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News

Learn about what’s going on at Blueprint4 and camps around the St. Louis Area by reading our blogs, published monthly! You’ll find everything you need to know about out-of-school programming, enriching activities for kids, and upcoming youth programs to attend in the St. Louis region.

Activities for Kids in Fall and Winter

Activities for Kids in Fall and Winter

As the weather gets cooler and pushes us indoors, you might be looking for fun things to keep your kids busy and having fun during the fall and winter months. We’ve rounded up some things to do around St. Louis and easy activities at home to give you a head start!...

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Why You Should List Your Program on Blueprint4

Why You Should List Your Program on Blueprint4

Are you a camp or out-of-school program provider in St. Louis? You should list your camp on Blueprint4! The process is simple and you’ll get connected to more kids and families in the St. Louis region than ever before! Let’s walk through some of the main benefits of...

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Free and Affordable After-School Programs in St. Louis

Free and Affordable After-School Programs in St. Louis

We firmly believe all kids deserve access to high-quality, fun, and engaging out-of-school programming. Blueprint4 exists to connect kids and families with programs that meet their needs. Kids enrolled in after-school activities get to attend programs that are fun,...

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Summer Camp and Mental Health

Summer Camp and Mental Health

In today’s post, we’re exploring some of the ways kids’ mental health can benefit from time spent at summer camp. Photo Credit: Little Leaders Academy Time Away from Technology Many summer programs, especially adventure camps or sleepaway camps, make a point to get...

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Why “Camp Friends” Last a Lifetime

Why “Camp Friends” Last a Lifetime

If your child has gone to summer camp before, you may have heard them enthusiastically tell stories about their “camp friends.” You might even have camp friends yourself if you’ve been to a summer program before! Many of these friendships will transcend childhood and...

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The Benefits of Summer Camp for Homeschooled Kids

The Benefits of Summer Camp for Homeschooled Kids

In many ways, the benefits of summer camp for homeschooled children are the same benefits any kid experiences from summer learning and fun. Summer camp gives kids, homeschooled or not, a place to discover new interests, hone a skill, make friendships, and help prevent...

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How to Prevent the Summer Slide

How to Prevent the Summer Slide

Are you familiar with the "summer slide"? It's the tendency for children to lose some of the achievement gains they made in the previous school year. Children can sometimes lose a whole grade-level’s worth of skills over the summer, putting them at a disadvantage when...

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North County Camp Fair: Saturday, March 16th, 2024

North County Camp Fair: Saturday, March 16th, 2024

Join Blueprint4 and the Ferguson Florissant School District for a Summer Programs and Resource Fair on Saturday, March 16th! The event will feature tables from over 30 St. Louis-area programs and organizations who will share information about summer activities for...

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A Decade of Dreams: 10 Years of Blueprint4

A Decade of Dreams: 10 Years of Blueprint4

Blueprint4 is 10 years old! This year, we’ll be celebrating 10 years of impact in the St. Louis community, helping to connect thousands of kids with opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun! We’ll be looking back at some of the milestones we’ve reached over the...

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What you need to know about college prep programs

What you need to know about college prep programs

Are you a high school student wondering what you need to do to start preparing for college? It’s smart to start thinking about this early—college is a major life change! Developing confidence and independence, practicing time management skills and establishing good...

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Why are STEAM Camps so Important?

Why are STEAM Camps so Important?

First, you may be wondering, “What is a STEAM camp?” STEM is an acronym that is used to describe science, technology, engineering, and math. These four fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking—all important skills for kids to...

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Long-Term Benefits of Summer Camp

Long-Term Benefits of Summer Camp

With the start of the school year quickly approaching, summer camps will start winding down soon, too. As a parent, you might be wondering what benefits you’ll see from sending your kids to camp this year. Some of the perks are quickly obvious: your kids were safe,...

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After School Fun Supports Working Families

After School Fun Supports Working Families

Are you looking for new ways to enrich your child’s academic journey, provide a safe and engaging environment outside of schools and support your family’s busy schedule? Well, look no further! Afterschool programs are here to help. In this post, we’ll explore why...

