YMCA Camp Lakewood

Ages

Elementary Age, High Schoolers, Middle Schoolers, Teens and Tweens

Locations

Outside the Metro Area

Extended Care

Yes

This is a sleep-away camp.

YMCA Camp Lakewood

At YMCA Camp Lakewood overnight summer camp, ages 6-17 get to discover the wonders of the outdoors while making friends and memories that last a lifetime. Why is it such a memorable experience? When campers from all walks of life come together to try new things without judgment, to feel safe, happy and wanted – they discover more than a home away from home – they discover themselves. YMCA Camp Lakewood is an experience like none other. Kids come away with new skills, confidence and friendships that broaden their perspectives and strengthen their character. Their experience includes a 5,200-acre campus with forest-covered hills, caves, a creek, a lake, and lots to explore. The private lake offers a ton of waterfront activities like swimming, fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

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Open House at YMCA Camp Lakewood

Camp Lakewood Open Houses are designed to give you and your children or teens the opportunity to meet the camp directors, ask questions and see the beautiful property. You'll get a tour of the camp, be able to speak with camp staff and be reassured that your camper will have the experience of a lifetime at YMCA Camp Lakewood.

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Halloween Weekend at YMCA Trout Lodge

Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood transform into a spooky destination for haunted hayrides, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and lots of frighteningly-fun games.

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Great Pumpkin Jamboree Weekend

Celebrate the fall season jamboree-style at YMCA Trout Lodge.

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Things to Do

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo is back for another beautifully lit season. Your family can stroll through the Zoo grounds surrounded by a million lights! Visitors will see twinkling light displays, enjoy fun photo opportunities, holiday carolers, Santa's woodland workshop, roaming entertainers, and lots more in this enchanting holiday wonderland.

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Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Friday, December 1, 2023

More than a million lights will illuminate some of the Missouri Botanical Garden's most iconic locations, walkways will be transformed into sensory light tunnels providing an explosion of visual magic, and traditional candlelight village displays, festive drinks, s'mores and great photo opportunities will delight crowds of all ages.

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Brewery Lights at Anheuser-Busch Brewery

Enjoy the iconic lights that adorn the Anheuser-Busch Brewery close up during walking tours. Brewery Lights features more than one million twinkling lights and lots of family friendly activities. New this year is an enhanced parade with Clydesdales and street performers, giant branded nutcrackers and interactive stage performances.

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Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

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Preschool Science Series: Storybook STEAM at the Saint Louis Science Center

The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEAM is for ages 3 to 5.

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Family Night with Fredbird is back at Cardinals Nation! Join us at Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar on select Wednesday evenings this off-season! Bring your family for games, prizes, and meet Fredbird and take photos with him from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Kids eat free every Wednesday from 5 - 9 p.m.* To view the dates and make your reservation, visit cardinals.com/familynight

*One free kids meal per adult meal purchased. Dine-in only. For kids 12 and under.

The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar is a family-friendly holiday festival especially for kids and dogs! This St. Louis favorite returns to the state-of-the-art Purina Event Center on Dec. 2-3. Visit the Kids Activity Area, take photos with Santa, have fun in Jingle Bell Junction, watch live musical entertainment and canine demonstrations, meet adoptable pets, visit the Slobber Town Activity Area for dogs, and shop for unique gifts from more than 25 local retailers! Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar admission is free; parking is $25 per car. There will be a dedicated sensory-friendly space for the duration of the event that will offer photos with Santa for families with children of all abilities from 12-12:30 each day. The Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar will be held December 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Reservations are required. LEARN MORE AT PURINAFARMS.COM

As you roam throughout the Zoo during U.S. Bank Wild Lights you’ll see dazzling displays, including new light tunnels and a 40-foot tree, as well as an inflatable maze, blizzard boulevard, camp fire corner, candy cane lane, polar point and lots more. Need a warm-up? Step inside the Insectarium to see invertebrates, sip on a novelty hot chocolate, toast some s’mores at one of the fire pits, or enjoy “The Polar Express” at the 4D Theater. If you’re cool with being cool, you’ll enjoy seeing the animals at Penguin & Puffin Coast, where it’s a brisk 45 degrees, or embrace the winter chill as you ride the Conservation Carousel. Adding to the merriment are holiday carolers, performing nightly. And for the kiddos: be sure to stop by the Woodland Workshop, where they can work on a free craft and write a letter to Santa. Select nights, Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, 5 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more at stlzoo.org/wildlights; tickets are on sale now!

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