Events

Registration required (ages 8+) Take a step off land and dive into the world of aquatic ecosystems. Learn how to identify macro-invertebrates and what they tell us about water quality. Discover the watershed you live in and how our actions can have an impact and get up close with aquatic wildlife. Discover Missouri's aquatic ecosystems and a world of wonder! If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Sporting Clays is a challenging, yet fun shotgun shooting game that can likely be best described as playing golf with a shotgun. Shooters move from station to station and shoot at clay targets presented in a dizzying array of angles. It is some of the best practice for shooting at gamebirds. Bring your shotgun and enjoy an evening sampler of what this game entails. Non-Toxic shot is required. We can provide any gear needed to participate.

Join us for a family fishing day in the park! Fishing poles, tackle, bait, and instruction will be provided. This is a great opportunity for anyone you know who is interested in fishing but does not have the gear to do so. Anyone is welcome. Stop by to grab a fishing pole and start fishing!

This program includes rifle safety, operation, shooting fundamentals, maintenance, and safe storage. Equipment and ammunition will be provided; you may bring your own firearm and ammunition to the live-fire session.

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

Like most beginner fly anglers, do you struggle with the art of fly casting? Have you learned the skill in the past but have grown a little rusty? Join us at the Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center to learn, or relearn, the basics of fly casting. In this class we will focus on the mechanics and techniques of fly casting. We will also cover rod and line selection as it relates to casting and then practice, practice, practice! You will need to bring a hat, eye protection, and a folding chair. If you have your own fly rod you are welcome to bring it or we will provide equipment for you to use.

Registration required (adults) When we think about floating in Missouri many of us head to the cold clear waters of the Ozarks. Did you know we have some local rivers you can get on just minutes away? Join conservation educators to learn about a local tributary to the Missouri River, the Platte River in Platte Falls CA. Learn about reading a river, paddle strokes and equipment. Participants may use their own kayak, or they will be provided along with paddles and lifejackets. Bring a snack and water, no food or drinks will be provided. Participants will be e-mailed the location and other details. If the river level is not adequate a still water location will be substituted. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Registration required (adults) When we think about floating in Missouri many of us head to the cold clear waters of the Ozarks. Did you know we have some local rivers you can get on just minutes away? Join conservation educators to learn about a local tributary to the Missouri River, the Platte River in Platte Falls CA. Learn about reading a river, paddle strokes and equipment. Participants may use their own kayak, or they will be provided along with paddles and lifejackets. Bring a snack and water, no food or drinks will be provided. Participants will be e-mailed the location and other details. If the river level is not adequate a still water location will be substituted. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

This is an introductory course on how to shoot 5-stand. You will learn safety, stance, etiquette, and technique. We will proceed to live fire on the 5-stand course. Firearms, ammunition, and safety equipment will be provided.

If you love to have fun outdoors, and would like to learn new skills, then this program is for you! Teamwork, safety, and leadership are stressed. Join us in June as we learn the basics of these outdoor skills: (archery, atlatl, canoeing, fishing, letter boxing, and air rifles).

Each child may only sign up to attend one day. Participants must dress to be outside the full length of program, wear sturdy shoes (no flip flops or flimsy sandals) and bring a water bottle that can be refilled. Bug spray, sunscreen, and a hat are recommended.