APACHI OLD TOWN

4 years – 7th grade + CIT

Watch Our Video Pricing & Registration

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

Camp Activities

  • Field Trips

    Archery • Kayaking • Mini Golf • Climbing Wall • Beach • Zoo

  • Arts & Creativity

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

  • Sports

    Team Sports • Backyard Games • Gaga • Foursquare • Yoga • Team Building • Gymnastics

  • Swimming

    Swim Lessons • Free Swim

  • Jewish Culture

    Jewish Values • Shabbat Celebrations • Maccabi Games

  • Special Activities

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

Apachi Old Town In Action

Apachi Old Town Details

Friendship requests

Apachi is a welcoming and inclusive environment, where all campers are encouraged to try something new and make new friends! Although not required, campers may submit friendship requests in the Spring, and we will do our best to accommodate at least one request if campers are entering the same grade (Trailblazers, campers entering grades 5th-7th, can request each other since groups may be mixed based on enrollment). All ages are all-gender groups.

Our program encourages all campers to explore and try a little bit everything! We offer a range of activities including Swim lessons, GaGa, Foursquare, Crafts & Creative Arts, Sports & Backyard Games, Dance, Yoga, Gymnastics, Music, Team Building and much more!

For Juniors and Explorers, artists-in-residence visit weekly to expose younger campers to exciting experiences and teach new skills through magic, juggling, percussion, dance, and other activities. For Pioneers ad Trailblazers, they choose specialties to hone their skills or pursue new interests in sports, adventure, or creative arts. Everyone comes together for daily opening assemblies, Shabbat celebrations, cookouts, theme days, family nights, as well as our own fantastic carnival, Apachi Olympic Madness, and themed Maccabi Color War games.

American Red Cross Swim Program

Campers are taught to swim at Apachi Old Town 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.

Apachi Old Town campers swim at Lincoln Park High School.

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. Swim levels are sent home at the beginning of your camper’s session and progress reports are shared at the end of each session.

Car Drop Off and Pick Up

Our convenient carpool line helps your camper get to their group easily and speed you on your way. 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 One-Way or 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 and downtown. 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

We provide pizza lunch on Tuesdays and a hotdog cookout on Fridays. Gluten free and/or dairy free pizza and vegetarian hot dogs are available upon request. For all other days, please send your camper with a small, sack lunch that we will refrigerate. A morning snack and afternoon frozen treat are also provided by camp daily.

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.

Camper Care

Our Community Care team, made up of mental health professionals and special education teachers, ensure the ever-evolving social emotional needs of our campers are met so they can be successful at camp.

For campers needing extra support, there are several support options available to ensure a successful summer. 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.

Sample 50/50 block

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 makes for one memorable summer experience.

Learn More

Sample 50/50 block

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

headshot of lillie kugler

Lillie Kugler

Camp Director, Apachi Old Town

Lillie lives and breathes camp! Her passion started at Camp Marimeta for Girls in Eagle River, Wisconsin at age nine. She attended as a camper, worked as a counselor, and then transitioned to the seasonal Media, Special Events, and Program Director. After Marimeta and prior to Apachi Day Camp, Lillie spent four years working as the full-time Assistant Director at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac for Boys in Lenox, Massachusetts, where she was involved in all aspects of camp life, recruitment, development and programming.

Whether working as a staff member or attending as a camper, Lillie’s experiences have shaped the person she is today. She believes in the true power of camp, a place where children have the opportunity to build community, learn a variety of lifelong skills and form everlasting friendships. Her camp friends remain some of her best friends today.

Lillie holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a M.S. in Child Development from Erikson Institute. Her favorite camp activities are Olympic Madness and the Maccabi Games. Lillie loves being a part of the Apachi Family!

 

natalie griffithNatalie Giffith

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!

Priority Registration for Returning Summer 2023 Campers & Their Siblings
October 10-24, 2023

Early Bird Registration
October 25-November 30, 2023

Please Note: We place campers in groups according to the Fall grade they are going into after summer camp. Ages and grades listed below are as of the 2024-25 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.

This age group is now full. To be added to the waitlist, please contact lkugler@jccchicago.org.
Check out our amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park and Apachi Hyde Park.
SessionDatesEarly Bird
Ends 11/30/23
Winter
Ends 2/29/24
Spring
Through Camp
Session 1 | 4 Wks6/17-7/12$2,750$2,925$3,175
Session 2 | 3 Wks7/15-8/2$2,470$2,645$2,895
Full Summer | 7 Wks6/17-8/2$5,100$5,450$5,700

 

Explorers  |  Grades K-2

The Explorers’ high energy day focuses on skill building, new activities, boosting self–esteem and forging new friendships. Explorers’ schedules include a wide variety of activities, including art, sports, drama, swim lessons, and a featured artist-in-residence each week! Explorer groups are all-gender and grade specific.

Explorers K-1 are now full. To be added to the waitlist, please contact lkugler@jccchicago.org.
Explorer K-1 families, please check out our amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park and Apachi Hyde Park.
SessionDatesEarly Bird
Ends 11/30/23
Winter
Ends 2/29/24
Spring
Through Camp
Session 1 | 4 Wks6/17-7/12$2,750$2,925$3,175
Session 2 | 3 Wks7/15-8/2$2,470$2,645$2,895
Full Summer | 7 Wks6/17-8/2$5,100$5,450$5,700

Register

 

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 in camp, and they’ll also travel out of camp on two field trips each session as a unit. This will allow for exploration, skill building and meeting new friends. Pioneer groups are all-gender and grade specific.

Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.
This age group is now full. To be added to the waitlist, please contact lkugler@jccchicago.org.
Check out our amazing summer experiences at Apachi Irving Park and Apachi Hyde Park.
SessionDatesEarly Bird
Ends 11/30/23
Winter
Ends 2/29/24
Spring
Through Camp
Session 1 | 4 Wks6/17-7/12$2,965$3,140$3,390
Session 2 | 3 Wks7/15-8/2$2,635$2,810$3,060
Full Summer | 7 Wks6/17-8/2$5,500$5,850$6,100

 

Trailblazers  |  Grades 5-7

Limited space available
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 in camp. This will allow for exploration, skill building and meeting new friends. Trailblazers will also choose one outdoor adventure trip to participate in both sessions, which helps our campers meet other campers with similar interests and develop a new skill. Additionally, Trailblazers will attend one field trip as an entire unit each session. Trailblazer groups are all-gender and may be mixed grade based on enrollment.

SessionDatesEarly Bird
Ends 11/30/23
Winter
Ends 2/29/24
Spring
Through Camp
Session 1 | 4 Wks6/17-7/12$3,180$3,355$3,605
Session 2 | 3 Wks7/15-8/2$2,805$2,980$3,230
Full Summer | 7 Wks6/17-8/2$5,900$6,250$6,500
Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.

 

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.

Special Camp Pricing for Returning CITs

As a thank you for being a CIT with us again this summer,
• Enjoy 20% off camp fees | 2nd Year Returning CITs
• Enjoy 30% off camp fees | 3rd Year Returning CITs

Pricing listed on the website reflects the full price of the CIT program. Your discount will be applied once registration is complete.

SessionDatesFee
Session 1 | 4 Wks6/17-7/12$1,235
Session 2 | 3 Wks7/15-8/2$1,095
Full Summer | 7 Wks6/17-8/2$2,200
Thinking about overnight camp? Combine Apachi with Camp Chi for one incredible summer and save on the cost of camp. Learn more.

 

Apachi Old Town  +  Camp Chi

Combine Apachi Old Town with 2 or 3.5 weeks of amazing overnight camp at Camp Chi to create an extraordinary summer!

SessionApachi DatesChi DatesGradesFeeCanteen
Camp Chi Session 1 + Apachi Session 27/17-8/26/16-7/104-7$7,570$130
Apachi Session 1 + Camp Chi Session 26/17-7/117/12-8/44-7$7,740$130
Camp Chi Take Two + Apachi7/1-8/26/16-6/284-7$6,250$80
Camp Chi Mini Session 1 + Apachi6/17-6/26, 7/11-8/26/27-7/103-7$6,505$80
Camp Chi Mini Session 2 + Apachi6/17-7/11, 7/29-8/27/12-7/263-7$6,060$80

Register

 


Try Chi

2nd–6th grade 
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

Apachi Old Town  +  Camp Chi

Combine Apachi Old Town with 2 or 3.5 weeks of amazing overnight camp at Camp Chi to create an extraordinary summer!

SessionApachi DatesChi DatesGradesFeeCanteen
Camp Chi Session 1 + Apachi Session 27/17-8/26/16-7/104-7$7,570$130
Apachi Session 1 + Camp Chi Session 26/17-7/117/12-8/44-7$7,740$130
Camp Chi Take Two + Apachi7/1-8/26/16-6/284-7$6,250$80
Camp Chi Mini Session 1 + Apachi6/17-6/26, 7/11-8/26/27-7/103-7$6,505$80
Camp Chi Mini Session 2 + Apachi6/17-7/11, 7/29-8/27/12-7/263-7$6,060$80

Register

Add-Ons

Session3 Weeks4 Weeks7 Weeks
NOW FULL Before Care
Please email lkugler@jccchicago.org to be added to the waitlist.
$230$260$480
NOW FULL After Care*
*After Care will not be provided on August 2
Please email lkugler@jccchicago.org to be added to the waitlist.
$440$485$870
Transportation - 1 Way$320$360$675
Transportation - Round Trip$530$580$1,090
Birthday Celebration$35 (per birthday)

Register

 

New for Summer 2024!

Extended Camp at Bernard Horwich JCC | 4 Years-7th Grade

Continue the Apachi fun for an 8th week! Campers will enjoy a fun-filled week jam packed with the best of the summer’s activities including sports, rock climbing, adventure ropes courses, arts and crafts, entertainment, and free swim. Groups are all-gender and grade specific. Please note, bus transportation and before & after care will not be available and friendship requests can’t be honored. This program is run by Jacob Rosenstein, Site-Director at Bernard Horwich JCC.

DatesFee
8/5-8/9$550

Register

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!

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

keshet and jcc chicago logos

Contact Us

For more information, contact us at 773.938.8360. or email apachioldtown@jccchicago.org.

Looking for a different Apachi Day Camp?

We have options throughout the Chicagoland area.

View Locations