Enrollment for Free Summer Camps for City Kids Opened April 1st, 2019

The City of St. Louis and Playtime Recreation announce open registration for free 2019 summer camps for City youth ages 5-17. 

Registration for the themed camps offered at parks and partner locations throughout the City opened April 1st, 2019. Due to space limitations, camps will close when they reach capacity.

Parents or guardians can view the camps' schedule and register their children online at http://www.stlouis-mo.gov/playtime/ for one or more sessions of the following camps:

Camp Descriptions

"Re-fashion" camp

Through partnership with the Thomas Dunn Learning Center. Students discover how to use recycled clothing and fabric scraps to create unique, personalized fashion items. With a classroom full of materials and inspiration, students will learn new techniques each session to dye, cut, sew, and alter fabric to fashion a new clothing item. The final class will be a fashion show where parents and friends are invited to view the student creations.

Art: Movement and Murals

Through a partnership with Yeyo Arts Collective, young creative writers will create a visual display of their personal story and a mural image as a group. The activities include creative writing, getting to know famous Missourians, collage and painting. Ages 7-15.

Art: Photography & Mixed Media

In cooperation with Yeyo Arts Collective, youth will learn about the basics of photography. They learn to photograph still art and moving targets in addition to learning several different photographic styles, etc. Ages 7-15.

Basketball

Through partnership with the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation (DJCF), Coach Irons will instruct young boys and girls on offensive and defensive fundamentals. Participants will be grouped based on age and skill level. Ages 8-17.

Children need to dress in comfortable clothing and must wear athletic shoes.

Cheerleading

Through partnership with the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation (DJCF), young boys and girls can participate. Youth will work on self-esteem, cheerleading safety, stunts and spirit exercises. Ages 8-17.

Children need to dress in comfortable clothing and must wear athletic shoes. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Cooking

QUICK, EASY, HEALTHY, CHEAP: Lots of fun and food in the Thomas Dunn Learning Center kitchen! Youth learn to compare ingredients, weight, and cost when shopping, discover how to put "found items" in the kitchen together for a healthy meal, and learn the nutritional value of it all from Leslie Bertsch with the University of Missouri Family Nutrition. Campers get to eat what they prepare. Ages 12-17.

Creative Development - Fashion Camp

Through partnership with Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development, students will learn the basics of designing and creating fashion. Ages 11-14.

Creative Development: Circus Arts Camp

Campers will learn proper techniques for warm ups and stretches to increase flexibility and physical conditioning. Each day the staff will teach 2-3 circus arts, including: juggling, hula hoop, clown, mime, hand and chin balances, rola bola, plate spinning, and stage presentation. Ages 6-10.

Campers must wear comfortable clothing and close-toe athletic shoes. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Creative Development: Hip Hop Arts

Ever want to be a hip hop star? Through partnership with Urban Artist Alliance for Child Development, this camp will work to transform music enthusiasts into practicing artists. Youth participants will learn the art of rapping, djying and break dancing. Everyday participants will see hip hop performances and have hands-on experiences with becoming a hip hop artist. This camp concludes with a performance that's open to family and friends. Ages 7-12.

Youth should wear athletic shoes.

Creative Development: Youth Poetry Slam

Led by Urban Artist Alliance on Child Development this one week camp is focusing on writing and performance. Youth poets from throughout the region are expected to participate in this high intensity poetry performance camp featuring some of the most notable poets in and outside of the region. Both the slam and performances are open to family and friends. Ages 13-17.

Enrichment: Game Design

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning, campers will learn valuable computer programming skills through hands-on projects that inspire imaginations and bring creativity to life using the technology powered by Tynker (c) software. Ages 8-11.

Enrichment: Robotics age 10 - 12

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning Centers, youth will build models using LEGO (c) bricks and manipulate simple machines such as gears, pulleys, and various sensors. Kids will learn basic programming skills using LEGO (c) Education WeDo (tm). Ages 10-12.

Enrichment: Robotics age 7-9

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning Centers, youth will build models using LEGO (c) bricks and manipulate simple machines such as gears, pulleys, and various sensors. Kids will learn basic programming skills using LEGO (c) Education WeDo (tm). Ages 7-9.

Fishing

Through partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Boy Scouts of Greater St. Louis, youth will learn the basics of fishing including casting, which lure to use, knot tying and fish identification, then have the opportunity to catch and release fish. Ages 7-15.

All equipment is provided. Please wear close-toed shoes. Parents and/or guardians are welcome to stay and enjoy camp with their child. Adults will not be allowed to use provided equipment.

