Summer Camps Open
Steve & Kate's Camp - Chicago Lakeview
4.1(14)4.1 out of 5 stars, 14 reviews Chicago, IL
About Steve & Kate's Camp - Chicago Lakeview
Steve & Kate's Camp - Chicago Lakeview offers highly flexible daily pass options and a wide variety of activities, making it appealing for parents seeking adaptable summer care with diverse engagement opportunities for their children. Staff are professional and informative when contacted by phone for initial inquiries.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Parents needing flexible, non-committal daily camp optionsChildren who are highly independent and can self-advocateChildren who enjoy a less structured, more 'free-play' environment with many choicesSpecific concerns raised regarding supervision and safety for younger campers, specifically a 6-year-old, suggesting it may not be ideal for this age group if close supervision is expected.The 'lots of options' suggests appeal to a broader range, but the issues point to potential challenges for younger, more vulnerable children.
Why families love it
- Flexible daily pass enrollment options
- Offers a wide variety of activity options for children
- Professional and informative staff available for phone inquiries
- Camp offers full refunds for significantly negative experiences, as reported by one parent
- Flexible daily enrollment, allowing parents to choose attendance based on their schedule
- Diverse range of activities to keep children engaged
Insider tips
- For younger children (e.g., 6 and under), be aware that the camp encourages 'independence,' which may translate to less direct supervision than expected.
- Label ALL of your child's belongings (water bottles, backpacks, clothes) very clearly, as lost items are a significant and common issue.
- Be prepared for a potentially chaotic and time-consuming pickup process.
- If your child reports any incidents, directly question counselors or management at pickup, as communication about incidents may be delayed or incomplete.
- Consider alternatives like the YMCA if seeking a more supervised, less expensive option for younger children, based on one parent's comparison.
- Inquire about staff-to-camper ratios and specific supervision policies for younger age groups before enrolling, especially if safety is a primary concern.
Good to know before you go
- If you require high levels of active supervision for younger children (e.g., under 7-8 years old), particularly regarding preventing physical altercations and safeguarding personal belongings.
- If you expect prompt, detailed communication from staff about any incidents involving your child.
- If your child is prone to losing items or is sensitive to rough play and needs consistent adult intervention.
- If a chaotic pickup process is a significant deterrent.
- Pickup process can be disorganized and lengthy, even with advance notice, making it difficult to locate children (reported by parent of a 6-year-old)
- Crowds
- Pickup was described as 'chaos,' suggesting it can be very busy and disorganized during peak times.
- Value
- The camp offers flexibility with daily passes, but one parent found the value poor, stating their child's YMCA camp was 'half the price' and provided a better experience without lost items or bullying issues. Refunds are offered for very negative experiences, mitigating some financial risk.
- Food
- One review mentioned 'applesauce thrown,' indicating food is present or consumed at the camp. No explicit policy on bringing outside food was mentioned.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Staff are present and can be contacted, but their effectiveness in supervising children to prevent bullying and safeguard belongings is heavily questioned.
What parents say
"I dropped my son who is 6 years for the first time today at the lakeview location. We signed up for the daily passes.He had a backpack, water bottle and other items. When I picked him up, it took a long while for him to be located even though we called in advance. I noticed a large number of items in the lost and found. Many bins of water bottles, stacks of towels, hangers of clothes, etc. While waiting, I overheard another parent complaining that a kid had been kicking and punching his. My son came out very upset that he lost his favorite water bottle. I called and asked Sara about their poli"
2 years ago
"Great camp, flexible and lots of options for the kids"
7 years ago
"Great game"
5 years ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More summer camps in Chicago
Summer Camps Hi-Five Sports Chicago
5.0(77)5.0 out of 5 stars, 77 reviews2641 W Harrison St, Chicago
Summer Camps Banner Day Camp
4.4(93)4.4 out of 5 stars, 93 reviews1177 Riverwoods Rd, Lake Forest
Summer Camps Swift Nature Camp
4.8(52)4.8 out of 5 stars, 52 reviews25 Baybrook Ln, Oak Brook
Summer Camps The Road Less Traveled
5.0(44)5.0 out of 5 stars, 44 reviewsThe Road Less Traveled, Chicago