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Why Should Kids Go To Summer Camp?

Why Should Kids Go To Summer Camp?

Ah, summer! The season of sunshine, popsicles, and boundless fun. If you’re a St. Louis parent, you might be wondering how to keep your child engaged and entertained during those long weeks away from school. The answer lies in the timeless tradition of summer camp....

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How to Choose a Summer Camp

How to Choose a Summer Camp

With thousands of summer camp opportunities listed on Blueprint4, choosing the perfect program for your child can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help! Keep these important steps in mind as you search and get ready for your child to have a fun and fulfilling summer...

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St. Louis City Summer Camp and Job Fair

St. Louis City Summer Camp and Job Fair

March 18th, 2023 at Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center 5595 Grand Dr. Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63112 from 10 am – 2pm Come learn about summer camps and job offerings from local summer camp providers in St. Louis City.  This is a FREE event for...

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North County Summer Camp Fair

North County Summer Camp Fair

March 11th at STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkley 201 Brotherton Lane, Ferguson, MO 63135 from 10 am -2pm. Come learn about summer camp and job offerings from local providers.   This is a FREE event that is open to all families.  If you are a program...

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Get Ready for a Great Summer!

Get Ready for a Great Summer!

Get Ready for the Best 2022 Summer Camps in St. Louis Can you feel the excitement?  The weather is warming up and the school year is nearing its end. Summertime is on the way! After two long and challenging years, many families are looking forward to times of...

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Where to Find Summer Camp Information

Where to Find Summer Camp Information

As summer grows closer, you and your child may be wondering what they're going to do over summer break. There is no better way to spend summer than to attend a summer camp. Each year, thousands of St. Louis area kids participate in summer programs where they learn new...

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How to Find the Best STEM Summer Camps of 2022

How to Find the Best STEM Summer Camps of 2022

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning experiences are available for children in preschool through high school. Let’s look at how to find the best STEM camp for your child based on age and interests. The benefits of introducing and developing an interest in STEM from an early age are endless.  Research shows that children […]

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Are Summer Camps Worth It?

Are Summer Camps Worth It?

St Louis summer camps provide children with diverse opportunities to develop important life skills that are difficult to achieve in any other environment. So let's take a closer look and explore four significant benefits of summer camp programs. Summer camp holds a...

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Low-Cost and Free Summer Camps for Kids

Low-Cost and Free Summer Camps for Kids

No matter what your income is, every parent looks for ways to save money. We hope these tips for a free & low-cost summer help you fit summer camps into your budget and better manage the cost of sending your kids to camp.

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Camps for Kids With Disabilities

Camps for Kids With Disabilities

Camps for Kids With Disabilities Every kid needs summer camp! Learn about the types of summer camps available for kids with disabilities, conditions, and other special needs. Camp can be an integral part of a child's growth, so every child should have the opportunity...

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Spectacular Summer Programs for Middle School Students

Spectacular Summer Programs for Middle School Students

Each summer, kids of all ages choose to attend many different types of summer camps and programs. As your child gets older, they might feel like they have outgrown their childhood summer camp. If this is the case, maybe it is time to think about a new summer program for middle schoolers this year! Middle […]

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Choosing the Best Sports Camps to Fill Your Summer Roster

Choosing the Best Sports Camps to Fill Your Summer Roster

Choosing the Best Sports Camps to Fill Your Summer Roster School is finally out across St. Louis, which means it's the perfect time to find a sports camp for your child! Summer sports camps come in all different forms. With factors to think about like your child's...

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Affordable Summer Camps for Teens in St. Louis

Affordable Summer Camps for Teens in St. Louis

Calling all families of teenagers! We have a hot list of free and affordable summer camps for teens throughout the greater St. Louis area. From cheerleading to cybersecurity, find the perfect low-cost camp to compliment your teenager’s points of interest. Browse the listings below for a sampling of what St. Louis has to offer, or […]

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