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.
2025 Camp Summit Recap
Thank you to everyone who attended our 9th annual Camp Summit last month! Each year, we bring together youth program providers from all over the St. Louis region to celebrate the people and organizations who run out-of-school programs, reflect on the past year, and...
Make a Difference for St. Louis Youth! How to Get Involved with Blueprint4
Blueprint4 is your ultimate resource for discovering programs that help kids and teens learn, grow, and thrive outside the classroom. Whether you’re a parent, educator, community leader, or simply someone who wants to make a difference for the future of St. Louis...
Summer Camps and After-School Programs Are Great for Teens Too
When you think of summer camps or after-school programs, you might be picturing kids finger painting, learning to swim, or heading off to nature hikes. But these enriching experiences aren’t just for elementary-aged children. Teens can benefit just as much, if not...
After the Bell: The Mental Health Benefits of Out-of-School Programs
Kids are under more pressure than ever. Between academics, social dynamics, and the constant buzz of digital life, prioritizing mental health is not just a trend, but a powerful way to support their emotional wellbeing. That’s where after school and out-of-school...
The State of Summer in St. Louis
Last year, we celebrated 10 years of Blueprint4 and reflected on what a decade has done for the state of summer camps in St. Louis. We’ve helped to create greater access to out-of-school programs to bolster the success of young people and strengthen the health of our...
Kode with Klossy Comes to Delmar DivINe in 2025
This summer, the halls of Delmar DivINe will echo with the sound of creativity, collaboration, and code. Kode with Klossy, a national coding camp founded by supermodel and tech advocate Karlie Kloss, is once again bringing its transformative summer camp experience to...
Preparing Your Child for Summer Camp
As a parent or caregiver who has enrolled their child in summer camp, you’ve probably spent countless hours selecting a program – visiting camp fairs, browsing our search site, considering the many benefits of camp and more. Now, it’s time to make the most of all your...
How Blueprint4 Breaks Down Barriers
For kids and families in the St. Louis area, summer camp is not just a fun way to spend time outside of school. It’s a valuable opportunity for kids to thrive! The experience of summer camp and out-of-school programming is critical for kids’ mental health, an...
Upcoming St. Louis Camp Fairs in 2025
Hi Blueprint4 families! Welcome back to another great year of learning and fun for kids! We’re jumping right back into the swing of things with everything you need to know about the upcoming camp fairs in St. Louis this year. But first, let’s talk about timelines. Did...
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!...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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....
Blueprint4 Partners with Local Camp Providers to Offer Expanded, Free Summer Camps North of Delmar in St. Louis
This summer, Blueprint4 has partnered with local camp providers to offer FREE summer camps north of Delmar. These camps will provide children with a safe and engaging environment to learn, play and grow over the summer months. Summer is a crucial time for children to...
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...
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...
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 and wish to...
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 as young as two years old start naturally exploring STEM interests through building blocks and water tables. Building on their natural curiosity can boost self-confidence and STEM camps offer an exciting way to make new friends with similar interests. A child at any age can be inspired by a new experience that opens doors they never even imagined were available. As your camper grows, the added extracurriculars afforded through STEM camps will be sure to turn heads on college applications. Search STEM Summer Camps Science Elementary-aged campers have hundreds of options for half or full-day camps. Your little camper can become a secret agent learning to decode messages, explore with night vision goggles, and create edible messages. Check out these Secret Agent Camps Does your child love both art and science or getting their hands messy with fun experiments? St. Louis offers several camps for […]
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...
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...