About Kids Playing Camp Inc.

How did Kids Playing Camp Inc. get its start?

Approximately 12 years ago, Kathy was looking for a summer camp for her oldest child who was six at the time.  She wanted a place that was led by adults, but incorporated young people in the everyday mentoring of the kids. She wanted to create a place that campers would have old fashioned fun while learning the values of acceptance, diversity and respect...without lecturing.

So Kathy took her 25 plus years of working on behalf of youth creating and evaluating programs and started Kids Playing Camp.  From the very beginning, it was a success.  Kids Play All Day!  And over the years, the camp has grown but has never lost the core focus of why it is here...to teach life long skills to children in an accepting environment through various methods.  Kathy thinks out of the box.  She knows and relates to kids in a way that few adults can.  She understands what makes it FUN.  She knows how to keep it SAFE.  And above all she expects the best from everyone in the process and treats everyone with RESPECT and KINDNESS.

Who is Kathy Chuckas, Director, Kids Playing Camp Inc.?

Kathy is the founder of A Sporting Chance Foundation (Girls in the Game) and has been a coach and a mentor for the past 30 years. She has received numerous awards and public recognition for her work on behalf of youth, including the prestigious  Mercedes Mentor of the Year Award, Sports Women of the Year Award, - Non-Profit from the National Sporting Goods Association, and the LaRabida Heart Award to name a few.  When Kathy founded A Sporting Chance Foundation (Girls in the Game) in 1995 to provide and promote sports and fitness opportunities to girls, enhancing their physical well-being, self-esteem, leadership, team-building skills and academic excellence it was one of only a few organizations in the nation devoted solely to promoting the advancement and growth of young girls through their involvement and participation in athletics. Today Girls in the Game serves over 3,000 girls annually and is nationally recognized as a leader in the field. What started as one person believing we could do better became a place of change for many girls throughout Chicago.

Kathy believes that anything is possible with hard work, dedication and a passion in what you are doing.

Kathy is the co-parent of four children ranging in age from 10 to 18 years of age.  In her spare time, she coaches, volunteers for her children's schools and is a amateur photographer.  Currently Kathy is helping her daughter establish her own foundation, Sades Wish Foundation which is dedicated to helping chronically ill children in Chicago and a new business venture that will kick-off in early 2014.

Kids Playing Camp Inc. puts more fun into the summer.

It’s more than your everyday summer camp. It’s a training ground for the future. A place where kids can learn, explore and meet new friends. Where they can participate in hands-on, interactive events that challenge them both physically and mentally. Best of all, they’ll discover that learning can be a whole lot of fun.

Kids Playing Camp Inc. is held at Northeastern Illinois University.

We partner with Northeastern Illinois University because it offers the best, beautiful and secure grounds; wonderful facilities including softball, baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, gymnasium, racquetball courts and classrooms and a committed and caring staff who help the Kids Playing staff and campers at every turn.

What sports are offered?

All sports are lead by our Leadership and College Coaches.  They run and play with the campers and encourage them at each turn.  Its not about the score.  Its about learning a new skill, playing with friends and just being a kid.

Some of the sports activities offered at camp include (there are more:)

• Basketball
• Kickball
• Badmitton/Speedmittion
• Softball/T-ball
• Running Bases
• Frisbee
• Soccer
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Floor hockey
• Old Fashioned Games
• Volleyball
• Wall Climbing

What are Kids Theme Days?

Each Wednesday camp will be centered around a theme.  Some of the themes in the past summers include:

• Red White Blue
  
• Super Hero/Heroine
• Winter Wonderland
• Olympic Day
• Treasure Hunt Day
• Disney Day
• Willie Wonka
• Be What You Want Day
• Carnival Day
  

What are "Out of the Box" Activities?

Every week campers will have a chance to do something new.  Check out some of the activities that will be offered:

• Dance Contest
• Snapshot Day
• No Sew for Kids
• Cookie Decorating
• Old Fashioned Games
• Create Your Own Game
• Minute to Win It

Here’s what others are saying about Kids Playing Camp Inc.
“My son had the time of his life. Thanks for having such a wonderful staff who watched out for him.” Click Here for More Testimonials