The impact that summer camp can have on a child is profound, and the friendships that foster are meaningful and long-lasting. Missouri presents the perfect environment for impactful summer camp experiences. From its mountainous regions of the Ozark Plateau to the beautiful wooded prairie, Missouri has so much to offer.
No matter which camp you choose for your child, Missouri is certainly a perfect location for them to make memories. Plus, it’s also a great way to establish a passion for the outdoors. This list contains the top summer camps in Missouri to choose from.
Best Summer Camps In Missouri
1. Camp Sabra
Situated between St. Louis and Kansas City in Rocky Mount, Camp Sabra campus is found on the Staenberg Peninsula. This Jewish summer camp spans several miles and features a lake, challenge course, and zipline, amongst other amazing installations. There is also a chapel, various docks for water sports, a dining hall, and spacious cabins.
They offer 3.5-week sessions for students ages 8 to 15. Kids can enjoy kayaking, swimming, sailing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and traditional sports like tennis, baseball, basketball, and soccer. There’s also access to hiking, ziplining, and a ropes course. Campers can experience the creative and performing arts and play on a human foosball field. Counselors also take them on field trips to places like water parks.
Camp Sabra attendees are encouraged to try new things and develop new skills while at camp. In addition to cultivating already-existing passions, it provides a safe environment for youth to learn and grow throughout their experience. Judaism is infused throughout all areas of the program, as a significant focus of Camp Sabra is to cultivate a strong Jewish identity for all its campers.
2. Camp Heritage
Camp Heritage offers many kinds of programs for campers of varying ages, with first-time camper, junior and teen options. There is also a family camp so parents can spend time with their kids doing exciting activities. It’s found on the gorgeous Lake Of The Ozarks in Climax Springs. Most of their programs last 5 days, except for the junior camps, which last slightly less at 3 days.
There are diverse activities to choose from, including cooking classes, archery, basketball, soccer, and creative arts such as ceramics, crafting, photography, and acting. With its convenient location on the lake, children can also enjoy water sports like canoeing, fishing, and water skiing, among other things.
The summer camps are very relationship-focused. A major focus is on relationships with others as well as a strong relationship with Jesus for each camper. Allowing your kid to attend is a great way to help them learn more about the outside world and give them opportunities for self-growth and to make new friends.
3. YMCA Camp Lakewood
Camp Lakewood ranks high on the list as one of the top overnight summer camps in Missouri. It’s located in Potosi, MO, right by a beautiful lake. Their camp has vast amounts of land with forested terrain, creeks, and caves for kids to explore. There are quite a few camp facilities supporting activities like sports, creative arts, and traditional summer camp activities.
You can sign up kids ages 6 to 16 for their 4-day program. It’s an excellent way to introduce a child to camp before sending them off for their week-long program. The longer program is for children ages 8 to 17 and functions like a traditional sleepaway camp.
Activities are chosen by the camper and take place each weekday. Kids can choose from activities like basketball, floor hockey, soccer, tennis, arts and crafts, outdoor nature skills, horseback riding, fishing, singing, and much more. There are even unique activities for older campers that include ax throwing, kayaking, hiking, paintbal and climbing.
The primary goal of Camp Lakewood is for campers to feel safe and cheerful and to develop leadership and problem-solving skills. They also help teach kids about nature through exploration under experienced camp counselors. They also host winter camps during the off-season.
4. Girl Scouts Camp of Eastern Missouri
The Girl Scouts Of Eastern Missouri has plenty of offerings for would-be scouts around the area. They host several Missouri overnight camps including, Camp Cedarledge in Pevely, Camp Tuckaho in Troy, and Camp Fiddlecreek in Labadie. Each sleepaway camp offers a different focus and things to do.
Camp Cedarledge has 700 acres of woods and hilly terrain. It’s equipped with equestrian facilities complete with horses and beautiful trails. Camp Tuckaho comprises 600 forested acres with adventure challenges and an extensive nature center. Camp Fiddlecreek is the smallest camp option, with 83 acres. This camp location is full of history for young campers to explore and exciting activities to do.
