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REGISTRATION OPENING May 30, 2025.
We are still making edits to this page and adjusting the associated Shopify registration.
Welcome to the 2025 Caveman Chess Camp
July 20-25 at Hilton/Chicago-Northbrook
2855 North Milwaukee Avenue, Northbrook, IL 60062
Followed by the US Blind Open, US Junior Open, US Senior Open, Caveman Not JR/SR (Medior) Open, Beginner Open 1, Beginner Open 2, US Junior Blitz, US Senior & Caveman Medior Quick, Friday Fun, July 25-27 $40K in prizes! Over 80 Plaques. 370 Grand Prix points
“This camp is definitely tailored for chess lovers, and it was amazing.”
Overview
What’s Included in the Camp?
A week of high quality instruction
A camp with for all ages, abilities, and experience
A tailored experience via our “camps-within-a-camp” approach
An immersive learning experience by engaging directly with
fellow campers
with Instructors
Premier players and teachers
Instructors are mostly internationally titled:
FIDE Masters, International Masters, Grandmasters, FIDE Trainers, or
Nationally titled US Chess titled Masters, Senior Masters, chess coaches, etc.
Some of our youngest and beginning students may receive a well-established educator who is an Expert or possibly a high-class A strength, and trained in classical chess instruction
The immersive experience fosters accelerated learning, new chess friendships, and resources
11 classes tailored to age and strength
14 classes for Intensive Study
Rotating instructor staff
Base instructor for approximately 50% of classes
Rotating instructors for the remaining 50%
All campers received grandmaster instruction
Classical instruction
Advocating for comprehension over memorization
Provides better learning transference to other topics
Chess-related activities
Simultaneous exhibitions
A championship tournament tailored to age and strength
Tournament and assignments differ
Master and Grandmaster review of championshp tournament games
US Chess rated quick chess tournament
Unrated Blitz and bughouse tournaments
13 hours each day of chess and physical activities
Physical activity is a key part for all chess players
Roughly double what’s provided at most day camps
Emphasizing the importance of being well-rounded
A camp tee-shirt
A complimentary year-long membership to Chessable Pro, a chess training app supported by scientific research.
Several National Championship Chess tournaments follow the camp during part or all of the July 25th - 27th weekend- allowing campers to learn about multiple types of chess. All tournaments July 25-27th unless shown otherwise
2025 U.S. Junior Open ( born after January 1, 2004)
2025 U.S. Senior Open, (born before July 26, 1974)
2025 Caveman Medior Open (players born after July 25, 1974 and before January 2, 2004 )
U.S. Blind Open Championship.
Friday Fun (July 25th - perfect for younger campers who participate in the younger sections of the US Junior and need something to do Friday afternoon.)
Caveman Beginner Open 1 (July 26)
Caveman Beginner Open 2 (July 27)
US Junior Blitz (July 26)
Caveman Medior & US Senior Quick Chess (July 26)
Who May Attend the Camp?
The camp welcomes all players.
Players under 10 years of age (born after July 20, 2015) require a chaperone. There is a maximum of four campers per chaperone. The resident chaperone fee includes all meals and a camp t-shirt.
Roommates: We strongly encourage campers to get vaccinated. Roommates can register directly with the hotel through it’s direct link. Camp space is filled first-come, and spots cannot be held for a late-registering roommate.
To facilitate a positive camp experience, we request prior communication for players with physical challenges, ADHD, or spectrum disorders.
Items to Complete Before Registering
Upload Documents:
The Added Value of an Overnight Camp
Have you considered the value of an overnight camp compared to a day camp? We operate both and find each has merits. While overnight camps are more costly, they offer greater "cost per benefit" efficiency. Let's explore the reasons for this.
Day camps cater in part to parents needing childcare. Arrival and departure schedules allow for approximately five to six solid hours of instruction daily, plus a few hours for casual learning and games like Blitz and Bughouse.
Overnight camps, on the other hand, offer a comprehensive experience. Students engage in chess discussions with peers and mentors from morning to night. During meals, they can converse with a grandmaster, gleaning insights on optimal strategies for the London System or evaluating Bronstein's versus Najdorf's literature on the pivotal Zurich 1953 chess tournament, which spotlighted the King’s Indian Defense.
The immersive nature of overnight camps broadens the educational environment to include daily analyses of championship games, communal meals, and evening group activities. This collective experience bolsters the day's lessons and facilitates a "learn and confirm" process among participants.
