Camp In’ Under the Arch Opens Kids’ Eyes to Our National Parks

Camping is usually considered a summertime activity, but really there’s no better time to spend a few days living outdoors than now – when the summer heat transitions into autumn relief. No longer will you have to swelter on hikes, become a drinking fountain for mosquitos, or roast around the campfire – but instead soak up nature in cool comfort.

To get your kids pumped up about the great outdoors, join them for a camping trial run at Camp In’ Under the Arch this weekend, a special event hosted by the National Park Service (NPS) in honor of Founders Day, its 97th birthday celebration. Through Camp In’, families will not only acquire vital camping skills, but will learn more about our country’s 59 National Parks, including six right here in Missouri that welcome more than four million visitors a year.

According to Julie Northrip, director of education for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Camp In’ is held in air-conditioned comfort of the Gateway Arch lobby and offers a variety of interactive activities to spur both novice and experienced campers’ excitement about heading outdoors.

“So many children are disconnected from nature and never take the opportunity to be outside,” she remarked. “Even something as simple as walking around the Arch grounds can help kids learn about the nature along the trails and riverfront. By coming to Camp In’ Under the Arch with their parents, they can enjoy hands-on activities indoors and be encouraged to take what they’ve learned outdoors.”

In addition to learning how to pitch a pop-up tent, little campers will understand how to pack the perfect backpack for a day of hiking, including choosing the best equipment to take on a hike and understanding which items to leave at home. Kids will also identify trees by their leaves and branches, participate in mock campfire fun, and take part in a fishing activity to distinguish different species and learn about the Missouri Department of Conservation’s fishing regulations.

To introduce kids to Native American history, Camp In’ also features a life-size canvas tipi to crawl in and a touch table so they can get their hands on examples of tools and hides that supported life on the Great Plains. Camp In’ Under the Arch will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 in the Gateway Arch lobby.

The event is free, and registration is not required. To learn more, visit www.gatewayarch.com or call 314-655-1614.

Photo: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial