APACHI NORTHSIDE

4 years – 7th grade + CIT

Apachi Northside

Apachi Northside encourages campers to celebrate what makes them truly special. Through sports, art, swimming, science and theater, campers discover new ways to express themselves, create friendships and try new things. As campers get older, our program grows with them providing more opportunities for choice and leadership development. Each week is highlighted by special theme days and exciting guest entertainers, which enhance opportunities for community building and indescribable fun.

2023 Camp Dates & Times

Camp Hours | 9:30am – 3:15pm

Before Care begins at 8:15am
After Care ends at 5:30pm

Camp is closed June 19, July 3, 4

Combine Apachi Day Camp with Camp Chi Overnight Camp for one incredible summer experience and save 20% on the cost of Camp Chi. Learn More.

Northside College Prep

5501 N Kedzie Ave.

Chicago, IL 60625

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P: 847.763.3504

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Summer 2023 Health, Safety, and Programming

Detailed information on Summer 2023 safety measures will be provided in Spring 2023.

Counselor in Training (CIT) Program

Campers in 8th-10th grade gain hands on experience working with children and learn vital skills needed to become an Apachi leader and thrive at camp, school and beyond! This plus daily camp fun and field trips make for one memorable summer experience.

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Calendar

View our Calendar for Apachi-wide Events

Camp Activities

Arts & Creativity

Dance • Drama & Improv • Theater Performance • Arts & Crafts • S.T.E.A.M • Design Lab • Busy Builders & Construction • Science • Nature • Music • Cooking
Sports

Sports Play & Games • Gaga • Yoga • Martial Arts • Golf • Flag Football • Soccer • Basketball • Cheerleading & Tumbling
Special Activities

Theme Days • Cross Town Classic • Artist-In-Residence
Jewish Culture

Shabbat Celebrations • Maccabi Games
Swimming

Swim Lessons • Free Swim • Beach Days
Adventure Field Trips

Climbing Wall • Archery • Kayaking • Biking • Mini Golf

Apachi Northside In Action

Beth Miller

Director, Apachi Northside

Beth Miller has been Apachi Northside’s Director for the past 8 years and has been with Apachi Day Camp for over 25 years. Nothing makes her happier than to see campers and staff return to their summer home year after year. The Apachi Day Camp spirit is just part of Beth and she loves the community built at Apachi Northside. Her favorite thing about summer is engaging with her campers every day and being a part of funny “kid moments.”

Beth holds an Undergraduate degree in Communications and History from the University of Kansas, a Master’s degree in Education from National Louis University, and was a former teacher. Beth is a mother of three boys, all who spent many summers at Apachi Day Camp, and she loves playing board games…mahjongg, rummikub, you name it!

Natalie Griffith

Manager of Operations, Apachi City Camps

Summer is such a special time for Natalie. What she loves most about camp is seeing campers gain confidence in the skills they learn during the summer. Through watching campers participate in the summer’s best activities including art, sports, swimming, sports and performing arts, she sees campers’ confidence grow as they step outside their comfort zones and become more comfortable with their groups, counselors, and instructors.

Natalie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and one of her favorite hobbies is golf. She grew up playing the sport, and she’s always so excited to get back on the course once the Midwest winters are done!

Specialty Program

EcoApachi

Budding biologists, engineers, environmentalists and artists explore living things and our world through hands-on activities and experiments. Campers head outdoors on the wooded grounds of Northside College Prep, the North Shore Channel Trail and surrounding park areas.

Learn More

Overnight Camp

Try Chi

Try Chi is our 4-day, 3-night overnight camp experience for 2nd-6th graders at Camp Chi in Lake Delton, WI. Campers meet new friends and live in cabins with experienced, caring counselors who help them feel comfortable right away. They’ll feel the spirit of camp with cookouts, campfires, sing-alongs and great evening programs.

Learn More

Apachi Combos

Apachi + Camp Chi

Twice the fun! Combine Apachi Day Camp with Camp Chi Overnight Camp for one incredible summer experience and save 20% on the cost of Camp Chi.
Pricing & Registration

Early Childhood

When you combine Apachi Day Camp with full-day Early Childhood, you save 100% on the cost of camp! Half-day students will receive a 20% discount of the camp fee on their final payment.
Learn More

Apachi Northside Details

Friends

Friendship requests

Campers can submit friendship requests in the spring, and we will do our best to accommodate mutual requests as long as campers are entering the same grade. For Explorer 2 and older, campers have the opportunity to request either same gender or all-gender groups.

Activities

Our program encourages campers to explore and try a little bit everything. Artists-in-residence visit weekly to expose campers to exciting experiences and teach new skills through magic, juggling, percussion, dance and other activities. At Apachi Northside, sports is non-competitive with a philosophy of fun and “play for the sake of play.” Everyone comes together for Shabbat celebrations, cookouts, theme days, field trips, parent nights, as well as our own fantastic carnival and Olympic themed Maccabi games.

Swim Program

American Red Cross Swim Program

Campers are taught to swim at Apachi Northside using the American Red Cross’ Learn-to-Swim program, which focuses on building skills one step at a time. By giving campers the opportunity to master one element before moving on to the next, it makes it easy to build confidence in the water. Safety is our priority and all members of our Aquatics staff are American Red Cross certified lifeguards with CPR training for the professional rescuer.

Testing, Placement and Progress Reports

Campers are tested at the beginning of summer and placed in an appropriate swim level based on their skills. They pass through levels based on both formal and informal testing. They’re also tested for endurance and water safety. Progress reports are available through SWIMGEN, an online summer swim report card where you can access the most up-to-date progress of your child’s swimming.

Transportation

Drop-Off

Our convenient carpool line helps your camper get to their group easily and speed you on your way. Just enter the lot towards the south end of the building and follow the path around to the drop off areas in front of the building. A staff member will come to your car rain or shine to help your child out of their seat. You’ll get to see your camper with a smiling counselor by their side and you never even have to get out of your car. At pick up time, just use the carpool line again. We will bring your child to you, buckle them in, and you will be on your way.

Optional round-trip bus

For an additional fee, families can select to have their children take the bus to and from camp. Buses are driven by licensed, professional drivers and supervised by Apachi staff. Campers are required to wear seatbelts at all times. We have bus routes from several neighborhoods on the city’s North side. Our bus stops are “cluster stops” for groups of campers, not individual stops. We try to make the cluster stops convenient for families as well as safe and efficient.

View our proposed bus stop map.

Food & Wellness

Food

We provide pizza lunch on Tuesdays and a hotdog cookout on Fridays as well as a daily snack and frozen treat. For the remainder of the week, please send along a sack lunch that we’ll refrigerate.

Food allergies

Safety and inclusion are top priorities at Apachi Day Camps. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child. More information can be found here.

Immunizations & Health Forms

To participate in camp, campers must have a completed health form signed by a physician on file. We also require documentation of immunizations.

Registration

Please Note: Ages and grades listed below are as of the 2023-24 school year.

Juniors | 4 Years

Setting the stage for your child’s lifelong love of camp, counselors specially trained to work with young campers make our Junior Explorers feel safe and secure. Small group activities including swim instruction, sports, games, art, dance and music emphasize participation, building confidence and having fun. Junior groups are all-gender and grade specific.

Campers must be 4 years old and potty trained before the first day of camp.

Please register to be added to the waitlist. We also encourage you to check-out the amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park.

Session	Dates	Early Bird Ends 11/30/22	Winter Ends 2/28/23	Spring Through Camp
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 1 \| 4 Wks	6/20-7/14	$2,690	$2,865	$3,115
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$1,980	$2,155	$2,405
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Full Summer \| 7 Wks	6/20-8/4	$4,580	$4,930	$5,180

Explorers | Grades K-2

The Explorers’ high energy day focuses on skill building, new activities, boosting self–esteem and forging new friendships. Kindergarten and first grade groups are all-gender, and second grade groups have same gender and all-gender options. All groups are grade specific. Explorers schedules include a wide variety of activities weekly, including individual and team sports, drama, art, swim lessons, free swim and more!

Please register to be added to the waitlist. We also encourage you to check-out the amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park.

Session	Dates	Early Bird Ends 11/30/22	Winter Ends 2/28/23	Spring Through Camp
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 1 \| 4 Wks	6/20-7/14	$2,690	$2,865	$3,115
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$1,980	$2,155	$2,405
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Full Summer \| 7 Wks	6/20-8/4	$4,580	$4,930	$5,180

New for Summer 2023!

Pioneers | Grades 3-4

The Pioneer’s schedule introduces choice to our campers. In addition to participating in all of camp’s activities and weekly swim lessons, each Pioneer will choose one specialty activity per session to focus on. This will allow for exploration, skill building and meeting new friends. Pioneers will also attend one field trip per session as a unit. Additionally, Pioneer groups have same gender and all-gender options available and are grade specific.

Please register to be added to the waitlist. We also encourage you to check-out the amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park.

Session	Dates	Early Bird Ends 11/30/22	Winter Ends 2/28/23	Spring Through Camp
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 1 \| 4 Wks	6/20-7/14	$2,885	$3,060	$3,310
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$2,130	$2,305	$2,555
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Full Summer \| 7 Wks	6/20-8/4	$4,945	$5,295	$5,545

Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.

Trailblazers | Grades 5-7

Please Note: While for Summer 2022 Trailblazers included 3rd & 4th graders, a new group, Pioneers, has been created for just this age group.

The Trailblazer’s schedule emphasizes choice. In addition to participating in all of camp’s activities and weekly swim lessons, each Trailblazer will choose one specialty activity per session to focus on. This will allow for exploration, skill building and meeting new friends. Trailblazers will choose one outdoor adventure trip to attend each session, which helps our campers meet other campers with similar interests. Additionally, Trailblazer groups have same gender and all-gender options available and are grade specific.

Please register to be added to the waitlist.

