2025 St Louis Chess Summer Camps
Chess Summer Camps are the perfect way to introduce the game of chess to new students, deepen understanding of the game for established players, or offer intensive instruction for aspiring chess masters. Grandmaster instructors provide daily lessons, puzzles, and play to help guide students through each session.
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, educational organization committed to making chess an integral part of our community. Chess is a valuable educational tool that helps teach important lessons including problem solving, critical thinking, sportsmanship, patience and goal setting — plus, it is fun!
Chess Summer Camps for Children Ages 6 - 14
Times
Full Day: 9 AM - 4 PM
Half Day: 9 AM - NOON
Fees
Full Day: $475.00
Half Day: $280.00
Deadlines
Registrations close at 9 PM the preceding Monday of each camp
A Typical Day of Chess Summer Camp in St Louis
8:30 – 9am Arrival
9:15 – 10am Chess Lesson #1 and Play
10 – 10:15am Snack (provided by Chess Club)
10:15 – 10:45 Free Play
10:45 – 12pm Organized Event (Tournament, Game Analysis, Slow Game, Bughouse, Puzzle Contest, etc)
12 – 12:15pm Departure for AM Students
12 – 1pm Lunch and Free Play
12:45 – 1pm Arrival for PM Students
1 – 2pm Chess Lesson #2 and Play
2 – 2:15pm Snack (Provided by Chess Club)
2:15 – 2:45pm Free Play
2:45 – 4pm Organized Event
4 – 4:15pm Departure
The Square-By-Square Specifics of Chess Summer Camp
Instruction offers a solid basic foundation, emphasizing the fundamental skills needed to begin a lifetime of learning in chess, including:
- Proper piece and board set-up
- Algebraic Notation (Chess Language)
- Basic Principles of Play
Grandmasters then provide expert instruction building on these skills and covering more advanced ideas, including:
- Tactics
- Strategy
- Middlegame Planning
- Endgame Technique
Each chess summer camp provides opportunities to practice these skills in a variety of activities and workshops with classmates under the observation of a Grandmaster and experienced Chess Instructors from the Saint Louis Chess Club.
If you are a scout in Scouting America, you can earn your Chess Merit Badge through one of our week-long summer camps. Let your camp councilors know on your first day of camp that you want to work on this during the session.
