Summer Camp for Creative Youth
At Camp Adler, creative young people (ages 5-11) explore and expand their skills in art and performance. During each three-week session, campers will enjoy conservatory-level art classes, movement/dance, improv, musical theater, songwriting, and choir classes. Beyond the creative class experience, campers also participate in a variety of group games and activities, and get to explore within our Forest/Nature programming. The final Thursday evening of each session is Camp Adler’s Celebration of the Arts! Students art work is displayed throughout the Adler Arts Center building and grounds and students perform on an outdoor stage for their friends and family! Campers must have completed at least one year of school (kindergarten and up) to attend Camp.
2025 Session Dates:
Session I:
session full
June 9 – 27 (3 weeks)
Session II:
SESSION FULL
July 7 – 25 (3 weeks)
TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 9:00am | Camp Begins |
| 9:10-9:45am | Squad Time |
| 9:55-10:55am | First Period |
| 11:05am-12:05pm . | Second Period |
| 12:15-12:45pm | LUNCH |
| 12:45-1:30pm | Squad Time |
| 1:40-2:40pm | Third Period |
| 2:50-3:50pm | Fourth Period |
| 4:00pm | Camp Ends |
2025 Staff
Sarah cohen, camp director
Sarah is so excited to be back at Camp again as the Camp Director! During the school year, she works as a third grade teacher in North Shore School District 112 and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Education. Sarah loves to be outside, try new foods, and take her dog on walks! Sarah can’t wait to experience another summer at Camp Adler. Let’s have a great summer!
Becca Katz, Assistant camp director
Becca is ecstatic to begin her 9th year here at Camp Adler. She is currently a senior at Northern Illinois University, majoring in History (Secondary Education) and minoring in Theatre Studies. As a senior, she will be student teaching this upcoming school year! In her free time, Becca loves to crochet lots of cute plushies. She can’t wait to meet everyone and have another wonderful summer!
adELE wilberding, head counselor
Adele is excited to be back at Adler this summer. This will be her 2nd year as head counselor and 15th year at camp. She is a junior at St. Norbert College and majors in elementary education. In her free time, Adele enjoys listening to country music and spending time with her dog, Scoochie. She is excited to make fun memories this summer and can’t wait to meet everyone!
dREW bENOIT, ART FACULTY
Drew is so excited to be returning to camp as an art faculty. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, where he studied Sociology, Anthropology and History. Drew served as the Editor-in-Chief of the University’s student newspaper, The Trail, for two years. He also conducted research on Neolithic Irish Passage Tombs as well as documentary filmmaking. In his free time, Drew loves to watch baseball and go to art museums. He cannot wait to get to know you this summer!
rachel erdmann, Drama faculty
Rachel is excited to spend her third summer at Camp Adler and looks forward to starting a new role as the Drama Instructor! She studied at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA to pursue a BFA in musical theatre with a minor in dance. She then transferred to and recently graduated from The University of Iowa this past May where she received a BA in communications with a pre-law interest. She is also a proud graduate of Libertyville High School (Class of 2021). She can’t wait to share what she loves with the campers and is looking forward to an exciting and creative summer.
isabelle esquivel, Music faculty
Isabelle is so excited to be part of the music team at Adler! She loves helping students explore, express, and grow through music. When she’s not making music, you’ll probably find her traveling—like in this photo of her enjoying gelato in Italy! She can’t wait for a joyful, music-filled year together!
Ally hajduk, Dance faculty
Ally is so excited to be back at Camp Adler—where it all began! She was a wide-eyed camper back in 2011, and her journey has come full circle. After high school, Ally took a gap year to dance professionally with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and later went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Movement Science from Texas Christian University, graduating in May 2025. This fall, she’ll begin her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northwestern University with the goal of becoming a pediatric physical therapist. With a lifelong love of dance and a deep appreciation for the human body in motion, Ally is passionate about inspiring the next generation of dancers and movers. She can’t wait for an amazing season with the Adler Dance community!
