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We regularly run chess camps and have extensive experience with camps of all sizes.
We provide camps directly. We are also available to partner with an entity (such as a school) to provide a camp, or provide teaching and organizational expertise to another camp.
Camps on Our Schedule
St. Olaf Chess Camp, July 26-31, 2015. Click for more information (you will be taken to their website.)
Other Camps to Consider
National/Overnight Camps
Chicago-area Day Camps
See the following providers for Chicago-area day camps:
http://chess-ed.com/ (Kumbaya Chess)
http://www.illinoischessteachers.com/
Inquiries
For more information about attending or holding a chess camp, contact us via the Contact page. Also see our upcoming events page.
If you wish to partner on creating a camp, pricing will vary depending on circumstances, similar to the same sort of process involved in partnering on a tournament.
Picking a Chess Camp
There are many kinds of chess camps available, and the selection of a chess camp depends largely on what you want to get out of it. Here are some key pointers you can consider in selecting a camp.
- Is the student a serious student or a casual student?
- Is the student an adult?
- Would the student benefit from a female instructor/chess role model?
- How important is cost?
These factors can help point you in the direction of the camp that fits your situation.
First, keep in mind that there are generally two kinds of chess camps:
- Day Camps: draw primarily a local clientele
- Overnight Camps: draw from a wider range - some drawing nationally or even internationally.
Generally speaking, overnight camps are more expensive, because there are room and board costs. Also, these camps often provide a "chessier" camp experience - you live it breathe it, drink it all in. Because of the extra availability of instructors between classes, at meals, and in the evening, the instructors are also typically paid a bit more, and are also receiving room and board. This raises costs - but also raises the amount of contact with the (typically titled) instructors.
In short - overnight camps are better for a more robust chess experience - but they are also more expensive.
Some overnight camps, such as OleChess have special sections focused on the serious or the adult student.
Day Camps are more focused kids. Although most are not "babysitting services" - a key aspect of these camps is that they provide daycare services during summer months when kids aren't in school. So, they are often less appropriate for adult or more serious students.
In addition, some day camps ARE primarily a day care service. To get a sense of whether the camp is intended to offer serious chess instruction, check out the provider and examine their overall focus. Also, look at the competencies of the instructors that they are bringing in for the camp.