Registration for Chicago Park District's popular summer camps opens this week, but some parents are feeling some sticker shock. Online registration opened Monday morning for the Chicago Park District summer camps west of California Avenue and all virtual programs. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, online registrat ion for camps east of California opens. Registration for gymnastics programs will open at noon. The district's programs include sports, fitness and arts, which were made available for viewing on the park district’s website on April 7. Day camp runs from June 23 to Aug. 1, with most other summer programs taking place from June 16 to Aug. 10. Last fall, the district said a “modest” price increase for summer day camps would be included in this year’s budget. But for Johanna Paul, a mother of two in Lincoln Park, that modest increase was a 40% jump.Her two sons, ages 7 and 9, attended camp last summer at Wrightwood Park. The boys had a blast, especially because they got to swim and play soccer.“We always heard great things about park district camps, but we didn’t get a chance to try till last summer,” Paul said. “And they loved it. They are well-run and offer great activities at a great value. Plus lunch was included.”So they decided to sign up again for this summer. But last week when the district offered previews for this year’s programming, the price for the six-week camp at Wrighwood was $460 per kid, up from last year’s per-kid rate of $330.“With one kid, you can probably manage that increase. But for us, we’re always having to multiply the price, and that cost just wasn’t feasible for us this year,” Paul said. Johanna Paul stands for a photo in the lobby of her condo building in Lakeview, Monday, April 14, 2025. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-TimesAnthony Vazquez/Sun-Times The park district defended the price increase in a statement to the Sun-Times. A spokesperson said the registration costs for camps were cut in half in 2020 "to provide relief to families facing financial uncertainties." "To bring fees back up to pre-Covid levels and to address rising operational costs, fees are being raised for this summer," the spokesperson said in the statement. "Even with these adjustments, day camp fees remain below pre-pandemic, 2019 levels at 97% of Chicago parks." The highest camp cost this year will be $4 per hour and the average cost across all camps is $1.39 an hour. The district does offer help for families that need it, including a payment plan and financial assistance for qualifying families. “The Chicago Park District remains committed to delivering exceptional summer camp experiences at an accessible price," the statement said.Paul's kids won't be joining the camps this summer because of the price increase. But she understands why the district raised prices and said it's still far more affordable than private camps in the city. Her sons are also enrolled in other camps for this summer. "I wish there was more of a heads up about how much the increase was going to be, then I could have managed my expectations," Paul said. "It is still a great deal and I think people definitely should be doing the park district camps." Those wanting to sign up for the programs need to have an active account to register. The park district suggests double-checking your email and password, creating a wish list of programs, updating your account details and using a desktop or laptop for an optimal registration experience. In-person registration takes place Saturday and April 21 and varies by the park.Contributing: Saman Creel ...read more read less