Frequently Asked Questions

Who can go to BASE camp?

BASE Camp is open to any 1st-8th grade (as of Fall 2026) elementary or middle-school student from any school, public or private, in Oak Park, River Forest, Galewood, Forest Park, Berwyn, Riverside, Chicago, and beyond! Have your grandchild or other relations visiting from out of town? They are also welcome to join us at camp!

Do I register my child based on their grade this year or next year?

As with most camps, children should be registered based on the grade they will enter in the fall. For example, a child entering second grade after camp should be registered as a second grader.

Who teaches at BASE camp?

Our camps are led by a mix of trusted D97 teachers and expert community partners who bring deep knowledge and enthusiasm to their subjects. They are supported by responsible, energetic high school and college-aged counselors. All BASE Camp staff undergo background checks to ensure a safe and positive environment for children.

My Child has an IEP and receives classroom supports; can they participate in base camp?

BASE Camp strives to be an inclusive environment for all children in our community. While we staff our camps with certified teachers along with certified teaching assistants and a social worker, we cannot guarantee the assistance of a one-on-one aide. We do our very best to ensure it is a positive experience for all campers, and we encourage you to contact us at basecamp@opef.org to discuss any questions or concerns about whether BASE Camp is right for your child. When registering for camp, please share information in our camper form (accommodations) about your camper’s learning, physical, emotional and/or behavioral needs. This will help us to make BASE Camp a great experience for your child.

What is your food policy at camp?

BASE Camp is nut-free. All families are notified in advance of camp to send only nut-free foods (that do not need refrigeration) for the safety of our kids at camp with severe nut allergies. Teachers will not provide any food to campers unless food is already a stated part of the camp program, or unless you receive advance notice by email. If food is part of a camp, accommodations can be arranged in case of an allergy. You may of course send a substitute food if your child is not able to eat the food to be provided.

Campers who are registered for both a morning and afternoon camp will eat lunch and enjoy a supervised, unstructured recess during the midday break (an hour for elementary campers; 45 minutes for grades 7-8).

How are your prices determined?

Several factors are involved:

• Our staffing costs are higher than most summer camps. We are committed to hiring experienced (often certified) teachers, and we pay them a stipend comparable to what they would earn if teaching summer school for the school district. We also offer our enthusiastic Youth Counselors a competitive hourly rate.
• We have continued to expand our scholarship offerings to a larger number of families, given the new financial hardships many families in our community are facing.
• We rely on revenue raised by BASE Camp to support our free in-school and after-school enrichment programs in all D97 schools.

What is the cancellation policy for BASE Camp?

Refunds, less a $25 fee per camper per session, must be requested no less than 21 days before the first day of registered camp sessions. No refunds will be issued after that date. Contact us at basecamp@opef.org to cancel a camp registration. In the unlikely event that we cancel a BASE camp session, we will issue a refund or offer a spot in another session.

Are there scholarships available for BASE Camp?

We offer both full and partial scholarships. Families who live in Oak Park, attend D97 schools, and qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible for full scholarships. Partial scholarships are also available to other families who need extra support to afford summer camp. Please visit this page for more information or contact us if you have questions.

If the camp is full, should we sign up for the waitlist?

If a camp you’re interested in is full, you may add your child to the waitlist through our registration system. If a spot becomes available, our Amilia registration platform will automatically contact families on the waitlist in the order they were added. When your name reaches the top of the list, you’ll receive an email offering the open spot with no obligation to accept. You will have 48 hours to respond before the offer is extended to the next family. While our system does not currently display your position on the waitlist, you’re welcome to contact us at any time for a status update. Please note that openings are difficult to predict. As the camp start date approaches—typically within 1–6 weeks—we reserve the right to offer available spots to all waitlisted families on a first-come, first-served basis.

For questions, please contact BASE Camp staff at basecamp@opef.org.

How will you handle drop off and pickup this year?

As in past years, teachers and youth counselors will spread out on the playground/blacktop outside with signs about 10 to 15 minutes before camp starts and again right after camp ends. Parents/campers will check in outside with either the teachers or youth counselors as soon as they arrive. Late arrivals should be escorted to the camp office, typically at the front of the school.

Are you offering extended camp for working families this year, and how will this work?

We will offer extended hours for an additional fee. Early drop off will be available from 8 to 9 am, and extended camp runs from 3 to 6 pm. Extended camp features a mix of structured activities and games and unstructured play.  Whenever possible, extended camp will take place outdoors.