Places to Go, Things to Do

Maple syrup, "middle school madness" and more

February may be a part of winter but there are still plenty of Places to Go, Things to Do in St. Louis. And, it's also a time to plan for activities later in the spring and summer.

Young Saint Louis.com has written a full story in this edition about one event with a unique "taste" of spring. Be sure read the Maple Syrup article in this month's issue. That's an outdoor event you won't want to miss on February 19.

Also, the Missouri Valley Conference is sponsoring "Middle School Madness" class lessons and activities that preview the upcoming NCAA Men's Final 4 basketball tournament. St. Louis is the host to that premier event at the Edward Jones Dome April 2-4.

Ask your teacher if your school is participating in "Middle School Madness." To participate, call Scott Winter at the MVC offices at (313) 421-0339, Ext. 322.

The St. Louis County Parks, St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri Department of Conservation and St. Louis Science Center have special activities for kids in February.

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Also, the Science Center already has announced its schedule of summer camps. Be sure to check them and make reservations early. Many of the camps fill up fast.

Every month, YSL.com compiles a list of activities that have special appeal for kids and their families. Here are some of those reports:

"Middle School Madness" comes to town

Four years ago, the NCAA produced a special group of lessons and activities that included principles of women's basketball into special class lessons for St. Louis schools. These previewed the 2001 NCAA Women's Final 4 tournament.

Another series of "Middle School Madness" class lessons and activities are being offered in February and March. These class materials will preview the 2005 NCAA Men's Final 4 tournament scheduled for April 2-5.

Lessons for language arts, math, social studies, physical education and health, art and science are included. Each lesson brings in elements of men's basketball to illustrate the class subject.

Also, there are details on how a school can develop sportsmanship and ethical conduct programs. The lesson manual also includes trivia, scramble and vocabulary games.

You or your teacher can review "Middle School Madness" lesson plans at: www.ncaa.org/bbp/basketball_marketing/kids_club.

St. Louis Science Center activities

The Science Center has a variety of "camp-ins" for boys, girls and families during February. Also, the center has announced its summer camp schedule.

"Camp-ins" have the advantage of never being rained out because they are indoors. Also, each "camp-in" includes a showing of an Omnimax film and special activities.

"Camp-ins" for February include: A boys-only "Get a Clue" camp Feb. 4-5; a family/coed "Out of this World" Planetarium camp Feb. 11-12; a girls-only "Crazy Creations" camp Feb. 18-19, and a family/coed "Abracadabra" camp Feb. 25-26.

To make reservations call (314) 289-4424 or toll-free 1-800-456-SLSC, ext. 4424.

The Science Center also has announced its schedule of "Summer Science Blast" day camps. Camps begin June 13 and run through mid-August.

There are a variety of camps for kids ranging from elementary through high school.

For information and a camp brochure, call (314) 289-4439 or toll-free 1-800-456-SLSC, ext 4439. Also, you can download the camp brochure and registration forms at www.slsc.org.

St. Louis County Parks February events

If you and your family are into frontier things, you'll like to attend the Frontier American Market sale, swap meet and auction. It's scheduled for the Jefferson Barracks Grant Shelter on Feb. 26.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $3 for those 13 and over; $2 for 12 and under.

Another special event is a Hunter Education Course at Queeny Park's Community Room on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 26-27. You must be 11 or older to attend and kids under 16 have to be with a paying adult.

Also, a Fossil Hunt is scheduled for the Greensfelder Park Learning Center Sunday, Feb. 27, from 1-3 p.m. Tickets are $3.

No registration is needed for the sale, swap meet and auction. Advance registrations for the hunter education and fossil hunt events can be called to (636) 391-3474.

For complete park information, visit www.stlouisco.com/parks.

Missouri Department of Conservation events

Volunteer naturalist Craig Vince will lead an "off the beaten path" hike on Sunday, Feb. 6, at the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. That's the new park area at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in extreme northeast St. Louis County.

This event is for families and will give you a look at nature in a place where very few people ever see.

For information, directions and registrations, call (636) 441-4554.

Missouri Hunter Education Student Courses

Two 2-day Missouri Hunter Education student courses are being offered in January by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The first course will be Tuesday, Jan. 4, and Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Busch Memorial Conservation Area. Courses start at 8:30 p.m. each night.

The second course will be Saturday, Jan. 29, and Sunday, Jan. 30. Both classes run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The courses are open to kids 11 and up. Completion of the courses can lead to state hunter certification.

For information, call (636) 441-4554.

For more complete listings of MDC programs, visit www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis.

Don't forget about the Maple Syrup Festival on Feb. 19. To read that article, click here.

St. Louis Art Museum events

The free Ford Family Sunday program for February focuses on the Asian Masterpieces artwork in the Asian galleries. The programs are on Sundays, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 2-4 p.m.

You'll make story scrolls, brush paintings and other Asian-style artworks.

All materials are free and no registration is needed.

For information on museum events, call (314) 655-5335 or visit www.slam.org.