Trip Information 2025

Details on Not Your Dad's Summer Programs (For Project Passport go to specific program on the drop-down)

• Sea Camp Information - 2025 Applications available now until Feb 8)

  The dates of this program will be in June/July 2025.

  Apply for SeaCamp 2025

  SEACAMP Student Information Packet 2024

  SEACAMP-I-Schedule

  SEACAMP Merchandise Prices 2023

   

   

• Space Camp Information (1-17-2025)- 2025 Applications available now until February 8, 2025.

  Fifth-Eighth Graders

  Our 5th-8th graders will attend the Space Camp in Huntsville, AL from July 6-July 11, 2025.

  Applications are available now until February 8, 2025.

  Apply to Space Camp

  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 spacecamp.com/packinglist 

  Chaperones: To be Announced

  Departure and Arrival Times: To be Announced.

• Great Books Information- (1-07-2025) Applications for 2025 closed

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

  The program will run from Sunday, July 27, 2025 to August 3, 2025.  We will meet at the Lower Academy on July 27 at TBD to travel as a group to O’Hare.

  Flight details are TBD.

  We will return on August 3, 2025 at TBD.

  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 Jan 25, 2025

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

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

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

• Angelic Organics Farmers Camp- - 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 (1-14-2025) Application window for 2025 now closed.

  The University of Wisconsin STEP program runs in June 22–27, 2025.  The program takes place on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, WI.

  We will leave as a groupd from the LA on June 22, 2025 (time TBD).  We will return to the LA on June 27, 2025 (time TBD).

  For more information on the program, U W Information

  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

  STEP 2023 Handbook  (2024 handbook will be added soon.)

  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

  U of Wisconsin Payment Here

• National Student Leadership Information- 2025 Applications available soon.

  The NSLC program will run from July 16 until July 21 in Washington D.C.  The programming will be held at American University and scholars will stay on campus.

  On Tuesday, July 16, scholars will meet at the Lower Academy at 7:45am in order to go to O’Hare.  Scholars will fly United Airlines flight 1097 from Chicago to Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.  They will land in DC at 2:04 pm.  From the airport they will take a shuttle van to American University.

  On Sunday, July 21, scholars will fly America Airlines flight 1263 from Reagan National in Washington DC to O’Hare.  Scholars will arrive in Chicago at 5:39pm.  We anticipate that scholars will return to the Lower Academy by 7:45 pm.

  Ms. Katherine Wilkins, the LA art instructor, will be chaperoning this trip. 

  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

• Best Delegate- 2025 Scholars to be selected in the spring of 2025.

  The Best Delegate program runs from July 28 to August 3.  The 2024 program will be held at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA.

  The program handbook for 2024 is here: Best Delegate UCLA Overnight Camp (2024)

  Departure:

  Scholars will meet at the Lower Academy at 9:15 am on July 28 to ride with Ms. Hull to O’Hare.   Ms. Hull will take the scholars in her vehicle.  Scholars will take United Airlines flight 609 leaving O’Hare at 12:55pm and will arrive in Los Angeles at 3:14pm.

  Chaperone:

  Ms. Deanna Hull, our social worker, will chaperone the scholars from Rockford to Los Angeles.  In Los Angeles, a Best Delegate representative will pick-up the scholars at the airport and bring them to UCLA.  Ms. Hull will not be on site during the week.  She will chaperone the scholars back from Los Angeles on August 3.

  Return:

  On August 3, scholars will take United Airlines flight 2347 leaving Los Angeles at 2:13pm and will arrive in Chicago at 8:15pm.  We anticipate that scholars will be back at the LA around 10pm.

  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 24.

• Girl Scout Summer Camps - 2025 Applications available soon.

  Galapagos is proud to partner with the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to provide three different summer options for our current Girls Scouts in 2nd-8th grade.

  Program 1– Horseback Riding Camp (5-8th graders)- Runs from June 12-15.

  Program 2– Overnight Mini Camp (2-8th graders)- Runs from June 19-21.

  Program 3– STEM Day Camp (2-8th graders)- Runs from July 22-26.

  Programs 2 and 3 take place at Camp McCormick.  This is a wonderful place to get more acquainted with the outdoors and give girls a unique summer camp experience. 

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

  The total cost for each program is $50.  Once approved, payment is due by May 5, 2024.

  Payments can be made here

• Outward Bound Information 2025 (12-07-2024) Applications availalbe now!

  This program runs will run in July of 2025.

  Applications for scholars are available now.  The deadline to apply is Jan 26, 2025.

   

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

• Burpee Camp Information-2025 -Applications available soon.

  Burpee Day Camp runs August 12-16, 2024.

  The program runs from 10am-2pm.   Please have your scholar at the LA by 9:30am every morning.

  Scholars should bring a bag lunch.

  Galapagos will provide transportation to and from the Lower Academy to the Burpee Museum.  Scholars should be picked up at the Lower Academy (back parking lot) at 2:20pm.

• Latino Youth Summit- Madison, WI (1-30-25) (Applications for 2025 now open!)

  The Latino Youth Summit takes place in Madison, WI the 25 and 26th of March  2025.

  Applications for 6th-8th grade scholars are open now until February 13, 2025.

  Apply for Latino Youth Summit

  Latino Youth Summit

  Chaperones: The trip is chaperoned by TBD.

  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.

  Hotel- TBD

  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 2/21/2025.  Medical Form Latino Youth Summit

  Please also fill out this scholarship form by by 2/21/2025

  8-20-BPC-Precollege-Scholarship-Application-1–

  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- the 2025 Trip is Complete.

  The application window for February 2025 is not closed.  Scholars were announced on December 12, 2024.

  This trip will take place from February 5 to February 9, 2025. (We will leave at 2:30pm from the Upper Academy on February 4, 2025.)  We will return to the Upper Academy on February 9, 2025 around 6:30pm.

  On the evening of Feburary 4, 2025 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 5-9 will be in Ely, MN.

  The Galapagos chaperones for this trip are 1) Michael Lane, CEO, and previous chaperone on trips to Costa Rica, Spain, Washington DC and Uganda 2) Deanna Hull, LA Social Worker, and previous chaperone to Utah and 2025 chaperone to Costa Rica.  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.

  In case of emergency, please call Megan Sisson, Outward Bound Partnership Manager, at (218) 491-6790.

  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 22, 2024- $25

  Jan 2, 2025 -$50

  Jan 9, 2025- $50

  Jan 16, 2025- $50

  Jan 23, 2025-$25 

  Payment can be made here:

  Pay for Winter Adventure

   

   

• Project Passport- Utah Dinosaur Diggers (02-14-25) 2025 application period closed.

  Project Passport Utah occur June 15 to June 21, 2025.

  Travel Information:

  We will leave as a group from the Lower Academy at 11:30am  We will take Bussie to the Amtrack station in Naperville, IL.  We will take the California Zephyr Train # 5 leaving at 2pm.  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 June 20, 2025 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 2:00pm on June 21.  The GRCS Bussie Shuttle will pick us up and we anticipate be back at the Lower Academy at 5:15pm.

  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:

  Martha De Luna- works as an Executve Assistant at the UA.

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

  Total Cost is $200 paid in four $50 installments.

  January 20, 2025

  February 20, 2025

  March 20, 2025

  April 20, 2025

  Pay for Utah Here