Banner Day Camp — Local services in Contiguous United States

This is one place that DEFINITELY needs to be reformed with the way they treat their employees. The high school and college staff is 100000% taken advantage of and ALL other staff knows about this! I was a lifeguard/swim instructor while in college. First thing I’d like to comment on is the fact that we had no WHISTLES. We were told that whistles would scare the kids and were instead supposed to physically yell “whistle, whistle, whistle”. Do you really want your kid in a pool with no whistles? It came down to whistles costing money.

Also, we had no umbrellas. My brother was a lifeguard at a neighborhood pool, and I know that it is a REQUIREMENT for lifeguards to have umbrellas. Also, it’s a requirement for lifeguards to have many breaks throughout the day due to our constant exposure to the sun. Meanwhile, we had the shortest lunch break out of any of the staff let alone many breaks. We still had to work while some campers ate lunch (half of the lifeguards got a 20 minute lunch break and then the next did).

To top it all off (and trust me there’s more than what I’m writing), we got payed about $4-5 an hour. When we would receive our checks, it would say that we got payed about $30 an hour and worked for a few hours a week. Seems legit. Campers’ parents pay about a $1000 a week, and I think that they’d like the people taking care of their children to be taken care of as well. I’m not here to bash, I’m here to put the truth forward so that CHANGE comes about. All I know is that after that summer, I went to be a camp counselor for the Buffalo Grove Park District where we were not only treated humanely but were also payed above minimum wage. When things change, I will be more than happy to change my review.

Make this place a safe haven for BOTH...

All three of my sons have gone to Banner Day Camp since they were very little, and it has truly been one of the most special parts of their childhood. They look forward to Banner all year long and have the most incredible summers there. The counselors and directors are beyond kind, loving, and caring—you can feel how much they genuinely care about each child. I have always been so impressed with the communication between the counselors, directors and parents at Banner. They are proactive, and make sure we are always informed, which creates such a strong sense of trust.

The variety of activities offered is unmatched by any other camp in the area, and each of my kids has discovered new interests and skills along the way. One of the biggest gifts Banner has given our family is swimming—each of my boys became phenomenal swimmers thanks to the amazing instruction.

We are so grateful to Banner for creating such a fun, safe, and nurturing place. It’s truly a second home for our kids, and we can’t recommend it...

Banner Day Camp is truly an extraordinary place. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was a camper, a staff member, and now my own children spend their summers at Banner. Watching them experience the same joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that I did is incredibly special.

The staff at Banner go above and beyond to make every camper feel seen, supported, and celebrated. The programming is intentional and creative. From swim lessons and outdoor adventures to music, arts, and team-building games, everything is designed to help kids grow socially and emotionally while having the time of their lives.

What makes Banner so unique is the culture. It’s positive, inclusive, and filled with genuine warmth. The Leadership Team truly cares about every child and every staff member, and it shows in every detail of camp life. Banner has shaped who I am and continues to shape my kids in the best ways possible. It’s not just a camp — it’s a family, a tradition, and a home...