These elements combine to render overnight camps a more intensive educational journey.
Detailed Class Descriptions
Explorer
For players of all ages & strengths. Campers are grouped by like ability & age for classes. Evening events: blitz, quick & bughouse
Intensive Study (“IS”):
All Intensive Study sections include the evening lecture series & separate camp activities for blitz, quick & bughouse.
Advanced Youth:
Under 18 with 1500+ rating – for strong students. This includes greater classroom rigor.
Advanced Adult:
18 & over OR rating of 1700+. Intended for serious adult students with greater classroom rigor. This session will admit serious, mature-acting youth students who meet the requirements & have camp director approval.
Fundamental Adult:
18 & over. For the novice to moderate strength adult interested in strengthening their chess knowledge for themselves or for teaching others. Includes take-away materials, & for those interested in coaching, a letter of recommendation for the USCF Certified Chess Coach Program. Stronger players should consider IS-Advanced Adult.
Intensive Study Master Class:
For serious players (including mature-acting youth) rated over 2000. Includes the evening lecture series, instruction by GMs only, electronic ChessBase format class materials, & the tournament section will be limited to the strongest players only (allowances for camp size). Masters are encouraged to participate. See online information class strength.
There are two ways to register for your room. The methods differ, but there is no difference in pricing if you are room sharing with the same number of people.
Direct Hotel Registration - YOU create the room assignment: You may register for the camp and your room separately, in which case, you can use our camp link of www.cavechess.cc/festival-camp-hotel. This gives you the camp price, and full control over your room, and any other people staying in your room, just as in a normal hotel reservation. If you are registering a room for one person, please register this way.
Hotel Registration Through the Camp - Automatic Room Assignment by the Camp: In this case we will have you pay for the camp. We will also securely take and hold your credit card information. We will then assign your requested number of additional campers to your camper’s room - and report all the campers and credit card information to the hotel on your behalf. We will do this reporting to the hotel weekly.
Your camp charges will still come from the camp - and hotel charges will be split for the hotel.
Register for your hotel room here: https://cavechess.cc/Festival-Camp-Hotel
The camp will be at the Hilton-Chicago/Northbrook.
Campers under age 18 will be assigned to a single floor, separate from other guests.
We will have camp counselors on the same floor.
Camp pricing is $125 a night for 1-4 people per room.
Campers can save significantly with multiple people per room.
Each room includes a refrigerator that can be used for various medicines
The sink for each room is separate from the bathroom, so multiple people can get ready simultaneously
Camp meals are part of camp pricing, not hotel pricing
Information on Tournament Hotel Rooms is at this link: <TBA>
A travel and room-sharing forum is at Caveman Chess Community Forum
Why Did the Camp Move to a Hotel?
The decision to move the camp to a hotel was prompted by the challenges we faced with college venues since COVID, which often led to disorganization and increased stress. We have partnered with a reputable hotel to ensure a smoother camp experience. In 2024 the hotel had an issue with their air conditioning. All of the air conditioning has been replaced and upgraded.
Room Security at a Hotel
We have camp counselors who are assigned to watch the halls in the evenings. Additionally, we are coordinating with the hotel so that under-age 18 campers and any Chaperone parents, but no other adults besides counselors, will be on that floor. If you do not register as a Chaperone, we will look to locate you on a different floor. Unlike dorms, where there was often a central hall restroom, each hotel room has a bathroom (and a fridge), so there is no reason for any camper to be in the hallways after lights out. The presence of any adult on the floor will be an immediate red flag for all counselors. This differs from colleges, where there may be more than one camp sharing a dorm space.
Room Sharing and Roommates
Under this strategy, unlike the camp-college location strategy, room assignments are up to the campers. Some campers come with siblings, and some have friends. To assist people in finding room-share partners, we have set up a forum at https://cavechess.cc/Festival-Room-Travel-Forum. At that forum, you may make posts describing the age, strength, etc., of a roommate camper that you would like to find.
If a camper is looking for a room-share partner, we would be happy to put some (nameless) notice in our email blast to campers and potential campers to help get that process off the ground.
We anticipate that campers will share room costs something like this:
One person will register the room (it is required to have a “point-person.”)
As that person gains roommates, they will add those roommates to the room, allowing those roommates to obtain keys
We anticipate most people will share room costs via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or cash options.
