Scholarship Information
BASE Camp Scholarships
The Oak Park Education Foundation is committed to ensuring that family income does not inhibit a child from attending camp. We have a generous scholarship program to meet the needs of families that would otherwise be unable to afford a high quality STEAM summer camp.
The Scholarship Application for BASE Camp 2026 will open on January 12, 2026 and priority will be given to applications received through January 23, 2026. For approved families, Scholarship Registration will open on January 28, 2026. Please email us if you have any questions on the process.
“We love OPEF Programs. My kids are so excited each summer for BASE Camp and learn so much! They have also enjoyed Spoken Word programs during the school day”
— Local D97 Parent
Full Scholarship Award Information
To be eligible for a Full Scholarship, families must: attend an Oak Park District 97 school, and meet the qualifications for free or reduced lunch.
Full Scholarship Awards:
- Cover the cost of either two weeks of full-day camp or weeks of half-day camp, based on the standard camp rate for the child’s grade level.
- Cover additional camp costs, including daily lunch and Extended Day services, if needed. Extended Day services allow families to extend the camp day in the morning from 8:00–9:00 a.m. (early drop-off) and/or in the afternoon from 3:00–6:00 p.m. (extended camp). Coupon codes will be provided to cover these services.
- Important Note: Families who received a 2025 camp scholarship, completed registration, but did not attend the program are ineligible for a 2026 scholarship. We understand that schedules can change, so we ask families to provide at least two weeks’ notice to cancel without penalty.
Partial Scholarship Award Information
To be eligible for a Partial Scholarship, families must attend an Oak Park District 97 school and have an annual income above the reduced lunch eligibility limit, yet can demonstrate financial hardship due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical illness, recent job loss, etc.)
Partial Scholarship Awards:
- Cover 50% of camp fees for two weeks of full-day camp or four weeks of half-day camp, assuming standard grade-level camps are selected.
- Are awarded to families demonstrating the greatest financial need.
- Do not cover additional camp days or optional services (such as Early Drop-Off or Extended Camp), which are charged at full price.
- Important Note: Families who received a 2025 camp scholarship, completed registration, but did not attend the program are ineligible for a 2026 scholarship. We understand that schedules can change, so we ask families to provide at least two weeks’ notice to cancel without penalty.