Youth on the Rise hosts summer camp

This summer, Youth on the Rise held one of the most successful summer camps in years. This summer we averaged more than 20 kids daily, from ages 12-17, and daily activities included free meals, life skills groups, various sports, arts and crafts, and cooking activities at the Youth Center. The theme of this year’s camp was STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Activities included, coding, robotics, music production, and a Minecraft and Roblox tournament. Campers took multiple field trips, including trips to Boeing, Heru Urban Farming, Danforth Plant Science Center, Seeds of Hope Farm, the Arch, and the Science Center.

Youth on the Rise is a drop-in center where teens can do homework, use computers, play games, and enjoy nutritional snacks and meals.

Youth on the Rise hosted the inaugural Pre-Summer Community Appreciation event on May 23, 2022. The event offered activities, food, a meet & greet, and most importantly, an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate themselves. Approximately 60 community members visited the Drop-In Center ranging from community leaders to toddlers. This event also resulted in 16 additional youth signing up for services.

The Youth Programs Division formed a new partnership with Green St. Louis Machine, an educational initiative focused on promoting healthy eating, engaging students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) practices, and developing skills in urban agriculture, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

This partnership resulted in an Aeroponic Tower Garden being housed at the Youth Center. Youth have been able to use the food that they have grown to prepare meals for themselves.