Summer FAQ

Summer Adventures in Learning uses an online registration and account management system called CampBrain.  New families should create an account in order to register. Returning families can sign-in with their existing accounts.

We strongly recommend accessing the registration system on a computer, as there may be some compatibility issues on phones and tablets. Please email summer@scienceandartsacademy.org if you need any assistance. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until spots are filled.Registrations are accepted up until the first day of the session, but new registrations submitted within 3 business days of the session start date may incur a small administrative fee.

​Summer Adventures in Learning is open to the community, regardless of the school your child attends during the academic year or their achievement level. The admission process involves receipt of the online registration, accompanying medical forms, and payment. Eligibility is based on the grade in which your child is entering in the fall of 2023.

In order to complete registration, you will need the following information for required paperwork: 

• A physical exam completed by the child’s physician, completed within one calendar year of the session start date - this must include up to date immunizations
• Allergy plan and/or required medication during the camp day (if required)
• Full name & contact information for any authorized pick-up individuals
• Financial information (W-2) if applying for camp scholarship (optional)

We dispose of all records at the end of each summer season, and must recollect new information before each summer begins.

​​Yes, we accept registrations up until the start of the session. However, program options do fill on a first come, first served basis and many options do reach capacity. To register for an additional session, log into your online account and access your existing registration by clicking “View registration details” under the Summer Adventures in Learning 2023 heading. On the next screen, click “add sessions” and follow the on-screen instructions.

At the time of registration, a $100 enrollment deposit for each child is required (or within 7 business days if by check/cash) in order to secure their spot.

Interest-free payment plans are available during registration for all families. Limited need-based scholarship funds are available. This need-based scholarship application is accessible during the online registration process and must be completed by Friday, March 17, 2023. 

All final account balances for Summer 2023 are due by June 2, 2023. Please login to your account to review final balance due date and refund policies. SAA reserves the right to cancel unpaid registrations after the set forth deadline. ​ Visit Dates and Rates for more details.

Camp programming begins promptly at 9:00am and ends at 12:00pm for half day campers and 3:00pm for full day campers. The summer office is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm. There will be no camp on Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

We ask that campers arrive 15-20 minutes early on the first day of each session and join our friendly staff under the tent near the main entrance.​  We will have information tables available under our large white tents on the west side of our front entrance.  Please accompany your child to the table.  After the first day, we offer a valet car line for both drop off and pick up. 

For 2023, our Before and After Camp Extended Care options will be offered daily starting at 7:30m and ending at 6:00pm. *Before  and After Camp Extended Care is offered on all days except the first morning of each  session.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for any family that anticipates using Before and/or Aftercare during Summer Adventures. Since care is billed by usage, no payment is required at the time of registration. By registering in advance, you are helping us better prepare these services based on anticipated use. Please see Dates & Rates for more information.

In a typical summer full day campers walk to Mystic Waters twice a week. Campers are swim tested by Mystic Waters lifeguards on their first visit of the summer and receive a colored wristband based on their swimming level and ability to access certain areas of the waterpark. Generally, the Pre-K, K, and 1st-4th grade age groups will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The 5th-8th grade group will attend on Wednesdays and Fridays.  All visits are weather dependent. 

Our camp is intentionally structured in two-week sessions to maximize learning opportunities while providing families with scheduling flexibility. Generally speaking, we don’t recommend partial attendance as it introduces challenges around having missed important expectations and material. Because each program day builds on the previous, the delivered value to the child is diminished with missed time. Additionally, due to the demand of our program, we must first allot spots to those who can attend an entire session. We handle partial attendance requests on a case by case basis, but please understand that we are typically not able to offer a proration.

We strongly encourage Young Learners campers to participate in as many sessions as possible as there is the opportunity to build upon their progress from the previous session. Additionally, certain 1st-8th grade enrichment classes are offered multiple times over the course of the summer and lend themselves to being repeated. If your child is interested in repeating a class and you would like some guidance, please email us.

Because of our commitment to high quality programming and small class sizes, many options do fill quickly. In these cases you may join a waitlist at no cost. However, we strongly recommend enrolling in a backup choice in case no spots open in the waitlisted option.

Summer Adventures in Learning will continue to offer reasonable, flexible payment and refund policies for Summer 2023. At the same time, we ask that families understand the current financial challenges and risks associated with operating in 2023 and to notify us immediately about any anticipated changes to enrollment status. All refunds must be requested by emailing us and are granted on a case-by-case basis. Visit Dates and Rates for more details.

Yes, but we must be notified of requested changes in writing. Do not attempt to make changes online. Depending on availability, we are happy to accommodate most changes at no cost when requests are made at least one week prior to the session start date. A small administrative fee may be applied to changes requested within this time frame.

​While we do everything possible to run all scheduled classes, there are times when we are forced to cancel a class due to low enrollment. Typically, this circumstance is limited to 1st-8th grade enrichment classes, and does not impact the Young Learners Program or the Recreation Program. In the event a class is canceled, we notify families immediately and offer a full refund if no viable alternative is found.

We recommend every child bring a small backpack or bag to hold personal items, including a water bottle and nut-free snack and/or for full day participants, a healthy lunch from home. All items must be labeled with your child’s name.  Please review the packing list that includes prohibited items.

There will be a lost & found area in the lunchroom for missing items. The school donates all unclaimed items one week after the conclusion of the summer programs.​

Buddy requests may be submitted during the online registration process for 1st-8th grade participants in the Recreation Program. While we try our best to honor these requests, we are unable to guarantee all requests will be granted. Multiple groups participate together in many of the afternoon activities, so even if your child is not buddied with a friend, they will spend significant time with each other.

While Summer Adventures in Learning isn’t equipped to meet the special needs of every child, there are children with a wide range of special needs who participate and thrive. Please feel free to contact us and tell us more about your child to see if our summer program is the right fit for your family.

While rising 8th graders are the oldest eligible campers, there are several quality options in the area for high school aged children. Please contact the Des Plaines Park District for information.

36.3838771