Program and Trip Information 2026

Details on Not Your Dad's Summer Programs (For Project Passport go to specific program on the drop-down.) The date by each program is the last time that the inforimation has been updated.

• Sea Camp Information 2026 (1-12-26)

  Seacamp is held in San Diego, CA. The dates of this program will be July 5 to July 10, 2026.

  The is a no-electronics program.

  We will depart from the Lower Academy on July 5, 2026 at TBD and drive to O’Hare.  We will be taking flight TBD deparing at TBD and landing in San Diego, CA at TBD.

   

  We will return on July 10, 2026 on flight TBD leaving San Diego at TBD and arriving in Chicago O’Hare at TBD.   We expect to be at the Lower Academy at TBD.  

  SEACAMP Student Information Packet 2025

  SEACAMP-San-Diego-Summer-Packing-List

  SEACAMP-I-Schedule

  The chaperone for this trip will be TBD.

  The cost of this trip is $200.

  First payment of $50 is due January 30, 2026

  Second payment of $50 is due February 20, 2026

  Third payment of $50 is due March 20, 2026

  Fourth payment of $50 is due April 20, 2026

  Pay for SeaCamp here.

• Space Camp Information 2026 (updated 1-13-2026)

  Fifth-Eighth Graders

  Scholars will attend Space Camp in Huntsville, AL from June 28 to July 3 2026.

  Departure

  We will leave from the Lower Academy at TBD on Sunday, June 28, 2025.  We will fly out of Chicago O’Hare and take TBS to Huntsville, AL and land at TBD.  From there we will shuttle from the airport to the Space Center.

  Return

  We will being our return home on Friday, July 3, 2026.  We will fly out of Huntsville, AL at TBD to Chicago O’Hare.  We will land at TBD.  We expect to be back at the Lower Academy at TBD.

  What Should Scholars Wear/Bring?

  While at Camp, trainees (scholars) should wear clothing that is comfortable and designed for active pursuits. Clothing should be appropriate for activities such as hanging in harnesses, working through challenges on the ropes course and should be versatile enough to transition from many varied active endeavors in the course of a camp day. We suggest durable shorts that cover the upper thigh to prevent chafing from webbing and harness straps for all genders. For water activities, we suggest that all genders wear shorts as/over bathing suits. Specific packing lists for each program can be found at 

  Space Camp Packing List 2025

  Space Camp Medicaton Notice 2025

  Space Camp Code of Conduct and Checklist

  Chaperone: TBD will chaperone the scholars on the flights and check them in at Space Camp. 

  The payment schedule for this program is as follows:

  Payment 1- February 5, 2026- $50

  Payment 2- February 28, 2026- $50

  Payment 3- March 20, 2026- $50

  Payment 4- April 10, 2026- $50

  Make Space Camp Payment

• Great Books Information 2026-(07-17-2025)

  The Great Books program will be held at Haverford University, a liberal arts school located outside of Philadelphia, PA.

  David Hicks, the Lower Academy art instructor will be chaperoning this trip.  Mr. Hicks recently chaperoned the NSLC trip to Washington D.C.  Please note, Mr. Hicks will not be on site with scholars during the week.  Scholars will be supervised by Great Books staff.

  The program will run from TBD.

  Flight details: TBD

  A typical day at camp:

  8:30 am – Breakfast
  9:00 am – Morning Meeting
  9:15 am – Seminar: Plato’s Republic
  10:00 am – Break
  10:15 am – Seminar: Borges’ “The Aleph” and Magical Realism
  11:15 am – Discussion Group
  12:15 pm – Lunch
  1:00 pm – Literature Elective: Slam Poetry
  2:00 pm – Art Elective (art, music, theater, and creative writing)
  4:00 pm – Free Time: Campus Tour, Field Games
  5:30 pm – Dinner
  6:15 pm – Reading Time
  7:00 pm – College Panel: Choosing the Right School
  8:30 pm – Guest Speaker: Sarah Kay
  9:30 pm – Pod Reading and Discussion

  On the last day, we will plan to tour some of Philadelphia’s historical landmarks (Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin’s house etc).  Mr. Hicks as well as Ms. Alyousuf, the GRCS advanced math instructor, will be leading the August 2nd tour of Philadelphia.

  Please click here for the 2024 summer packet for Great Books.  

  The cost for this program is $200.

  First payment of $50 is due by March 1, 2025

  Second payment of $50 is due by March 15, 2025

  Third pyament of $50 is due by April 1, 2025.

  Final payment of $50 is due by April 20, 2025.

  Make Great Books Payment

• Angelic Organics Farmers Camp 2026- Trip Completed for 2024

  This program is open to 2nd – 4th graders.  This is a four day overnight camp in Caledonia, IL.

  Other Information:

  2023 Camp Parent Handbook_

• University of Wisconsin STEP Info 2026 (6-21-2025)

  The University of Wisconsin STEP program runs in June 2026.  The program takes place on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, WI.

