Integrating two elementary school children into life in Wilmette (Evanston: middle school, camps)

[the invisible swordsman]

My family is anticipating a move to Wilmette (New Trier school pyramid) following this school year. We anticipate moving our children (boy, 8; girl, 6) in the summer, and we want to understand if there are any popular camps/clubs/activities during that time of year that serve kids who attend the elementary schools in town. Our kids currently participate in swim team, taekwondo, and would be interested in pretty much anything that would allow them to play, have fun and get to know some of the kids that they will eventually go to school with in the fall. Thanks in advance for any help! Looking forward to the move.

[chet everett]

Start here, with the Park District flyer -- Ice Arena | Winnetka Park District

I know swimming is very popular, as are tennis, ice skating / hockey and golf. Pretty much every community in Illinois has tax payer supported programs for athletics / recreation. There ought to be some options for taekwondo nearby too...

[hopehome]

Agree - the park district camps are a good starting place. For your younger child, Summer Stuff Day Camps are another option. Programs « Summer Stuff Day Camps I think there is a good swimming program at the YWCA in Evanston that gets some Wilmette kids, too.

[Czem]

The New Trier Athletic Department offers youth summer camps and swim lessons for kids grade 3-8 (New Trier Township High School) The Wilmette Park District has many great summer programs and summer camps (Camps | Wilmette Park District). Best of luck with the move!

[4122]

Your kids would be more likely to be with Wilmette kids if they did activities at the Wilmette Park District. What's nice about the programs New Trier offers for feeder students is that there will probably be a good portion of Wilmette kids, but also kids that they will be going to high school with. If they participate in Winnetka Park District activities, then they would be with mostly Winnetka kids, so they wouldn't really meet any kids they will be going to elementary school with.

I go to the Winnetka Rink to skate even though I live in Highland Park because I prefer it better than Centennial. Winnetka had a great ice skating rink and it's great for lessons or even just skating around for fun.

[CBB_bear]

I would recommend aquatics camp with the Wilmette Park district. It may have changed from when I attended (late '90s), but it's still listed on the Park district website. Basically, you hang out on lake michigan and kayak, tube, sail, etc. I moved from out of state in the 5th grade, and I made some friends who I went to middle school with before the school year started. It also takes advantage of the lovely lake!

[the invisible swordsman]

Thanks to all for taking the time to respond. We'll definitely look into the suggestions!

[21260]

If your children swim, you might want to look into the Evanston YWCA Flying Fish program. Lots of Wilmette children attend and love it. The park district camps are mixed. Kids seem to like Great Gilson, which takes place on the beach, and Arts in the Park. The New Trier sports programs are also popular. It's a bit hard, because kids go all over the place, to camps in Evanston and up and down the North Shore. But you will no doubt meet neighbors at block parties and at the beach and pool. Everyone is outdoors in summer. Just make sure you sign up for such activities as swim clubs, sports teams and scouts NOW. We moved at the beginning of the school year and found many of them to be full.