2023 Summer Camp Guide

Ignite your child's creativity this summer at COCA! COCA offers a unique and fun-filled summer experience for kids and teens taught by professional artists and teachers. COCA prides itself on offering some of the most creative camps around, providing campers with the opportunity to experience new things, build their skills and have tons of fun. Kids and teens will learn to express themselves through poetry, dance, drama, sculpture, songwriting, videography and much more. Offering in-person (indoor and outdoor) and virtual, full-or half-day weeklong summer arts camps. Before- and after-care is available. 

Bricks 4 Kidz summer camps are a great way to learn STEM topics, building moving models from technic LEGO bricks! Build self-confidence and problem-solving skills. Foster teamwork and collaboration. Spark imagination. We offer basic brick building themed camps (Mario, Pokemon, Star Wars, Minecraft, Super Heroes, and more), Robotics camps, Minecraft Gaming and more. 

The Maryville Science and Robotics Program is a premiere academic summer program offering more than 80 courses for ages 4 - 12 taught by highly qualified faculty including professors, STEM professionals, and teachers with advanced education including gifted, early childhood, and STEM certification. A morning (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m. – 4 p.m.) session is held each day. 

We recommend that you register as soon as you are able as many classes fill early. 

Nutty Scientists of St. Louis camps are an innovative form of "edutainment" (entertainment + education). Combining fun with learning, each camp contains an educational theme that keeps children engaged from day to day. One new theme is learned each day, and all activities are related to this theme, therefore children can stay focused on one subject matter, solidifying the concept. Over the course of the camp experience, participants are transformed into little scientists. Through a variety of spectacular workshops, children don't just enjoy themselves; they gain scientific knowledge along the way. Through fun games and original activities, children learn about the wonders of space, discover the mysteries of medical science, build amazing structures and much more!

At Crayola® Imagine Arts Academy, we provide the creative spark and let children's imaginations do the rest. The fun and creative environment allows kids to use their ingenuity in new ways and fosters the development of important skills. We are offering both full-day and half-day camps. There are three week-long themes to choose from:

• Crayola® World of Design
• Crayola® Artist's Passport
• Crayola® Artblazers

Explore the vertical world this summer! Sign your climber up for an exciting week of climbing activities and games. Watch as they gain confidence in their ability to reach new heights! Climbers engage in a number of activities throughout a day of camp. They learn proper climbing etiquette and technique and develop these skills over the course of the week. They also play games such as dodgeball, tug-of-war, and gaga ball. Each of these is supplemented with time for arts and crafts and other downtime activities. Climbers are supervised at all times by our team of dedicated counselors.

It's going to be a Great Adventure at Olympia Gymnastics this summer! Say Aloha to summer by joining us for a summer jam-packed with learning gymnastics and ninja skills, fun activities and games, and art & science projects all linked to our unique weekly themes. Campers can have a Nerf battle during Nerf week, be sneaky like a ninja during Ninja week, try to beat the clock with our Minute to Win It week, or make slime during our arts and sciences week. Our summer camps are full of activities designed to engage and foster learning. Olympia's trained and safety-certified staff are devoted to the well-being of our camp kids and truly enjoy engaging with children. 

Camps at Miss Kelly's are a super fun way for kids ages 3-10 years to stay active (and cool) over the summer! Camps are packed full of games, gymnastics, and crafts – all in a fun, non-competitive environment! Each camp week will have new, exciting themes and games that your child is sure to love. Our Summer Camp schedule is extremely flexible for your busy summer! Camps will be held Tuesday, May 30th -  Thursday, August 10th every Tuesday and Thursday. There are three times to choose from: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., or we have a full-day option from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You just pick the weeks and times that work for your schedule! Do as little as one week or as many as every week! 

Make music this summer! The Community Music School of Webster University offers a variety of summer music programs for all ages, including Kindermusik® Family Camp (6 months – 5 years); String Orchestra Camp (age 7 - high school); Chamber Music Encounter (by audition); Flute Camp (grades 7-12); Band Camp (grades 7-12); Composition Intensive (grades 7-12); "Clazz" String Intensive (ages 12 & up); Songwriting Camp (grades 9-12); and the MOCM Adult Chamber Music Intensive (21+). Kindermusik® Family Camp is offered in 2 locations – Webster Groves and Faust Park in Chesterfield. All other camps are at our main location at Webster University.

Code Ninjas offers fun and rewarding coding camps for kids ages 8-14. At Code Ninjas, kids create, play and learn at their own pace, building awesome video games and developing ninja coding skills on the path from white to black belt. Campers get support and encouragement from Code Senseis® in our state-of-the-art dojo.

Full-day and half-day camps are offered. Choose from these exciting camps:

Chaminade Summer Camps offer something for every interest from Basketball to Coding to Band and Organizational Boot Camp, and much more! Our camps have been developed to offer a sample of all that we have to offer – academically, athletically, and artistically. Plus, we have camps that both boys and girls grades 3-12 will enjoy.

