FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SUMMER PROGRAMS
What does a regular session of camp look like?
Across programs, young artists receive a personal sketchbook on the first day of their session. A typical day depends on the theme of the week and the instructor’s curriculum. Many teams (classes) create with clay on Mondays and glaze their ceramics on Wednesdays. The summer curriculum is based on our summer goals, weekly themes, resources in the Park, and the age of the young artists on each team. Each team hikes, plays, investigates outdoor sculptures, and makes unique art projects while exploring various art making tools and techniques throughout the session. Special guests are scheduled throughout the summer. All teams host Family Art Walks on the final day of their session, so caregivers can see what their young artists have been making throughout the week.
How do I find out more about daily procedures, including check-in and -out, the packing list, behavior expectations, and the response to inclement weather?
Upon registering, you will be emailed a confirmation message that includes a receipt and a link to this year’s Family Handbook. This document includes important information for you and your artists and should be shared with any caregivers participating in summer programs.
Who is on the summer education team?
Our team is made up of experienced educators, artists, and teaching assistants. Our average ratio is one staff member to eight young artists. After staff pass a background check, they train for two months on everything from first aid procedures, to art interaction, to adapting projects for learners with disabilities. We’d love for you to meet our team before programs start – please join us for our free Family Open House on Friday, June 5, from 4-6pm.
How do I apply for a scholarship?
The scholarship form is an optional part of the registration form. It consists of four questions that are prompted when you select “yes” in the “Apply for Laumeier Scholarship Fund“ field. Families don’t have to submit any additional documents. The scholarship applications period closes on April 6.
When will scholarships be awarded?
Scholarship awards will be determined in May. At that time families may have a partial to full amount due, depending on your award status or amount. Your registration will be “pending” until scholarships are distributed and the remaining tuition (if any) is paid. Final payment for a session will be due at least two weeks before the session starts.
What is Laumeier’s Summer Camp cancellation policy?
Withdrawals may be made up to six (6) weeks before the start of each session. A $50 cancellation fee will be charged for Little Buds, Art Adventurers, and Art Squad. A $15 cancellation fee will be charged for Club Create & Anime Club. No refunds or credits will be issued after the six-week window has passed. Changes to sessions will be considered, with a $25 processing fee charged at the time of approval. Laumeier does not arrange make-up sessions for programs missed by participants. Registration fees are non-refundable.
Can you ensure my young artist will be placed with their best friend/sibling/neighbor?
There is a section in the registration form where you can list any other children you would like your artist to be placed with. Please include the full name of the requested participant. We will do our best to honor these requests, taking into account the ages and needs of all registrants by session.
My young artist has a disability/different need/special situation – can they still attend?
Yes. We proudly provide a safe and welcoming environment for all young artists. When registering, please send an email to education@laumeier.org detailing your artist’s needs and we'll work with you to meet them.
How do Art Clubs work?
Art Clubs are a fun, optional add-on for ages 5-18. Any young artists registered for Art Adventurers or Art Squad are eligible to add Club Create to their registration. Artists ages 13-18 may register for Anime Club, either independently or as an add-on to Art Squad. If Art Squad participants opt to stay for Anime Club, they will have a supervised break between programs from 2-2:30pm.
Can I enter a design into the T-Shirt Design Contest?
To celebrate Laumeier’s 50th Anniversary, we're inviting young artists ages 3.5-18 to design a graphic for the 2026 Summer Camp t-shirt. To enter, complete the form and submit your image file by March 1, 2026.
How can I purchase and pick up the 2026 camp t-shirt?
2026 camp t-shirts can be purchased as part of your summer programs registration. If you’d like to add a t-shirt order after completing your registration, email education@laumeier.org and we will update your registration. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup at the front desk of the Aronson Fine Arts Center during hours of operation: ADD HOURS
How can I volunteer for summer programs?
If you’re a teen looking for volunteer hours or early work experience, you can learn more about Summer Teen Apprenticeships here. If you’re an adult (18 years or older), you can apply to volunteer here. Note: All volunteers are required to complete an application and interview. Adult volunteers must also complete a background check.
Where can I find information about Clay & Nature Camp?
Information about Clay & Nature Camp, presented by St. Louis County Parks & Recreation, can be found here.
If the session you would like to register for is full, please complete this form to be added to the waitlist. You will be contacted when your requested spots open up. Thank you!
SUMMER 2026 ART ADVENTURERS SESSIONS
In Fall 2025, you voted for your favorite themes for sessions one and three as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations. “Storytelling” and “STEAM: Animals” each won by 55.8% of the vote. Thanks for helping us create a great summer lineup!
JUNE 8-12 / The Art of Storytelling / WINNER
From bedtime chronicles, to giant murals, to K-pop musical sensations, stories are all around us. This week, explore how storytelling has changed over time, which stories are worth sharing, and how we can recycle old stories into new ones. Use sound, words, and images to tell your own unique tales.
