Events

Join us at Rockwoods Reservation for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Rockwoods Reservation, test your skills by learning archery. Learn to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat and make your own cool treat inspired by nature. Cool off during the Stream Exploration, using nets to search for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Sunscreen, bug spray, and boots are recommended for the stream.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the Pavilion at Rockwoods Reservation.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Registration required by visiting https://mostateparks.com/learn2-aim (adults) The Discovery Center is partnering with Missouri State Parks to offer this introductory class just for us grown up kids. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Join us at Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! Join Powder Valley staff for a day of cooking and climbing. Enjoy an exciting excursion in the trees as you practice tree climbing. Practice your outdoor cooking skills by preparing your own foil packet lunch and making delicious deserts with a Dutch oven. Embrace the adventurous camp spirit and try several wild edible recipes to accompany your lunch.

Make sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray! Don't forget to bring water and wear close toed shoes suitable for rigorous activity. Meet the naturalists at the frog statue in front of the nature center.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Join us at Rockwoods Reservation for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Rockwoods Reservation, test your skills by learning archery. Learn to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat and make your own cool treat inspired by nature. Cool off during the Stream Exploration, using nets to search for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Sunscreen, bug spray, and boots are recommended for the stream.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the Pavilion at Rockwoods Reservation.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Walk-in (ages 8+) Setting up a tent can be intimidating. Deciphering the pieces and parts and knowing what a complete tent looks like is half the battle. Join a naturalist for a chance to practice - the best way to learn! A variety of tents will be available to try on-site with instruction and support along the way. Have a tent of your own? Bring it in for practice, tips on setting it up and storing after use. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Has your child ever uttered the statement, “I’m bored!”? Well, look no further! This two-day camp is full outdoor adventure fun and will be sure to cure them of their summer boredom. This year we'll be exploring the beautiful variety of habitats found in Missouri, and the animals that call these places home. Throughout the two days of camp, participants will explore Missouri’s habitats by foot, canoe, and jumping right in! A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child is only eligible for one Kids Camp session per year.

Has your teen ever uttered the statement, “I’m bored!”? Well, look no further! This two-day camp is full of outdoor adventure fun and will be sure to cure them of their summer boredom. This year we'll be celebrating the beautiful habitats of Missouri. Join us for two days of wild adventure as we experience different habitats. The goal for this camp is building adventure skills and natural know-how. A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided.

Join us at Busch Conservation Area for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Busch CA, we will start off our morning with some kayaking on the lake and BB Gun target practice with our Busch Shooting Range staff, following by lunch at the picnic pavilion. To end our day, we will cool off in the classroom to meet some of our resident cold-blooded critters and learn about the reptiles and amphibians of Missouri.

Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Refrigeration is available if needed. Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and water-resistant shoes for kayaking are recommended.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the classroom in the main building at Busch CA.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Has your child ever uttered the statement, “I’m bored!”? Well, look no further! This two-day camp is full outdoor adventure fun and will be sure to cure them of their summer boredom. This year we'll be exploring the beautiful variety of habitats found in Missouri, and the animals that call these places home. Throughout the two days of camp, participants will explore Missouri’s habitats by foot, canoe, and jumping right in! A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child is only eligible for one Kids Camp session per year.

Has your child ever uttered the statement, “I’m bored!”? Well, look no further! This two-day camp is full outdoor adventure fun and will be sure to cure them of their summer boredom. This year we'll be exploring the beautiful variety of habitats found in Missouri, and the animals that call these places home. Throughout the two days of camp, participants will explore Missouri’s habitats by foot, canoe, and jumping right in! A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child is only eligible for one Kids Camp session per year.