From Our Family to Yours
Fred Greenburg always believed there was something special about summer camp—the friendships, the traditions, the independence, and the memories kids carry with them long after summer ends.
His love of camp began in the 1960s, when he was a teenager working at Deborah Boys’ Club, an overnight camp. Over the years, Fred continued doing what he loved, directing an overnight camp for children with disabilities in the 1970s and day camps throughout the Chicago area in the 1980s.
But Fred had a bigger dream: to create a camp of his own in the heart of Lincoln Park—a place where Chicago kids could feel safe, make friends, try new things, and experience the spirit and traditions of overnight camp without ever leaving the city.
In 1994, Fred and his wife, Lynne, brought that dream to life with the opening of Fred’s Camp. Together with their children, Jodi and Mark, Fred and Lynne turned their family’s dream into a summer tradition that generations of Chicago families have come to call their own.
More than 30 years later, Jodi and Mark are proud to carry on what their parents started. Along with longtime staff, former campers, and generations of Fred’s Camp families, they continue to create the kind of summers Fred envisioned from the very beginning—filled with friendships, traditions, laughter, and plenty of good old-fashioned camp fun.
Our Mission
At Fred’s Camp, our mission is to create a safe, fun, and welcoming neighborhood summer camp where every child feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to grow. Through friendships, teamwork, new experiences, and classic camp traditions, we help campers build confidence, independence, responsibility, and the skills they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.
That mission extends to the young adults who care for and lead our campers each day. We are committed to helping our counselors grow as communicators, role models, teammates, and leaders—giving them meaningful responsibility and skills they can carry with them long after their summers at Fred’s Camp.
Together, we’re creating great summers for kids, strengthening our camp community, and developing the next generation of leaders.
June 20th, 1994
The Journey Begins – First Day Of Camp
Winter, 2000
Alumni Hall (opened in 1956), original Site of FC closes
Summer, 2000
Fred’s Camp Moves Into Ray Meyer Fitness Center
July, 2022
29th Annual Color War Competition