All Girl Scouts Camps offer various activities, and the specifics vary from camp to camp. Camp Cedarledge provides swimming, archery, horseback riding, canoeing, and more. Camp Tuckaho offers everything Camp Cedarledge has, plus an outdoor adventure course. Camp Fiddlecreek offers a climbing wall and zipline, hiking, and geocaching.
They encourage young girls to explore the world around them and cultivate a passion for nature. Making lifelong memories, growing friendships, and learning about nature are the main focuses here.
5. Blue Springs Summer Day Camp
Blue Springs Summer Day Camp takes place at the Blue Springs Fieldhouse, a fitness and recreation center for the community. The Fieldhouse has plenty of indoor rec space, as well as a turf field, indoor courts and tracks, and rooms for classes.
This government-sponsored day camps offers week-long sessions throughout the summer for children ages 5 to 12. Each week has a different theme like superheroes, mad scientist, adventure, and sports week.
Throughout the camp, children can go on field trips to places like museums, parks, science centers, and other places. Each day consists of a morning meeting, fun individual and group activities, pool time, group games, and some days include guest speakers.
They help kids learn about respect, kindness, honesty, and healthy relationships with others. Children can experience personal development and establish a strong feeling of community within their camp environment during their time at this camp. There is a 10:1 staff to camper ratio.
6. Camp Barnabas
Camp Barnabas is a Christian camp for children with illnesses and special needs. It facilitates a love of God, creating strong relationships by helping with social skills and acquiring faith-based knowledge.
They offer five-day sessions Sunday through Friday. Each week has a different theme and age specifications, as well as specific disabilities served each week. The camp has a strong foucs on creating a supportive and welcoming environment for everyone who attends.
At camp, kids can enjoy things like a game room with foosball, ping pong, board games, a climbing wall, a lake with a swimming area and waterslide, and a ropes course. These activities are adaptable on an individual basis so noone gets left behind. The staff is well trained to ensure you’re child is being well-taken care of.
7. Kamp Kanakuk
Located in Branson, Missouri, Kamp Kanakuk has several programs to choose from, including overnight camps, day camps, family camps, and specialty options. The summer programs take place each summer in June, July, and August. It consists of 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week sessions based on age.
Kamp Kanakuk has more than 70 sports and activities to offer its campers. This includes sports such as tennis, soccer, basketball, and more. They also provide engaging water sports with a nearby lake and activities, including water skiing, wakeboarding, ziplining, and kayaking. Kids can also participate in more thrilling activities like archery, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
Another important offering is the facilitation of small groups, faith groups, and devotional time. Kamp Kanakuk camp is a ministry that heavily emphasizes the growth of one’s faith. An essential feature of Kanakuk is the “I’m Third” program, which teaches children to value Jesus first, others second, and themselves third. It goes a long way in establishing respect, responsibility, and other important virtues in the attendees.
8. Camp David of the Ozarks
Camp David Of The Ozarks in Rolla is offered exclusively to children of prisoners and children in foster care. The programs include the Angel Tree Summer Camp, which lasts 6 weeks for children of prisoners, and the Foster Kids Camp program, which lasts one week and serves children in foster care.
At Camp David of the Ozarks, children participate in a myriad of activities, and the onsite camp facilities accommodate them well. This includes archery, arts and crafts, horseback riding, and swimming. There are also classes about how to make healthy choices, understand and work through grief, and discover their passions and capabilities. Group activities are also a hit, as well as devotional time. At camp, campers have the opportunity to learn valuable skills like problem-solving and how to handle their emotions.
The primary goal of Camp David is cultivating a love for Jesus within the children and helping them discover their identity in God. The purpose is also to develop leadership qualities within each camper and to help them with emotional coping skills.
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