Overnight campout event in Forest Park helps families discover the outdoors

Have you ever wanted to learn to camp or fish? Or maybe go canoeing or create a great meal outdoors? If you answered yes, 2015 Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) St. Louis is for you. This educational family event will be held in Forest Park Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13.

WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School is packed with opportunities to learn skills to enhance your outdoor experience. It is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Bass Pro Shops, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Wonders of Wildlife, National Park Service, St. Louis Department of Parks and Recreation, Great Rivers Greenway, Missouri State University, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The purpose of WOW St. Louis is to empower newcomers to camping and outdoor recreation with the skills, comfort and confidence they need to take the next steps on their own. WOW is presented in two parts. Saturday is the outdoor skills portion. The program will offer classes in a variety of outdoor activities including archery, canoeing, fishing, geocaching, orienteering, kayaking, outdoor cooking and more. WOW St. Louis is designed to teach participants how to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreational activities while practicing personal safety and outdoor responsibility. Classes are open to anyone age six and up.

The second portion is the overnight campout. WOW participants will have the opportunity to spend the night in Forest Park Saturday night. The camping experience will include tent set-up, campfire activities, and a nighttime open-air movie screening.

Tents will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who don't have one. Campers should bring their own sleeping and personal gear and dress for the weather. The cost to attend the outdoors skills classes Saturday is only $10 per person, making it an affordable day of family fun. The Saturday night campout is an additional $5 per person.

Registration includes equipment for all activities and lunch on Saturday, and a hotdog cookout for Saturday night campers, along with breakfast snacks on Sunday. Financial assistance to cover the cost of the event is also available. Registrations will be accepted through Aug. 28. For more information or to request a registration packet, log onto the WOW website at http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/Page/Conservation-Education-Wow-School-stl.aspx. You can also request registration information and forms by calling the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at (314) 340-5794 or toll free at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf).

Mammal Mania

Location: Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2015, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

(Ages 6 and up) That little animal is cute? It may be, but remember it is wild! We will not have live animals, but you will be able to touch mammal pelts and skulls while learning about some of the mammals living in Missouri. (Reservations begin April 20 by calling 314-301-1500.)

For more information on Missouri Department of Conservation events and programs in the St. Louis area visit http://mdc.mo.gov/node/258.

Youth Shotgun Camp

Location: August A. Busch Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center

Date: July 15, 8:00 AM to July 16, 2015, 12:00 PM

This 2 day camp will teach the basics of shotgun shooting, and the skills necessary to become a good shot. Instructors will cover safety, types of actions, chokes, grip, stance, ammunition, importance of patterning and more. Students will also learn the fundamentals of American Trap, and Skeet and participate in live fire. Camp will meet at the August A. Busch CA classroom. Campers should bring a snack, drink, bug spray, and dress appropriately for the weather. (Ages 11-15, reservations begin June 15 by calling 636-441-4554).Not recommended for youth under 90 lbs.

Did you know? The Department maintains over 730 miles of designated trails on conservation areas and over 70 unstaffed and 5 staffed shooting ranges for outdoor recreational use.  

To subscribe to the Missouri Conservationists or Xplor magazines, please visit www.mdc.mo.gov/node/9087. 

Floating the Meramec River

Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

(Ages 10 & up) Nothing beats a summer float trip with our naturalists to help you discover nature along the way! Float the Meramec River between Pacific Palisades Conservation Area and Allenton Public Fishing Access. Learn how to protect this precious resource while enjoying summer fun. All participants must be good swimmers with at least one participant over the age of 18 per canoe. Pre-float instructions provided once registered. The float is no cost! However, a $15 refundable deposit per canoe is required by check to hold reservations. (For reservations, please call 636-458-2236.)

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 2

Location: Busch Wildlife Lake 15, Forest Park Old Hatchery, Suson Park

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2015, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

LESSON 2-Combines instruction with hands-on fishing to teach young angles and family’s intermediate fishing techniques and skills. Participants are limited to anglers ages 7-15 and families with children. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. For reservation, please call 636-441-4554. For more information on Discover Nature-Fishing please visit http//mdc.mo.gov/node/27175.

