Insights from our team.
Quick reads with TONS of information on finding the right programs, summer camp tips, sports clinics, and more.
How to Bring Before and After School Care to Your Child's School
A simple, step-by-step guide for parents who want quality before and after school care at their own school, with a ready-to-send email for your principal.
The Real Benefits of Enrichment-Based After School Care
Not all after school programs are the same. Here is what enrichment-based care looks like, and why it matters for your child.
Right At School vs. Cadet Care: An Honest Comparison for Parents
Comparing before and after school care providers? Here is a fair, side-by-side look at Right At School and Cadet Care by The Recreation Academy.
What to Do on School Breaks and Days Off: A Guide for Working Parents
Teacher work days, conference days, winter break, spring break. Here is how to plan coverage for school days off without burning your vacation time.
Beyond Babysitting: Why Schools Are Rethinking Out-of-School Time
School breaks, in-service days, and summer weeks don't have to mean holding rooms and screens. Here's how active, staffed school-break camps from The Recreation Academy keep kids learning and moving when school is out.
Cadet Care: Before & After School Care That Keeps Kids Moving and Learning
Cadet Care is The Recreation Academy's before and after school care program: homework time, rotating enrichment clubs, active games, and a safe, secure pickup, all on your child's own campus.
Cadet Care Before & After School Care in St. Louis, Nashville & Medford
Cadet Care brings structured before and after school care to partner schools across St. Louis, Missouri; Nashville, Tennessee; and Medford, Oregon. Here's how it works in each city and how schools can join.
The Principal's Guide to Zero-Cost After School & School Break Camp Partnerships
How school leaders can offer before and after school care, enrichment clubs, and school-break camps with $0 cost to the school, a revenue share, and a fully staffed, background-checked team.
Summer Camp 2027 in St. Louis: Full & Half Day Camps at 7 Locations
The Recreation Academy is back with full day and half day summer camps across St. Louis in 2027, at Kirkwood Park, The Beal Center, Kennedy Recreation Complex, All Saints Catholic School, Community School, New City School, and Maplewood Richmond Heights. Registration opens in January; early bird pricing runs until April 1.
How to Bring Enrichment Clubs and Camps to Your School
A step-by-step guide for parents in Missouri, Illinois, and Oregon on getting after-school enrichment clubs and summer camps started at your school — who to ask, what to say, and a copy-paste email for your principal.
What to Ask a Youth Enrichment Provider Before You Partner
Nine questions every parent, principal, and parks director should ask a youth enrichment provider before booking after-school clubs or summer camps.
The Recreation Academy Comes to Kansas City: After-School Clubs, Sports Clinics & STEM Enrichment Across the Metro
The Recreation Academy is bringing after-school clubs, youth sports clinics, STEM enrichment, and summer day camps to elementary schools, school districts, and park boards across the Kansas City metro.
The Recreation Academy Lands in Medford, Oregon: Enrichment Clubs, Sports Clinics & STEM Programs for the Rogue Valley
Southern Oregon families now have a dedicated enrichment provider for after-school clubs, youth sports clinics, STEM programs, and out-of-school time programming across the Rogue Valley.
The Growth Mindset for Kids: Why 'Yet' Changes Everything
How a single word can rewire how your child handles struggle — and why we build every Rec Academy session around it.
Birthday Parties & Mobile Field Trips: Two Ways to Bring Rec Academy to Your Group
A simple guide to choosing between our Special Event packages (8–20 kids) and Mobile Field Trips (20+) — and why both crush the standard pizza-and-balloons playbook.
Why The Recreation Academy Is St. Louis's Fastest-Growing Youth Enrichment Program
How one mission — play with purpose — turned a single after-school program in 2021 into the most-requested enrichment partner across the St. Louis metro.
Working With Kids: A Career Launchpad for Education, Phys-Ed & Child Psych Majors — and Collegiate Athletes
If you're studying to work with kids — or you've spent your life in a uniform — a structured youth-enrichment role is the most underrated way to build the resume colleges, employers, and grad schools actually care about.
The Recreation Academy Expands to Nashville: Premier Enrichment Provider for Middle Tennessee Schools
We are bringing our after-school clubs, sports clinics, STEM enrichment, and out-of-school time programs to Nashville-area elementary schools, school districts, and park districts.
Best Summer Day Camps for Kids in Kirkwood, MO — 2026
Looking for the best summer day camp options in Kirkwood, MO? We've got you covered — get the local scoop on what makes a great camp and the top picks for 2026.
All About Sports Clinics: Breaking Down the FUNdamentals
What a sports clinic really is, how it benefits kids physically, socially, and emotionally — and what to look for before enrolling.
Selecting an Enrichment Club: Unlocking the Hidden Value
A guide to what enrichment clubs really are, why they're good for students, and what to look for before registering your child.
How to Find the Right Summer Day Camp for Your Child
A parent's guide to picking a day camp that doesn't waste your time — or your child's summer.
What Every Parent Needs to Know About Youth Programs
The untold truth about youth programs in today's industry — and how to vet an organization before entrusting them with your kids.
Why Experiential Learning Programs Matter for Youth
Youth experiential education isn't about memorizing facts — it's about doing, exploring, and growing through real-world experiences. Here's why it works.
Building Skills Through Youth Sports Clinics
Youth sports clinics are more than just learning a game — they build confidence, teamwork, and discipline that last a lifetime.