FREE CORE Program Information

Participants who will be enrolled in 7th-8th grade in the fall of this year, qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch at school and live in the U-46, D300, D129, or D131 School Districts are eligible for CORE

CORE at FVCA’s campus in St. Charles includes: 3 meals a day & snacks, canoeing, biking, nature walks, sports & games, arts & crafts, daily chapel times and great fun! Each session of CORE will run for two weeks, Sunday-Friday. Transportation will be provided to and from FVCA. Campers will be picked up by FVCA buses at 2:30 PM on Sunday and will return at 2:30 PM on Friday to the designated check in/out location(s) in your community.

Click here to view a copy of the daily camp schedule!

CORE 1 (Elgin & Aurora) 6/7-6/19

Vineyard Church of Elgin

220 Division Street, Elgin IL

First Presbyterian Church Aurora

325 E Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60505

CORE 2 (Aurora) 6/21-7/3

First Presbyterian Church Aurora

325 E Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60505

Note that CORE 3 is a 1 week program

CORE 3 (Elgin & Aurora) 7/5-7/10

Vineyard Church of Elgin

220 Division Street, Elgin IL

Main Baptist Church

814 E Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL 60505

FVCA Campus

35W624 Riverwoods Ln, St. Charles IL

At our 88 acre campus in St Charles.

(Click here to explore our campus)

Click here to see our recommended packing list!

FVCA offers our CORE Teen Leadership Program to provide an important opportunity for teens to grow and learn new things in a safe and fun environment. This may be the first time that your teen gets to paddle a canoe, ride on a pontoon boat, or create an art project using only things they find in the woods! They will have valuable discussions and activities which will help them grow as young leaders and prepare for a greater future. The CORE Program also provides opportunities for teens to grow in their independence and learn how to work with others. It also provides a unique opportunity to experience God, to learn more about Jesus, and to grow in faith if they choose to do so.

We have a packed schedule planned for your participant! If they are spending time on the phone with you, then they’re missing out on valuble time and experiences with friends. FVCA encourages parents to allow thier child to experience the independence of a summer camp program. In the event that you would like to speak with your child, we can arrange a time.

Since 1977, FVCA (also known as Riverwoods) has been providing a free summer camp for qualified children in the Fox Valley. Additionally, FVCA is accredited by the American Camp Association. This accreditation means that Fox Valley Christian Action thoroughly reviews operational practices, seeks the wisdom of other camp professionals, and continually makes improvements to comply with more than 300 written standards. Only one-fourth of the camps in the US are approved by the American Camp Association and FVCA is committed to the highest standards in health and safety for your children. This includes carefully screening and training all of our staff. All of our staff are at least 16 years old and most of them are 18 or older. We operate in small groups, usually no more than 7 kids per staff member, and staff members are never alone with an individual child. Designated staff members have been certified in First Aid and CPR.

Accreditation also means we do practical things like wearing helmets when we ride bikes and wearing life jackets anytime we’re in a boat! We are also committed to the highest standards of health and safety regarding Covid-19, including daily health screenings for all staff and campers, regular hand sanitizing, masking, proper social distancing for all activities, and consistent sanitizing of our vehicles and facilities. We are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association!

Camp registration opens in March of each year, and closes in July.

Click here to register!