Returning this year is Camp Chaminade – a one-week residential camp for boys in grades 5-8 that includes athletics, STEM, arts, and leadership activities. 

Craft Alliance has provided arts education and craft experiences to the St. Louis community for nearly 60 years. We are thrilled to embark on another year of creative offerings for St. Louis families. Whether your young artist wants to sculpt with molten glass, learn to weave, or throw on the potter's wheel, we have a camp for them. Our team of professional teaching artists know how to engage students with new skills while having fun. We can't wait to welcome you to our expanded location in the Delmar Maker District, where we have updated, larger studio spaces to safely social distance and have fun learning a craft. Summer art camps provide young artists the outlet for exercising both critical and creative thinking through clay, fibers, metal, glass, and more. Our flexible camps fit into your busy summer schedule and are designed to engage youth in learning new and fun studio techniques by making amazing artworks.

In Mad Science camps, kids have so much fun, they don't realize they're learning! Mysteries are solved, rockets fly, and inventions are made! Explore the science behind boogers, burps and everything gross! Make your own sidewalk chalk, bath fizzers and a rocket that can leave the launchpad at over 200 MPH. Campers train like an astronaut and solve real-world engineering problems using spinoff technology in a brand-new camp: AstroInnovators. 

Made Science of St. Louis offers full- and half-day camps at locations throughout the metro area for ages 4-12. There's something for everyone at Mad Science camps, where kids will be wowed by our giant trebuchet, messages written in secret code, archaeological mysteries, and cool chemical reactions!

Our exciting 2023 camps include:

Yucandu Art Studio offers a safe, friendly, and creative environment in historic, charming Webster Groves. Part-time art camps for Grades K-2nd, 1st-5th, 3rd-6th, 6th-9th. Grade levels can be going into or out of, whichever is best for your family. All camps are part-time, with many dates and themes to choose from.

There's something to be said for longevity, and Vetta Sports Summer Camps have been around for more than 30 years. Simply put – we play sports and have FUN. As part of their summer camp experience, your child will discover a variety of activities, including classic sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis, inline hockey and kickball. But the fun doesn't stop there! Campers also learn innovative team-building skills, play archery tag, and get creative with arts & crafts. Special guests educate and entertain kids with animals, introduce science concepts, teach athletic skills and much more. 

Join our teachers for an imaginative summer of themed camps that engage your child and ignite their curiosity.
In Little Acorns Camp, children 2.5 years - 5 years will enjoy climbing structures, swings, sandy digging spaces, building materials, and water! Our indoor play spaces are filled with natural, wooden toys and hand-made treasures sure to delight and add wonder and awe to your child’s experience. Each week includes unique Waldorf experiences that engage all the senses: kneading dough, chopping vegetables & fruit, painting, and crafting. There will also be Specialty Camps for ages 6+ ranging from learning Spanish and puppetry to chess classes. 

What kind of summer do you want your family to have? Whatever your answer is, you'll find it at Saint Louis University. SLU offers camps and academies for Pre-K through high school students. From diving into creative arts to immersive experiences in our STEM programs, there is bound to be something that sparks your family's interest and leads to their best summer yet.

Adventure into an inspiring world full of sculptures, natural wonders, and imaginative art projects with Laumeier Sculpture Park’s Summer Art Camps and Teen Art Programs. Half-day Little Buds Morning Art Camps are designed for ages 3.5-6. Young artists investigate art making through fun hands-on activities, explore the woodland creek and trails, and learn and socialize through play. Full-day Art Camps are designed for elementary grades K-5 and middle school grades 6-8. Teen Art Programs are geared for 9-12th grade artists. 

Week-long camps featuring Arts and STEM experiences at DaySpring! STEAM camps are a perfect blend of summer fun and educationally based creative training. Professional artists and trained educators lend their expertise to activities in art, engineering, dance, drama, musical theatre, circus, and more.

Looking for something fun & completely different for summer? Send your kids to come FLY with the Pros! On the FLY Pros! All abilities welcome! No experience needed! Learn to climb silks, fly like a superhero, dance, acro/tumbling, ground circus skills and action movie-style stunts! Open House at the end of each session. iFly Camps are held at The Principia, McCalmont Gym, 13201 Clayton Road in Town and Country.

Spend the summer making art and having fun at the St. Louis Artists' Guild! Our classes focus on 2D media including drawing, painting, and printmaking, and our talented teaching artists work with each student based on their skill level. These camps are a great opportunity for students ages 6–18 who love to draw for fun or have a serious interest in improving their skills.

Chess Summer Camps are the perfect way to introduce the game of chess to new students, deepen understanding of the game for established players, or offer intensive instruction for aspiring chess masters. Grandmaster instructors provide daily lessons, puzzles, and play to help guide students through each session. Instruction offers a solid basic foundation, emphasizing the fundamental skills needed to begin a lifetime of learning in chess.

