Camp STREAM is an innovative library-sponsored eight hour summer camp that aims to spark an interest and prolonged desire in its camp participants to explore different career opportunities and hobbies through various activities. In many of the low-moderate income neighborhoods the camps are held, STEAM careers are not considered a possibility because students are not exposed to STEAM concepts. The reading component is an added bonus as campers are empowered to combat Summer Slide via our Sumer Reading Program, free books, and encouragement to read throughout the summer provided by staff and influential guests that visit the camps.

HPL is the first system to engage nearly 500 students in their local communities annually in a fun, intimate and trendsetting camp. Camp STREAM fills a vital role and void for inner-city families by providing educational activities, field trips, complimentary meal service, cognitive development, physical activities and more. Our camp provides a one stop shop where students are exposed to financial literacy, potential work fields, a broader view of reading proficiency and new skill development that ultimately result in families experiencing their neighborhood library in a whole new way, ultimately, changing their perception and outlook on what libraries can do.

As a direct result of Camp STREAM nearly 1,100 children’s lives have been changed. Parents and students have attested new career interest, strengthened social skills, increased self-esteem and confidence and, undeniably, a renewed perception of library services. Through increased technology exposure, teambuilding and support of influential community figures and highly capable and caring staff, Camp STREAM provides an experience for a population that would otherwise lack access. Our camp offers a direct connection to a variety of resources making an enormous impact in the community and creates a lifelong linkage for its campers to a world of possibilities.