"First Light" Celebration Planned 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!

Amazing Park Summer Camps Await Children Ages 6-15

• 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

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!  

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

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