Hike In Kendall Co. Summer Camp Fee Will Help Earn High Revenue

KENDALL COUNTY, IL — As the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the county budget negatively, the Kendall County Board unanimously voted to approve a $5 fee hike for all summer camps run by the county forest preserve district during its Tuesday meeting.

The fee hike will apply to the district’s environmental education and equestrian camps. In November, county commissioners had slashed the district’s operating budget to avoid a budget deficit.

According to county documents, the new fee for participants through ninth grade will now be $190-$200. The district's pony camps will now run $70 for a one-day camp and $205 for a three-day camp.

Enrollment for forest preserve district summer camps opened Wednesday. Total camp enrollment will depend on pandemic restrictions as of summer.

How the new fees impact the district’s budget will also depend on future COVID-19 restrictions. If all restrictions are lifted by the summer, the district could earn nearly $20,000 with the newly approved fees. If restrictions remain, the district expects only about $10,000 in revenue from its summer camps, according to county documents.