You can find links to these items at www.cavemanchess.com/festival.
See below for more information on the Hotel.
Bus Information
There is a $35 bus that from Northbrook heads straight to Madison for the US Open. This will allow players to be given time to relax and not worry about expenses or time management. The bus begins leaves 07/27/25 at 7:00 p.m. and will arrive approximately 9:45 p.m. The link to acquire a bus ticket is here: https://cavechess.cc/madisonbus
Camp Sections and Class Assignments
Class assignments prioritize strength and age, with a stronger emphasis on the former. We primarily consider US Chess and FIDE ratings for placement. Other ratings are given less weight. If rating information is lacking, we may use additional data, including actual games and losses.
There exists a common misperception among chess parents that their children should advance to a higher camp section to face stronger players, akin to moving up a division in a tournament. However, this is usually not advisable. A class designed for 1500-rated players aims to teach them subsequent skills. Advancing them prematurely bypasses essential topics and puts them in a setting where they are expected to know material they have not yet covered. It's analogous to suggesting that because a child earned "A’s” in 3rd-grade math, they should skip ahead to 6th-grade math.
You may hear on the first day that your student isn’t “learning anything new.” New campers will often - incorrectly - tell their parents this, and by the second day, when the parents are reacting, the student realizes they’ve made an error.
There are two reasons why students make this error.
It's important to understand that students at the same rating level may not necessarily have the same knowledge. For instance, every student should know about the Four Elements of Chess, which includes analyzing using these elements; however, many students lack experiential understanding of this topic. Similarly, most students are not familiar with Steinitz's Six Meta-Principles of Chess, and therefore lack experiential knowledge of using these principles. This lack of knowledge can hinder their progress towards expert level. However, because we begin with something as simple as the “Four Elements” some students may become impatient with the learning process and look for shortcuts, skipping over important topics they think they already know. They mistake knowing of the Four Elements with knowing how to use the Four elements.
To address this issue, we walk students through several games using these tools, taking a day to a day and a half, and by the end of the process, students of all ages often express their surprise by saying, "Why didn't anyone tell me this before?" Unfortunately, some parents may not understand the importance of these topics and may feel that the instructor is wasting time on topics that their child already knows. However, it's important to remember that if the student knew these topics, their rating would already be much higher.In the initial classes, some effort is dedicated to establishing a common foundation and language for all. This is crucial for the ongoing development of students throughout the week. Learning isn't achieved by the wave of a magic wand; it involves engaging with and evaluating ideas throughout the week, then carrying those concepts and methodologies forward to facilitate continuous learning, and engaging with each other.
Please allow us the time to bridge learning gaps, ensuring students can progress more smoothly.
Remember that a camp section might have multiple classes. Based on the number of campers, there could be two or more Explorer classes of similar rank but different ages, or two or more Advanced Youth classes separated by age. It's important not to presume that one class is superior to another.
In modern chess tournaments, such as the camp championship, the competition is organized into various sections. These sections do not always align with the camp class divisions. For instance, students from the same class may be distributed across different tournament sections. Additionally, while age is almost irrelevant in determining tournament groupings, it plays a role in the assignment of camp classes.
Further, the camp tournament is about instruction and learning, not about only playing stronger players. It creates conditions that emulated a serious rated tournament and allow students to learn and try.
That a player has occasionally done well against higher-rated players isn’t an indicator that they are moving ahead. A good place to check is the players US Chess rating record. On the player’s main rating page choose “Show Game Statistics.”
What we will often see with players trying to advance too quickly is moderate scores against higher rated players - say 50% - but also moderate or even lower scores against a particular lower rating level - showing that the player is missing something and isn’t ready to advance.
If you wish to register yourself or your child for a higher section, do not call or email us. We are sorry, but we receive a high volume of such emails, and they make it very difficult to prepare for the camp.
Instead, please follow the Class-Exception-Policy. Email us **ONLY IF** if you have a question about how to follow that policy.
If your camper clearly qualifies for a section - for example, if they are US Chess Standard 1500 - a section like Advanced Youth is the correct registration. If they are short of qualification, for example, if they are 1680 and wish to be in Advanced Adult, register them in the appropriate section and request an exception to move up. See http://www.cavemanchess.com/class-exception-policy. If there is a pricing difference, we will charge the difference as of the time of your initial registration.