Football

Through partnership with the Demetrious Johnson Charitable Foundation (DJCF), young boys and girls (yes girls are welcome too!) can participate. Youth Football camps are non-contact and designed to improve skills of all positions on offense and defense. In addition children will be taught the teamwork, communication, sportsmanship and the importance of education. Participants will be grouped based on age and skill level. Ages 8-17.

Children need to dress in comfortable clothing and must wear athletic shoes. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Geocaching & Tree Climbing

Through partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation and Vertical Voyages, youth will learn to geocache and navigate through the park via GPS and then rope climb a tree, taking them to new heights. Ages 7-12.

Children should wear comfortable clothing that might get dirty and close-toe shoes. Long shorts or pants are most comfortable for campers when climbing. Camper must attend both sessions to be eligible to climb.

Golf

Through partnership with Missouri Golf Foundation, young boys and girls can participate. Youth will be taught the fundamentals of the game including rules, putting, chipping, irons and driving. Youth will be divided into instruction groups after the first week of camp based on skill level. Clubs and balls will be provided through the Sticks for Kids program. Ages 8-17.

Participants may bring their own clubs but it is the child's responsibility to keep track of their own equipment. Children should dress in comfortable golf appropriate attire and athletic shoes. Lunch will be served at the conclusion of camp. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Karate (ages 5 - 8)

Through partnership with Robinson's Karate, campers will learn the fundamentals and basics of karate, discipline, respect, focus, and self-confidence. Ages 5-8.

Campers should wear comfortable clothing and close-toed, athletic shoes.

Karate (ages 9-12)

Through partnership with Robinson's Karate, campers will learn the fundamentals and basics of karate, discipline, respect, focus, and self-confidence. Ages 9-12.

Campers should wear comfortable clothing and close-toed, athletic shoes.

Pickleball

In partnership with Michael Chapin, United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) Ambassador. Campers will learn a combination of tennis, badminton and ping pong. It is a lifetime activity that is enjoyed by all age groups and skill levels. Moreover, it is one of the fastest growing sports in America. Ages 10-15.

Children must wear comfortable clothing and close-toe athletic shoes. Parents and guardians are welcome to learn this game with their child. This camp meets 3 days only Mon/Wed/Fri. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Poetry

Through partnership with the St. Louis Poetry Center. The goal of this camp is to introduce students to poetry and poets for their own personal growth. Students will learn to make poetry a creative tool for their own thoughts, feelings, dreams and ambitions. Ages 8-13.

Soccer

Through partnership with Midwest Soccer Academy, participants will be grouped based skill level. The focus of this camp is for the kids to have fun while working towards a team concept through consistent instruction. Ages 7-15.

Participants need to wear comfortable clothing and close-toed athletic shoes. Those who attend at least 60% of the week will get a free soccer ball. This is an outdoor camp so please remember sunscreen!

Swimming: Splish Splash

In partnership with the Gateway City Aquatic Club children can participate in this water games camp. Participants must have basic swimming proficiency to sign up for this camp and be able to tread water. Children will learn and play different water games each day like water baseball, water volleyball, inner-tube water polo, relays and more. Ages 7 - 14.

Campers must bring towels and wear appropriate swimwear to enter the pool. Swim goggles are recommended but not required.

Swimming: Yes I Can! Learn to Swim

In partnership with the Gateway City Aquatic Club, boys and girls of all skill levels can participate in learn to swim camp. "Yes I Can" is designed to include supervised instruction, training, basic water safety and recreational games for beginners. Ages 7 - 14.

Campers must bring towels and wear appropriate swimwear to enter the pool. Swim goggles are recommended but not required.

Tennis

In partnership with Just Us Tennis Foundation we are offering a 3 week summer camp, meeting twice a week, full of skill building and tennis games. Youth are invited to learn and improve on skills like: forehand strokes, backhand strokes and serving. Tennis racquets and balls will be available on site. Ages 7 - 15.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes. Campers may bring their own tennis racquets but they are responsible for their own equipment. This is a 3 week camp meeting twice per week either Mon/Wed or Tue/Th. Parents and families are welcome to stay and watch camp.

Theatre

Through partnership with Stray Dog Theatre. This camp integrates the dynamic aspects of theatre (reading, writing, performing and designing) through age and ability appropriate activities to promote total development. Each camp will conclude with a staged production for family and friends. Ages 8-15.

This is a two week camp.

Track

Through partnership with Young Life. The focus of this camp is to teach track conditioning and expose youth to an array of track and field events. Kids will learn fundamentals of hurdles, long jump, high jump, relay and much more. Ages 8-17.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and athletic shoes.

For questions send an e-mail to playtimerecreation@stlouis-mo.gov or call (314) 289-5367.