REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Registration for Current Y.O.U. Families: Feb 15-March 28
Open to Community: March 29
All Registration Closes May 1

We are thrilled that our Summer Program is expanding! This year, we’re excited to offer more opportunities for youth of Evanston to join us for a summer full of learning, connection, and fun.

What does the Y.O.U. Summer Program offer?
★​​​​​​ ​Creative Workshops: Hands-on activities in art, music, and creative writing.
★ STEM Learning: Fun, engaging projects in science, technology, engineering, and math.
★ Field Trips: Weekly adventures to exciting destinations in and around Chicago.
★ Recreation & Wellness: Sports, games, mindfulness activities, and plenty of outdoor fun.
★ Community Building: Opportunities to connect with peers and caring mentors in a safe, supportive environment.

Our program is rooted in Y.O.U.’s commitment to youth empowerment, offering a structured yet flexible environment where every participant can grow, explore their interests, and build meaningful relationships.

Program Dates: June 16-August 1
Location: Elementary School Program: Oakton Elementary School, Middle School Program: Chute Middle School
Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: Free and Paid Options Available! Our cost is based on a sliding scale of household income. See below for chart showing annual household income and applicable fee. The sustainability of this program relies on your honesty and integrity to pay the appropriate amount. We do understand that household income does not provide a complete picture however, it is essential that each family contribute as much as they can afford. Local fundraising efforts and donations bridge the gap.

Who can join?
The program is open to youth entering grades 2-8 in the fall. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged!

For more information or to express interest in the program, contact us at info@youthopportunity.org.

Let’s make this summer one to remember—empowering Evanston’s youth together!

FAQs

Why is Y.O.U. opening to the community? 
For many years, Y.O.U. received government funding that identified the schools and students that could be served by our program.  Our government funding has now changed which allows us an exciting opportunity to offer our fun and engaging program to more students.

Our family qualifies for free and reduced lunch. Will we have to pay the summer tuition fee? 
If your family qualifies for free and reduced lunch, you will not be asked to pay the summer tuition fee. Please use the sliding scale as a guide for registration fees.

We have attended Y.O.U. and though we do not qualify for free and reduced lunch, we haven’t had to pay a fee. Will we need to pay now? 
We understand that household income does not provide a complete picture of a financial situation. The Y.O.U. program costs over $1800 per child.  We ask that families who are able to utilize the sliding scale. 

What if I can afford a portion of the fee but not the full amount?
Y.O.U. is offering a sliding scale based on household income. The sustainability of our program relies on your honesty and integrity to pay the appropriate amount. We do understand that household income does not provide a complete picture however, it is essential that each family contribute as much as they can afford. Local fundraising efforts and donations bridge the gap.

How do I register without paying?
Click this link and it will take you to the registration page on our website. 

Why are there two different registration timeframes?
We want to make sure that the youth we have historically served and who are guaranteed service under other existing grants have the opportunity to register for our program before opening it to the community. We anticipate our sites will fill quickly and have dedicated a percentage of our available spots to youth we have already served. 

What if I miss the Current Y.O.U. Participant Registration deadline? Can I still register?
Yes! Registration ends on May 1, 2025. 

We are new to Y.O.U., what can we expect a day at summer program to look like?
A typical day includes opportunities for recreation time; a choice of enriched learning activities like art, music, dance, STEM, and sports & wellness, lunch, and a variety of fun social/community-building activities. We also have weekly outings which may be field trips to local museums, interesting sites in the Chicagoland area, recreational activities, or even beach days!

We’re not sure of our summer plans yet. If we register and pay for Y.O.U. and circumstances change, can we get a refund? 
Full refunds, minus processing fees, will be administered up to June 16. If you sign up and need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible as it will open up a spot for a youth on waitlist. 

Does Y.O.U. offer before and after camp care?
At this time, Y.O.U. does not provide before and after camp care. We offer a full day of activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day!

We will be out of town for part of the summer. Is there a partial program option? 
If you are interested in a half summer option please contact us at info@youthopportunity.org.