Registration IS OPEN!
JULY 13–17, 2026
ONE WONDERFUL, FAITH-FILLED WEEK!
July 13-17, 2026
Register now for the most impactful week of your summer!
Where Faith & Fun Unite
Three Summer Opportunities
Campers entering K-5th grade in the fall
July 13–17
RAINFOREST FALLS
Entering K–5th grades this fall
July 13–17
9:00 am–12:15 pm daily
$125* per camper
Get ready for a week packed with exciting things to do! Campers will make new friends, enjoy a variety of activities, and have fun with the central focus of building their relationship with God. Together they will learn about and experience God’s love and truth through Scripture, music, hands-on experiments, games, and more.
Campers will plunge into a lifelong adventure of discovering the nature of God. They’ll explore what it means to be rooted in relationship with God, their creator, a safe place in life’s storms.
- Hands-on learning and activities
- Develop relationships with God and others
- Bible exploration and memory verses
- Singing and worship
- Themed days
- Camp t-shirt!
*FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. Contact Camp Director Maggie Downs at maggie.downs@firstpresrf.org.
Campers entering 6-9th grades in the fall
July 13–17
CAMP CREW—RAINFOREST FALLS
Entering 6–9th grades this fall
July 13–17
8:45 am–12:30 pm daily
NO FEE
Camp CREW come alongside camp leaders to support every part of the day—games, worship, small groups, snacks, and all the in-between moments that matter most. You’ll build meaningful relationships, grow in leadership and faith, laugh a lot, and be part of something that truly matters.
July 13–18
THE GREAT ESCAPE
Entering 6–9th grades this fall
Monday, July 13 through Saturday, July 18
Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin
$600* per camper (includes camp fees, all meals, and transportation to/from camp)
Join First Pres River Forest at The Great Escape Midwest! This camp provides the opportunity to share time together in community on the lakefront at the beautiful Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wisconsin. Campers will enjoy numerous activities, worship opportunities, speakers, small group time, banana boats and more!
Check out a clip from the 2025 camp to see what the fun is all about! Limited spots available.
*FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE. Contact Camp Director Maggie Downs at maggie.downs@firstpresrf.org.
Frequently Asked Questions | RAINFOREST FALLS CAMP
These FAQs apply only to on-site Summer Bible Camp at First Pres River Forest.
Camp Times
Summer Bible Camp begins promptly at 9:00 am each day, and ends at 12:15 pm each day.
Summer Bible Camp is for kids who will be in Kindergarten through 5th grade in the fall of 2026. New opportunities this year for kids entering 6–8th grade in the fall, as well!
REQUIRED FORMS
Each child needs to have a completed medical information form to attend camp. An optional Bike Riding Permission Form is available for 3-5 grade campers. (See “Riding Bikes to Camp” tab).
Forms available after registration opens.
Yes. You may send a PDF, PNG, or JPG of your completed signed form(s) to office@firstpresrf.org anytime.
RIDING BIKES TO CAMP
Biking Riding Policy for 3rd-5th Grade | If you would like your child (entering 3rd – 5th grade) to ride their bike, please carefully read the following rules, and complete a Bike Riding Permission Slip, available after registration opens
Monday: All children must be dropped off and picked up by a parent or guardian, no bike riding on Monday.
Tuesday – Friday: Kids in 3rd – 5th grade may ride bikes.
Permission Slip Required
- Each child must have a completed Bike Riding Permission Slip on file by Monday at 1:00 pm, to ride their bike Tuesday – Friday.
- No riding in parking lot. Kids must walk their bikes on the sidewalk around the church to the bike rack on Quick Ave. across from the tennis courts.
- Bike racks are located on Quick Ave. across from the tennis courts. Bikes are only to be locked up at bike rack. Not the church fence.
Helmets
- Children will receive a backpack on Monday, that they can put their helmets in.
- Each child is responsible for carrying their helmet in their backpack with them during the day.
Check In & Check Out
- Students must check in and out with “Bike Monitor” and Crew Leaders each day.
- The Bike Monitor will have a list of kids who may ride their bikes.
- If their name is not on the list, their parents will be called.
- If the Bike Monitor does not see the child checked in by 9:30 am, their parents will be called.
If a child does not follow the rules, they forfeit the right to ride their bike.
Your camper’s safety is our top priority. Thank you!
Yes. You may send a PDF, PNG, or JPG of your completed signed Bike Riding Permission Slip to office@firstpresrf.org anytime.
PREPARING FOR CAMP & Crazy Days
Please send your camper to camp each day in their camp shirt, shorts, socks, and gym shoes.
Crazy Days are a way for campers to have fun with what they wear to camp each day. Crazy Days are completely optional, though most campers participate in some way.
This year’s schedule will be posted soon!
CAMP SNACKS
All campers will be offered a pre-packaged snack and plenty of water during the morning. All snacks are nut-free, and gluten-free options are available each day.
Our 2026 snack schedule will be posted soon!
health and safety
If your camper gets sick we will contact you to pick up your camper. In the rare event of a serious injury, you will be notified immediately and, if you are unavailable, we will contact those on your emergency contact list.
Please call 708-366-5822 or email the church office at office@firstpresrf.org as soon as possible.
If your child requires medication, a form will be required. Please give medications to your child’s leader in a sealed, Ziploc bag with the child’s name, grade, instructions and parent’s phone number. Group leaders will be responsible for holding onto medications.
FOOD & ALLERGY POLICY
Safety is top priority at First Pres. Our camps are committed to being allergy-safe. While our church camps are not allergen-free, we strive to make our camp environments as safe as possible for children with food allergies using a customized approach and working closely with each family to develop an action plan for the child. Only store-bought, pre-packaged items will be offered.
Registration
Registration opens at 9:00 am on Tuesday, February 17. To be added to our email list, please click here.
Registrations cancelled before May 15, will receive a full-refund. Cancellations between May 16 and June 16 receive a 50% refund, and no refunds will be given after June 17.
FEE ASSISTANCE
Fee assistance is available. Please email the office at office@firstpresrf.org to request fee assistance. Be sure to register your child before emailing the office to hold your spot.
ABOUT FIRST PRES RIVER FOREST
First Pres is a community dedicated to growing as apprentices of Jesus Christ to reflect God’s love. Each year, we offer Summer Bible Camps to all children.
We are honored to have your children join us for a week of faith-filled fun!
The mission of First Pres Kids is to teach all children how to love God and others, and to follow God’s Son, Jesus.