Places to Go, Things to Do

Lewis and Clark re-enactment, Santa visits, etc.

In December, when kids have time off from school, there are a wide variety of Places to Go; Things to Do in the metro area. There are plenty of holiday things but also some other unusual activities too.

One neat event is the Lewis and Clark re-enactment at the Camp DuBois Historic Site in Hartford, IL. The state of Illinois has done a fine job of recreating the camp the Lewis and Clark crew used during the winter before starting their trek to the Pacific Ocean in 1804.

There's also the traditional birthday party for Raja the elephant at the Zoo and an early winter hike at Dresser Island near West Alton. You also might like to refresh your winter outdoor survival skills.

(Each month, Young Saint Louis.com looks for activities and events in the current month in which metro St. Louis area kids and their families might like to participate or see. Our emphasis is on activities that are either free or inexpensive as well as interesting.)

Arrival at Camp DuBois

Lewis and Clark re-enactors will perform at the Lewis and Clark Historic Site in Hartford, IL, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The events are free.

For information, call (618) 251-5811 or visit www.campdubois.com.

Breakfasts with Santa

The 7th annual Breakfasts with Santa will be held at the Magic House on Sunday, Dec. 6. Breakfasts will be held at 8:30, 10, 11:30 a.m. and-for those who aren't early risers--5 p.m.

There will be photos with Santa and a take-home holiday craft. Admission is $15.

For info and reservations, call (314) 822-8905 or visit www.magichouse.org.

Botanical Garden's holiday events

The Missouri Botanical Garden will hold three separate events to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa.

*The Chanukah Festival of Lights will be Sunday, Dec. 6.

*The Christmas Carols at the Garden will be Saturday, Dec. 12

*The Kwanzaa Festival of First Fruits will be Wednesday, Dec. 30.

For times and other information, call (314) 577-5100. Or you can visit www.mobot.org.

Winter Adventure Hike

An unusual early-winter experience can be had during the free Winter Adventure Hike at the Dresser Island Conservation Area at West Alton, MO, on Saturday, Dec. 12. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m.

You'll get a chance to experience the sights and sounds of early winter in the outdoors and maybe even have some early sightings of bald eagles.

For information, call (314) 877-6014 or visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/cgi-bin/mdcdevpub/apps/events/showevent.cgi?record=248018.

History of Christmas Music

A History of Christmas Music program will be held in St. Charles, MO, on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m. Admission is $6.

For info, call (636) 940-3323 or visit www.mostateparks.com/firstcapitol.htm.

Museum Winter Getaways

The Missouri History Museum in Forest Park has a series of free "Winter Getaway" programs Sunday through Wednesday, Dec. 27-30.

Sunday, Dec. 27: A story-telling workshop from noon to 2:30 p.m. There also will be treasure-themed crafts, puppets and puzzles. There's also a showing of a family film, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

Monday, Dec. 28: There's a drop-in make-and-take workshop from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Families will follow clues as they search for hidden treasure.

Tuesday, Dec. 29: Another family clue search and also a discussion by UM-St. Louis professor Dr. Fred Fausz on "Treasures of the Upper Missouri." Hours: 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 30: Rob Compton as Babaloo The Magnificent will perform along with a make-and-take workshop and family clue-search. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For information, call (314) 746-4599 or visit www.mohistory.org.

Green Gifts Bazaar

The Sierra Club will hold a Green Gift Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Riverbender Community Center in Alton, IL. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will "earth-friendly" gifts available. Also, kids will make and take home a holiday nature craft.

For information, visit www.riverbender.com.

Raja's birthday at Zoo

The St. Louis Zoo will hold is traditional holiday-season birthday for Raja the elephant on Sunday, Dec. 27.

For information, call (314) 781-9900 or visit www.stlzoo.org.

Learn Winter Survival Skills

If you're going to do lots of things outdoors in the next few months, this is the time to learn how to prepare for the cold, snow and bitter winds.

There's a Winter Survival Skills class for families set for Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Jay Hentges Outdoor Education Center. The time is 6-8 p.m. Reservations are needed and the class size is limited to 40.

You'll learn about proper clothing, outdoor gear, fire-building, shelters how to avoid winter hazards.

For information, call (636) 938-9548 or visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/cgi-bin/mdcdevpub/apps/events/showevent.cgi?record=248025.

Holiday Wreath Making

If you'd like to make your own holiday wreaths from natural materials, there is a how-to-do program scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area. Hours are from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.

For info, call (314) 877-6014 or visit http://www.mdc.mo.gov/cgi-bin/mdcdevpub/apps/events/showevent.cgi?record=248058.