Summer Camp
Camp will be offered M-TH from 8:30 AM- 1:30 PM select weeks June through August for ages 5-7 and 8-12. Preschool Chickadee Camp for ages 3.5-4 is offered M-W 8:30-11:30am. Camp T-Shirt included for Chickadee, Sparrow, and Falcon Campers. Family Adventure Camp is a 3 hour day camp for all ages to attend with a parent on select weeks of the summer.
Summer Camp at Forest School
Camp is a whole week immersed in the beauty of nature at forest school. Participants will learn how to use special forest school tools, work on nature handicrafts and learn about the world around them as they explore the forest, creeks, wetlands and prairies through unique topics and activities each week. Choose to attend with your child, or drop off your child daily for an unforgettable week of fun!
Camp Themes
Animal Detectives
June 9-12
Get ready to look for clues…animal clues! Become a wildlife sleuth this summer during out Animal Detective camp. Through exploring clues like tracks, scat, feathers, and fur, campers will piece together stories about what animals were doing, where they were going, and what they were eating. Campers will also get hands-on experience examining real animal artifacts, sharpening their observation and critical thinking skills. Join us for a thrill of solving nature’s mysteries!
Aquatic Adventures
June 16-19
Dive into an unforgettable summer with Aquatic Adventures, a camp where we will immerse ourselves in the wonders of a creek ecosystem. Campers will explore the creek’s cool waters, discovering critters like minnows and crayfish, while uncovering the secrets of who else calls the creek home and visits its shores. Through hands-on activities, you’ll learn about the different parts of a creek and how they work together to create a thriving habitat.
Creative Construction
June 23-26
Unleash your creativity this summer with Creative Construction, a camp where nature’s builders inspire young minds! We will explore the incredible structures created by animals, such as beaver dams, spider webs, and bird nests, while learning about the fascinating engineering behind them. Using these natural wonders as inspiration, campers will have the chance to design, construct and build their own creations. This camp encourages imaginative problem-solving and an appreciation for the amazing architects of the animal world.
Legends & Lore
July 7-10
Step into the enchanting world of Legends and Lore, a summer camp where nature’s stories come to life! Campers will explore fairy tales, myths, and legends featuring animals, plants, and natural wonders as central characters. Together, we’ll separate fact from fiction, discovering the real-life inspirations behind these magical tales. This camp is all about learning, creativity, and outdoor adventure.
Splish, Splash in the Creek
July 14-17
Get ready for a week of cool, watery fun at Splish, Splash in the Creek! This camp is all about exploring and investigating the wonders of the creek while diving into the amazing properties of water. Campers will conduct exciting water-themed science experiments, learn about how water moves and flows, and even create their own floating creations. With plenty of time for hands-on exploration and play in the creek’s refreshing waters, this camp promises a splashing good time for curious and adventurous kids.
Things with Wings
July 21-24
Soar into adventure this summer and explore the animals with wings! From delicate butterflies and zipping dragonflies to beautiful hummingbirds and mysterious owls, campers will discover the incredible diversity of winged creatures. Through hands-on activities, we will learn how wings work, how high different animals can fly and how nature has inspired modern inventions like planes, helicopters and gliders. This camp is perfect for campers who are ready to spread their wings and let their imaginations take flight!
Treasure Hunters
July 28-31
Join us for an exciting adventure at Treasure Hunters, a camp where nature’s hidden treasures await discovery. Campers will search for natural gems like rocks, crystals, shells, feathers or flowers. We will learn how to dig for treasure and how to follow maps to uncover hidden surprises. Along the way, campers will explore the wonders of the natural world and even create their own unique treasures to take home.
Wilderness Survival
Aug 4-7
Could you survive in the wild? What skills do you need to spend a night outdoors? Join us to learn basic skills needed for outdoor survival, from fire building to water collection, shelter construction, and beginner orienteering. Campers will learn how the Native Americans and early pioneers lived off the land, adapting to the natural elements without our modern conveniences. Build your confidence and ready yourself for your next wild adventure!
Chickadee Camp
Our preschool campers will get to foster a connection with nature, practice teamwork, social skills, and get comfortable in a drop-off setting before school begins. Campers must be 40 months and potty trained to participate. Pack a snack and a change of clothes, mud and creek-play are summer highlights at forest school.
Ages 3-4
$160 weekly
M-W 8:30-11:30
Sparrow Camp
Our sparrow campers will love what we have planned for them at forest school this summer! They will get to practice independence and build confidence through new experiences and activities each day of camp. Pack a lunch and a change of clothes, mud and creek-play are summer highlights at forest school.
Ages 5-7
$310 weekly
M-TH 8:30-1:30
Falcon Camp
The Falcon campers will get to practice leadership, independence, empathy, and curiosity as they learn to utilize new tools, and how to survive in the forest. Campers will hone in on new skills as they practice new skills and handicrafts, and explore the beautiful world around them.
Ages 8-12
$310 weekly
M-TH 8:30-1:30
Family Camp
A fun, summer version of family lab, family adventure camp will take place for 3 hours from M-TH on select weeks of the summer. Play in the forest, study a nature topic, do handicrafts together, learn how to use special forest school tools and pack a picnic lunch. Catered to ages 3-10, this camp welcomes family members of all ages for a flat fee per family. Parent participation is required.
$180 weekly
M-TH 9-12
All Ages
FAQs
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Our ratio for preschool campers is 1 teacher for every 5 students with a maximum class size of 10. Our sparrow and falcon campers also have a class size of 10 with 1 teacher and 1 student counselor per group.
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This program will meet at our private forest school site in Mokena, IL with access to our heated schoolhouse building during inclement weather.
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Free Haven is a Christian school. We acknowledge God as the creator of all things, read and memorize scripture from the bible, and pray before meals.
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Yes! Email theresa@freehavenfs.com with the name of the children you’re registering. Specify which camp(s) you’re registering for, and you will be emailed a sibling discount code to apply to your order. Offer not valid after checkout.
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Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 30 days before your camp week takes place. There are no refunds for canceling after a 30-day period. We charge a $50 processing fee for canceling or switching your camp week. Once your fee is paid, your previous transaction will be refunded.
There’s no such thing as bad weather.
Our motto at forest school is: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes." Appropriate clothing for Forest School is CRITICAL to the success of the program. Clothing guidelines are available in the parent handbook. Our experienced teachers will be there to guide you every step of the way to ensure the safety of students in all weather situations. During periods of inclement weather, students will be gathered indoors, or class will be cancelled if necessary.