  We will leave as a group from the LA on Sunday TBD, 2026 .  We will return to the LA on Friday, June TBD, 2026.

  For more information on the program,

  U W Information

  STEP Handbook 2025

  Sample Daily Schedule

  Time	Activity
  7:30–8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
  8:30–9 a.m.	Morning meeting
  9-11:30 a.m.	Class
  11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Lunch
  12:30–3 p.m.	Class
  3–5 p.m.	Recreational activities
  5–6:30 p.m.	Dinner
  6:30–8:30 p.m.	Recreational activities
  8:30–9 p.m.	Block meetings
  9–10:30 p.m.	Dorm time
  10:30 p.m.–7:30 a.m.	Quiet hours

  Payment for the program is $200, paid in $50 payments.

  January 30, 2025 – First $50 Payment

  February 15, 2025 – Second $50 Payment

  March 1, 2025 – Third $50 Payment

  March 15, 2025 – Fourth $50 Payment

  University of Wisconsin STEP Payment Here

• National Student Leadership Information- July 2026 (update Jan 22, 2026)

  The NSLC program will run from July 5-July 10, 2026 in Washington D.C.  The program will be held at American University and scholars will stay on campus.

  Flight Information- TBD

  Chaperones: TBD

  Review a brochure on the NLSC program: 2024 Middle School Brochure

  Watch a video about NSLC: Youtube

  The suggested packing list is: AU Packing List – Middle School

  Payments are due on 2/1, 2/21, 3/14, and 4/7, 2026.

  Pay for NSLC here

   

• Best Delegate 2026 at UCLA in Los Angeles (Updated May 13, 2025)

  The Best Delegate program runs in July 2026.  The program will be held at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA.

  Flight Information: TBD

  Departure

  Return

  The program handbook for 2024 (2025 will be posted when available) is here: Best Delegate UCLA Overnight Camp (2024)

  Sample daily Schedule

  

  This program costs $200 and can be paid here:  Pay for Best Delegate

  Chaperone:

  TBD

  Packing

  Scholars should bring comfortable clothes for the days of Best Delegate camp.  They will also need to bring one set of Model UN clothes for the Model UN simulation at the end of the week.  Scholars can also bring a swim suit and approximately $100 in case for extras.

  Baggage

  If a scholar wants to bring a checked bag, please contact GRCS at businessoffice@galapagoscharter.org .  The cost will be $70.  We will need to know by July 1, 2026.

• Girl Scout Summer Camps 2026 (Updated on 4-5-2025)

  Galapagos is proud to partner with the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to provide three different summer options for our current Girls Scouts and all GRCS girls in K-8th grades.

  Application period is closed.

  Program 1– Camp McCormick – Sleepaway Camp – Journey Across the Stars(3rd-8th)

  Program 2– Camp McCormick – Day Camp – Skills for Life 

  Program 3– Camp Dean – Horsin’ Around  (4th-8th)

  There will be transportation via GRCS’ Bussie shuttle from the Lower Academy to the programs.

  The total cost for each program is $50 for scholars who participated in cookie sales and $75 for scholars who did not participate.  Once approved, payment is due in 7 days from approval.

  Payments can be made here

• Outward Bound Summer Canoeing 2026 (01-07-2026)

  We are still accepting applicaiton for this program.  

  Apply Here

  This program runs will run July 6-11, 2026.

  Chaperone: TBD

  More info about program here

  Accepted scholars must register here:

  Register Here

  To request to borrow camping equipment, click here:  Gear Loan Request Form

  The cost of this program is $200.

  The first payment of $50 is due March 20, 2025.

  The second payment of $50 is due April 4, 2025.

  The third payment of $50 is due April 20, 2025.

  The fourth payment of $50 is due May 5, 2025.

  Make Payment Outward Bound Payment

  You can also fundraise through coffee sales (every bag is worth $6 towards any trip.)

  Buy Coffee

• Latino Youth Summit- Madison, WI 2025- Program Complete for 2025

  The Latino Youth Summit takes place in Madison, WI the 24 and 25th of March  2025.  We will be leaving the LA at 7:15 am on Monday, March 24.  We will return to the LA on Tuesday March 25 at approximately 5:45pm.

  We will be staying at the Marriott Fairfield South at 722 John Nolen Drive, Madison, WI, 53713

  This is an electronics free trip.  Scholars may not bring electronics.

  The cost for this trip is $50.

  Pay for Latino Youth Summit

  Latino Youth Summit

  Chaperones: The trip is chaperoned by two Galapaogs Staff members.  Ms. Martha de Luna (support staff at the UA) and Ms. Brandi Camacho (kindergarten instructor.  Ms. Camacho has previously co-chaperoned the 2024 Project Passport trip to Costa Rica.

