St. Louis Region parks schedule several events through July

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 3, 2024 – If you’re looking for something to do this summer in Missouri State Parks’ St. Louis Region, be sure to check out these activities at state parks and historic sites.

  • Monday, July 15 and 29: Mondays at Mastodon State Historic Site 
    Learn and have fun at Mondays at Mastodon! These free summer programs are designed for families with elementary-aged children, but all families are welcome. Most activities will take place outdoors. Participants should bring water and dress for the weather. Register by calling or texting 636-215-9784. The program runs from 11 a.m. to noon and is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
    • July 15: Finding Fossils 
      Learn about the fossilization process, hike to the bone bed and make a fossil to take home. Meet at the museum entrance.
    • July 29: Glorious Games 
      Play fun games outside. Warning: You may get wet! Meet in the picnic area!
       
  • Wednesday, July 17 at 2 p.m.: Explorer Hour at Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site
    Become a Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites Explorer! This program is a great way to learn about nature and Missouri’s past. An interpreters will be stationed at Sandy Creek Covered Bridge with various interpretive activities. This program will help you launch or complete your Explorer Patch journey. This free program is offered anytime between 2 and 4 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, including extreme heat, you are encouraged to call the site office at 636-464-2976 to check the program's status. Sandy Creek Covered Bridge State Historic Site is located at 9090 Old Lemay Ferry Road in Hillsboro.
     
  • Thursday, July 18 at 10 a.m.: Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site 
    Come learn, create and play at Mastodon State Historic Site! Toddler Thursday programs are designed for toddlers and their grown-ups. Each Toddler Thursday focuses on a different topic and includes hands-on activities. Toddler Thursdays take place outside in the field near the museum. Participants should dress for the weather. In the event of inclement weather, including extreme heat, the program will be moved indoors to the museum auditorium. To register, call 636-646-2976. The fun begins at 10 a.m. at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
    Saturday, July 20 from 2-8 p.m.: Bees, Beetles and Butterflies at Washington State Park Washington State Park team members will offer a tour of the petroglyphs, the park’s history carved in stone! Learn about the Mississippian-era carvings, the culture and community who created them and possible interpretations. Enjoy a short stroll on a covered walkway with interpretive panels highlighting the cultural features. Learn about the animals that have been memorialized in the stone.
    • Pollinator Tag: 4 p.m. at the pool. 
      Bring your children to participate in a fun game of pollinator tag. Each participant in this game is either a flower or a bee on a mission to collect pollen. There will also be a display table with resources about native wildflowers.
    • Bug Observation Hike: 7 p.m. at the amphitheater. 
      Go on a leisurely 1-mile hike and see what kinds of bugs you can spot along the way. Learn more about their diets, where they live, and their importance in the ecosystem.

The fun begins at 2 p.m. and Washington State Park is located at 13041 State Highway 104 in De Soto.

  • Wednesday, July 24 at 2 p.m.: Camp Mastodon at Mastodon State Historic Site 
    Try out your favorite summer camp activities at Camp Mastodon! Join us to make a craft, cook a delicious snack over the fire, wade in the creek and practice throwing with atlatls. All ages are welcome, though some activities may be advanced for younger children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The entirety of this program will take place outdoors. We will meet at the picnic shelter and use various spaces in the picnic area. Participants should dress for the weather and bring a water bottle, sunscreen and insect repellent. The program is free, but registration is required and space is limited. To register, visit usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx or call or text 636-215-9784. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
     
  • Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m.: S’mores and Stories at Mastodon State Historic Site 
    Enjoy s’mores and campfire tales at our S’mores and Stories program! Local storyteller Eric Haynes will entertain guests with his captivating tales as we gather around the campfire. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and insect repellent. The program is free but registration is required. To register, visit usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx or call or text 636-215-9784. Mastodon State Historic Site is located at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.
     
  • Monday, July 29 at 11 a.m.: Mondays at Mastodon: Glorious Games at Mastodon State Historic Site 
    Learn and have fun at Mondays at Mastodon! This free summer program series is designed for families with elementary-aged children, but all families are welcome. Registration is required and can be done by visiting icampmo.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/Default.aspx or by calling 636-215-9784. At this event, participants will play fun games outside. Warning: you may get wet! Meet in the picnic area at 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive in Imperial.

For detailed information on any of these activities, please visit mostateparks.com/events. For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

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