JUNE 15-JUNE 19 / No Place Like Home
What makes a house a home? This week, we’ll be the architects and designers of our own unique spaces and furnishes. We’ll consider how art influences homes, homes influence art, and how we can create welcoming and safe spaces for everyone. After all, “home is where the heart” is! (Or is it “art”?)
Note: This week we’ll be learning about and celebrating Juneteenth and World Refugee Day. Curriculum includes potentially sensitive topics in American history, as well as contemporary civil and human rights issues. Please reach out to education@laumeier.org with questions or concerns.
JUNE 22-JUNE 26 / STEAM: Safari Dreams / WINNER
Pack your binoculars for an animal adventure! This week we’ll explore the traits, behaviors, and habitats of wild animals through science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Your texture- and pattern-filled artwork will reflect your fascinating observations of animals in their natural habitats.
JUNE 29-JULY 2 / The Future Is…
On America’s 250th Birthday, use an imaginary time machine to investigate what artists of the past thought the future would look like, then consider your own artistic vision for the future. What do you want America to be like in 5 years? 10 years? 50 years? What art will you create for the people of the future to find?
*Note: No camp on Friday due the July 4th holiday. The session price reflects this.
JULY 6-10 / Art That Eats
Back by popular demand: a food-themed week of artmaking! On the menu: all the delicious bakery, pizzeria, food truck, and candy shop projects of your dreams! Step into the creative “kitchen” to craft menus, place settings, and your favorite cuisines. You may not be able to eat all the art you make, but your art will eat.
JULY 13-17 / STEAM: Big Rivers, Little Streams
From the muddy Mississippi, to the winding Missouri, to the woodland creek at Laumeier, local H20 surrounds us. Use science, technology, engineering, art, and math to investigate the living things that fill it, the industry that thrives on it, and how we can do our part as artists to protect it. Dress for the job – you might get a bit wet!
JULY 20-24 / Summer Road Trip
Pack your bags and fill up your gas tank – we’re gearing up for an unforgettable ride! We’ll get our kicks listening to our custom playlists and keeping an eye out for our favorite snack spots. Between stops, we’ll make colorful art inspired by cool cars, wacky roadside attractions, and our favorite summer break memories.
JULY 27-31 / Party Like it’s 1976
Celebrate Laumeier Sculpture Park’s 50th Anniversary all week long by moving to groovy music, shining like a disco ball, and planning epic art parties. We’ll explore what life was like 50 years ago through rare film screenings, giant public sculptures, and fascinating Q&As with special guests. Don’t be surprised if we throw some tie-dye into the mix!
Optional Add-Ons: Art Clubs
Art Clubs are fun, optional add-ons to our full-day summer programs. They provide spaces for young artists to freely socialize and create with guidance from educators and artists.
We proudly provide a safe and welcoming environment for all young artists. Our team includes staff with backgrounds in special education, art therapy, English language development, and more. When registering, please give details about your young artist's needs and we'll work with you to meet them.
SUMMER BUZZ NEWSLETTER
Important Art Camp and Teen Art Program communication will happen via Laumeier's Summer Buzz Newsletter, including weather-related closures and early releases. Please ensure you register using an active email address and do not unsubscribe from Laumeier communication.
EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Scholarships for Art Camps and Teen Programs are available through the Laumeier Sculpture Park Education Scholarship Fund. Assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be guaranteed for all applicants. The application process is part of the online registration form. You do not need to supply any additional documents or information. THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD IS OPEN. For more information, please email our education team at education@laumeier.org.
Scholarships are granted on the basis of financial need and are awarded on a sliding scale. Assistance is granted regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality.
MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT
Laumeier Members at the I ♥ Learning & Creating and I ♥ Laumeier levels receive 10% off Art Camp and Teen Program registrations, a waived Summer Camp registration fee ($25 value), early access to Summer Camp registration, plus additional member-only benefits throughout the year.
Please note: Membership purchases must be made separately from camp registrations.
If you have renewed or purchased your Membership within the past 30 days, your 10% discount may not automatically populate within the online registration form. For those affected, here are two ways to receive your Membership discount:
Email education@laumeier.org to get a personal coupon code. Use this code in the camp registration form to apply your 10% discount.
-or-
Make your camp purchase at full price and then email education@laumeier.org to receive your 10% discount in the form of a refund.
Please note: Membership processing may take 2-3 business days, and camp sessions can fill quickly. If your membership information does not appear on the registration page, we encourage you to complete your camp registration and purchase your I ♥ Learning & Creating and/or I ♥ Laumeier membership separately, then contact our staff about a refund of your registration fee and 10% discount. Thank you!
