Recreation SpecialistCommunity Programs & Special Events
Emily Jacobsen
ejacobsen@desperesmo.org
314.835.6155
Registration Information
All camps require pre-registration, unless otherwise noted. All fees are required at the time of registration. Fees are calculated per session and will NOT be pro-rated. We accept cash, check, AmEx, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. If the minimum enrollment for a course is not reached five days prior to the first class or by the registration deadline listed, the course will be cancelled To register online, visit wwwTheLodgeDesPerescom and click on 'Online Registration' If you are a current member or a current participant in one of our programs, login with the email address you provided at registration Click the 'forgot password' link if you don't remember your password, and a temporary one will be emailed to you This will ensure you receive the correct rates on programs and avoid duplicating your account New customers can create an account online immediately
Des Peres Parks and Recreation Department invites people with and without disabilities to participate in our programs and events Please notify us when you register or at least three business days in advance of the program/event date if modifications due to disability are needed to facilitate your participation and/or if there are medications or allergies of which we should be made aware If an inclusion support person is needed to assist the program participant with a disability, it may take up to two weeks or more to provide this type of modification If we are unable to meet your needs, there is a grievance procedure available for ADA concerns For assistance in arranging modifications for your participation, or to notify us of medical concerns, please contact Terri Johnson, CTRS/CPRP, Executive Director of Municipal Partners for Inclusive Recreation, at 3148356157, use relay 711 or email her at tjohnson@despereslodgeorg to discuss your participation
cannot participate due to a change in the program dates or times
registrant cannot participate due to a documented medical issue A doctor's note must be submitted
If registrant withdraws from the program before the second class**
Camp Refund Policy: Registrant must withdraw by camp by the advertised registration deadline listed in the camp description in order to receive a full refund**Any camp withdraws after the advertised registration deadline are charged a 75% cancellation fee
No refunds for memberships, punch cards, private instruction, season passes and childcare passes
**There is a $5 processing fee for refund requests
Summer Camps
AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CAMP
Bring your favorite American Girl doll and enjoy a summer camp filled with crafts, games, a tea party and a movie/pajama day. Each child will come home at the end of the week with lots of handmade items for their dolls! Each week of camp has a unique theme! Bring the doll to camp every day and label your child’s doll and accessories Registration deadline is Tuesday before camp begins.
CHESS CAMP
Join us this summer for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games, and cool prizes You'll improve your chess skills, meet new friends, and work out your most powerful muscle - your brain! Our camps include fun team chess games (like Corner Chess), recess time (of course), snacks, tournaments, and puzzles Each camper receives a T-shirt, trophy, and puzzle folder We include all the materials necessary for your child to participate Unleash your brain power and spend part of your vacation with Chess Wizards! Registration deadline is 5/27/25.
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HIP-HOP DANCE CAMP
Bust out on the dance floor with the moves from our Lodge dance instructors This high-energy camp will have you dancing like a star! Learn the latest, edgy moves in several styles of dance and get a camp t-shirt! There will be an all-camp performance on Friday at 10:45 a.m. for parents, family and friends. Registration deadline is Tuesday before camp begins.
- Friday 8:30 – 11:30am July 21-25 #4464
YUCANDU ART CAMP
Yucandu Art Studio believes everyone is an artist and when you give kids great materials, they make GREAT art! Yucandu is a fun and inspiring program that helps kids create art they will LOVE. Projects will include mosaics, collage, paint and more. Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
- Friday 12:30 – 3:30pm June 9-13
Imagine Arts Academy™
CRAYOLA® WILD WORLD
Are you ready for an art expedition? Let the wonder and beauty of the animal kingdom inspire your empathy, curiosity, and creativity Learn about lions, elephants, sharks and more, and find out how wildlife conservationists are working to protect species around the globe Experiment with a variety of art techniques, and use Crayola® products to create animal-inspired art projects, from frog paintings to polar bear sculptures! Campers must bring their own water bottle and nonperishable sack lunch. Registration deadline is 6/24/25.
