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A Publication of the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department - March/April 2020

"First Light" Celebration Planned at Broemmelsiek Park 

Largest publicly-viewing telescope in Missouri opens at Broemmelsiek Park!

The wait is finally over! The largest public viewing telescope in Missouri is set to open, Friday, March, 20, at the Astronomy Viewing Area at Broemmelsiek Park! To commemorate this prestigious occasion, St. Charles County Parks and the Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri (ASEM) are hosting a "First Light" grand opening celebration from 7-10 p.m. in the park.  

Guests ages 7 and up and at least 48-inches tall are invited to climb to the top of the 32-inch Dobsonian telescope to view deep-space objects in the sky, such as distant galaxies, the Great Orion Nebula (M42), globular star clusters, a Supernova Remnant (M1) and so much more! When using this massive and powerful scope, objects in the sky will appear brighter and with more clarity and detail. Other high-powered telescopes focusing on different constellations and stars in the sky will be available for viewing as well, and attendance prizes will be given away at the top of each hour.  

"The Parks Department is excited to call St. Charles County home to the largest publicly available telescope in Missouri," says Ryan Graham, Parks Director. "We are proud to be able to offer this new amenity to the public for their enjoyment during the ASEM's Friday Night Public Stargazing events, as well as other special occasions at the site." 

In case of cloudy or inclement weather on the evening of the event, the "First Light" grand opening celebration will be postponed until Friday, March 27. Before heading to the park, get up-to-date information about the status of the program by checking the St. Charles County Parks Rainout Line at 636-707-0011 or visit us at stccparks.org and click on the Rainout Line app. 

Watercraft Rentals Open April 1!

Self-serve Paddleshare stations open April 1 in St. Charles County Parks!
Our new self-serve watercraft stations with reservable kayaks and stand-up paddleboards will open for public use, Wednesday, April 1 at Broemmelsiek Park in Defiance, Klondike Park in Augusta and The Park at New Melle Lakes in New Melle.

Guests must reserve a watercraft in advance through this rental link that is posted on our website under "Activities, Amenities and Rentals." Rentals are available on the hour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., April through October, and cost $10 per hour for a kayak or paddleboard and $15 per hour for a tandem kayak. Each rental comes with paddles and life jackets. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a reservation, watch this short video. 

To celebrate the opening of these new park amenities, the department is hosting a Paddleshare Demo Day from 1 - 5 p.m., Sunday, April 5 at Betty's Lake, located in Broemmelsiek Park. The event is free and offers guests of all ages the opportunity to try their hand at kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding; rules and regulations apply.

For more information about watercraft rentals, call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535.

Amazing Park Summer Camps Await Children Ages 6-15

Amazing summer camps await children ages 6-15!
From extreme sports to fishing, nature, history and explorer camps – the St. Charles County Parks Department has fun camp adventures for children age 6-15. Registration for these unique children’s camps is available now! Visit stccparks.org or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535 to reserve your child's spot today. Space is limited for these exciting summer camps planned in our parks:
  • Nature Camp: Children ages 9-13 can fully explore the outdoors from
    9 a.m. -
    3 p.m., June 8-12 at Indian Camp Creek Park during this full-day summer camp. Cost is $100; pre-registration is required. 

  • Camp X: Children ages 11-15 can participate in this half-day extreme sports day camp from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., June 8-12 and July 6-10 at the Youth Activity Park. Camp activities will include exclusive use of the skate park and rock climbing wall prior to the park opening and a mini competition on the last day. Cost is $60 per child, per week; pre registration required.

  • Youth Fishing Camp: These single-day camps are perfect for beginners as well as intermediate anglers. Camp costs and details vary for each session; space is limited. Children ages 8-15 can join Park Rangers for these five fun fishing excursions:
    • 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., June 17 at Quail Ridge Park; cost is $20
    • 7 - 11 a.m., June 24 at Indian Camp Creek Park; cost is $20
    • 7 - 11 a.m., July 8 at The Park at New Melle Lakes; cost is $20
    • 6 - 10 p.m., July 24 at Klondike Park; cost is $25
    • 8 a.m. - 12 p.m., Aug. 5 at Broemmelsiek Park; cost is $20

  • Park Explorer Kids Club: Children ages 7-11 discover the outdoors from
    9 a.m. - 12 p.m. during these half-day, week-long camps. Cost is $50 per week, per child; pre-registration required. Join us for these camp sessions:
    • June 22-26 at Quail Ridge Park
    • July 20-24 at Broemmelsiek Park

  • Camp YAP: Children ages 6-12, bring your lunch and we'll provide the T-shirt and fun! Activities include sports, arts and crafts, games, special guests, snacks and a movie during these week-long camps from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 22-26 and 
    July 20-24 at the Youth Activity Park. Cost is $110 per week; pre-registration required. 

  • History Explorer Kids Club: Children ages 6-14 discover history in fun and exciting ways using local history experiences, historic-themed activities, challenges and crafts during this week-long, half-day camp from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., July 13-17 at the Heritage Museum. Cost is $40 per child, which includes camp T-shirt; pre-registration required. 

  • Daniel Boone Home Day Camp: Children ages 10-17 can discover the frontier in new and exciting ways at The Historic Daniel Boone Home! Campers travel back in time to 1830s Missouri and learn by doing during this exciting, eventful week-long camp from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., July 27-31! Cost is $150 per child, which includes camp T-shirt; pre-registration required. 

