Chess Camp Information!

Bouncing off two hugely successful chess camps in summer 2024, this year promises to be even bigger and better than last. Here’s an overview:

Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 2200 S High Street, Bloomington, IN 47401

Who: Any and all children grades K-6, regardless of chess experience. Limited to 15 kids per week, so register quick!

When: This year, there are SIX (6) different full or half weeks of chess camp to choose!

  • May 26-30, 9am-3pm

  • June 2-6, 9am-3pm

  • June 9-13, 9am-3pm (this week to be held at a different location, TBD)

  • July 14-18, 9am-3pm

  • July 21-25, 9am-3pm

  • July 28-August 1, 9am-3pm

Why: Chess offers tremendous academic, social, and developmental benefits for children, and it’s fun! Kids practice critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, flexibility, and good sportsmanship. Chess is a universal activity that can be enjoyed by all people from anywhere.

Cost: 

  • $120 per week for one child (full-day); $60 per week for one child (half-day). Half-day options include morning (9am-12pm) and afternoon (12pm-3pm). 

  • Add unlimited siblings for an extra $60 per week. 

  • 40% discount on purchases of three weeks or more, PLUS unlimited siblings free!

  • Camp is free for those on public assistance.

  • These costs represent outstanding value. Camps in Indianapolis often cost up to 50% more for the same quality and offerings, without many of the bundles available here!

Register and pay: onlineregistration.cc 

Weekly schedule: Subject to change:

  • 8:30-9: Arrival/check-in

  • 9-9:45: Peer-to-peer chess play 

  • 9:45-10: Brain break

  • 10-11: Lessons and interactive activity

  • 11-12: Lunch and recess

  • 12-1: Arts and crafts

  • 1-1:15: Brain break

  • 1:15-2: Lessons and interactive activity 

  • 2-3: Peer-to-peer chess play

On Fridays, there will be free pizza for lunch and a rated/unrated chess tournament in the afternoon (1:15-3). Healthy snacks are available for free each day. Interactive activities we will put on include giant chess, bughouse, notation matches, cookie values, tactical chairs, and more. These activities involve and invite lots of physical movement. Kids love them!

Parent testimonials: 

“Thank you so much for offering chess camp and doing such a great job with it. [My kids] absolutely loved their time with you and the kids at your camp. My husband and I are both incredibly impressed with your patience, cheerfulness, and skill at teaching what you clearly love. You do a great job with these kids. Thank you so very much from us all.” — Parent of 2024 campers 

Keep reading for important information!

Miscellaneous (but important!) information:

  • Children should bring a lunch from home, a water bottle, comfortable clothes and shoes, and a small fidget if it helps to concentrate.

  • Children should leave phones, toys, and other distractions at home.

  • Camp is staffed daily with at least two background-checked counselors aged 18+. Children are supervised by at least two adults at all times.

  • There are documented procedures in place for fire, tornado, earthquake, and lockdown emergencies. You may request them at any time. The church’s doors are automatically locked during the day for safety.

  • Children who exhibit unsafe, disrespectful, or unproductive behavior may be asked to stay home for the rest of the week after two conversations with child and parent/guardian.

  • Drop-off begins as early as 8:30am, and pick-up can be extended till 4:30pm for a fee. (Per each approximate half-hour after 3pm, after-care is $10. After-care ends promptly at 4:30.) Drop-off and pick-up are at the main entrance to the church (closest to the playground).

  • Full refunds for all weeks of camp are available until May 22 at 11:59pm, which is the last MCCSC school day. Registration and payment for all weeks of camp is likely to close on May 23 at 11:59pm or when a week(s) fill up, whichever comes first. Registration and payment may not be available on site. We will review circumstances on a case-by-case basis. 

  • You may contact Ben Foley, Camp Director and President, at any time!