ParkTalk Blog – New Programs Coming Spring 2026!

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Naperville Park District offers a wide variety of programs for all ages and interests to enjoy. More than 8,000 recreational classes, athletic teams, events and performances are offered annually, providing community members with the opportunity to discover new passions or participate in something they already love. Every quarter, new programs are added to the seasonal Program Guide to ensure variety while serving the vast recreational needs and interests of residents.

Many of the new programs that are added are recommended through the New Program Request Form – an online form on the Park District’s website where anyone can submit their ideas for programs they would like to see the District offer. Once the Park District receives the program request, Program Managers review them to determine whether the program aligns with the District’s mission, vision and core values of promoting healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community. If the program is already offered, staff will consider reevaluating the existing program and potentially revamp it to meet current recreation trends. Additionally, Program Managers often generate new program ideas to fill a need.

The 2026 Spring Program Guide will be available exclusively on the Park District’s website beginning Wednesday, February 25. During the spring season, the Program Guide highlights popular outdoor Park District facilities that reopen following winter. Additionally, the Spring Program Guide features a wide variety of summer camps for kids of all ages. Additionally, new programs and summer camps will be featured in the 2026 Spring Program Guide; here is a sampling that parents and youth alike can discover and learn more about: 

Good Times Day Camp | Ages 6-9

Naperville Park District offers a variety of summer camp options that best meet the needs of the participant and their family. Regardless of the camp, participants will have a great summer full of fun activities and memorable experiences. In the past, Camp Frontier and Camp Seager were the only two full-day, week-long camps, meeting at either Frontier Sports Complex or Seager Park. However, the Park District’s new camp, Good Times Day Camp, is a new full-day camp with access to an indoor facility throughout the day. Campers will participate in the same activities as the other full-day camps, including trips to Centennial Beach and weekly field trips to new destinations, but they also have the opportunity to participate in engaging indoor activities as well.

Boom! Kids Art Camp | Ages 10-17

The Naperville Park District summer camp offerings also include special-interest camps focused on specific subjects, including arts, athletics, science and technology and more. These camps give participants the opportunity to spend their summer exploring a new passion or delving further into a topic they already enjoy. One of the new art camps, Boom! Kids Art Camp, encourages students to follow their artistic vision. Using recycled materials such as corks, string, old toys and more, participants will spend a week of their summer bringing their creative ideas to life with the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Dreaming About STEAM Club | Ages 6-12

The acronym “STEAM” stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math, and it is an expanded approach to STEM with the inclusion of the arts. STEAM programs aim to teach students to think critically, innovate and use engineering or technology to address real-world problems. While the Park District offers a variety of STEAM-based summer camps, Dreaming About STEAM Club is an eight-week program beginning in early April where students will explore the wonders of space. This program is perfect for children with a fascination for science as participants will perform new experiments each week and learn about the cosmos through hands-on activities.

Quilting Beginner | Ages 16 and Up

Quilting is a valuable skill that involves stitching at least three layers of fabric together using a needle and thread or a sewing machine. Over the course of four weeks, participants will learn the proper techniques of quilting and as they create their own quilted lap blanket. Similar to sewing, quilting can be therapeutic as it can help reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment quilters feel as they progress through their project boosts self-esteem and confidence. Quilting is a popular and practical hobby, and individuals interested in learning about it can get hands-on practice through this program.

The Naperville Park District offers a variety of programs each season for many interests and age groups. To learn more about other programs, presentations, trips and more this spring, view the 2026 Program Guide beginning Wednesday, February 25 at www.napervilleparks.org/programguides. Registration for spring programs begins Monday, March 2 at 8:30 a.m. for Naperville residents.