Adventure is waiting at Allerton, where campers experience nature and art in a unique setting. Camps are centered on outdoor exploration and adventure with time for rest, relaxation, and free play daily. Campers run and hike through Allerton, observe and learn about nature, and have good, old-fashioned fun with friends! Clear here to download Camp schedule.
Download the Camp registration form here.
The front desk is currently closed to the public. Completed forms can be mailed to the address below:
Mindy Brand
Allerton Park & Retreat Center
515 Old Timber Road
Monticello, IL 61856
DISCOVERY CAMPERS (Ages 3-4)
Discovery Campers* will meet from 8:30am-11:30am during four weeks of summer fun.
CANCELLED June 8-12 Mudpuppies
Dirt + water = messy fun! There are so many ways to have fun with mud: mud pies, mud masks, mud sculpture… you name it! After this week, we will know a few more uses for mud when campers explore and create their own mud fun. Be prepared to get muddy!
CANCELLED June 22-26 Music & Sound
What could be better than rocking and rolling in the great outdoors? We’ll sing, learn new songs, and dance up a storm! We will also
listen to the sounds of nature and make our own instruments. Bring your dancing shoes!
CANCELLED July 6-10 Water!
Splish Splash! Summer is hot, but that doesn’t bother us. Campers will bring their swimming suits and head out to the nearest sprinkler to play and cool off with water games and fun. We will also search for those water-loving animals at the Reflecting Pond!
CANCELLED July 20-24 Habitat Hunt
Wildlife isn’t always easy to locate, but if you know where to look… you’ll be surprised how many creatures you can find. We will learn about different habitats and explore all the places that Allerton animals call home!
*Discovery Campers must be fully potty-trained.
ALLERTON ACORNS (Ages 5-7)
Allerton Acorns (ages 5-7) will meet from 9am-3pm (Extended Day options available). New themes will keep them excited about coming to camp all summer long.
CANCELLED June 1-5 Mudpuppies
Dirt + water = messy fun! There are so many ways to have fun with mud: mud pies, mud masks, mud sculpture… you name it! After this week, we will know a few more uses for mud when campers explore and create their own mud fun. Be prepared to get muddy!
CANCELLED FULL June 8-12 Allerton Artists *This week of camp is full. Contact brand@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.
CANCELLED FULL June 15-19 Habitat Hero *This week of camp is full. Contact brand@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.
CANCELLED FULL June 22-26 Fort Week *This week of camp is full. Contact brand@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.
— NO CAMP JUNE 29-JULY 3 —
CANCELLED July 6-10 Priceless pollinators
Buzzzzz…. into this week of discovery! We will explore the gardens at Allerton in search of pollinators big and small (here’s a hint: a Camper can be a pollinator!). Campers will ask and answer questions about the connection between pollination and our daily lives, play games, and bring home some ideas to encourage pollinators in their own backyard.
CANCELLED FULL July 13-17 Treasure Hunt *This week of camp is full. Contact brand@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.
CANCELLED July 20-24 Green Thumbs
We get our hands in the dirt this week to discover just how complex growing plants can be. Soil, pollinators, compost… there is so much to discover! We will watch a bean plant attempt a maze, create a wormery, and of course, campers will come home with their own planted seeds, ready to germinate!
CANCELLED July 27-31 Water!
There are so many different ways to experience water at Allerton – the Sangamon River, the Reflecting Pond… water balloons! We will be playing games, making boats, and tracking down every sprinkler we can find!
CANCELLED Aug 3-7 Costume Party
It’s just silly to wait until Halloween to dress up! We will dress for the daily theme this week, using whatever we are able to find at home and at camp. The only rule – no purchasing anything! We will dress up using everyday objects and our wonderful imaginations!
ALLERTON ADVENTURERS (Ages 8-12)
Allerton Adventurers (ages 8-12) will meet from 9am-3pm (Extended Day options available). With a new theme every week, they’ll learn, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful Allerton landscape all summer! Adventurers will also visit the Monticello Family Aquatic Center for two afternoons each week.
CANCELLED June 1-5 Outdoor Skills
Whether campers come with a lot of knowledge or a little, they will take their outdoor skills to a new level this week! We will learn how to choose a camp site and put up a tent, fire building and safety, cooking outdoors, and staying safe from the elements. In addition, learning and practicing minimal outdoor impact will be a big part of camp this week.
CANCELLED June 8-12 Habitat Hero
Learn how important habitat is for wildlife and what you can do to help creatures find food, water and shelter. Campers will make insect hotels and toad houses to take home in order to invite wildlife into their own backyards!
CANCELLED June 15-19 Allerton Artists
The art and nature found at Allerton is inspiring for artists of any age. Projects this week will include watercolor, jewelry-making, paper crafts, photography and more! Don’t miss the end-of-week Art Exhibit on Friday, June 12th at 2:30 p.m. where artists will display their art for family and friends.
CANCELLED June 22-26 Fort Week
Summer camp wouldn’t be complete without Fort Week! A camper favorite, we jump right into imaginative building and kid-created communities. They will spend the week using natural materials to make small-group forts, then enjoy them when they’re done!