Chess has returned to mostly normal, so we are back to less flexibility in the policy to move up. Players will need to build a strong case to be in a higher section - both as a responsibility to themselves and to their fellow campers who expect them to participate at that higher level and contribute to class at that higher level.
Camp Fees Include
Camp hotel rooms are $125 per night for 1-4 people, double beds available. Cook County hotel tax is around 25%, so that four to a room brings the cost to $39 per night - obviously much cheaper per person per night, a significant savings.
The base fees of the camp are roughly the same with variances for level of instructor and attendance, which impacts meals. This is reflected in the pricing for various levels of instruction, and in the different meal levels. In addition to this, we have the camp t-shirt, photos, one-year subscription to Chessable Pro.
This year we have designed the camp with a few levels. They are:
Day Camp, which includes hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. This level does not include the evening events, and includes only a daily lunch meal, and the Sunday dinner, but still includes the t-shirt and Chessable Pro. Most chess day camps are chess enrichment classes - somewhere between chess education and a child-sitting service. Our day camp provides real instruction, and every camper will receive some grandmaster instruction, with other instruction by either titled or highly experienced instructors. Hence, our prices are a little higher than the typical day camp.
Resident Camper registration includes Sunday dinner, M-Th breakfast-lunch-dinner, and Friday breakfast. Each camper will also receive a one-year subscription to Chessable Pro. Campers must either register separately for a hotel room, or may register through the camp if they wish the camp to assign roomates (2, 3, or 4 total to a room, based on your registration preference.) We crossreference with the hotel to ensure that all resident campers are properly registered. Under age 18 campers will all be housed on one floor of the hotel. See hotel information for details.
The commuter fee includes camp registration, lunch, and dinner, M-Th, and Sunday dinner. Non-resident commuters still need to register Sunday afternoon and arrive for the Sunday evening dinner by 5:00 p.m. Non-residents need to arrive daily at the tournament room by 7:50 a.m. M-F and will plan to depart at approximately 9:00 p.m. Sun-Thu, and noon on Friday. If desired, non-residents may purchase additional meals at the hotel restaurant.
The Table Below Shows the Registration Price for Registration by June 16th. Amounts Shown are Per Registrant Per Room for the Week
| Includes | Explorer Section | Intensive Study | Master Class | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Camp | Lunch, T-shirt, Hours 8-5 only | $650 | N/A | N/A | |
| Commuter (Non-Resident) | Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt 8am-9pm. | $900 | $1,100 | $1,200 | |
| Resident, Direct Hotel Reservation by Camper (Total Estimated Price listed first. Camp Registration Price Underneath.) If you are registering multiple children, essentially use the commuter price, and add $125 + tax per night for the room. | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt | Camp registration $970. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $1,751.25 | Camp registration $1,170. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $1,951.25 | Camp registration $1,270. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $2,051.25 | |
| Resident, 1 Hotel reserved room through camp. | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt, 8am-9pm. | Camp registration $970. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $1,751.25 | Camp registration $1,170. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $1,951.25 | Camp registration $1,270. Estimated hotel costs from your direct reservation: $781.25. Total estimated costs: $2,051.25 | |
| Resident, 2 Hotel Reservations Per Room Through Camp, Roommates assigned through camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt, 8am-9pm. | $1,225 | $1,425 | $1,525 | |
| Resident, 3 Hotel Reservations Per Room Through Camp, Resident, Roommates assigned through camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt, 8am-9pm. | $1,125 | $1,325 | $1,425 | |
| Resident, 4 Hotel Reservations Per Room Through Camp, Roommates assigned through camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt, 8am-9pm. | $1,075 | $1,275 | $1,375 | |
| Chaperone | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, T-shirt | 375 | (600) | (700) | |
| For Regular Registrations from 6/16-7/4, add $100 to amounts above | |||||
| For Late Registration 7/5 through 7/18, add $300 to above table. | |||||
| Siblilng Discount: 15% discount of camp (not hotel) costs. Email us for a special code. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Camp Schedule
These tables below show the schedule for the 2025 Caveman Chess Overnight Camp from Sunday, July 20th to Friday, July 25th.
