Activities, Camps and After School Classes Near Me

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for age 12 and up emphasizes personal responsibility and self-directed art-making under the guidance of the instructor. Individual goals are established and records of progress kept. A sketchbook is required for this class. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. Students new to ADEX are required to complete 3-4 prerequisite projects that introduce new mediums and the fundamentals of composition, color, and form. These projects also serve to familiarize students with the studio’s layout, proper setup and cleanup procedures, as well as essential steps in project planning. These prerequisites are completed at the students’ pace and typically take at least one session to complete.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 7 to 10 emphasizes form and composition. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience. There is a one-time, pre-requisite Online Form Class each student who is just starting Fine Art Fundamentals must complete by the third week of classes. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. You will be notified to sign up for this class if this is the first time your child is taking Fine Art Fundamentals.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

A colorful, candy-inspired art adventure! Campers will design and build sweet-themed sculptures using paint, clay, and collage materials. It’s a bright and playful week full of color, creativity, and deliciously fun art-making (no sugar needed!). Messy Art Lab Summer Camp Info 🌈 Art Show Each week ends with a special Art Show, where campers proudly share their amazing creations with family and friends! It’s a joyful celebration of their creativity and the wonderful work they’ve done all week. 🕘 Schedule Drop-off: begins at 9:00 AM Pick-up: 2:45–3:00 PM Aftercare: available 3:00–5:00 PM Aftercare Details: Aftercare can be purchased as a weekly package. We do not offer aftercare on Fridays. If you’d like to book individual aftercare days, please email Betty@messyartlab.com for availability. 🧺 What to Bring Please help your child come prepared for a fun (and messy!) creative day. 🚫 No nuts or nut products of any kind, please. -Two healthy snacks (morning & afternoon) -Lunch (no candy, gum, or sugary drinks) -A refillable water bottle -Comfortable, paint-friendly clothes -A jacket, sunhat, and layers for outdoor play -Sunscreen applied before camp -A full change of clothes (just in case!) 🧒 Camper Requirements To keep our camps safe, fun, and creative for everyone: -Campers must be 4 years and 6 months old by the first day of camp. (We’re not able to make exceptions to this policy.) -Campers should be able to follow safety instructions and engage in activities for about 30 minutes at a time. -Campers must be fully potty-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. -Please share any medical, behavioral, or developmental information (such as allergies, neurodiversity, or trauma) during registration. This helps us prepare thoughtfully and ensure a positive, supportive experience for every child. (All information is kept confidential.) 💰 Refunds & Cancellations We know plans can change! Please review our camp refund policy below: 100% refund for cancellations made within 24 hours of registration. All enrollments include a non-refundable 20% deposit. Cancellations made 30+ days before the camp start date: refund minus the 20% deposit. Cancellations made within 30 days of the camp start date: No refund unless we can fill your spot, in which case you’ll receive camp credit minus the 20% deposit. All cancellation requests must be sent in writing via email. Transfers to another camp week may be requested (based on availability). A 20% fee applies for transfers requested within 30 days of the original camp week.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

WEEK 8 August 3 - 7 Camp Giggles The Giggling Pig World Step into the magical world of Giggling Pig Village! This special camp week invites your child to explore the village, meet all the characters, and discover the stories behind their personalities and how they were created. Campers will dive into creativity as they learn about character design, storytelling, and even a little entrepreneurship while bringing their own original characters to life. The fun continues with board-game making, character cards, daily projects, and an exciting village-wide competition! All campers can enter their character for a chance to have it professionally illustrated by creator Hannah Perry. Optional Giggling Pig goodie bags and signed books will also be available. Ready to join the fun? So are we — sign up now!

As summer draws to a close, we're giving campers the freedom to choose their creative adventures for the final days of camp. Each day, we'll offer a selection of activities ranging from canvas painting and ceramics to slime making and collage crafting. Campers can decide how they want to spend their day, exploring different mediums and expressing their unique artistic styles. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to dive into what they love most and end their summer with a burst of creativity and personal expression. Join us for these last few days of fun-filled, self-directed creativity!​

Discover Fun, Leadership, and New Skills at GrowFit Camp! At GrowFit Camp, kids aged 4-12 dive into a world of sports and games, discovering new athletic passions in a fun, supportive environment. For teens aged 13-16, our Counselors-In-Training (CIT) program offers the ultimate mix of leadership training, community service opportunities, and exciting gameplay with younger campers—all while boosting résumés with valuable experience! CITs work alongside camp counselors under the guidance of a trained coach, learning leadership skills and playing a variety of sports and games. CITs are technically campers, actively participating in all camp activities while building valuable leadership experience. The program is $30/day with limited spots available each week, requiring a full-session commitment. What to Bring: Water Bottle: Stay hydrated! Refill stations are available on-site. Shoes & Clothing: Comfortable athletic shoes and black athletic shorts or pants are required. Each CIT will receive a camp shirt to wear for the week. Food: Please pack a hearty lunch and a few snacks as CITs run around quite a bit during the day. To join the CIT program, applicants must answer three quick questions after adding the program to their cart. Don’t wait—spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!

