Summer in the City

Quick SITC Q&A

For over 20 years, St. James Cathedral has dedicated itself to helping young people discover treasure in Chicago, themselves, and others with its two-week nonresidential camp, Summer in the City.

How do I register my 8-13 year-old?

  • Click HERE for the registration form. 

Can I volunteer this summer?

  • Yes! Sign up HERE.

How do I donate to SITC?

  • Learn more about donations and sponsorship levels HERE!

Questions?

General SitC Program Information 

For over 20 years, St. James Cathedral has dedicated itself to helping young people discover treasure in Chicago, themselves, and others with its two-week nonresidential camp, Summer in the City.

What is Summer in the City?

  • Summer in the City (SITC), a ministry of St. James Episcopal Cathedral together with St. Martin's Episcopal Church, is a non-residential day camp for 35 campers 8-13 years old from different parts of the city. SITC allows Chicago youth to discover treasure in their city, themselves, and others.  

When is Summer in the City 2025?

  • Summer in the City is from July 21 - August 1, 2025
  • SITC Sunday - August 3, 2025

Where is Summer in the City 2025?

  • Much of this year's camp will take place at St. Martin's Chicago, 5700 Midway Park, with portions of the second week and SITC Sunday taking place at St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron.

How much does Summer in the City cost?

  • SITC is free thanks to the generosity of the St. James community
  • Want to donate? Do it HERE!

Who can be a camper at Summer in the City?

  • Anyone who lives in the greater Chicago area and is between the ages of 8 to 13 by or on July 4, 2025

Who can be a SITC Staff member?

  • Anyone who lives in the greater Chicago area and is 18 years of age or older by July 4, 2025. Apply to be a Counselor here.

Who makes Summer in the City possible?

  • SITC is hosted by St. Martin's Episcopal Church and St. James Cathedral and is organized and run by Summer in the City staff and volunteers from St. James and St. Martin's. 

What is the program for Summer in the City 2025?

  • This is an environmentally conscious program.  It is ecologically focused and crafted to enhance campers' awareness, engagement, health, and self-sufficiency as they comprehend their environment concerning the biosphere and the planet.  By understanding this, the hope is that campers will come to recognize that they are not the sole living species (that humans are not the only personhood that exists) on the planet and that other living organisms possessing personhood exist alongside them, enhancing their compassion for stewardship.

  • Two main projects for this year's camp are mini-ecosystems, one a terrestrial terrarium and the other an aquatic terrarium.  We will let the campers pick which ones they want to do, and they will make videos showing their work.  They will be given a brief introduction to the ecosystem, ecosystem disruptions, and biodiversity, and what they can do to make this planet a better place for all living and non-living things.

  • The other parts of the day and the final week will include various eco-centered components. There will be a culinary, photography, and art component, including performance art and music; a gardening component that will consist of herbal planting and soil potting; and a worm compost component.

How do I get more information?

  • Stay tuned for more information about Summer in the City 2025. If you have questions in the meantime, please contact sitc@saintjamescathedral.org.
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