers will not be allowed to attend camp until the information/emergency forms are completed.
If your camper is enrolled in a program that is currently using the ePACT system, you will receive an email from ePACT to verify your child's information is correct and up to date.
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.
2026 Summer Camp Parent Manual
Click the button below to review the Parent Manual.
COMING SOON
parent communication
- Parents will receive a “Welcome to Camp” email by May 27, with information including what to wear to
camp, what to bring to camp and camp procedures. - Following the initial “Welcome to Camp” email, each camp will be emailed no later than the Friday prior to each session with specific camp information for the upcoming week.
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
Traditional Half-Day Nature Camps
Come spend your summer outside at Lyman Woods, embarking on fun-filled adventures and discovering the wonders of nature! Led by our dedicated team of naturalists, counselors, and volunteers, children will immerse themselves outdoors playing, exploring and making new friends. Each week is an exciting new experience with games, crafts, experiments and investigations. Sign up for the weeks that spark your child’s interest, or choose them all for a fun-filled summer! No Traditional Half-Day Nature Camps the week of June 15-19 or June 29-July 3. For camps those weeks, please check out our Specialty Half Day Nature Camps. No Specialty Half-Day Nature Camps on June 19th
or July 3.
Please note that if registering for Half-Day Camps, you will be unable to register for both AM & PM sessions in the same week. Camp fee includes camp T-shirt for the first week attended and other tie-dye items for additional weeks. Children are responsible for bringing their own mid-camp snack and a water bottle. Need before care? Check out Before Care for Lyman Woods Camp options-available for our Full-day Nature Camps only.
All-Day Nature Camp
1st-5th Grade
Welcome to All-Day Fun and Adventure! This all day version of our popular Lyman Woods' nature camps will be open to campers entering 1st - 5th grade in the Fall. All Day Nature Camp will be hosted at Gilbert Park/Maple Grove Forest Preserve, along with our Teen Wilderness Explorers. Groups may be mixed aged, depending on enrollment. Campers should bring a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack as well as a packed lunch from home. Camp fee includes camp t-shirt for the first week attended and other tie-dye items for additional weeks. No camp on June 19 or July 4.
Register Online
All-Day Nature Camp Before Care
Welcome to All-Day Fun and Adventure! This all day version of our popular Lyman Woods' nature camps will be open to campers entering 1st - 5th grade in the Fall. All Day Nature Camp will be hosted at Gilbert Park/Maple Grove Forest Preserve, along with our Teen Wilderness Explorers. Groups may be mixed aged, depending on enrollment. Campers should bring a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack as well as a packed lunch from home. Camp fee includes camp t-shirt for the first week attended and other tie-dye items for additional weeks. No camp on June 19 or July 4.
Specialty Nature Camps
Specialty Nature Camps are designed to help your camper become immersed in a unique topic, learn a special skill
from an expert counselor, and engage in a smaller more personalized camp setting. Please note that we offer half-day
specialty camps only and you will not be able to register for both AM and PM sessions in the same week.
Location: William F Sherman Jr Interpretive Center - Lyman Woods
