Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS) has granted $412,000 to 14 area agencies to provide free summer camp programs in June and July for more than 1,040 low-income youth (ages 6 to 17) at 17 St. Louis area locations.
Each agency handles their own application and registration process. Agencies awarded grants include:
Annie Malone Children & Family Services
Better Family Life
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis
Communities First
Gene Slay Girls and Boys Club
Jennings School District
Lifewise STL
Mentors In Motion
New Avenue
Northside Youth and Senior Services
Salvation Army
Sprog, Inc./Horizons
The Sophia Project
Wesley House Association
The free summer camp programs focus on academic support/enrichment, social and life skills, health and recreation, character development, and parent and family involvement.
Collectively, more than 612 days of activities will be offered, and 37,440 meals/snacks will be provided – addressing food insecurity during the summer months when students are not in school.
ARCHS’ summer camp programs provide safe environments at no cost to low-income families, freeing up parents’ time for work or training opportunities.
According to MyKidCamp, the national average cost of an eight-week summer camp is $400 per child. By providing free summer camps, ARCHS enables participating families to avoid those costs and redirect more than $416,000 into the regional economy.
The ARCHS’ competitive summer camp grants were awarded to the selected agencies via a request for proposals (RFP) review process.
ARCHS is one of Missouri’s Community Partnership organizations, connecting vulnerable children and families to essential human services on behalf of the state. Last year, ARCHS and its local partner agencies generated a $63.3 million regional economic impact while serving 350,137 people.
ARCHS afterschool and summer camp programs are fully funded by grant awards totaling $2,336,863 (100%) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.