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After School and Summer Camp

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Nurturing Care for School-aged Children

Hephzibah’s After School program serves more than 700 children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds—fulfilling a critical need in the Oak Park community for affordable, nurturing, and enriching after-school care for elementary school-aged children. We offer a dynamic childcare experience for children in grades K-5 after school and full-day care on school holidays at each of the eight District 97 elementary schools in Oak Park. We also offer full-day summer day camp Monday-Friday in Oak Park for children of working parents. This program is unique – we offer a sliding-fee pay scale, based on ability to pay and income to families that need after school care on site at their child’s local school, and in the summertime when childcare becomes a financial burden for some.

Our childcare activities are designed to help children achieve their full social, emotional, and intellectual potential by fostering the development of a wide variety of skills, as well as social competence and a positive self-image.

2025 Summer Hephzibah registration
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After School Care

Why Choose Hephzibah for After Care?
Hephzibah after school care fosters the development of each child through a wide variety of activities and nurturing engagement by staff. Hephzibah after school care is on-site at each school, so no transportation is needed. Hephzibah after school care is affordable as well. Fees are assessed on a sliding scale and are offset by financial aid when necessary to ensure that every family in our community has access to high-quality day care.
When Can I Sign My Child Up for After School Care?

We will be accepting applications for kindergarten 2024-25, April 1 -15, 2024.

On April 16th, if need be, we will hold a lottery depending on availability of spaces at each Hephzibah’s site. Parents will receive an email to inform them if their child’s name was pulled or has been added to the current waiting list.

Please feel free to contact Annette Anderson at 708-649-7093 or aanderson@www.hephzibahhome.org with any questions or concerns.

Registration for incoming 1st – 5th graders is ongoing.

What Happens During After School Care?

Children gain experience in areas such as arts and crafts, games, movement and music, science, and imaginative play.

Is There Childcare on School Holidays and Days off?

Yes, Hephzibah childcare is available for the full day on most school holidays and in-service staff days.

How Do I Add My Child to the List?

You can fill out the inquiry form to find out more and add your name to the list to be sent an application.

inquiry form

Summer Camp

Summer Hephzibah 2025

Summer Hephzibah 2025:

  • Week 1 June 16 – 20 (closed June 19)
  • Week 2 June 23 – 27
  • Week 3 June 30 – July 3 (Closed July 4)
  • Week 4 July 7 – 11
  • Week 5 July 14 – 18
  • Week 6 July 21 – 25
  • Week 7 July 28 – August 1
  • Week 8 August 4 – 8

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Why Should I Choose Hephzibah for My Child's Summer Camp Experience?
Hephzibah summer camp is a wonderful way for any child to experience summer. Our staff-to-camper ratio is 1:10, which allows children to receive the care they need, and to make lots of new friends! Our summer camp is enriching and engaging and is so much more than childcare. Our program activities are designed to help children achieve their full social, emotional, and intellectual potential by fostering the development of a wide variety of skills, as well as social competence and a positive self-image.
When Do I Register My Child for Summer Camp?

Registration for summer camp opens each spring and closes when camp is full. May 1st is the last day to make changes or cancellations to summer camp registration without incurring charges. You will be able to register your child for one, or as many weeks as you need.

What Will My Child Experience at Hephzibah Summer Camp?
Hephzibah summer camp is a fun-filled experience for all campers, and offers each child a summer filled with games, creative arts and crafts, exploration and play, and encourages children to make lasting connections. We offer nutritious lunch and snacks, weekly field-trips, swimming at a local pool, specialty events and days and a 1:10 staff to child ratio.
Who Are the Hephzibah Summer Camp Staff?
Our staff are adults ages 18+ from a variety of backgrounds and work experiences. They are all passionate about working with children. Some are pursuing education, social work, recreation or similar degrees. Others engage in different creative fields sometimes working with children. Some staff are even Hephzibah summer camp alumni looking for ways to creative life-long memories for local children.
How Do I Add My Child to the List?
You can fill out the inquiry form to find out more and add your name to the list to be sent an application.

inquiry form

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