Enrollment for Free Summer Camps for City Kids Opens April 2, 2018

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

Registration for the themed camps offered at parks and partner locations throughout the City opens April 2, 2018. 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:

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.

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.

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.

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 Signature Medical Group. Campers get to eat what they prepare. Ages 11-17.

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.

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 Poetry Slam

Poet and poetry slam champion Paul Tran leads this one week camp 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.

Machine Makers

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning, campers get a fun, hands-on experience with engineering by using imagination to build exciting, theme based simple machines using LEGO (c) products. Ages 7-9.

Robotics 101

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.

Robotics 201

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.

Brain Boosters

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning, this camp will encourage your child to become a math whiz and master problem solver through fun, challenging, and kid-friendly math activities. Ages 10-12.

Machine Lab

Through partnership with Sylvan Learning Centers, youth will race into the world of engineering and learn about simple machines (gears, levers and pulleys) by building and designing catapults, ramps and other awesome creations using LEGO (c). Ages 10-12.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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