Discover Nature Events

Ha Ha Tonka State Park has many attractions, including springs, caves, sinkholes, and a castle. We will hike 4-5 miles on trails rated moderate to difficult. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring a sack lunch, water bottle, and binoculars if you like. Meet at the Nature Center and carpool.

Has your child ever uttered the statement, “I’m bored!”? Well, look no further! This two-day camp is full outdoor adventure fun and will be sure to cure them of their summer boredom. This year we'll be exploring the beautiful variety of habitats found in Missouri, and the animals that call these places home. Throughout the two days of camp, participants will explore Missouri’s habitats by foot, canoe, and jumping right in! A welcome email will be sent prior to the program with full details and a packing list. Snacks, safety, and all equipment are provided. Each child is only eligible for one Kids Camp session per year.

Celebrate Missouri's most magical insect at Fireflies at Farmers Park! Stop by the garden area of Farmers Park anytime between 5:30 and 9:30 pm. Bring your family to make a firefly craft, play firefly games, and learn why fireflies blink. Come closer to 9 pm to catch fireflies. Nature Center staff and volunteers will be around to answer questions and offer fun facts. Check out the live band and food vendors at the Farmers Park courtyard, too. All ages.

Join us at Rockwoods Reservation for Camp Hellbender-no newts allowed! This summer camp is designed to let adults feel like a kid again and have some fun in the outdoors while exploring some of the best conservation areas in the region that MDC has to offer! At Rockwoods Reservation, test your skills by learning archery. Learn to identify animal signs, tracks, and scat and make your own cool treat inspired by nature. Cool off during the Stream Exploration, using nets to search for macroinvertebrates and amphibians. Please bring your own water bottle and lunch. Sunscreen, bug spray, and boots are recommended for the stream.

Please register each participant individually. Meet at the Pavilion at Rockwoods Reservation.

This program is part of our ongoing Camp Hellbender Series! We encourage you to participate in as many Camp days as you’d like. Registration is required for each individual camp. Campers will receive a special button to commemorate each activity they participate in throughout the summer, and all Campers will be invited back for our Closing Campfire at the end of the Summer! Please only register for one day per site.

Camp Hellbender Summer Camp Schedule:

Sunday, June 2nd- August A Busch CA

Friday, June 14th- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 21st- Powder Valley Nature Center

Saturday, June 22nd- Rockwoods Reservation

Friday, June 28th- August A Busch CA

Friday, July 12th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, July 19th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 20th- Tower Grove Park

Saturday, July 27th- Columbia Bottom CA

Friday, August 2nd- Closing Campfire at Busch CA

Have an adventure at the Nature Center and learn different ways to enjoy the outdoors as we team up with the Springfield-Greene County Library during their summer reading program, Adventure Begins at Your Library. Bring your entire family to enjoy outdoor and indoor activities, stories, crafts and more. Drop by anytime and plan on spending at least an hour. The Mobile Library will be present during the program, so bring your library card. All ages.

Registration required by visiting www.deeproots.org/get-involved (age 15+) Experience how native gardens change and learn seasonal maintenance required for success. Feel empowered, enjoy camaraderie and learn skills alongside native gardening experts and enthusiasts! All experience levels are welcome. The Deep Roots Demonstration Garden features Midwest native plants suitable for the home garden. Contact cydney@deeprootsks.org for more information.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.

Come use your imagination to create artwork using a canvas and woodworking scraps. Maybe you see a small mouse curled in a cozy nest in that pile of wood shavings. Or maybe you see a fox pouncing through tall grasses in that kindling. Let your imagination free during this hands-on class.

Samples created by our guest artist, Kathy Schweer, who was recently a featured artist in our lobby gallery, will be available to give your imagination a jump start.

Only registered participants may attend the program.

Registration required (adults) Nature Printing is the art of recreating images of found objects from nature. Little has changed from ancient times. This process has been practiced as an art, a craft and an aid to scientific study. Participants will learn about the history and techniques of nature printing while creating a wearable work of art using leaves, textile inks and recycled fabrics. We will also experiment using the etching press to create a one-of-a-kind nature art image on paper called a monoprint. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor after registering and at least one week prior to the program.

Walk-in (ages 3-6) Discovering the amazing natural world is as easy as opening a book! This volunteer naturalist led story program is ideal for preschool - kindergarten children and will take them on journeys to learn about wildlife, habitats and more. If accommodations are needed, please e-mail the instructor at least one week prior to the program.