Park Volunteers Wanted for Spring Projects

Volunteers are wanted to help with spring projects in St. Charles County Parks.

The Parks Department is looking for volunteers of all ages to assist with spring projects in our parks. Whether you're looking to fulfill service hours, or just want to give back to the community by making a mark on a County park, please join us for these upcoming volunteer opportunities:

  • Trail Work Days: Join Parks staff and members of Gateway Off-Road Cyclists from 9 a.m.  - 1 p.m. to assist with trail building and trail maintenance in the parks; lunch will be provided to all who lend a hand! Bring a set of gloves, a pair of sturdy boots and safety glasses and do your part to grow our park trails on the following dates:

    • March 21 at Indian Camp Creek Park
    • April 4 at Matson Hill Park
    • April 11 at Klondike Park

  • Mission Stream Clean: 8 - 11 a.m., Saturday, April 4 at Veterans Tribute Park – Join St. Charles County Parks, Greenway Network and the communities of Cottleville, Dardenne Prairie, Lake Saint Louis, O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, and Wentzville to remove trash from local streams and lakes. Meet at Shelter #3 in the park, then disperse to your designated cleanup site. The first 50 participants that register by March 17 will receive a free T-shirt.

Organizations, individuals, and groups interested in helping at these volunteer opportunities should register online (click on links above) or call the Parks Department at 636-949-7535. For information about year-round volunteer opportunities, visit our website.

Bushcraft Olympics Coming Soon!  

Bushcraft Olympics coming soon!

If you're interested in the outdoors and have the primitive and survival skills to compete in our new "Bushcraft Olympics," then rise to the challenge and aim for a victory on Saturday, May 2 at Indian Camp Creek Park! 

Participants must be at least 16 years of age and have their own knife to compete in this skilled-base competition that takes place from 1 - 4:30 p.m. in the park. Fire building, shelter construction, navigation and marksmanship, as well as a secret challenge are some of the categories planned during the event. Prizes will be awarded to the first place winner. And everyone is invited to watch!  

Entry fee is $25 per person and pre-registration is required by April 15; admission is free for all spectators. For more information or to register, call the Parks Department at
636-949-7535 or visit 
stccparks.org.

More Events and Important Dates


Ongoing: Private Skateboarding, Scooter and BMX Bike Lessons

April 2: Little Explorer Nature Program
April 3, 10, 17 & 24: Friday Night Stargazing
April 3: Seasonal Nature Walks
April 4: Hands-On Heritage: Hearth Cooking
April 7: Moonrise at Sunset Hike
April 10: Mountain Bike Night Ride
April 15,19 & 22: Wildflower Walks
April 16: Senior Bike Ride on the Katy Trail
April 16: Different Dynamics
April 18: Wild About Birds
April 18: Mountain Bike Night Ride
April 18: A Visit with Daniel and Rebecca Boone
April 18: Ride the Centennial
April 19: Nature Journaling
April 19: ICC Challenge
April 24: Mountain Bike Night Ride
April 25: Farming Ways Festival
April 25: Painting Stones 101
April 30: Missouri Documentary Series: We Always Lie to Strangers
May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29: Friday Night Stargazing
May 1: Seasonal Nature Walks
May 5: Smartphone Photography Workshop
May 6: Moonrise at Sunset Hike
May 7: Little Explorer Nature Program
May 7: Mountain Bike Night Ride
May 7: Bikepacking Seminar 
May 9: Ladies in the Park
May 9: Mother's Day Tea
May 10,16 & 20: Wildflower Walks
May 14: Senior Bike Ride on the Katy Trail 
May 15: Late Skate and Ride
May 16: Daniel Boone Home Brew Fest
May 17: Nature Journaling
May 22: Mountain Bike Night Ride
May 23: A Visit with Daniel and Rebecca Boone
May 23: Mountain Biking Skills Clinic – Adult Level 1
May 28: Home School Day
May 28: Missouri Documentary Film Series: Rich Hill
May 29: Adult Recess – Veterans Tribute Park
May 30: Light Up The Lakes
May 31: Ranger-Guided Bird Walk
June 3: Senior Bike Ride on the Katy Trail
June 4: Moonrise at Sunset Hike
June 5: Mountain Bike Night Ride
June 5 & 27: Paddleboard Lessons June 5, Paddleboard Lessons June 27
June 5: Seasonal Nature Walks
June 5: Ranger-Guide Night Hike
June 6: Frontier Trail Adventure Race
June 6 & 7: National Boone Day 
June 5, 12, 19 & 26: Friday Night Stargazing
June 12: Lights and Leashes
June 13: Nature Journaling
June 13: River Cane Fishing Workshop
June 14: The True and Incredible Story of Clara Brown
June 16: Pokémon Park Patrol – Veterans Tribute Park
June 18: Pokémon Park Patrol – Quail Ridge Park
June 18: Mountain Bike Night Ride
June 19: Concert in the Park – 4th Street Band
June 19: Late Skate and Ride
June 20: National Go Skateboarding Day (celebrated a day early)
June 20: Father's Day Grill Out
June 26: Adult Recess – Youth Activity Park
June 27: Sunset Sizzler
June 27: Mountain Biking Skills Clinic – Adult Level 1
June 28: Ranger-Guided Bird Walk
June 30: Pokémon Patrol – Broemmelsiek Park

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201 N. 2nd St., St. Charles, MO 63301

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