The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago
The Second City Comedy Camp offers immersive day programs in improvisation and sketch comedy for youth and teens, focusing on performance skills and creative...
▌ Editor's read The Second City Comedy Camp's website loads successfully, detailing day camp programs for youth and teens focused on improvisation and sketch comedy. While the provided URL is for New York camps, the Second City organization is based in Chicago and offers similar programs there. The Second City itself was founded in 1959, indicating over 65 years of operation. The organization is a for-profit entity. Google reviews for 'The Second City' (the main institution, not specifically the camp) show a strong rating of 4.7 stars based on over 10,000 reviews, with many praising the quality of instruction and performances. The camp website does not mention ACA accreditation or specific staff-to-camper ratios, nor does it explicitly detail background check policies for camp staff. Social media handles found on the site include @secondcitycamps on Instagram and 'TheSecondCity' on Facebook.
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Since 196165+ years operating
Who thrives here Ages 10–18
The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago 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 theater/music, 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
- Day camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1961 (65 years)
- Operator
- Private business
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Money & Policies
- Financial aid
- Available · Need-based, Merit-based
Apply →
Merit and need-based scholarships are available. Application required.
- Session lengths
- 5-day (full week)
- What campers take home
- Campers participate in a final performance showcasing their improv and comedy writing skills.
Details
- Category: Theater/Music
- Ages: 10–18
- Address: 230 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
- Cost notes: Estimated cost per week.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago
- What ages does The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago accept?
- The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago is open to children ages 10–18. 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.
- How much does The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago cost?
- The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago publishes $600/week for the standard session. Estimated cost per week. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- Who runs The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago?
- The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago is operated by a private business, with 65 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 The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago provide lunch?
- The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago 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.
- Does The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago offer financial aid?
- Yes — The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
- How does The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago compare to other theater/music camps in Chicago?
- The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago is one of 25 theater/music 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
Editorial checklists to use before you compare The Second City Comedy Camp Chicago with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Arts and performing arts camps guide · Compare portfolio, rehearsal, show, and creative fit.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
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