Ages 5-11 | $309M&R; $371/NR | The Lodge Activity Room
DATE DAYS TIME SESSION
9am – 3pm
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*No camp on July 4
CRAYOLA® LEGENDS & LORE
From sea creatures of the deep to phoenixes in the sky, every society has its legends and lore. We’ll tell their stories through paintings, sculptures and other works of art These legends may inspire awe, curiosity or surprise, but they all inspire our imaginations! Campers must bring their own water bottle and nonperishable sack lunch. Registration deadline is 7/22/25. #4382
Ages 5-11 | $386/M&R; $463/NR | The Lodge Activity Room
DATE
CRAYOLA® WORLD OF DESIGN
Take a journey to the farthest reaches of the imagination while learning about the ocean, the rainforest, Mars, a futuristic city, and more! Use the design thinking process to solve real-world problems in these different environments. Discover design careers like graphic design, universal design, urban design, and product design All this, plus games, creative free play, and more! Campers must bring their own water bottle and nonperishable sack lunch. Registration deadline is 8/5/25. #4383
Ages 5-11 | $360/M&R; $432/NR | The Lodge Activity Room
Camp Des Peres
Are you ready for a jam-packed summer full of games and fun at Des Peres’ very own day camp? Join Camp Des Peres for a true summer camp experience with the comfort of a small group feel. Campers will enjoy a variety of great themed activities under the supervision of our trained staff. This camp includes swimming at The Lodge, fishing at Des Peres pond, special entertainment, classic camp games, and crafts each week Children must bring their own sack lunch and water bottle each day This is an outdoor camp with limited access to indoor facilities in the event of extreme weather conditions. Campers meet at Des Peres Park Pavilion each morning. Campers will be bussed to The Lodge on Fridays for swimming. Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
Ages 5-11 (completion of kindergarten required)
Bricks 4 Kidz®
BRICK MASTER CHALLENGE
Ready for a thrilling building challenge? Join the Bricks 4 Kidz master Challenge, inspired by the dynamic LEGO Masters TV show! From constructing towering structures to engineering moving creations, it's a journey of innovation, teamwork, and endless fun Step into the role of a master builder and create wonders with LEGO - sign up now and let the epic building challenge begin! Registration deadline is 6/10/25.
HARRY POTTER BUILDING
This camp takes you on a thrilling adventure making Harry Potter characters in a fantasy world of owls, wands, and spells All campers take home a custom-made mini figure Registration deadline is 7/1/25.
7 - July 11
SUPER HEROES
Join Bricks 4 Kidz for a week building Super Heroes and Avengers with LEGO bricks Create a fantasy world and protect it against all the evil arch enemies with custom contraptions made with LEGO bricks. All campers take home a custom-made mini figure Registration deadline is 7/8/25.
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Mad Science®
MAD INVENTORS (HALF DAY)
Creative Contraption Warning! Each day, campers will be given a series of challenges which must be overcome using basic materials, simple machines, tips from world famous inventors and the most important thing of all –your mind With a little bit of ingenuity, kids use catapults, construct mini-forts and then lay siege. Registration deadline is 5/27/25.
Learn about archaeology and the techniques scientists use to excavate long lost cities! Study bone fragments, pottery shards, amber deposits, and fossils to understand what they can tell us about history Each class includes a make and take-home project, like a fossil reproduction, an amber time capsule, and coins from around the world! Registration deadline is 6/17/25. #4380
SUPER GROSS SCIENCE (FULL DAY)
Miss Manners might not approve, but your child definitely will! Super Gross Science camp is a week of learning about our gross bodily functions Burping, boogers, excrement, gas, saliva, germs and how our brain, cells, heart, organs and blood contribute to this. Registration deadline is 7/29/25.
Sports Camps
LARRY HUGHES ACADEMY
Founded by former NBA player Larry Hughes, LHBA focuses on growing individual skills, basketball IQ, character development and leadership training Athletes get the opportunity to practice and perfect their basketball skills by participating in station work that includes ball handling, shooting, defense, moving without the ball and other important topics Athletes will get to put their new skills to work in competitions like shooting contests, simulated games 3v3 and 5v5
FENCERS ACADEMY
Join us for a weeklong camp experie training from former National Egypti He currently holds certifications from Committee and the French Fencing include stretching, drills, supervised other fun activities Participants will l blade work, elements of distance and to the three weapons Wear loose, co pants and athletic shoes All other eq Registration deadline is the Tuesda
CHALLENGER SPORTS INTERNATIO
Challenger Sports International Soccer Camps offer your child the chance to play soccer and learn new skills, moves and techniques in a fun, safe and rewarding environment All of our coaches are from various parts of Europe and are experienced, qualified soccer coaches who will ensure your child has a great time! Campers will also receive a soccer ball Registration will only be taken on Challenger Sports’ website.