*CPS will be back in session this week! We're headed to the United States of Auradon with Mal, Evie, Carlos, Jay, Uma, and the rest of the crew of DESCENDANTS! (Maybe even Red and Chloe!) This week-long musical theater camp inspired by Descendants 1, 2, AND 3 (with a bit of Rise of Red thrown in too!) will use your child’s favorite songs, stories, and characters to help them develop the skills every performer needs to perform on a Broadway Stage. Campers will spend the week singing, dancing, acting, and rehearsing for an end of the week showcase which will take place on the last day of camp! They’ll also be given the chance to discover what goes on “behind the scenes” with art projects that introduce them to theatrical elements such as costume set design. Don’t worry – it’s not all work and no play here at Stages! We take advantage of the fun and freedom of summer, ensuring campers have time outside each day as well as free play (and rest). Best of all? Our camps are run by professional teaching artists with years of experience on professional stages as well as in the classroom so you can drop-off feeling confident that your child will be in good hands all week long. Whether your child has taken performing arts classes in the past or you’re simply looking for something new to try this summer, Stages is for you! Stages is committed to making our camps accessible for all families. For information regarding free or reduced tuition, please visit https://www.stageschicago.org/tuition-assistance.

Budding artists capturing multiple objects tend to begin with the largest or most attractive one first, finish it, and move on to the next. By studying multiple object composition, line and air perspective, as well as color mixing, students learn to depict multiple three-dimensional objects and build a solid foundation for future artistic study. Our academic method of teaching will open the eyes and minds of aspiring artists to see the myriad of colors and tones in everyday objects. With these foundational skills, students will learn techniques to express their creativity. Classes alternate between Drawing and Painting on a weekly basis. All skill levels welcome. Students will learn to draw and paint multiple objects as a group taking into account proportions, depth, structures, along with light and shadows. Using acrylic or oil, students will flex these core principles of composition to attain the freedom to draw and paint three-dimensional still-life, landscapes and fictional paintings. Procuring painting and drawing materials are the responsibility of each student, but we are of course happy to advise which ones we think are best.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Our school year curriculum for ages 4.5 to 7 includes a mix of works on paper and sculptures that offer a variety of media and opportunities to develop the student's understanding of basic concepts and terminology used in fine art making. This program does not require students to have prior art-making experience.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 8 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Designed for students ages 10 to 12, the Expanded Fundamentals program bridges the gap between Fine Art Fundamentals and Advanced Exploration. It builds on foundational techniques while offering more opportunities for independent decision-making. Prior completion of Fine Art Fundamentals isn’t required, but familiarity with basic art concepts is recommended. All students new to Expanded Fundamentals will receive a notification to sign up for a one-time, prerequisite Online Form Class, which must be completed by the third week. This class teaches students about form, values and composition. If your child has already completed this class as part of Fine Art Fundamentals, they do not need to take it again.

Travel across Latin America—without leaving the kitchen! In this immersive, hands-on summer camp, young chefs will explore the bold flavors, rich cultures, and iconic dishes of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Andes, the Southern Cone, and Brazil. Campers will cook fresh tortillas, empanadas, pão de queijo, moqueca, alfajores, and more while learning about traditional ingredients like corn, cassava, plantains, and tropical fruits. Each day blends cooking skills, cultural stories, teamwork, and plenty of delicious tasting. Perfect for curious cooks who love food, flavor, and fun!

Champ Camp's Summer Beach Program gives your champs the chance to spend five days straight playing epic activities on the sand and in the sea, all while meeting new buddies along the way! Offering campers everything from sand games and arts & crafts projects to ocean play and sandcastle creation (and just about everything in between), the Champ Camp Beach experience gives your kiddos a summer they'll never forget! FOLLOW US on Instagram and Facebook! [@ChampCampKids & @ChampCampBeach] ChampCampKids.com/beachcamp

Explore the world of making your own clay creations! This class will teach you how to create several hand-built clay pieces. Students will be introduced to Kiln firing, and procedures, as well as stages of clay: Wet, Greenware, Bisqueware, and more. Each student will custom glaze each project, and have all pieces fired in our kiln. Many projects are “built upon” each class, so that students experience a variety of mediums and take home several projects. Projects are new every session, so sign-up for both June and July sessions. Our Last Class we will have student presentations the last 15 minutes of class. Please bring a bag and some towels, paper to wrap all of your treasures and take home.

