St. Louis Summer Camps

Summer isn't over yet and neither is summer camp.

Packed with drama, friend issues and self-doubt, school can be difficult for any kid to navigate through.

As kids, we spent summer days on the backs of our bikes, exploring our hometown, surrounding ourselves in nature, and scripting our own adventures. It was a journey that could only be ended by a mom’s call for dinner.

When I was in sixth grade, my biggest worries were wearing out my Warrant cassette tape and what I should write in my daily fan letter to Fred Savage.

A parent’s cancer diagnosis can rock a child’s world. It’s confusing and frightening and upsetting.

When the summer camp guide from a local arts center arrived in our mailbox, my third grader paged through it eagerly … and then proudly pointed to about thirteen different camps she planned to sign up for this summer. From circus camp to acting camp to a camp where you make your own ice cream, she had visions of attending them all.

For kids, the world of summer camp is filled with excitement and possibility. For parents, on the other hand, it can be a bit trickier to navigate. The options seem endless, the costs add up, and those darned kids insist on having their own opinions and making choices that differ from your own.

The good news? With so many quality summer camp options throughout the St. Louis area, it’s easier than ever to find a camp that will meet the needs of your entire family. You just need to follow a few simple guidelines.

When Jenny Wolkowitz’ youngest daughter went to a two-week sleepover camp for the first time, the girl decided she didn’t need her favorite stuffed animal and left it at home. Days later, Wolkowitz had to put the toy in a box and send it to her homesick daughter by overnight delivery.