With many school districts in the St. Louis area planning for remote-only or partial in-person school, some parents are looking for alternatives to a home-based online education or home schooling. The Magic House announced it will open Learning Camp, a supervised, socially distanced environment separate from museum visitors where kids in kindergarten through grade 5 can spend the day working on school work if needed, and participating in a STEAM-centered curriculum.
Learning Camp will be similar to the museum's full-day summer camp program, which implemented social distancing and other CDC protocols successfully. Open five days a week with before and after care available, Learning Camp will supplement school-based learning with creative STEAM and social studies interactive experiences led by the education staff at The Magic House. A supervised and supported virtual learning lab will be available for students to complete online learning if needed.
Each day begins with private exploration and play in the museum, followed by a variety of learning experiences, including robotics, 3D printing, pottery making and cultural education. The afternoon hours will be designated as a time for independent reading, schoolwork, and art experiences. Students will be divided into small group "play pods" with 10 students maximum to allow for social distancing within exhibit spaces and classrooms.
Families can sign up for Learning Camp on the days they need a place for their children to learn away from home. There is a two day per week minimum. Members receive a discounted rate of $37.50 per day, with a daily rate for non-members of $45. Lunch, prepared by the museum's chef, is $5 per day, or students may opt to bring their lunch. Before and after care is available from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. for $10 for the morning session or $15 for both sessions.
Learning Camp begins on August 24.
Pre-registration is available now. For information and to pre-register, visit magichouse.org
Enjoy an old-fashioned community festival at Eureka Days. This annual event includes lots of children's activities, carnival rides, fireworks, vendors, live music, bounce houses and lots more.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
Tri-athlete kids will have a blast at the annual Kids Triathlon sponsored by the City of Ballwin. Kids and teens ages 6 to 13 will swim, bike and run to see who will come out victorious. Participants will be grouped according to age.
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.
Celebrate reading at the Little Readers Festival. This free event features a variety of activities and performances, and kids ages 5 and under will receive free books and shaved ice. Activities will be provided by the Bubble Bus, Miss Libby's Music Party, Llama Llama Story Time, and more. Guests will also get to meet Fredbird and the St. Louis Blues mascot Louie from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.!