Rebel Art Summer Camps are full of exploration, creative excitement, and just plain fun! Much like our teen school year classes, we will offer the flexibility of having planned projects for those who don't necessarily have a clear idea of what to create, as well as more of an open studio for those who are ready to dive into all those projects in their heads (with the guidance of our teachers). We offer everything from drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, printmaking to sculpture. Please note that due to time constraints, we do not offer ceramics in this program during summer camps (please check out our Rebel Ceramics program if interested in working with ceramics). We break up the week by hosting camp in different locations. Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays are hosted at the studio at 1444 South Main st., and Tuesdays/Thursdays we meet at local parks. This unique opportunity is only offered during summer camps and is incredibly special as it allows campers to experience working in plein air (from life outside) as well as in the studio for a complete art experience. Please note that we keep a close watch on the weather and air quality and will relocate to the studio if it will be too hot or poor air.

Over this week long camp, your child will learn the basics of photography. We will learn about lighting and composition as well as how the camera works by building a pin hole camera, making solar prints, and developing film in the dark room.

An exciting introduction to the science of flight and propulsion. Rocket Academy introduces campers to the fundamentals of rocketry through hands-on design, building, and real rocket launches. Students explore how rockets work, then put those ideas into action as they design and launch a variety of rocket types using different propulsion systems. Throughout the week, campers learn how forces like thrust, momentum, and energy work together to lift rockets off the ground. These concepts are introduced in an age-appropriate, engaging way, allowing students to connect real science to what they see in the sky during launch activities. This camp emphasizes experimentation and discovery. Campers test designs, compare results, and refine their thinking as they explore what makes rockets fly higher, straighter, and farther. What students will do: Design, build, and launch multiple model rockets Explore how rockets operate and why they fly Learn the basic principles of propulsion, including thrust and momentum Compare different propulsion types and launch outcomes Build confidence through hands-on engineering and experimentation Model rocketry has long been a source of inspiration for scientists and engineers, and Rocket Academy gives campers an early opportunity to experience that spark firsthand. This camp is a great fit for students who enjoy building, testing ideas, and seeing science come to life—and pairs naturally with BattleBots, LEGO Robotics, and 3D Printing & CAD.

Tiny Twisters is an introductory gymnastics and movement class—perfect for children looking to build strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Young gymnasts will stretch their bodies, swing on the bars, develop core strength while walking on the balance beam, and jump on the trampoline. This class also focuses on building a strong foundation of basic gymnastics skills, helping children gain confidence and awareness as they move and explore. Join the movement today! No refunds or credits, make-up classes only! The only time to drop the class will be when the first session ends in December 2026. If you do not drop then you will be automatically re-enrolled for January-May 2027.

Step into a world of wild creativity at Animal Kingdom Art Camp, where every day is filled with creatures big and small! Each morning and afternoon, campers dive into a brand-new art project inspired by a different animal. From rainforest parrots and jungle cats to ocean creatures, polar wildlife, and more. Through painting, drawing, sculpting, and mixed media, campers explore habitats, colors, patterns, and textures while bringing their favorite animals to life. With endless species to discover, every session becomes a new artistic adventure. Perfect for young artists and animal lovers alike, this camp is packed with imagination, learning, and hands-on fun! ​ PLEASE EMAIL REGISTRATION FORM & MEDICAL PRIOR TO THE START OF CAMP.

*Mid-session registration: If you are signing up AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF THIS SERIES OF 9 CLASSES, email info@marvegos.com about a possible project conflict before you arrive for class.* Digital Art 2 builds on students’ foundational Procreate skills and introduces them to a series of new digital art techniques. Each technique is taught through a focused lesson, followed by a project that allows students to practice and apply what they learned. Over the session, students will explore different approaches to digital drawing and painting while strengthening their skills, growing more confident, and working with greater independence. Individual guidance and feedback help students refine their ideas and create original artwork. What to Bring to Class: iPad (9th generation or newer recommended for best performance) Apple Pencil Charger Because this program is offered on a limited basis, make-up classes are not available. Please be sure your child can commit to the full 9-class series before registering.