| Sunday | July 20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 3:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Camp Registration - Larch Room |
| 2:30 PM | 4:30 PM | $5 Blitz Tournament - Linden & Locust Rooms |
| 5:00 PM | 5:45 PM | Dinner - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Simultaneous Exhibition - Ballroom Section TBD |
| 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Chess/Play |
| 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Play/Counselors (Early Finishers) |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | In-Dorm |
| 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM | In-Room |
| 10:30 PM | 6:00 AM | Lights Out |
| Tuesday | July 22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 6:00 AM | 7:15 AM | Up, Shower, to Breakfast |
| 7:15 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast - TBD |
| 7:50 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:00 AM | 10:10 AM | Tournament #2 - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Analysis - TBD |
| 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Class No. 4 |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch - TBD |
| 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Class No. 5 |
| 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Class No. 6 AND PICTURES |
| 4:45 PM | 5:45 PM | Dinner - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 8:30 PM | CE Blitz - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 7:15 PM | IS (Combined) Lecture - Room 104 |
| 7:15 PM | 9:00 PM | IS Blitz - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | In-Dorm |
| 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM | In-Room |
| 10:30 PM | 6:00 AM | Lights Out |
| Thursday | July 24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 6:00 AM | 7:15 AM | Up, Shower, to Breakfast |
| 7:15 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast - TBD |
| 7:50 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:00 AM | 10:10 AM | Tournament #4 - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Analysis - TBD |
| 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Class No. 10 |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch - TBD |
| 1:00 PM | 2:15 PM | Class No. 11 |
| 2:15 PM | 2:30 PM | Break |
| 2:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Tournament #5 - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 2:45 PM | 4:30 PM | Analysis - TBD |
| 4:45 PM | 5:45 PM | Dinner - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 8:30 PM | Bughouse |
| 6:00 PM | 7:15 PM | IS (Combined) Lecture - Room 104 |
| 7:15 PM | 9:00 PM | IS Bughouse |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | In-Dorm |
| 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM | In-Room |
| 10:30 PM | 6:00 AM | Lights Out |
Quick Links & Downloads
Camp Registration:
Tournament Registration:
Items Before Registration:
Upload Documents:
Hotel Registration:
Caveman Chess Forum:
$35 Bus to US Open:
Exception Policy:
Photographer:
US Chess Federation:
| Monday | July 21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 6:00 AM | 7:15 AM | Up, Shower, to Breakfast |
| 7:15 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast - TBD |
| 7:50 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:00 AM | 10:10 AM | Tournament #1 - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Analysis - TBD |
| 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Class No. 1 |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch - TBD |
| 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Class No. 2 |
| 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Class No. 3 |
| 4:45 PM | 5:45 PM | Dinner - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Sports/Outdoor, Movies - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 7:15 PM | IS (Combined) Lecture - Room 104 |
| 7:15 PM | 9:00 PM | Under 18 - IS: Join Sportsnight |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | In-Dorm |
| 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM | In-Room |
| 10:30 PM | 6:00 AM | Lights Out |
| Wednesday | July 23 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 6:00 AM | 7:15 AM | Up, Shower, to Breakfast |
| 7:15 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast - TBD |
| 7:50 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:00 AM | 10:10 AM | Tournament #3 - Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 8:30 AM | 10:30 AM | Analysis - TBD |
| 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Class No. 7 |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch - TBD |
| 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Class No. 8 |
| 2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Break |
| 3:00 PM | 4:30 PM | Class No. 8 |
| 4:45 PM | 5:45 PM | Dinner - TBD |
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Quick Chess |
| 6:00 PM | 7:15 PM | IS (Combined) Lecture - Room 104 |
| 7:15 PM | 9:00 PM | IS Quick Chess |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | In-Dorm |
| 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM | In-Room |
| 10:30 PM | 6:00 AM | Lights Out |
| Friday | July 25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Begin | End | Event - Location |
| 6:00 AM | 7:15 AM | Up, Shower, to Breakfast |
| 7:15 AM | 8:00 AM | Finish Packing, Checkout, Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | 11:00 AM | Individual Evaluations - Rooms TBD |
| 8:00 AM | 11:00 AM | Survivor Simulation Ballroom Sect - TBD |
| 11:10 AM | 12:00 PM | Closing Ceremony/Awards - Ballroom |
| 12:00 PM | Camp Closes |
CREDITS and DISCOUNTS
To register siblings and receive a 15% discount on the total order, please email us with the subject "Sibling Discount," and we will send you a discount code.
Seniors aged 50 and over are also eligible for a 15% discount. Email us with "Senior Discount" in the subject line, and we will provide you with a personalized discount code.
