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Camp GEMS

Camp GEMS is the perfect way to keep minds and bodies active over the summer. We always use what we have learned each summer to improve our camp offering and operations.

Camp GEMS Summer 2023

Camp GEMS combines the energy of summer with our renowned education program. The summer camp theme is closely aligned with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework that is already in place during the academic year. The students will enjoy fun-filled days as they explore new, challenging, and educational experiences. Our Camp GEMS team consists of educators who are highly trained and passionate about education. Under their guidance, our campers flourish academically, socially and emotionally. We look forward to enjoying a fun-filled summer with your child!

Register for GEMS Camp

 

Rising Grade 6 - 8: July 17th – July 21st
Mini Camp: 9 am - 12 pm - $750 | Full Camp: 9 am - 3 pm - $1350
New Bootcamp Offering This Year

This camp is designed for middle school students who have a passionate interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, design, and programming. Attendees will learn how to find problems based on human needs and design tangible products that address these issues. Attendees will have access to state of the art tools and technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, drones, and virtual reality. They will immerse themselves in real-life projects, allowing for the development and honing of practical skills that are vital in the 21st century workplace.This experience is bound to inspire, educate, and give scholars a head start in their entrepreneurial journey

Rising Grade 4 - 7: July 17th – July 21st
Morning 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Rising Grades 4-5) - $550
Afternoon 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Rising Grades 6-7) - $550
New Bootcamp Offering This Year

Design for the virtual world! This week-long (July 17 - 21) innovation summer camp invites students with an interest in Virtual and Augmented Reality to use CoSpaces Pro and Merge Cube to construct stories, simulations, or games with 3D elements and coded interactions. No previous coding or design experience is required.

Rising Grade K - 2: July 17th – July 28th

Each day, students will learn about one south East Asian country and focus on the ingredients that make that countries dishes unique. We will delve into the brief history of that nation and how it’s neighbors or trade has affected its recipes. Some countries that we will showcase will be, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, and Indonesia. We will also get our hands dirty and cook these dishes in the classroom!

Rising Grade 3 - 5: June 20th – July 7th

Students will brainstorm problems or needs that they can find solutions for, and then create a business plan that can potentially help solve the problem and be profitable at the same time. Topics covered will include costs of starting the business, profit versus revenue, and marketing.

Rising Grades K - 2: June 20th - June 30th
Rising Grades PS3 & JK: July 3rd - July 14th

Art is all about painting, drawing, collage, fashion, design, and more. Students will focus on one of these topics each day to hone their skills and have fun. There will be fashion shows, art exhibits, vision boards, and more.

Rising Grades 1 - 3: 9 AM to 12 PM July 10th - July 21st
Rising Grades 4 - 5: 12 PM to 3 PM July 10th - July 21st

Welcome to chess, the fun and interactive way. After a brief welcome and role call, there is chess warm ups, game free play, trivia, or fun games. Then there is a lesson for thirty minutes, and practice. Now things get interactive, with physical activity (camp games or playground time.) after a quick snack, students practice variation chess games and review the lesson.

Rising Grades PS3 & JK: June 20th - June 23rd
Rising Grades 3 - 5: July 10th - July 14th

In the hot summer, kids want to freeze popsicles, make smoothies, or have fresh watermelon to cool down. In cooking club, kids can do all of those things, and more. They can learn how to make healthy snacks and meals in class, and then enjoy them at lunch time. Kids will also learn more about different cultures by trying food from around the world.

Rising Grades PS3 & JK: June 26th - June 30th

In this week-long camp, campers will learn about different types of plants and animals, both locally and globally by visiting important nature centers in the Chicago Area. Campers will utilize both school buses and the CTA to access zoos, conservatories, aquariums, and more.

Rising Grades 3 - 5: July 3rd - July 7th

In this week-long camp, campers will take advantage of the incredible architecture in the city of Chicago. Starting downtown in our own neighborhood of Lake Shore East and traveling across the city, campers will learn about the many styles of architecture that make Chicago so unique. Campers will utilize both school buses and the CTA to access local Chicago landmarks.

Rising Grades K-2: July 3rd - July 7th
Rising Grades 3-5: June 26th - June 30th & July 10th - July 14th (No Overlap of curriculum)

Did you ever wonder what makes Chicago unique, or different from other places in the US? Why is Chicago called “the city of big shoulders” or “the windy city?” This camp will be your child’s introduction to important aspects of the city they call home. We will focus on key themes such as politics, history, art, architecture, the environment, and sports. Students will tour important landmarks and cultural institutions, engaging with the city’s highlights to understand how complex Chicago is.

Rising Grades K - 2: July 17th - July 21st
Rising Grades 3 - 5: July 23rd - July 28th

Ever wonder what currency from another country looks like, or how to say hello in German? In this class, we will immerse students in various global issues by encouraging language exchange, getting exposure to different foreign films, listening to speakers, and participating in current affairs. We will be looking through a geographical, cultural, and economic lens.

Rising Grades K - 2: July 17th - July 21st
Rising Grades 3 - 5: July 23rd - July 28th

Is your child curious about chemistry, math, or coding? Put them in STEM club, and see them gain valuable skills and find new hobbies. Each week, exciting themes that are relevant to the students will be incorporated in science, technology, engineering, and math activities that use an inquiry based learning approach. This means campers will get exposure to these subjects, while doing fun experiments.

Rising Grades K - 3: July 10th - July 14th & July 17th - July 21st (12:30pm to 3:30pm)
Rising Grades 4 - 5: July 10th - July 14th & July 17th - July 21st (8:30am to 11:30am)

1 hour supervised lunch break

My Gym Chicago is excited to participate in the GEMS Chicago Summer camp program! Their experienced staff will conduct an awesome two-week summer camp program, consisting of games, tumbling, sports, arts and crafts, music, dance, and much more! This camp is to complement our Chess Wizards camp, as both are half day. We will transition the different age groups during their supervised lunch period.

Click Here for the timeline view of the above programs. 

For any questions, please email Sarah Buckalew, sarahbuckalew@gemschicago.org.

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