The St. Louis American
Summer Camps Your 2025 Guide to
MARCH 6 – 12, 2025
Horizons’ summer program rising again in June
stlamerican.com
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Summer programs crucial to the success of St. Louis youth
St. Louis American The Horizons Summer Program will run from June 9 to July 18, 2025, at Keysor Elementary School in Kirkwood, Mo. The educational and fun-filled days that include academic work, swimming lessons and field trips run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the program is offered to eligible elementary and middle school students in the Kirkwood School District attendance area. William Jones, a resident of the Meacham Park neighborhood, and Cleo Lewright, a teacher at Turner School in Meacham Park, created a partnership with the Christian Social Relations Committee at Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood during the late 1960s. Kayla In September Bryant of 1970, the organization was incorporated as Sprog, Inc., a Missouri non-profit corporation. Kem Mosley, and later his wife Karen Mosley, served key roles as program director and later as executive director. In 2019, Sprog Inc., became an affiliate of Horizons National, drawing on Horizons’ proven model for advancing educational equity. A collaboration with the Kirkwood School District had been part of the program for years, and daily sessions are now held at Keyser, with access to Kirkwood High School’s Walker Natatorium. Kayla Bryant, executive director, will be leading her first summer session after joining the Horizons team last August. “Our project-based educational model is designed to fuel a lifelong passion for learning, blending high-quality academics with cultural enrichment and confidence-building activities. Our focus on literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) inspires students to learn, achieve, and experience greater academic success,” according to Byant on the Horizon’s website. In addition to swimming instruction, campers receive healthy meals and snacks, field trips, arts, sports, and “an overall emphasis on social-emotional learning.” Horizons serves students with a broad range of academic skills, providing them with the opportunity to experience success in a setting that, over time, becomes an inspirational and stable learning environment. Horizons students benefit from: -A 5:1 student-to-educator ratio with professional teaching staff -Confidence-building activities like swimming, arts, and sports -Weekly enrichment activities and field trips -Long-lasting relationships with teachers and peers -A challenging, encouraging, long-term learning community Horizons St. Louis also values diversity and inclusion in its recruitment and hiring practices. “Our staff is diverse, so that kids can see themselves in the adults who lead them,” said Bryant. For more information, contact Horizons’ Program Director at ProgramDirector@horizonsstlouis. org.
Blueprint4 Database helps parents find the perfect camps for kids and teens
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s the school year enters the final stretch, a tale of two summers unfolds for St. Louis area youth. While his parents work, Josh sleeps till noon, then snacks and plays video games for most of the day. When he starts the new school year, the routine will come as a shock, and he’ll feel unprepared for daily reading and math. Conversely, Sean spends his summer n These at an 8-week day camps proThough he vide settings camp. initially complains for youth to about waking up early during the grow their summer, Sean skills and soon comes home develop raving about his dreams for experiences at their future. camp, the field trips he takes around St. Louis, his new friends, and the staff mentors that helped him with a robotics project. The difference is clear, but the context is nuanced. Though school may close during the summer months, parents continue to work, leaving many kids like Josh to spend time by themselves, on screens, or seeking their own entertainment. While the consequences of wasted out-of-school time have always been dire, in the wake of the COVID19 pandemic, these concerns have only worsened for youth. According to a study from Learning Heroes, 40% of parents report that missing out on social connections and friendships is what they are most concerned about with their children, followed by too
much screen time (32 %), and falling behind academically (26 %). The positive news is that youth program providers across the St. Louis area are working to prevent this crisis. Thousands of opportunities exist for summer learning and fun in the metro region. From arts to academics, STEM to sports, diverse programs have emerged to support kids and teens
during the crucial summer months. These camps provide settings for youth to grow their skills and develop dreams for their future. One St. Louis-area parent reflecting on her child’s 2024 experiences shared “[Camp] has been keeping him physically and mentally in shape. He See PROGRAMS, D6