Mad Mud Mania and other July fun events

If it's July, it must be Mad Mud Mania time. And, there are plenty of other things for kids to do during July. Just read on.

Mad Mud Mania is a must-do event on the St. Louis County Parks' summer schedule. The two-day event will be held July 25 and 26 at Jefferson Barracks Park in south St. Louis.

The first day, Friday, July 25, is reserved for organized kids groups. Reservations are needed so call (314) 638-2100.

Saturday, July 26, is General Admission Day. Reservations are recommended since admissions are controlled to avoid over-crowding at any time. The reservation number also is (314) 638-2100.

Admission is $6 in advance or $7 at the gate. The event is open to kids 5 through 15. Parental permission forms also are required. Hours for both days are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mad Mud Mania is one of those events where kids are urged to wear clothes they never plan to wear again. Once you've tried out the 200-foot mud obstacle course, you probably couldn't get them clean again anyway.

In addition to the gooey mud pit, there are 10 other fun theme areas.

A couple other fun offerings at St. Louis County Parks are:

* Civil War Baseball on Wednesday, July 23.

Learn how to play America's favorite sport the way it was done in the 19th Century. No gloves are needed. Admission is $5 and advance registration by July 18. Call (314) 544-5714. The camp will be at Jefferson Barracks Park. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon.

* Children's Gardening on Saturday, July 12.

The July meeting will study succulent plants. This is a monthly series that meets every first Saturday from April through September. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m. The classes are for kids 16 and under. July's meeting is at Sherwood's Forest Nursery and Garden Center in west St. Louis County. For information and directions, call (314) 822-8151.

 

Theme weeks continue at Conservation areas

The three Missouri Department of Conservation areas will continue their series of theme weeks during July.

* At the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation area:

For reservations, call (636) 441-4554.

July 14-18, Outdoor Skills Week Kids ages 10-16. Programs are from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Equipment will be furnished or you can bring your own. Reservations begin June 30. Subjects are archery, fire building and fishing.

July 21-25, Hike and Bike Week. Hours and ages varied by subject. Reservations begin July 7. Subjects are Busch Hike, St. Stanislaus Hike and Bike the Busch Trail.

July 28-Aug. 1, Aquatics Week. Hours 10 to 11:30 a.m. Reservations begin July 14. Subjects are pond study, big river study and stream study.

* At Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center:

For reservations, call (314) 301-1500.

July 14-18, Maze Days Week. Hours 9:30 a.m. to noon. Ages 7-12. Reservations begin June 30. Kids will study three-dimensional mazes.

July 21-23, Kids' Outdoor Skills Week. Hours 9:30 a.m. to noon. Ages 10-16. Reservations begin July 7. Subjects are gun safety, archery and fishing.

July 28-Aug. 1, Lewis&Clark Week. Hours 9:30 a.m. to noon. Ages 7-12. Reservations begin July 14. Subjects include how Lewis and Clark prepared for, survived and learned from their Corps of Discovery expedition.

* At Rockwoods Reservation:

For reservations call (636) 458-2236.

July 14-16, The Beauty Within. Hours 10 to 11:30 a.m. with special art show on last day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For kids 7-14. Reservations begin June 30. Subjects are nature photography, painting, sketching/journaling

July 21-25, Lewis&Clark: How did they do it? Hours 10 to 11:30 a.m with special adventure race on last day from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kids 7-14. Reservations begin July 7. Subjects are mapping, Native American cultural influence and skills and Lewis & Clark cooking.

 

St. Louis Science Center classes and programs

The St. Louis Science Center continues its "Summer Science Blast" series of classes and workshops in July. The activities are for kids from grades 1 through 8.

The classes are held at the Science Center and some programs are at Babler State Park in west St. Louis County.

Of course, both the indoor and outdoor activities have a variety of science themes, geared to the children's ages.

For information, call (314) 289-4414.

 

St. Louis Art Museum's July schedule

The St. Louis Art Museum has summer classes for kids during July.

Classes are taught in different sections so subject matter can be tailored by age of the kids. There's everything from pre-school through 6th grade. For information call (314) 721-0072.

July class subjects dates are:

July 8-11: Stained, Hammered, Propped: Works of Glass and Metal.

July 15-18: Brushed, Splattered, Poured: Works in Paint and Ink.

July 22-25: Carved, Sewn, Dyed: Works in Wood and Fibers.