Session	Dates	Early Bird Ends 11/30/22	Winter Ends 2/28/23	Spring Through Camp
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 1 \| 4 Wks	6/20-7/14	$3,080	$3,255	$3,505
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$2,285	$2,460	$2,710
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Full Summer \| 7 Wks	6/20-8/4	$5,310	$5,660	$5,910

Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.

EcoApachi | Grades 3-7

Budding biologists, engineers, environmentalists and artists explore living things and our world throughout hands-on activities and experiments. Campers will explore life science by collecting samples, learning about habitats, planting trees, constructing bird houses and recording findings in a technology gateway. Plus, there’s time each day for swimming. Learn more about EcoApachi.

Please register to be added to the waitlist. We also encourage you to check-out the amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park.

Session	Dates	Early Bird Ends 11/30/22	Winter Ends 2/28/23	Spring Through Camp
PROGRAM ON WAITLIST Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$2,285	$2,460	$2,710

CIT | Grades 8-10

Highly motivated and responsible campers entering grade 8th-10th are invited to join us for our Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program. The CIT curriculum is designed to develop necessary skills needed to take care of children, foster creative and critical thinking, and enhance communication and collaboration efforts needed in social and professional settings. The CIT program helps teenagers explore new areas of development in a safe environment, all while learning vital skills needed to be an Apachi leader and beyond. Learn more.

After registering for the CIT program, please download the Letter of Recommendation and Get to Know Me forms, complete and email back to your Apachi Day Camp Director by April 15, 2023.

Special Camp Pricing for Returning CITs
Enjoy 20% off camp fees | 2nd Year Returning CITs
Enjoy 30% off camp fees | 3rd Year Returning CITs
Your discount will be applied once registration is complete.

Session	Dates	Fee
Session 1 \| 4 Wks	6/20-7/14	$1,145
Session 2 \| 3 Wks	7/17-8/4	$860
Full Summer \| 7 Wks	6/20-8/4	$2,000

Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.

Apachi Northside + Chi Combos

Combine Apachi Northside with 2, 3 or 4 weeks of amazing overnight camp at Camp Chi to create an extraordinary summer!

Session	Dates	Grades	Fee	Canteen
Chi Take 2 + Northside 5 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$6,145	$80
Chi Session 1A + Northside 3 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$7,000	$130
Chi Session 1B + Northside 4 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$6,570	$130
Northside 4 Weeks + Chi Session 2	6/20-8/11	4-7	$7,760	$130
Northside 5 Weeks + Chi Mini Session 1	6/20-8/4	3-7	$6,145	$80
Northside 5 Weeks + Chi Mini Session 2	6/20-8/4	3-7	$6,145	$80

Try Chi

2nd–6th grade | Aug 13-16 | $425
Try Chi is the best way to get a taste of quality Jewish overnight camping. Campers meet new friends, and live in cabins with experienced, caring counselors who help them feel comfortable right away. They’ll feel the spirit of camp with cookouts, campfires, sing-alongs and great evening programs.

Learn More

Combine with Camp Chi

Apachi Northside + Chi Combos

Combine Apachi Northside with 2, 3 or 4 weeks of amazing overnight camp at Camp Chi to create an extraordinary summer!

Session	Dates	Grades	Fee	Canteen
Chi Take 2 + Northside 5 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$6,145	$80
Chi Session 1A + Northside 3 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$7,000	$130
Chi Session 1B + Northside 4 Weeks	6/18-8/4	4-7	$6,570	$130
Northside 4 Weeks + Chi Session 2	6/20-8/11	4-7	$7,760	$130
Northside 5 Weeks + Chi Mini Session 1	6/20-8/4	3-7	$6,145	$80
Northside 5 Weeks + Chi Mini Session 2	6/20-8/4	3-7	$6,145	$80

Add-Ons

Sibling Bus Discount: $100 for full summer and $50 for a session.

Session	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	7 Weeks
PROGRAM FULL Before Care	$200	$265	$465
PROGRAM FULL After Care	$365	$460	$810
Transportation - 1 Way	$270	$365	$635
Transportation - Round Trip	$435	$585	$1,020
Birthday Celebration	$35 (per birthday)

Refer a Friend and Save!

Share Your Apachi Love! Apachi is very special and we want to thank you for telling your friends and family about camp. Receive $75 off your camp fee for each NEW camper that registers for Apachi and lists you as their referral source!

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Financial Solutions for Families in Need

Illinois Action for Children

A state-based program providing funding to help families in need of childcare, can also be used for day camp!

Fee Assistance

This financial aid helps offset a portion of JCC program fees and is made possible through JCC Chicago and Women’s Auxiliary funding in addition to the generosity of donors.

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Extra Support for Campers

There are several support options available to ensure a successful summer for your camper. You can choose from support through JCC Chicago, Keshet, or your child’s paraprofessional depending on which option works best for your camper and family. For more information, please connect with your Apachi Day Camp Director.

Contact Us

For more information, contact us at 847.763.3504 or email apachinorthside@jccchicago.org.

Looking for a different Apachi Day Camp?

We have options throughout the Chicagoland area.

View Locations