Want to learn how to write a script for a TV show? What about learning how to draw and animate an original character? Or how about designing your very own video game? Young people will have the opportunity to learn these skills and more at the Webster University School of Communications’ 2023 summer camps! Campers can sign up for any of the four camps offered in the month of June 2023. Camps being offered this summer are Scriptwriting, Animation, Game Design, and Film, Television, & Video Production.

Your kids deserve a fun summer! Every child is welcome at the J, and our camps feature the activities kids love most – like swimming, sports, gymnastics and arts. We offer one camp per age group at each location and many activities and focuses from which your child can choose. Older campers can choose their focuses or activities each week. Focuses and activities include sports, gymnastics, arts, science, cooking, swimming, traditional camp activities and more. Our camp community provides a safe space to be a kid and do kid things alongside kind, caring and safety-conscious counselors.

At YMCA Camp Lakewood overnight summer camp, ages 6-17 get to discover the wonders of the outdoors while making friends and memories that last a lifetime. Why is it such a memorable experience? When campers from all walks of life come together to try new things without judgment, to feel safe, happy and wanted – they discover more than a home away from home – they discover themselves. YMCA Camp Lakewood is an experience like none other. Kids come away with new skills, confidence and friendships that broaden their perspectives and strengthen their character. Their experience includes a 5,200-acre campus with forest-covered hills, caves, a creek, a lake, and lots to explore. The private lake offers a ton of waterfront activities like swimming, fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

Lifelight Youth Theatre offers one-week Broadway Theatre Performance Summer Camps for elementary, middle, and high school age groups. Camps culminate in a fully staged performance of a Broadway musical. Campers will spend their days rehearsing the music, choreography, and staging for their performance. When not rehearsing, they will spend time working on the technical elements of the show, playing acting games with teachers, and participating in team-building activities. In each week-long Broadway Performance Summer Camp students will be instructed in stage presence, characterization, improv, dance, choreography, proper vocal technique and projection, learning musical numbers, building the set & props, creating believable characters, establishing objectives and obstacles, and dissecting scenes by being in workshop sessions and going through the rehearsal/performance process.

Whether it's playing with storytelling through movement or music at Creative Arts Camp or learning how to audition for a play at Grand Theater Camp, Metro Theater Company's professional teaching artists bring fun and growth through the arts to campers of all ages. From the multidisciplinary nature of Creative Arts Camp to the use of university-level facilities at Grand Theater Camp, Metro Theater Company, in collaboration with its summer camp partners, offers engaging camps all summer long.

Jump Into Summer Day Camp!

Make this your summer for YMCA Day Camps, where kids make new friends and as they explore new adventures each day! You can find Gateway Region YMCA Summer Day Camps at 23 locations throughout St. Louis and the Metro East. The Y’s camps are designed for all ages - preschool, school-age and teen, which may vary by branch. Camps are offered on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Most are held or based at local YMCAs. Hours are typically 9 am - 4 pm, or half day for Preschool Camp. In addition, there is Fun Club, the Y's Before & After Camp Care, which is available as an add-on to all camps at an additional fee. Dozens and dozens of camps are offered by the YMCA, from Cheer, Dance and Drill and Sports of All Sorts to Baking and Water Park Hop. Camps are represented in these areas: Traditional, Special Interest, Arts & Humanities, Aquatics and Sports.

Here’s what some camp parents have to say:

Camp Sabra is the J's premier residential summer camp, located on the Staenberg Peninsula at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The Camp Sabra family is made up of campers in third through tenth grades and our amazing staff. Together, we build a kind, tight-knit community each summer as we create lifelong memories. Our campers and staff come from all over the world, and bring their own experiences and perspectives on life that make each Camp Sabra summer unique and irreplaceable. 

Aspiring astronauts, aviators, and engineers can experience a soaring adventure this summer at the Challenger Learning Center where they will explore space, science, and technology through simulated space missions and other engaging STEM activities. Design and build a lifesize lunar colony, launch rockets, build and pilot a drone, complete an underwater mission in SCUBA gear and more!

Unleashing Potential’s summer enrichment programs provide learners with endless opportunities for discovery in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment! Our programs deliver learning experiences that are hands-on, innovative, and challenge children mentally and physically. For scholars entering 1-5 grades, each week will highlight characteristics from other parts of our world while focusing on Character Development, geospatial content, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math). Older scholars, children in grades 6-8, will work with technology, such as Microbits and Raspberry Pi, geospatial content with Story Mapping, and Project-Based Learning to impact our community through Design for Change. Students will discover their superpowers through the use of creative play. 

Bring on summer! With 300+ full and half-day summer camps and programs at convenient Parkway and Rockwood locations, Community Ed has everything you need for a summer of FUN! Make a splash, unleash your imagination, discover nature, get out and play, express yourself and go on new adventures in aquatics, art, enrichment, outdoor ed, sports and more. With eleven weeks of summer program offerings to choose from, kids can experience something new each week. Community Ed programs are led by expert, caring instructors with a focus on safety and fun. Many of our half-day camps can be combined to make a full day of fun, and include extended care options. You do not have to be a Parkway or Rockwood resident to participate in Community Ed summer programs.