Camp · Specialty · Ages 17–19
Directory · United States · Illinois · Chicago
▌ Specialty · Ages 17–19

Camp One Step - Adventure Camp

Camp One Step - Adventure Camp · ★ 4.6 (11 reviews)

Camp One Step offers free, medically supervised overnight camps and programs for children with cancer and blood-related diseases, focusing on adventure and c...

▌ Editor's read The Camp One Step website loads as a real camp site, offering programs for children with cancer and blood-related diseases. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards. The camp explicitly states that all staff and volunteers undergo background checks. Founded by Patty McDonald, the organization has been operating for 45 years, showcasing significant experience in its niche. Camp One Step is a nonprofit organization, providing its programs free of charge to families. The programs are primarily overnight, with various adventure-based activities. Google reviews for 'Camp One Step' show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 100+ reviews, with many parents praising the supportive environment and positive impact on their children. Social media handles include @camponestep on Instagram and 'camponestep' on Facebook, both actively maintained.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 198145+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 17–19

Camp One Step - Adventure Camp serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1981 (45 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 17–19
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 213 W. Institute Place, Suite 410, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
  • Cost notes: FREE; USD

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp One Step - Adventure Camp

What ages does Camp One Step - Adventure Camp accept?
Camp One Step - Adventure Camp is open to children ages 17–19. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
What are Camp One Step - Adventure Camp's hours?
Camp One Step - Adventure Camp runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Camp One Step - Adventure Camp accredited?
Yes — Camp One Step - Adventure Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 45 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Camp One Step - Adventure Camp?
Camp One Step - Adventure Camp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 45 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Camp One Step - Adventure Camp provide lunch?
Camp One Step - Adventure Camp does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Camp One Step - Adventure Camp compare to other specialty camps in Chicago?
Camp One Step - Adventure Camp is one of 11 specialty camps in Chicago that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

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