Things-to-Do/Outdoor-Activities/Youth-Group-Camping

Youth-Group Camping

The Forest Preserve District has semiprimitive areas just for tents at five forest preserves — Blackwell, Churchill Woods, Greene Valley, Herrick Lake, Pratt's Wayne Woods and Waterfall Glen — plus a cabin at Herrick Lake.

You can get an application on this page but can only make reservations through Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.

The areas are exclusively for youth groups, which are defined as recognized, nonprofit organizations whose members are 17 or younger. Only members of these groups with their accompanying leaders may camp in these areas, and permits and adult supervision of one leader 21 or older for every 10 children are mandatory.

The sites are open year-round and have portable toilets, trash and recycling containers, water pumps, picnic tables, fire rings and a limited supply of firewood. (Outside firewood is not allowed.) Only the cabin has electricity.

Camping Requirements

The youth group cabin and campgrounds are for the exclusive use of youth groups, which are defined as recognized, nonprofit organizations whose members are 17 or younger. A recognized group must be organized with by-laws, have an Article of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State, and be insured on forest preserve property with a current certificate of insurance on file.

Only members of qualifying groups with their accompanying leaders may camp in these areas.

Adult supervision of one group leader 21 or older for every 10 members 17 or younger is mandatory for the duration of the stay.

A youth camping permit requires receipt of a valid Council Charter Certificate if a Scouting event or a certificate of insurance as soon as possible. Charter certificates must be valid for the specific youth event date and can be emailed to permits@dupageforest.org or faxed to 630-933-7217.

Permits & Fees

To purchase a youth-group camping permit, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at least seven full business days in advance. For other options, download our youth-group camping permit application (PDF).

Fees are per site per night and are nonrefundable regardless of the reason you cancel (even for the weather). You can, however, change your reservation once at least seven business days in advance over the phone for an additional $5.

Forest Preserve

Capacity

DuPage
Resident

Nonresident

Blackwell

Sites 1 – 12 (PDF)
(Site 12 is ADA-compliant)

$25

$30

Churchill Woods

Site 1 (PDF)

$25

$30

Site 2 (PDF)

$50

$60

Greene Valley

Site 1 (PDF)

100

$100

$120

Sites 2 – 9 (PDF)
Site 9 is ADA compliant

$25

$30

Site 10 (PDF)

$75

$90

Herrick Lake

(Closed until further notice)

Cabin (PDF)

$50

$60

Pratt's Wayne Woods

Sites 1 – 2 (PDF)

$25

$30

Waterfall Glen

Sites 1 – 2 (PDF)

$25

$30

Youth-Group Rules & Regulations

For everyone’s safety and enjoyment, you must follow these rules and regulations, which the Forest Preserve District may change at any time.

As the permit holder, you must be at the cabin or campground at your set check-in time with your permit and remain on-site for the duration of your group’s stay. Only members of your qualifying youth group with their accompanying leaders can camp at your site.
You must have adult supervision of one leader 21 or older for every 10 members 17 or younger for the duration of your group’s stay.
Do not bring alcoholic beverages into the forest preserve, campground or cabin; alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Stay near your site after dusk and remain in the campground when the forest preserve is closed (one hour after sunset until one hour after sunrise). Guests must leave by 10 p.m.
Do not enter another site without permission from an adult leader from that group.
Do not tent camp at the Herrick Lake youth-group cabin.
Do not trench around tents, attach clotheslines or lanterns to trees, or otherwise disrupt the natural environment.
Do not bring outside firewood or cut or collect live or dead wood. Firewood is provided.
Keep ground fires within the designated fire ring. Extinguish your fire and make sure it’s cold to the touch before you leave your site.
Keep your site clean and put trash in the appropriate garbage or recycling containers. After you pack up, make sure your site looks as it did when you arrived.
If you use stereos or similar equipment, only do so between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and only at volumes that do not disturb others. Use gasoline or diesel engines or generators only during these times as well. Keep all noise to a minimum after 10 p.m.
Pets are not allowed at the Herrick Lake cabin. If you bring pets to one of the other youth-group campgrounds, stay with them at all times; do not tie them to any trees, plants, buildings or equipment; always keep them leashed and quiet; and pick up any waste.

As a permit holder you agree to abide by these rules and regulations as well as all Forest Preserve District ordinances and administrative orders and state statutes. You also understand that the Forest Preserve District may fine you or revoke your permit without refunding your permit fee if you supply false information on your application or fail to comply with any rules, regulations, ordinances, orders or statutes.

Youth-Group Camping

Youth-Group Camping

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Youth-Group Rules & Regulations

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