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Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
Families can now register their children for the 2025-2026 season of Adventure Campus, the Northbrook Park District’s before- and after-school care program for elementary students, as of Monday, March 3.
The park district partners with Northbrook School District 27 opens in new tab, Northbrook/Glenview School District 30 opens in new tab and West Northfield School District 31 opens in new tab to offer organized activities for grades K-5 at Hickory Point Elementary School opens in new tab, Shabonee School opens in new tab, Wescott School opens in new tab, Willowbrook School opens in new tab and Winkelman Elementary School opens in new tab.
Dina Castellucci said her three children have had great experiences at Adventure Campus over the last eight years. Fourteen-year-old Sophia attended while she was younger; her younger children, Christina, 11, and Anthony, 9, are currently enrolled.
“We have been in Adventure Campus continuously since Sophia was in kindergarten in 2017,” she said. “It’s a great program. It’s easy, it’s direct from school and seamless, and the kids see all their friends there. It’s like a giant afterschool playdate for them.”
Children interact with kids of different ages and are allowed a certain degree of freedom, both important factors in their development, she added.
Adventure Campus offers a supportive after school setting where the children can unwind, explore new interests and make lasting friendships, Youth Program Manager Mary Mucci said.
“It has been extremely rewarding to see the kids in the program develop socially and gain confidence throughout the year,” she said.
Adventure Campus takes place in school gyms and multipurpose rooms; most sites range from 15 to 40 students in the morning, to 40 to 90 students in the afternoon.
Before school, parents can drop off children from 7am until the start of school; after school, they can pick them up any time until 6pm. Children get nut-free snacks in the morning and afternoon, such as apples, pretzels, cheese sticks, crackers and clementines.
Recreation Supervisor Jeremy Goedeke said students take part in activities that encourage teamwork, self-confidence and fun.
Before school, Adventure Campus has a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, with students trickling in and hanging out playing cards and board games, Goedeke said.
The after-school session starts with 30 minutes for play, homework or snacks, followed by structured activities. Activities include STEM, arts and crafts, and gym or playground fun, depending on the weather. Activities are typically based on age group, although they can involve multiple grades.
Access to screen time is based on age, Goedeke said. For example, younger children at Hickory Point have no screen time, while older children might get up to 30 minutes of screen time, particularly if they need it for homework.
Each school has a site director with more than five years of experience working with children, and either have a college degree or are working towards a degree.
Adventure Campus staff ranges from high school and college students to retired adults, along with school staff, such as teachers, teaching aides and paraprofessionals, Goedeke said.
“All staff go through an interview, background check and reference checks. They are CPR/AED certified and mandated reporters, and go through a concussion recognition training. We also conduct monthly staff trainings on topics like playground safety, problem-solving, conflict resolution, games and activities, how to handle behaviors, and related topics.”
Previously a site director, Goedeke said that Adventure Campus staff members love working with children and enjoy seeing them grow up year after year.
Castellucci said she has been very happy with the quality of staff, and her children are especially fond of their current site director. “They have had some really wonderful people working there,” she said.
The cost of Adventure Campus is $18 per day for the morning sessions, and $25 per day for the afternoon session for the 2025-26 school year.
For families who need care now, Adventure Campus sites have availability for the current winter/spring season.
A Parent Information Night was held virtually on February 27 and is now available to watch online. For more information and to enroll children, visit nbparks.org/adventurecampus.