A.M.
ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER SOCCER
St Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club will be hosting a Summer Soccer Camp in Des Peres Park! SLSG has emerged as a national leader in youth soccer Building on a proud history of on-field success and a historic soccer culture, the organization has worked tirelessly to fulfill its mission: to be the best club in the country, positively impact the development of our players on and off the field and positively impact our community Through soccer, our curriculum encourages physical and social development, all within a fun learning environment Each camper will receive an SLSG T-Shirt Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
Ages 5-12 | $200/M&R; $240/NR | Des Peres Park, Soccer Field 2
DATE DAYS TIME SESSION
Monday - Friday 8 – 8:45am #4401
Each session runs three hours per day for four consecutive days At the beginning of each camp players are divided by age groups Each day will start with a fun dynamic warm-up After warm-ups players begin station rotations that focus on specific skill sets such as hitting, fielding, agility, bunting, cut-offs, rundowns or base-running. After station rotations, the group will break into an instructor pitch game each day. Requests to be with groups, teammates and friends can be accommodated. Grab your gear and meet us for a fun-filled, action-packed program over the summer! To register, call 636.394.2255 or visit the Balls-N-Strikes website. 9am - 12pm
DATE DAYS TIME BALLS-N-STRIKES 9am - 12pm
Ages 5-12 | $149 | Des Peres Park Ball Diamonds
- Thursday 9am - 12pm
PICKLEBALL CAMP
Pickleball is a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong This camp will focus on instructional drills, fun games and interactive activities The camp is designed for participants to learn the fundamentals of Pickleball including the rules of the game, the different parts of the court, serving, scoring and the basic forehand shot All equipment for the camp will be provided Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
This camp is perfect for the beginner tennis player or those who are currently competing in USTA Jr Tennis Tournaments Participants will take part in drills, games and instruction throughout the week Skills taught include: serve, volley, backhand, forehand, beginning strategies, scoring and court etiquette Campers will receive expert coaching from Des Peres Tennis Academy Staff Come join us for an exciting week of tennis! Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
6-16 | $200/M&R;
| Des Peres
All aspects of the game are taught through drills and exercise that focus on passing, setting, hitting and serving This co-rec camp is designed for the beginner to intermediate player and will incorporate essential life lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship Our volleyball staff will assist each athlete in developing the fundamental skills of the game through game-based drills and scrimmages aimed at developing the whole player Come out and join us for a fun-filled week! Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
Aquatics Camps
AQUA ADVENTURE CAMP
Join us for some summertime fun at the pool! Aqua Adventure Camp is sure to make a splash with your aquatic kiddo. Campers will participate in swimming lessons during the first 30 minutes of camp, followed by ageappropriate water games, crafts, some dry land games and free swim Our swim instructors will serve as camp counselors and lead the campers through aquatic-themed days Campers will be divided into smaller groups based on their age and swimming ability on the first day of camp Lunch is not provided. Pack a non-perishable snack and send a full change of clothes with tennis shoes. Registration deadline is the Tuesday before camp begins.
June 9 - 13 June 16 - 20 June 23 - 27 July 7 - 11 July 14 - 18 July 21 - 25
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Lodge Lifeguard? Stop wondering and give it a try at our Junior Lifeguard Camp! You will learn basic water rescues, valuable CPR, First Aid skills and much more about the many roles of the Professional Lifeguard Prerequisites: ability to swim 100 yards continuously using freestyle and breaststroke; must be able to tread water for a minimum of 1 minute; must be able to retrieve a 10-pound dive brick from the deep end of the pool Registration deadline is May 28.
LODGE LUNCH BUNCH
For your convenience, your child can bring his/her lunch and eat with a counselor between camps held at The Lodge Register for a camp in the morning and another camp in the afternoon and stay all day at The Lodge Counselors will collect campers from their morning camps, eat lunch together, enjoy downtime and then make sure they get to the next camp on time Be sure to bring a sack lunch and drink (food not provided) Lunch Bunch is only offered to participants who registered for both a morning camp and an afternoon camp located at The Lodge.
