
A week-long get-away designed for families with kids on the autism spectrum is being offered thanks to the St. Louis County Children's Services Fund. The camp, Meramec Adventure Learning Ranch, is located in Steelville, Mo., and is offering two, week-long camps at no cost.
The camp is an opportunity for families to relax in the great outdoors, and enjoy and support each other. Skilled camp staff members direct activities and assist with sensory, communication and/or behavioral support as needed. This is a semi-primitive camp experience. Family tents are provided and meals are cooked over a campfire with help from an expert guide. There is no electricity or running water at the campsites.
The camp is free for families residing in St. Louis County who support a child or children, ages 7 to 17, with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. All participating family members must be at least 7 years old. Space is limited. Application deadline is May 27, 2011. Camp sessions run July 18 through 22 and July 25 through 29. For more information call 573-775-5513.
Celebrating the history, culture, and people of Japan, the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States. Your family can enjoy guided walking tours, bonsai, cooking, martial arts and origami demonstrations, sumo wrestling, and special activities for kids.
Wagon rides, live entertainment, great festival foods, a petting zoo and much more make this an apple pickin' good time for the whole family. There will be pony rides, a children's carnival, opportunities to feed goats and other farm animals, caramel apples, funnel cakes and more.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer and early fall. Performances are free and take place at the Purina Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.