Amanda Losness-Ross, Woods facultcy
Amanda has a degree in Fine Art and English from Montana State University Billings. She has a strong background in running children’s summer camps, where she developed a passion for combining creative expression with outdoor experiences. Her art is deeply inspired by nature, she enjoys backpacking, camping, and exploring the wilderness. She brings that same spirit of adventure into her teaching. She loves helping kids connect with the natural world through hands-on art projects that spark curiosity and imagination.
andy thomas, ART FACULTY
Andy is so excited to be teaching art again at Adler Art Center this summer. This year will be his 12th year teaching art to students in Kindergarten-8th grade in Grayslake. Teaching and making art are two of his favorite things to do. Andy especially loves sculpting, photography and drawing. When not busy teaching he loves reading, gardening and relaxing at home. He can’t wait for another wonderful experience at Camp Adler!
celia cathlina
Celia is looking forward to camp this summer! This is her first year being a counselor, but she was also a camper here when she was younger! She graduated from Libertyville High School this May and is going to attend Clemson University for finance and pre law track! She can’t wait to make new friends, learn more about the arts, and spend quality time with the campers!
iSABELLE CHEUNG
Isabelle is so excited for camp this year! This is her second year as a camp counselor, and she is so happy to see new and old faces! She is a current graduate from Libertyville High School and will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison this upcoming fall, studying biochemistry. She has been looking forward to returning back to the Adler family, and is excited to see what fun this summer will bring!
AMBIKA TRIVEDI
Ambika is excited for her second year at Camp Adler! She is currently a Stage Management student at Columbia College Chicago and is a big theatre lover. In her free time, Ambika enjoys singing, painting, and hanging out with her friends. Ambika is looking forward to all the fun this summer at Camp Adler has to offer!
hOPE WAGNER
Hope is pumped to be coming back to Adler for the summer! During the school year, she studies Comedy Arts at DePaul University. She loves to play guitar and the drums, ride her bike, and watch cooking videos on YouTube. If she had to be one Disney character, she would be Peter Pan because she would love to be able to fly and fight pirates. She hopes everyone is looking forward to camp, and she’s so excited to meet you all.
bella wittwer
Bella is a first-year college student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She’s studying Biology and pre-nursing. She is originally from California, but has lived in 4 different states and went to 7 different schools before high school (her dad was in the army for 30 years). She’s always loved art and dance, particularly ceramics and hip-hop. Her favorite color is blue, and her favorite food is anything with cheese! She can’t wait to get to know everyone and have fun this summer!
Campers
Camp Tuition – $1100 per 3-week session ($366/week)
Campers MUST enroll in all 3 weeks. We do not prorate.
You may pay in two installments. Balance due May 17. There is a $25 fee. Tuition and extended care fees are non-refundable. We recommend purchasing camp insurance.
After Care – $150 per session, per camper
Enroll in After Care when you register for camp. After Care begins at 4:15pm and ends at 6pm. After two late pick-ups, children will be automatically enrolled in After Care for the entire three-week session. We do not offer Before Care.
Camp Insurance – $150
To give families additional flexibility and peace of mind, Camp Adler will continue offer camp insurance this year. Camp insurance is $150 per child and covers both sessions of camp. Purchase insurance for each camper when you enroll. If your plans change before June 3 and you need to withdraw from camp, your tuition will be refunded no questions asked. Conversely, if the Adler Arts Center experiences a coronavirus closure, you will receive a prorated refund.
MEDICAL FORM
Does your camper have allergies or medication that they need to take while at camp? Fill out the form below and email to ellen@adlercenter.org.
Junior Counselors
The Junior Counselor Program offers young teens (entering 7th – 10th grade) an opportunity to learn the basics of camp counseling, while participating in all the fun of Camp Adler. Junior Counselors participate in community art projects, lead their own activities for campers, and assist in fine arts classes.
Applications EXTENDED through April 16th
Junior Counselor Tuition – $825 per 3 week session ($275 per week)
Junior Counselors MUST enroll in all 3 weeks. We do not prorate.
Details
TIME | ACTIVITY |
| 9:00am | Camp Begins |
| 9:10-9:45am | Squad Time |
| 9:55-10:55am | First Period |
| 11:05am-12:05pm . | Second Period |
| 12:15-12:45pm | LUNCH |
| 12:45-1:30pm | Squad Time |
| 1:40-2:40pm | Third Period |
| 2:50-3:50pm | Fourth Period |
| 4:00pm | Camp Ends |
Who can attend Camp Adler?
Camp Adler is open to children ages 5-11. Campers must be of the appropriate age on the start date of the session they are registering for. Youth entering grades 7-10 may apply for our Junior Counselor Program.