  Emergency contact is Ms. Stacey Puckett.  She can be reached at (779) 772-3332.

  Dress:  Please wear clothing that is comfortable but appropriate, no t-shirts.

  Electronics– scholars should not bring electronics.  Scholars will not be permitted to call home during the summit.

  Meals:  Scholars twill have breakfast and lunch at the Youth Summit all three days.  Scholars and chaperones will have dinner, in Madison, on Monday and Tuesday.

  Medical Form– If you have not submitted a medical form, please download here and and have your scholar bring to Mr. Lane by 3/04/2025.  Medical Form Latino Youth Summit

  Money– Scholars will not need money unless they want to buy a souvenir.  Scholars should not bring more than $50. 

  Other Activities: In addition to the activities at the summit, scholars will have some time to unwind. 

  Una mensaje de University of Wisconsin:

  Hola familias de la Cumbre de la Juventud Latina 2025:

  Mas info viene temprano.

   

   

   

• Winter Adventure - Dog Sledding with Outward Bound 2026- (Jan 8, 2025).

  We are no longer accepting applications for winter 2026.

  For families who were accepted, please click here to learn more about the program and t0 fill out Outward Bound papers here.

  This trip will take place from February 3 to February 8, 2026. (We will leave at 12:00pm from the Upper Academy on February 3, 2025.)  We will return to the Upper Academy on February 8, 2025 around 6:30pm.

  On the evening of Feburary 3, 2026 we will stay overnight at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Duluth Waterfront located at 1000 Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, MN, 55802.

  Our base camp from Feb 4-8 will be in Ely, MN.

  The Galapagos chaperones for this trip are Molly Kettelhut and Jessica Baudhuin. Ms. Kettelhut is our recruitment manger and former instructor, she has chaperoned two Project Passort trips to Africa, two to Costa Rica, and two to Washington DC. Mrs Baudhuin is our 4th grade instructor and this will be her first trip.  In addition to the GRCS staff, we will be supported by the Outward Bound team of experts.

  Communications will take place primarily via WhatsApp. for Apple or WhatsApp for Android.

  To learn more about the program and packing requirements.

  More Info Here

  Cost of this trip is $200 and must be paid by the due dates:

  Dec 2, 2025- $75

  Dec 20, 2025 -$75

  Jan 6, 2026- $50

  Payment can be made here:

  Pay for Winter Adventure

   

• Stars of Tomorrow Drama Camp at Rock Valley College 2026

  Stars of Tomorrow is a one-week summer theatre camp for kids where scholars are guided through the process of creating theatre. Participants will be exposed to singing, acting, and dancing performance of establishing a world within a play. They will gain confidence in expressing ideas while building skills in speaking, acting, movement, and listening and responding to others. Instructors teach new techniques, while encouraging campers to build on existing strengths and natural abilities.

  Led by RVC Starlight Theatre teaching artists, the program uses dramatic play, singing and choreography to teach and enhance musical theatre performance. All of these build confidence, experience and friendships. The program culminates in a theatrical presentation put on by participants for friends and family in a showcase of excerpts from musicals.

  Cost: $30 if attending a GRCS summer school program   $45 if not attending a GRCS summer school program.

  RVC Starlight Camp Supernova has a NO electronics policy because it promotes genuine communication and interaction among all.

• Project Passport- Utah Dinosaur Diggers 2026 (12-17-25) 2026

  Project Passport Utah is in June 2026.

  Applications  for 2026 are now closed.  

  Travel Information:

  On TBA , 2026 We will leave as a group from the Lower Academy at 12:00pm  We will take Bussie to the Amtrack station in Naperville, IL.  We will take the California Zephyr Train # 5 leaving at 2:34pm.  We will arrive in Green River, Utah the next day at 6:32pm.   We will then be picked up and drive about 45 minutes to our site in Hanksville, Utah.

  On TBA, 2026 we will return to Green River, Utah and take the California Zephyr Train # 6 leaving at 7:44am.  We will arrive in Naperville, IL around 1:44pm on TBA.  The GRCS Bussie Shuttle will pick us up and we anticipate be back at the Lower Academy at 3:45pm.

  Packing List

  Click here to see the recommending packing list for Utah

  PP Utah Packing List

  Lodging Information:

  We will be staying at Dukes Cabins located at:

  275 East Hwy 24
  Hanksville, UT 84734

  We will be camping one day in tents.  The exact day will depend upon weather conditions.

  The chaperones for this trip are:

  Brandi Camacho- works as a kindergarten insturctor at the LA.  She has also  previously chaperoned the Project Passport Costa Rica trip as well as the PP Utah trip.

  Greta Skinner- works as our systems and operations manager.  This will be her first Project Passport trip. 

  Other chaperones to be announced soon.

  Total Cost is $220 paid in four $55 installments.

  January 10, 2026

  February 10, 2026

  March 10, 2026

  April 10, 2026

  Pay for Utah Here