St. Louis County Library will offer free, week-long summer camps for youth ages 12-17 for the first time at the Clark Family Branch (1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd). The Explorer Camps provide hands-on learning experiences in Makerspace Exploration, Entrepreneurship & Product Design, and History Detective. Each camp will be held twice, totaling six sessions.
Camps run 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and free lunch and transportation will be provided. Parents and caregivers who cannot drop off their child at the Clark Family Branch can use shuttles from:
- Natural Bridge Branch (7606 Natural Bridge Rd, St. Louis, MO 63121)
- Weber Road Branch (4444 Weber Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123)
Shuttles will depart at 8:15 AM and return by 5:00 PM.
Space is limited, and campers will be selected by lottery. Applications are open March 10-23 at www.slcl.org/explorer-camps. Participants may apply for multiple camps but can only attend one. A St. Louis County Library card is not required, but applicants must live within the St. Louis County Library District. Notifications will be sent via email in early April.
Library Director & CEO Kristen Sorth stated, “We are thrilled to offer summer camps for the first time in our 78-year history. This is a unique opportunity for kids and teens to explore creativity, entrepreneurship, and history in a dynamic, engaging space.”
The Explorer Camps, sponsored by the Clark family, aim to bridge opportunity gaps, build essential skills, and inspire a passion for learning while giving participants a chance to make lasting memories.
Explorer Camp details and dates are below:
Makerspace Exploration (June 9-13 or July 21-25)
Perfect for curious minds, this camp explores cutting-edge technology in a fun, hands-on environment. Campers will work with 3D printers, laser cutters, a recording studio, gaming equipment, and more to bring their ideas to life. Activities include electronics, woodworking, digital design, and fabrication. Participants will develop essential skills in design thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Entrepreneurship & Product Design (June 23-27 or August 4-8)
This camp introduces campers to business ownership and product development using the library’s Creative Lab. Participants will learn market research, business planning, and financial literacy while designing and prototyping products with 3D printers, laser cutters, large format printers, and vinyl cutters. The camp also covers sales and marketing strategies to help turn creative ideas into successful businesses.
History Detective (June 23-27 or July 21-25)
For young historians and genealogists, this camp teaches family history research using online resources, historical records, and DNA analysis. Campers will explore local history, develop research skills, and create a family history project to document and share their discoveries.
All program sites are accessible. With at least two weeks’ notice, accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities. For assistance, call 314-994-3300 or visit www.slcl.org.