Where does the camp take place?
Camp Adler takes place at the Adler Arts Center. Camp classes take place in outdoor classrooms whenever possible. In the event of extreme heat or heavy rain, all camp activities will be conducted indoors.
How does camp insurance work?
To give families additional flexibility and peace of mind, Camp Adler will offer camp insurance this year. Camp insurance is $150 per child and covers both sessions of camp. Purchase insurance for each camper when you enroll. If your plans change before June 3 and you need to withdraw from camp, your tuition will be refunded no questions asked. Conversely, if the Adler Arts Center experiences a coronavirus closure, you will receive a prorated refund.
What is your 2025 refund policy?
Tuition and extended care fees are non-refundable. We recommend purchasing camp insurance.
Can my child enroll in half-day camp?
No. Camp Adler no longer offers a half day option.
Can my camper build their own schedule?
No. All campers will experience ALL the fun that Camp Adler has to offer.
What is the Junior Counselor Program?
The Junior Counselor Program is designed to offer young teens entering 7th – 10th grade an opportunity to learn the basics of being a camp counselor. For more information, please visit our Junior Counselor FAQ.
How are campers divided into Squads?
Campers are divided into coed squads based on age. Each Squad is capped at 15 campers. We are unable to guarantee that friends or siblings will be in the same squad.
Who staffs the camp?
6 camp counselors, 6 faculty, the Head Counselor, Assistant Camp Director, and Camp Director.
Will there be a performance at the end of each session?
Yes! There will be a Celebration of the Arts on the final Thursday of each session.
What should my child bring to camp?
Water bottle, packed lunch labeled with camper’s name, backpack or small bag, insect repellent, sunscreen.
What should my child NOT bring to camp?
Personal electronics, toys, cellular phones.
Do you allow nut items at camp?
Due to allergies and dietary restrictions, please do not bring nuts, nut products, chocolate, legumes or any type of fish to camp.
May I send treats with my camper to share with the other children?
As many of our campers have allergies, please do not send any food for your camper to share.
What kind of medical and emergency information do you need for my child?
If your child is currently taking any over the counter or prescription medication, a Medication Information Form must be filled out. The Adler Center may only administer medications if we have this form on file. Please list any allergies on your registration form in the medical section. If your child has an IEP or 504 Plan, please provide a copy so we can better facilitate the instruction of your child.
Do you administer first aid? How do you handle emergency situations?
Minor bruises, bumps, bug bites, and wounds will be taken care of at camp. If anything more serious arises, we will contact you immediately. If emergency care is required, we will call an ambulance, which will go to the closest medical facility.
What should my child wear to camp?
All campers should bring an art smock or an old t-shirt to protect their clothes. Water games are often played during squad time, so we recommend sending an extra change of clothes in case they get wet.
Can I visit during camp hours?
Sure thing! Just make sure to sign in and check out at the administrative offices.
What are your drop-off and pick-up procedures and attendance policies?
Drop off begins at 8:45am. Pick up begins at 3:50pm. If your camper will be absent or late, please contact the Adler Center office at (847)367-0707 or damac@adlercenter.org. If your camper will arrive late, or leave early for any reason, please come to the reception desk to sign-in/out.
For your convenience, the Adler Arts Center offers child care after summer camp.
After Care is a time of unstructured play, supervised by Camp Counselors. Pre-registration is required.
After Care is offered from 4:15 – 6:00pm ONLY and costs $150 per session.
There are no refunds on After Care payments and no discounts for early pick-up.
After two late pick-ups, your child will automatically be enrolled and you will be billed $150.
We will not offer morning before care.
The Adler Center will open at 8:45am.
The Adler Arts Center gives financial aid to both children and adults for private lessons, camps, and classes based on financial need. You must show valid proof of family income, which must include income of both parents, guardians, or any other adults in the applicant’s address.
Total (Gross) Income / Number of Family Members
| Subsidy | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 75% | $14,580 | $19,720 | $24,860 | $30,000 | $35,140 | $40,280 |
| 50% | $18,080 | $24,720 | $30,860 | $37,000 | $43,140 | $49,280 |
| 25% | $21,580 | $29,720 | $36,860 | $44,000 | $51,140 | $58,280 |
Questions? Email ellen@adlercenter.org
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