— NO CAMP JUNE 29-JULY 3 —
CANCELLED July 6-10 Scavenger Sculptors
Eco Art comes to Allerton this week! We will be creating sculpture of all kinds with both natural materials and scavenged household finds. Repurpose is the name of the game. Creatures, buildings, characters – there’s almost no end to the things you could create!
CANCELLED July 13-17 Mapmaking
This versatile week of camp includes both typical and creative methods to represent and communicate the places of Allerton. Campers will use conventional mapping skills in addition to word clues to communicate specific locations to their fellow campers!
CANCELLED July 20-24 Green Thumbs
We get our hands in the dirt this week to discover just how complex growing plants can be. Soil, pollinators, compost… there is so much to discover! We will watch a bean plant attempt a maze, create a wormery, and of course, campers will come home with their own planted seeds, ready to germinate!
CANCELLED July 27-31 Water! *This week of camp is full. Contact brand@illinois.edu to be added to the waitlist.
CANCELLED Aug 3-7 Eco-Capable
Campers will learn simple ways they can make a difference toward positive environmental impact… with an emphasis on fun! This week will focus on approaches and actions that empower kids to make a difference.
FAQs:
Discovery Camp (ages 3-4) 8:30am-11:30am
$82/week
Allerton Acorns (ages 5-7) 9am – 3pm
$165/week
Extended Day available:
7:00-9:00am ($25/week)
3:00-5:30pm ($35/week)
Allerton Adventurers (ages 8-12) 9am – 3pm
$165/week
Extended Day available:
7:00-9:00am ($25/week)
3:00-5:30pm ($35/week)
Allerton Day Camp is all about fun outside! Each week of camp focuses on a different topic, but they all share a common vision for quality time spent outside. We hike every day and play countless games, not to mention explore the art and nature found only at Allerton.
Home base for campers is one of three different buildings in the Park. Your registration materials will include detailed information about where to drop your camper off.
Yes! We offer BEFORE and AFTER care to extend the camp day. Available times for your child’s camp are listed on their registration form. Participants must be pre-registered to use Extended Day.
Participants may be dropped off 5 minutes prior to the start of camp and will be allowed a 5-minute grace period after the end of camp. If you need care earlier or later than those times, you are required to sign your child up for Extended Day. Regularly late pick-ups will be charged a P.M. Extended Day fee for that week.
Yes, all full day campers bring their own lunch. We provide healthy morning and afternoon snack to keep tummies from rumbling! Discovery campers are not with us for lunch time, but they are also provided morning snack.
Yes, we have a limited number of partial camp scholarships available for qualifying families. Scholarships will be awarded based on need, as decided by Allerton. Early applicants will be given priority. Application information is kept strictly confidential, and all applications are destroyed after the application has been processed. Award of a scholarship does not guarantee your placement in a specific week of camp. Once awarded a scholarship, registration must be completed.
Once received, a scholarship application takes 5-7 business days to process. CLICK HERE FOR REQUIREMENTS AND TO DOWNLOAD + PRINT THE APPLICATION.
You can return the completed application:
In person – Allerton Mansion front desk (Attn: Mindy Brand)
By mail – Attn: Mindy Brand
515 Old Timber Road
Monticello, IL 61856
For more information, contact Mindy Brand at brand@illinois.edu
Campers need to either have a pool pass to the Monticello Family Aquatic Center or bring $5 per visit to camp. Camp staff will collect pool money and pay in one transaction to leave more time for swimming! MFAC has early bird pool passes available on select dates.
Piattran provides Allerton Day Camp rides to and from the pool as well as providing a transportation alternative for parents getting kiddos to and from camp!
To set up rides, you need:
1. A current Rider Intake Form (less than 1 year old) on file with Piattran. You can submit this to their office yourself or through Allerton on the first day of camp. One form is good for the entire summer. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE RIDER INTAKE FORM.
2. Rider fee. Rides are $4 each way. Pro tip: you can set up an account with Piattran and pay only $3 each way.
Your payment options:
– Create an auto-bill account with Piattran (easy and a discount)
– Pay the driver with cash/check
– Be billed by Piattran
Piattran
Piatt County Public Transportation
1925 North Market Street
Monticello, IL 61856-8144
Ph: (217) 762-7821 Fax: (217) 762-7594
Email: ride@piattran.org
Camp registration continues all summer, but camps do fill up quickly! Registration closes for individual weeks of camp 14 days prior to that camp.
Yes. We understand that it can be difficult to pay for multiple weeks of camp upfront. You can hold your child’s spot in camp with a non-refundable deposit of $20 per child per week. Your spot will be held until payment is due 10 business days prior to the start of camp. If payment is not made 10 business days before, the spot will be opened up to the waitlist without refund of deposit. When payment is made, your deposit fee will be applied toward total camp fees.
Yes! Registration & full payment for 4+ weeks of camp made at once (any 4+ weeks throughout the summer) qualifies you for a 10% discount off your registration fees.
Participants may cancel their registration and withdraw from camp up to 10 business days from the start of camp and receive a full refund of the registration fee, less a $20 administrative fee. If a participant cancels fewer than 10 business days prior to the start of camp, they will be charged the full fee for that camp.
Questions? Contact Mindy Brand at brand@illinois.edu or 217-333-3287