If you have a credit from previously canceled events, email us with "Prior Credit" in the subject line, and we will issue you a personalized code to redeem your credit.
Withdrawals: A $250 fee is deducted for camp withdrawals. To withdraw, visit our withdrawals page at https://cavechess.cc/withdraw. Requests received by 10 PM CST on June 30th will be refunded, minus a $250 non-refundable deposit fee. After June 30th, no refunds will be issued, but substitutions are permitted. (Should you find someone to take over your reservation, we will accommodate the change upon receiving your written consent.) This policy overrides our General Refund Policy.
What is your EIN and address so that I can write off the camp under the Child Care Tax Credit?
Employer Identification Number: 82-5006592
Address: 27 Morris Street, Park Ridge, IL 60068
It is our understanding that the cost of overnight camps does not qualify. Please consult a certified accountant for help on this issue, or consult the IRS website. Neither Caveman Chess nor Kevin Bachler provides accounting or tax advice.
How many youth attend?
Typically 100 to 125 youth attend our camps. Most adult campers attend one of the Intensive Study sections. As we add campers we add instructors, intending to maintain a ratio of 8-12 campers per instructor — with the occasional class creeping up to 14 in order to fit classes by age and rating. Classes must have at least 6 students to be a “go”, and special arrangements are made in the event of classes of fewer than 6 participants.
How many adults attend?
Typically our camps see over a dozen adult campers. Sometimes adults have made up as much as 25% of the camp.
What is the predominant range of ages of the campers?
Ages typically range from 7-year-old campers to 50-year-olds-plus; the widest range we have had was from age 6 to age 80. Most participants are ages 10–17, and the largest group ages 11–14. Adults select one of the two adult-oriented Intensive Study sections, although some adults select the Explorer camp, particularly if they wish to attend with their children. Typically, there are over a dozen adult campers at the camp.
What is the predominant range of ratings of the campers?
Ratings range from Beginner to 2400+. The majority of our young campers’ ratings range from unrated/600 to 1200, with the next largest group 1200–1600. There is a strong contingent from 1800 – 2200+. Adult campers generally break into two groups – one of 1000-1400, and the second of 1600 – 2200. We have had 2300’s and 2400’s participate as campers in the Master Class.
How can I view my child’s chess ratings?
Go to the US Chess Federation at www.uschess.org, select “Ratings” then “Player/Ratings Look Up” and enter your child’s name or ID.
Will participants be allowed to travel around campus alone?
Younger campers are informed to travel in a group with a counselor during movement between breaks. Adults may travel freely.
What are your cell/smartphone and other electronic devices policy?
Cell phones and other electronic devices are not prohibited but should be used only during free time. US Chess approved notating devices are allowed.
If a minor participant drives themselves to the program, can they leave whenever they want?
No, at check in the driver’s keys are turned in and given to the directors of the camp. If they wish to leave, a note must be provided from their guardian in advance. Adults may travel freely, but we ask that they notify the camp about their change in plans.
Do you have enforceable consequences for prohibited actions?
Campers who break rules are sent home with no refund.
What if my child is on medication?
Although camp counselors can hold the medication in a locked room, counselors cannot administer the medication to the camper. Hotel rooms have refrigerators.
All campers must be able to administer their own medications.
What is the refund policy?
Written cancellations (post, fax, or email) received June 30 receive a refund less a $200 non-refundable deposit fee. No refunds are given thereafter, but substitutions are accepted (you may exchange the reservation to another person.)
Our camp photographer is Rob Riddle of Legacy Photography and Videography. If you have special requests use the form at https://www.capturedlegacy.com/inquiries or email rriddle44@gmail.com. Fees for photographs are determined by Legacy Photography and Videography.
Chaperones and Chaperone “Castling”
Players under 10 years of age (born after July 20, 2015) require a chaperone. There is a maximum of four campers per chaperone. The resident chaperone fee includes all meals. The non-resident fee includes meals like a non-resident camper—lunch and Dinner S-Th.
Chaperones often either treat the camp as a relaxing vacation, or bring work with them to complete during the camp. Chaperones may also “castle” - we’ve had chaperones, with good communication with the camp, switch off during the week - switching one chaperone for another during the week, so each only needs a couple of days off. Also, chaperones could easily room share for multiple rooms of campers, significantly decreasing the chaperone cost.