Discover Nature Fishing Lesson 3

Location: Busch Wildlife Lake 15, Forest Park Old Hatchery, Suson Park

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2015, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

LESSON 3-Five Common Missouri Fish-Their Anatomy, Habitat and Life Cycle combines instruction with hands on fishing to teach young angles and families basic biological concepts and functions specific to largemouth bass, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Participants are limited to anglers ages 7-15 and families with children. Fishing equipment, instructors/coaches and bait/lures will be provided. Adults who do not wish to fish must accompany their child(ren) at all times. For reservation, please call 636-441-4554. For more information on Discover Nature-Fishing please visit http//mdc.mo.gov/node/27175.

Discover Nature - Youth Shooting Sports Camp

Location: Jay Henges Shooting Range

Date: July 20, 9:00 AM to July 22, 2015, 12:00 PM

(Ages 11 - 16) This three-morning (9am to noon each day) program is designed to introduce young shooters to the rifle, handgun, and shotgun. Students will become familiar with each type of firearm and have extensive time on the range with each. All materials and safety equipment will be provided as well as qualified instructors. Information presented will include emphasis on safety, range rules plus opportunities for further training, hunting info, certifications, or available competitions. A birth certificate is required for age verification. A parent or guardian must sign participant in and out each day. To register call (636) 938-9548 ext 0 or email Henges.Range@mdc.mo.gov.

Find a Hunter Education Class

Click here to see a list of scheduled courses this winter and spring.  The Department has several classes already scheduled for 2015.  Check back regularly as classes are periodically added.  The Department recently revised its Hunter Education curriculum to enhance student convenience and emphasize mentorship and hands-on training.

Floating the Meramec River - Kayaks

Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2015, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

(Ages 10 & up) Nothing beats a summer float trip with our naturalists to help you discover nature along the way! Float the Meramec River between Pacific Palisades Conservation Area and Allenton Public Fishing Access in kayaks. Learn how to protect this precious resource while enjoying summer fun. All participants must be good swimmers with at least one participant over the age of 18 per family. Pre-float instructions provided once registered. The float is no cost! However, a $15 refundable deposit per family is required by check to hold reservations. (For reservations, please call 636-458-2236.)

Heron and Egret Hike

Location: Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2015, 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM

(Ages 12 and up) Join us for a 2 and ½ mile hike to view the herons and egrets feeding in the Marais Temps Clair Conservation Area marsh. The young have just left the nests so we may see both young and adults feeding together. See some of the showiest members of all wading birds. Learn to identify these birds from a distance through spotting scopes provided by MDC. (Reservations begin July 10. Please call 636-441-4554.)

Floating the Meramec River - Women Only

Location: Rockwoods Reservation

Date: Monday, July 27, 2015, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

(Ages 10 & up) Nothing beats a summer float trip with our naturalists to help you discover nature along the way! Float the Meramec River between Pacific Palisades Conservation Area and Allenton Public Fishing Access. Learn how to protect this precious resource while enjoying summer fun. All participants must be good swimmers with at least one participant over the age of 18 per canoe. Pre-float instructions provided once registered. The float is no cost! However, a $15 refundable deposit per canoe is required by check to hold reservations. Women only, please. (For reservations, please call 636-458-2236.)

MDC offers frog gigging clinic for families July 31 in Lincoln County

Location: BK Leach Memorial Conservation Area

Date: Friday, July 31, 2015, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

(Ages 11 – 15 accompanied by adult mentor)In this clinic, we’ll teach you how to hunt frogs at night using a technique called gigging. Gigging for frogs is an entertaining and unique summer pastime that can be enjoyed by all. Learn about frog habitat, the basics of frog gigging, necessary equipment, and gigging rules and regulations. When it gets dark, we’ll head out to actually go frog gigging! Afterwards, we’ll demonstrate how to clean and cook your frogs, and everyone will get to taste a sample of real frog legs! This event will be held at the BK Leach Memorial Conservation Area in Lincoln County. (Reservations begin July 1 by calling 636-441-4554.)

Once in a Blue Moon Sunset Walk

Location: Columbia Bottom Conservation Area

Date: Friday, July 31, 2015, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

(Ages 7 and Up) The second full moon occurring in a month is commonly called a “blue moon,” It happens only every two to three years. Today the sun sets and the “blue moon” rises within a few minutes of each other! Bring your camera to catch the vivid colors as the sun sets over the prairie. Then we will walk to the Confluence to experience the rising “blue moon” as it reflects on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. We help you discover as we look and listen for nature’s “night shift” creatures along the way. Meet at the Slough, parking lot “M”, about four miles from the front entrance. Call 314-877-6014 Wed.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Reservations run July 15 thru July 29.