TheBestCamps.com > Best Illinois Camps > Dream Big Camps
Dream Big Camps
Chicago, IL
Visit Our Dream Big Camps Website
773-944-9146
siobhan[AT]dreambigeducation.org
5255 N. Ashland Ave/ 651 W Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60640/ 60661
WINTER (OFF-SEASON) OFFICE ADDRESS:
Literacenter
c/o Dream Big
641 W Lake St,
Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60661
CAMP VIDEO LINK:
Watch Our Dream Big Camps Video
CAMPER AGES: 3 - 18
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp. Week-long drama camps.
CAMPER GENDER(S): Coed Campers.
BRIEF CAMP DESCRIPTION: Dream Big Camps are a great opportunity to build confidence, get creative, and build relationships! During our acclaimed weekly Drama Camps, children will act, sing, dance, and play theatre games centered around themes like Hamilton Fanatics, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Sing. Campers will also create costume, prop and set pieces. Camps culminate in a performance of an original show! Taught by skilled teaching artists, each week engages children in an unforgettable collaborative experience!
SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPERS: We can accommodate children with special needs. Our Director of Camps is a former learning specialist, and looks forward to working with families to make drama camp available for ALL kids!
CAMP INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED:
Dance, Theater, Musical Theater, Music/Band, Fine Arts/Crafts, and more.
CAMP LOCATION: Most of our camps are located in Andersonville 1 block north of Foster on the corner of Ashland and Berwyn, at First Free Church: 5255 N. Ashland Ave
We we also be offering camps in the West Loop at Open Books: 651 W Lake St.
CAMP FACILITIES: Most of our camps are hosted in a beautiful newly constructed building of the First Free Church. It is air conditioned.
There will also be camps hosted at Open Books in the West Loop. It is air conditioned.
CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Our camps and classes are all taught by professional teaching artists who engage campers in fun drama games and activities that foster creativity, self-expression and teamwork. Each week is designed around a creative theme and age group. Campers collaborate together to create a performance piece to be performed at the end of each week. These camps are based on dramatic play and exploration. We are proud to announce that we were the recipient of the 2013 Red Tricycle Award for "Most Awesome Dance and Theater Class" in Chicago!
CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Students entering 5th-8th grades are invited to be a Jr. Camp Counselor for any camp geared towards 3-7 year olds. Jr. Camp Counselor’s receive a 50% discount for their assistance and their responsibilities include:
•Assist with drama games by leading with examples
•Help with story/show creation by supporting and enhancing the creative ideas of the younger campers
•Create and help with set/prop/costume development
•Assist with set up for different activities
•Assist with songs and dances
•Lead warm ups and games with supervision (if desired)
•Arrive 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late to help with set up/clean up and go over goals and planning
Students entering 9th-12th grade are welcome to apply for internships with us during the summer. To apply, please fill out this form. Sr. Camp Counselor responsibilities include:
•Assist with drama games-lead with examples
•Create and help with set/prop/costume development
•Assist with set up for different activities
•Act as a leader for songs and dances for younger campers
•Lead warm ups and games with supervision (if desired)
•Aide in taking young campers for restroom/drink breaks
•Arrive 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late to help with set up/clean up and go over goals and planning
•Assist with supervision and play at the park during breaks
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Please inquire. We do provide partial scholarships as needed.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Dream Big Performing Arts Workshops offer drama integration in-school residencies in Chicago schools, and after school enrichment programs in Chicago and Naperville.
OTHER CAMP INFO: We are also partnering with JCC Camping this summer. Check out: Our Camp Website Link: www.gojcc.org for more information.
We also offer a 4 week production camp. The camp runs from July 23rd- August 18th. This year we are excited to announce that we will be putting on Alice in Wonderland JR. This PROFESSIONAL STAGE EXPERIENCE features 2 live performances on the MAIN STAGE at the historic Athenaeum Theatre complete with FULL COSTUMES, SETS, LIGHTS, and SOUND. Our design and creative teams work together seamlessly to ensure the best production process and camp experience possible! This is a rich training ground for young musical theater performers in an educational environment that is both nurturing and fun!
Follow this link to learn more and register: Our Camp Website Link: www.dreambigperformingarts.com.
Camps themes this summer include: Hamilton Fanatics, My Little Pony, Alice in Wonderland Jr. Week, Sing, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, Detective Camp featuring MC2, Pokemon, Star Wars, Musical Theater featuring Sound of Music, Superheroes and Supervillians, and so so much more!
CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
We offer camps each week throughout the summer for all different ages. Each week-long half-day camp is $225. We also have full day options, before care, and after care.
Go to The Best Illinois Summer Camps Directory to Find More Top Summer Camps Near Chicago, Illinois.
Illinois Summer Camps Offer Wide Range of Programs & Summer Activities
Be sure to check each camp listing under INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED for the range of Special Interest Activities and Programs provided by each Illinois Summer Camp or Summer Recreation Program.
Many Illinois Day and Sleepaway Camps offer professional level instruction in a wide-range of activities, from Horseback Riding, to Computers & Technology, to Performing Arts, to Leadership.
For a complete List of Illinois Special Interest Summer Camps & Summer Recreation Programs scroll down to the big black bar at the very bottom of this page.
You can go directly to any of our 2026-27 Special Interest Camp Directories from the list in the black bar at the bottom of this page.
HOME | SUBMIT YOUR CAMP | FIND A CAMP | 2026-27 CAMP GUIDE
Top Ten Reasons to Attend Summer Camp
Search Our
Best Summer Camps Website
Enter Keywords, Activities, Phrases, or Camp Names in space above to Search Entire Site
